The Doctoral School of Physical Culture Sciences (DS PCS) was established by the B. Czech University of Physical Education in Kraków (UPE) at the Order of the Rector of UPE in Kraków on 18 April 2019. As part of this act, for the 2019-2023 term of office, the following persons were appointed: DS. Head Prof. Wiesław Chwała., and deputy Head Prof. Anna Ścisłowska-Czarnecka. The Doctoral School Board (DSB) staff is composed of Prof. Wiesław Alejziak, Prof. Barbara Frączek and Prof. Elżbieta Mirek. In the 2020/21 academic year, a new Head of the DS was appointed and the composition of the DSB was modified (Annex No. 2) and the current management of the DS was specified in the Senate Resolution of October 17, 2024 (Annex No. 3).

The PCS DS operates in accordance with the internal regulations specified in the Doctoral School Regulations (DSR) (Annex No. 4-7). The organisational structure of the DS consists of the Head of the DS, the DSB consisting of the chairperson, deputy and members representing various scientific fields related to physical culture and a representative of doctoral students, as well as a one-person Office responsible for administrative matters.

The mission of the PCS DS is closely related to that of the University of Physical Culture (PCS), the aim of which is educating and promoting scientific staff; popularising and multiplying the achievements of science, national culture and technology, as well as creating conditions for the development of physical culture among students and promotion in all social groups. In the context of the DS, this mission is implemented through educating doctoral students in the field of PCS, preparing them for independent scientific and research activities, developing didactic and soft skills necessary in scientific and professional work, as well as supporting the internationalisation of the education process.

The DS offers education in the discipline of PCS, continuing the university's traditions in the field of education and scientific research related to physical education, sports and health, as well as educating doctoral students in the area of medical and health sciences in the scientific discipline of physical culture sciences. In December 2024, the university changed its name to B. Czech University of Physical Culture in Kraków, which was reflected in the Order of the Head of the DS of PCS from January 20, 2025.

Education at the DS is carried out in accordance with Art. 201, Points 1, 4, 5 of the Act of 20 July 2018 - the Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws of 2024, Item 1571, as amended) (Act) and is conducted on the basis of a four-year Educational Programme (EP) (Annexes No. 8-9), enabling the achievement of learning outcomes for qualifications at level 8 of the Polish Qualifications Framework (PQF), including compulsory and optional classes tailored to the individual needs of doctoral students, professional internships enabling the acquisition of experience in teaching and conducting research and an Individual Research Plan (IRP) developed under the supervision of a supervisor or supervisors, constituting the basis for the doctoral dissertation. The education of a doctoral student at the DS, preparing the student to obtain a doctoral degree, is described in §8 of the DSR and the Regulations specifying the principles and procedure for completing internships included in the educational programme at the DS of PC, UPC in Kraków (Annex No. 10) and the Regulations on travel under the Erasmus+ Programme for doctoral students at the DS of the UPC in Kraków (Annex No. 11).

Scientific and didactic improvement, interdisciplinarity, internationalisation, individualisation of education, ethics and social responsibility, innovation and promotion of health and physical activity constitute the fundamental values ​​of the DS’s activities, shaping its mission and objectives, directing its activities towards scientific, didactic and social development in the area of ​​physical culture.

The concept of education at the DS is consistent with the mission of the University, "discovering and communicating the truth", and is also linked to its scientific activity in the discipline of physical culture sciences. In the area of ​​scientific research, it sets itself the goal of: promoting and conducting advanced research in the discipline of physical culture sciences, covering issues related to physical education, sports, recreation and health promotion; supporting interdisciplinary research projects integrating various fields of science in order to assume a holistic approach to the issues of physical culture and internationalising research, through cooperation with foreign research centres, participation in international conferences and being published in renowned scientific journals. In the area of ​​education, this is focused on: educating highly qualified scientific staff, capable of independently conducting research and taking on didactic challenges in the field of physical culture sciences; developing didactic competences through professional internships and engaging doctoral students in the teaching process; individualising the education process, by developing IRPs adapted to the interests and needs of doctoral students and providing substantive as well as organisational support for doctoral students at every stage of their scientific development.

The cooperation between UPC in Kraków and the Doctoral Students' Self-Government is based on the provisions contained in the internal normative acts of the university, such as the University Statute and the DSR. The fundamental issues related to cooperation include the representation of the Doctoral Students' Self-Government in the collegial bodies of the university (the Scientific Council and the Doctoral School College), consultative and advisory functions in the area of doctoral education, issues concerning the organisation of doctoral students' life, internal regulations or those related to teaching and research activities, and the right to give opinions on draft resolutions, orders and decisions of the University bodies in matters concerning doctoral students (curricula, changes in regulations, organisation of recruitment processes, principles of assessing doctoral students' progress, changes in research programmes, as well as changes in the structure and functioning of the DS itself and other administrative matters).

When planning the future, the DS. will continue its current activities and initiatives as well as its commitment to scientific and didactic development. In the future, the school will strive to: initiate and participate in national and international research projects aimed at expanding knowledge in the field of physical culture sciences; organize scientific events; continue to organise conferences, seminars and workshops, which constitute a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experiences between scientists, students and practitioners; support the development of doctoral students, in particular, providing opportunities for development through participation in research projects, scientific publications and cooperation with research centres in the country and abroad.