AWFiS Gdansk

Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego i Sportu im. Jędrzeja Śniadeckiego w Gdańsku (AWFiS Gdańsk) is a public higher education institution in Poland, dedicated to physical education, sport, rehabilitation, tourism, and recreation. Its origins date back to 1952, when a Physical Education Technical School was established, followed in 1957 by a Teacher Training College for Physical Education. Over the years it grew into a full academic institution, and since 1973 it has carried the name of Jędrzej Śniadecki, a renowned physician and chemist.

The university is located in the Gdańsk–Oliwa district, surrounded by rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, which makes the campus an attractive learning environment. In addition to its main campus, AWFiS manages specialized facilities such as the Narodowe Centrum Żeglarstwa (National Sailing Centre) in Górki Zachodnie, a marina and training hub for water sports, as well as a recreational centre in Radunia and the historic “Dworek Ludolfino” manor housing the university’s main library.

Academically, AWFiS offers a full spectrum of study levels: bachelor’s (first-cycle), master’s (second-cycle), doctoral (third-cycle), and postgraduate studies. Students can pursue programs in Physical Education, Sport, Tourism and Recreation, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and related disciplines. Many of these fields include specialized tracks such as coaching in various sports, personal training, fitness, wellness, spa management, dietetics, or sport diagnostics. In Tourism and Recreation, students may focus on hotel management, cultural tourism, or tourism economics.

The university actively develops research in sports science, physiology, motor skills, health, tourism, and economics. It cooperates internationally through Erasmus and other exchange programs, and partners with institutions in Europe and beyond. Its National Sailing Centre holds World Sailing certification, further underlining its high standards in sport training.

AWFiS is equipped with extensive sports infrastructure, including outdoor fields for football, rugby, and athletics, indoor sports halls, tennis courts, and a swimming pool. Its laboratories conduct advanced research in areas like exercise physiology, genetics in sport, and health-oriented physical activity. Recent investments have modernized the campus and expanded its facilities, including plans for a new gym hall and an innovation centre.

The mission of the university is not limited to educating professional athletes and coaches but also extends to promoting physical activity, wellness, and health within the broader community. It plays a central role in the Pomerania region as the only sports university, often co-organizing international and national sporting events. With around 4,200 students, both full-time and part-time, AWFiS combines teaching, research, and sport practice in a unique way that strengthens its role as a centre for education, science, and community engagement.