Theology (not counting the seminaries) is studied in Poland by over 2,500 students but church universities more and more boldly offer other, traditionally secular courses of study. In total, according to the report “The Church in Poland 2021” prepared by the Catholic Information Agency over 25 thousand students are currently studying at Catholic universities.

The Catholic Church in Poland runs 2 universities: the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin and the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow, as well as 3 higher education institutions – papal universities: the Catholic Academy in Warsaw, the “Ignatianum” Academy in Krakow and the Pontifical Faculty of Theology in Wrocław. The Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw is a state university. In addition, there are theological faculties at 5 state universities: in Katowice, Poznań, Toruń, Opole, Olsztyn and Szczecin.

The legal status of Catholic universities and the procedure and scope of recognition of the state of church titles, as well as the legal status of Catholic theology departments at state universities are regulated by agreements between the government and the Polish Episcopal Conference authorized by the Holy See.