Study in Poland

Poland is the 9th largest European country and an increasingly popular destination for international students. If you're looking to study at a university in Poland, you will find numerous study choices, known for their strong academic traditions and affordable education. Add in the low living expenses, and you have a formula for (financial) success.

Why Study in Poland?

5 Reasons to study in Poland:

1. Tradition

Poland's tradition of academic education goes back to 1364 when King Casimir the Great established the Cracow Academy, known today as the Jagiellonian University. The Cracow Academy, being one of the oldest in the world, took after academies in Bologna and Padua, and was the second university in Central Europe after Prague.

2. Modernity

Today, the Polish higher education system is developing rapidly. Poland holds fourth place in Europe (after the United Kingdom, Germany and France) in terms of the number of people enrolled in higher education. The total student population at over 400 university level schools is almost one and a half million. Each year almost half a million young people begin their education at universities and colleges. The Polish university level schools offer over 200 high quality types of study as an integral part of the European Higher Education Area. Most schools offer courses in foreign languages.

3. Bologna Process

Poland plays an active part in the Bologna Process. Owing to the introduction of three-stage education modelled on Bachelor/Master/Doctoral studies as well as the European Credit Transfer System, both Polish students and international students studying in Poland stay fully mobile and can continue their education elsewhere in the European Union without any problems. Within just the Erasmus Program that has been going on for over 20 years now, over 43,000 foreign students have come to study in Poland while almost 100,000 students from Poland have taken part of their education in another country within the European Union. Foreign students coming to Poland can expect the most attractive and diversified education opportunities meeting high European standards. They can study medicine, biotechnology or engineering, but also art and business and many other subjects. The diploma awarded to them upon graduation is recognised not only Europe-wide but also in most countries of the world.

4. High quality of education

The Polish higher education system is well developed. The quality of the education provided is monitored and regularly evaluated. The main Polish institutions in charge of quality assurance in higher education are: the Polish Accreditation Committee, the General Council of Higher Education and the Conference of Rectors of the Academic Schools in Poland. There are over 5,000 courses available in Poland and each of them has had to gain the Polish Accreditation Committee's approval. Among them there are a number of fields of study that have received the grade: excellent. The list of excellent fields of study is available at the Polish Accreditation Committee website: http://www.pka.edu.pl/?q=en/oceny.

5. Competitive costs of living and studying

Compared to other EU countries, the tuition fees in Poland are really competitive and the costs of living are a fraction of what a foreign student would have to spend in other European cities.

What are the best universities in Poland?

The following are the best Polish universities that offer English-taught degrees:

• University of Wroclaw
• Warsaw University of Technology
• Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan
• Wroclaw Medical University
• University of Warsaw

What is it like to study in Poland?

You should integrate quickly in the Polish academic and social life, since you won't be the only foreign student. Over 65,000 internationals enrol at one of the universities in Poland every year. You'll have plenty of opportunities to chat, discover other cultures, and have fun at local parties.

The education system is based on the Bologna principles, so there are no surprises here. Most Bachelors take 3 years to complete, while most Masters take 1 or 2 years. Of course, there are exceptions (e.g. some Medicine, Engineering programmes).

How much money is required to study in Poland?

Let's take a closer look at tuition fees in Poland:

Tuition Fees in Poland

Public universities in Poland implement the following tuition fee structure:

• 0 EUR/year for EU/EEA students if they enrol in Polish-taught degrees
• 500-6,000 EUR/year for bachelor's programmes
• 1,000-8,000 EUR/year for master's programmes

Some courses, like MBAs or Dentistry might cost as much as 15,000 EUR per academic year.

Tuition fees are usually even higher at private universities, but you can also find lower-cost degrees.

Language requirements

Because you'll study an international degree in English, you'll have to present a language certificate. Some popular options for international students are IELTS, TOEFL or C1 Advanced language certificates. You'll have to meet a minimum language score set by the university, and your test scores shouldn't be older than 1-2 years. If you don't meet the minimum language requirements, you will have to improve your skills and scores by taking an English preparation course.

Cost of living in Poland

The average living expenses in most Polish cities are around 350-550 EUR per month. In larger cities, like Krakow or Warsaw, students will need between 500 and 850 EUR.

Health insurance

Healthcare in Poland is available for students from EU/EEA countries, provided that they hold valid medical insurance in the national insurance system of their country. A valid passport, student identity card or doctoral student identity card and a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles its holder to medical carefree of charge in Poland.

Non-EU/EEA students need to get a private healthcare insurance plan.

Other monthly living expenses

• Food and groceries: 100-150 EUR/month
• Transport: 50 EUR for a semester pass, valid for 6 months
• Books and study materials: 20-50 EUR/month
• social events and entertainment: 30-70 EUR/month

Student accommodation in Poland

There are many different options for arranging student accommodation in Poland. They vary depending on the city and higher education institution you choose.

Many Polish higher education institutions (HEIs) have their own dormitories, which are usually the cheapest option available. However, most Polish students prefer to rent a room in a private apartment.

• Student residence halls: 60-150 EUR/month
• Rent in a private flat: 80-150 EUR/month plus the utilities bill (100-150 EUR)

Work and study in Poland

To be able to study in Poland, a non-EU/EEA citizen must demonstrate that they possess sufficient means to cover the costs of living in Poland. Still, some students may wish to combine studies with work.

In this case, non-EU/EEA students who stay in Poland with a visa generally need to apply for a work permit, which is granted only if no EU citizens can fill the position.

Residing in Poland after studying?

Want to work in Poland after graduation? If you're from Nigeria, you will need a work permit to get a full-time job in Poland after finishing your studies.

First things first! In Poland, you can choose a work permit like the Temporary Residence Permit for Highly Qualified Employment or Temporary Residence and Work Permit to remain in the country and work full-time.

University application in Poland

If you've decided to study at a university in Poland, you will have to gather the right documents to prove that you fit the university requirements. Provide complete personal information, previous qualifications, financial information, and a personal statement.

To apply to a university in Poland you will likely be asked to provide some of the following documents:

• birth certificate;
• recent photos;
• your passport or national identity card;
• one or more reference letters from past employers or teachers;
• copies of past diplomas or certificates, including your graduated Bachelor's degree;
• academic transcripts;
• letter of intent;
• Curriculum Vitae;
• Some form of proof that you can support your stay in the country during your studies.

Depending on the subject or specialization of your chosen Master's, you might also be asked to provide scores for additional tests like the GRE, GMAT or LSAT. Check if your programme requires any of these, or others.

The list of documents depends on the specific requirements of universities in Poland so you might be asked to include additional documents. It's also likely you'll have to provide official English translations of your documents, or translations in the local language.

Application deadlines for Poland universities

The deadlines for applying to a Master's in Poland are usually during summer (June-July), or in winter (January-February). Keep in mind that some universities don't have application deadlines, which means you can apply whenever you are ready.

To avoid delays or missed deadlines send your required documents with plenty of time in advance.

Scholarship application in Poland

We have not gathered enough data about Financial Aid and Scholarships in Poland. We are still compiling. Data will be uploaded to this site when they are enough for public consumption.

Student Visa application for Poland

Some international students will need to apply for a visa to study in Poland. The information relating to requirements is sourced from the embassy and consulate.