Called Studium Generale in its early years, it was modeled after the Universities of Bologna and Padua and was initially composed of three faculties: Liberal Arts, Medicine, and Law.

Despite numerous challenges, particularly economic, sustained scientific development continued at the University until the outbreak of World War II and Nazi German occupation.

On November 6, 1939, in room number 26 at Collegium Novum, the teaching staff was gathered on orders by SS-Sturmbannführer Bruno Muller, who accused university authorities of illegal activity.

However, despite the good will and sincere enthusiasm of all academic teachers and students, these efforts were soon stifled by ever-increasing political interference.

Its young academic staff and doctoral students are yearly awarded more than 10 percent of the prestigious Foundation for Polish Science scholarships.

As a result, a number of research projects, mainly in the field of natural and exact sciences, have been introduced onto Polish and international markets.

The work of those connected with the University continues to influence the world in which we live and remains a part of Europe's humanistic landscape.

King Władysław Jagiełło, using jewels donated by his wife, Queen Jadwiga, financed the restoration of the University in 1400.

Other notable scholars include Jan of Pawia (Johannes de Saccis de Pavia), who introduced the first statute of the Faculty of Medicine in 1433, Marcin Król of Żurawica, and Piotr Gaszowiec of Loćmierz, who, in addition to medicine, displayed great interest in astronomy and astrology.

One of the greatest personalities of the 16th century was undoubtedly Maciej of Miechów (1457-1523), a historian and physician; he served as Rector of the University for eight terms and is often called the "Polish Hippocrates".

Other eminent scholars include Wojciech Oczko (1537-1599), author of many meticulous works on balneology and syphilology; Sebastian Petrycy of Pilzno (1554-1626), a clinician, philanthropist, and renowned expert on Aristotle; and Josephus Struthius (1510-1568), a critic of Galen and author of Sphygmicae artis libri quinque (1555), a treatise on the human pulse, he went on to lecture in Padua.

The 17th and 18th centuries saw a decline in the University, marked mainly by external factors (e.g., the 1655-1660 Swedish invasions), which led to a decrease in the number of students.

The second half of the 18th century saw the condition of the University improve dramatically when, in 1773, the Commission of National Education entrusted Hugo Kołłątaj with the task of reform, carried out from 1778 to 1780.

The 19th century saw a period of further prosperity at the Faculty of Medicine and University, owing to such outstanding scholars and physicians as Józef Dietl (1804-1878); Edward Korczyński (1844-1905); Walery Jaworski (1849-1924), in internal diseases; Jan Mikulicz Radecki (1850-1905); and Ludwik Rydygier (1850-1920) and Alfred Obaliński (1843-1898), in surgery.

Similar to ophthalmology, orthopedics, or laryngology, dentistry was at first considered a part of surgery, long remaining within this field.

During World War II, medical studies were secretly organized and run by Professor Stanisław Madziarski.

All of its Chairs and Clinics made great strides in teaching and research, oftentimes gaining worldwide recognition.

During the 2008/2009 academic year, over 480 students from five continents and twenty countries were enrolled in the School, with the majority coming from Norway, the US, and Canada.

Under agreements with different universities, final year students of the School of Medicine in English have the opportunity to complete elective rotations at the following schools: Graduates of both programs are eligible to apply for residency and postgraduate training programs at university teaching hospitals in various countries, including the United States (Illinois, Alabama, Arizona, Michigan, Utah, Vermont, New York, Georgia, New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, West Virginia, Ohio, Louisiana, South Carolina and Washington DC), Canada (Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Alberta), Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and Poland.

Students can compete to win the University Vice-Rector Cup in skiing or take part in a similarly challenging swimming competition.

Each academic year begins with a memorable ceremony of the Inauguration Walk, a tradition in which professors, lecturers and students trek from one university building to another.

Each year, university students celebrate this (or, more appropriately, their) day called "Juvenalia," as they are given a symbolic key to the gates of the city.

Department also continues the tradition of training for midwives, which was launched in Kraków in 1780 in College Physics, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University School of the Crown.

School team in 1991 began an intensive education and a variety of activities aimed at preparing managers for the modern needs of a changing Polish health care system.

In subsequent years, the Institute conducted a variety of post-graduate diploma in hospital management, postgraduate studies for people working in managerial positions in health institutions, the pharmaceutical inspectors and studies for those carrying out tasks in the field of health programs.

Since 2004 the above-mentioned line was pursued in the direction of public health and in 2007 was the first recruitment for medical emergency, as a distinct field of study.

The creation of the Department was responding to a new socio-economic situation in Poland in connection with health care reform and the new labor market.

Faculty of Health Sciences as an academic unit, focuses primarily on educating students, creating the possibility of personal, professional and scientific development.

Further, leads a broad scientific research activities and its staff act as consultants assisting the health care environment.

The Faculty of his scientific activity also takes an interdisciplinary approach to the subject of disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care and rehabilitation.