Nicolaus Copernicus University

Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (Polish: Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu, UMK) is a public university located in Toruń, Poland.

The history of Nicolaus Copernicus University (UMK) can be traced back to the 16th century, when the Toruń Academic Gymnasium was founded in 1568. This was one of the first universities in northern Poland, and it played an important role in the development of higher education in the region.

In the late 19th century, there was a growing movement to establish a full-fledged university in Toruń. This movement was led by a group of local intellectuals, including the astronomer Jan Baudouin de Courtenay. In 1920, the Polish government finally granted permission for the establishment of a university in Toruń.

However, due to the economic and political turmoil of the interwar period, the new university was not able to open its doors until 1945. The university was named after Nicolaus Copernicus, the astronomer who was born in Toruń in 1473.

In the early years of its existence, UMK was a relatively small university with only a few faculties. However, it quickly grew in size and stature, and by the 1960s it was one of the largest and most prestigious universities in Poland.

Today, UMK is a leading university in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe.

UMK is a proud institution with a rich history. It has played an important role in the development of higher education and research in Poland, and it continues to be a leading university in the country and the region.

Nicolaus Copernicus University is ranked as the #10 top university in Poland during 2025.