A first-cycle vocational school is a three-year institution after primary school, providing vocational education and a first professional qualification. A second-cycle vocational school is a two-year continuation of education for graduates, culminating in secondary vocational education and preparing them for the matriculation exam and a technician's diploma. In other words, a second-cycle vocational school is not an alternative to a first-cycle vocational school, but rather its next stage. Below, we compare the two levels step by step.
To sum it up
- Higher education: 3 years after completing primary school, vocational training at the skilled worker level, vocational education.
- Second cycle: 2 years, only for graduates of first-cycle vocational schools and secondary vocational education.
- After receiving a second higher education, you can take final exams exams in high school and enter university; after receiving the second qualification certificate, you can get technician's diploma .
- The first level is a full-time school for young people; the second level is often part-time, adapted to the needs of working people.
First level vocational school – vocational training after primary school.
In 2017, the previous basic vocational schools were replaced by first cycle vocational school. The course lasts three years . Students study general education subjects at a basic level (including Polish, mathematics, a foreign language, and history), as well as professional subjects. A significant part of the curriculum consists of practical professional training , either in the workshops of the school or at the enterprise.
Many students are trained as young professionals They sign an employment contract with an employer, which obliges them to undergo professional training and receive compensation for their work. This is how future hairdressers, auto mechanics, chefs, and carpenters are trained.
Finally, the student passes professional exam to meet the qualification requirements of his profession. After completing the training and successfully passing the exam, he receives professional diploma . Apprentices who learn a craft from a master at a young age may instead take the journeyman's examination in the Chamber of Crafts and receive a journeyman's certificate.
Second-cycle vocational school is the next stage and the path to passing the matriculation exam.
Second-cycle vocational school lasts two years and is intended for graduates of the first cycle vocational school. It provides training in the profession, having general qualifications with the profession acquired in the first cycle. For example, a chef who graduated from a first-cycle vocational school can continue training as a food and catering technician, and a farmer can continue training as an agricultural technician.
In secondary school, students receive a second professional qualification. After passing the exam and completing their studies, they receive technician's diploma . Completion of high school provides vocational secondary education , and after passing the matriculation exam, they receive a high school diploma and the opportunity to continue their education at higher education institutions.
Second-cycle students are often already working, so many schools offer, for example, correspondence Classes are held on Fridays and Saturdays. The format and range of courses offered vary by school, so it's worth checking with the school directly or your local education department.
Vocational schools of the 1st and 2nd level – comparison in the table.
| Characteristic | First-degree vocational school | Second-level vocational school |
|---|---|---|
| For whom? | Primary school graduates | Graduates of the first cycle vocational school |
| Time to study | 3 years | 2 years |
| Education after university graduation | the most important industry | Industry averages |
| Qualifications | First professional qualification | Second qualification (within the general industry specialization) |
| Professional document | Professional diploma or apprenticeship certificate | Technician's diploma |
| Matriculation exam | NO | Yes, after finishing school. |
| Typical form | Every day, with practical professional training. | Often out-of-hospital |
What next after receiving a first-degree professional qualification?
A graduate of a first-cycle vocational school can choose one of several development paths:
- Professional work – with a professional diploma or journeyman's certificate. Craftsmen can subsequently take an exam to become a master craftsman.
- Second-cycle vocational school - if you want to develop in the same industry and obtain the title of technician.
- General secondary education for adults – a graduate of a first-cycle vocational school can begin studies from the second grade and prepare to pass the matriculation exam without continuing vocational training.
- Professional qualification courses allow you to obtain additional qualifications without entering an educational institution.
Which school should I choose and should I apply for the second year?
After the eighth grade you choose only the first training cycle — You can't immediately move on to the second cycle after primary school. A first-cycle vocational school is a good choice if you want to quickly acquire a specific profession and start earning money, and you prefer hands-on training to classroom instruction.
Getting a second degree is worth considering if, after a few years of work, you want to advance your career (for example, to a position requiring technical training), plan to start your own business in the industry, or are considering applying to graduate school. However, if you already know that you want to take the matriculation exam and go to university, consider option of studying at a technical school – It offers both technical education and high school diplomas within a single five-year course. A careers counselor at your primary school can help you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I take the matriculation exam after completing a first-cycle vocational school?
Not directly. To pass the matriculation exam, you must complete a second-level vocational school or a general secondary school for adults (graduates of vocational schools begin their education at the second level).
What kind of education is provided in a vocational school that issues second-level diplomas?
Secondary vocational education. After passing the vocational exam to obtain a second qualification, the graduate receives a technician's diploma, and after passing the final high school exams, a high school certificate.
What is the total duration of training in vocational schools of the 1st and 2nd levels?
A total of 5 years: 3 years in first-cycle school and 2 years in second-cycle school. The same length of study is required for technical school, which also awards a technician's diploma and provides the opportunity to take the matriculation exam.
What is the difference between a qualification exam and a professional training exam?
The professional examination is conducted by a system of regional examination commissions and confirms qualifications in a given profession. The apprentice examination is organized by the Chamber of Crafts and is taken, in particular, by young workers learning a craft from an artisan.
Can I enroll in a vocational school to obtain a second higher education and continue my studies in a different specialty?
Second-cycle educational institutions provide training in professions that have similar qualifications to those in the first cycle. Therefore, the field of study must be related to the industry in which you studied. Detailed information about specific professions is provided by the educational institution itself.
See also
- What is the difference between study and studies?
- What is the difference between a legal adviser and an attorney?
- What is the difference between an academy and a university?
- What is the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?