Higher education sector in Poland : analysis of consolidation processes

Background. Consolidation processes in the higher education sector, both public and private, are not very intensive. However, there is a large dispersion in the university sector. It can be argued that the number and intensity of consolidations will increase in the coming years. The reasons for the increase in the importance of consolidation can be seen in: progressive deprivatization of higher education in Poland, excessive institutional dispersion of the higher education system, demographic ‘tsunami’ and public policy, increasingly based on accountability. In the private sector, the merger reasons include in particular the increase in competitive pressure and demographic decline. Research aims. The aim of the article is to analyze the processes of mergers of Polish universities and to identify possible forms of mergers for various types of universities. Methodology. The methodology in the article below was based on qualitative research, analysis of the literature on the subject, internal materials of the studied entities. Key findings. In the public sector, the wave of mergers is in the initial phase, as manifested by the last two acquisitions of the State Higher Vocational Schools (in Sandomierz and Sulechów) by regional universities. Large and often networked universities can take over selected smaller private entities and sometimes also a selected part of their resources