The University has over 10 000 students studying across 11 fields and 3 specialties. Among the University’s scientific and teaching staff are prominent Polish physicians and scientists.

The history of the Medical University of Warsaw dates back to the 19th century. In 1809, on the initiative of Stanisław Staszic, a member of the Educational Chamber, the Academic-Medical Faculty was established. Academic teaching of medicine, surgery and pharmacy with the aim to train more competent and comprehensively educated professionals was a novel concept in those days.

In 1815, the Kingdom of Poland was formed with the emperor of Russia as its king. In 1816, Tsar Alexander I permitted the foundation of the Royal University of Warsaw comprising 5 faculties, including Law and Medical Sciences.

After the fall of the November Uprising in 1831, the University was closed down, similarly to other colleges and universities in the Kingdom of Poland.

In 1857, the Imperial Royal Medico-Chirurgical Academy was established and it became part of the Principal School of Warsaw as its Faculty of Medicine in 1862.

In 1869, the Principal School of Warsaw was dissolved by Tsar’s ukase and replaced by the Imperial University of Warsaw, with Russian as the language of instruction.

The revival of education took place in 1915, when the University of Warsaw was re-established and Professor Józef Polikarp Brudziński, an eminent paediatrician and neurologist was appointed its Rector.

In 1916, the Preparatory-Medical Division was transformed into the Faculty of Medicine.

In independent Poland, the reborn University established in its structure a separate division educating pharmacists, which in 1926 became the Faculty of Pharmacy.

During the World War II, the School established by Professor Jan Zaorski provided clandestine courses for medical students. In 1949, an independent university-level institution, the Physicians’ Academy, was established. In 1950, the name Medical Academy was adopted and remained in use for 58 years.

In March 2008, by the Act of Parliament (Act No 39, item 226) the University returned to its historical roots becoming the Medical University of Warsaw.

This fact is a confirmation of the true position and rank of the Medical University of Warsaw as well as recognition of the high quality of teaching, scientific research and medical services it provides.