BA in European Cultures 

at University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw

Type of exam: Written exam in the form of an essay.

The purpose of the exam is to assess students understanding of cultural, historical, or artistic concepts, ability to analyze and interpret a chosen topic, and your skill in presenting logical, coherent, and critical opinions.

Topics for essay:

• A cultural phenomenon (e.g. an arts festival, a museum, the cultural heritage of living minorities, a city known for its multiculturalism)
• A historical event and its influence on history
• An important historical figure and their impact on the development of humankind
• A piece of art (the candidate may freely choose any piece of art from around the world; it can be a building such as a palace, monastery or church, a sculpture or a painting)

Formal requirements: 

• Length: 1,600 characters (excluding spaces)
• Language: English
• Required elements:
  • Introduction
  • Presentation of the chosen cultural/historical phenomenon
  • Identification of the main theme and context (cultural, or historical)
  • Content discussion
  • Description of key figures or motifs
  • Analysis and evaluation of the artistic, cultural, or historical aspects
  • Justified personal opinion, highlighting strengths and weaknesses
  • Conclusion

Evaluation criteria:

• Structure and organization of the text (0–5 points)
• Style and linguistic correctness (0–5 points)
• Substantive content (0–5 points)
• Originality of conclusions and argumentation (0–5 points)

The essay will be assessed on a scale of 0–20 points. A minimum of 10 points is required to pass. Admission will be granted to candidates with the highest scores within the established limit of available places.