Poland offers hundreds of Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programmes taught in Polish and English. Foreigners can study at both public and private universities.
π€ Who Can Apply?
International students can apply if they:
- Have completed secondary school (for Bachelor’s programmes)
- Have a Bachelor’s degree (for Master’s programmes)
- Meet the language requirements
- Meet the admission requirements of the chosen university
- Have enough money to live in Poland (800 PLN/Month + 2500 PLN return ticket)
π Benefits of Studying in Poland
- Internationally recognized diploma
- Lower tuition fees than in many Western European countries
- Opportunity to work while studying
- Access to student discounts
- Modern universities and laboratories
- Erasmus+ exchange opportunities
- Possibility to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit
- Opportunity to continue with Master’s or PhD studies
- Easier integration into the Polish labour market after graduation
- 50% discount on public transport and trains
- Free entry to museums
- Higher earnings if youβre under 26 (you donβt pay taxes to ZUS)
π Who Can Study for Free
- Holders of the Permanent Residence Card
- Holders of the Pole’s Card (How to Get a Karta Polaka)
- Refugees and holders of subsidiary protection (How to Get Asylum)
- EU residents (long-term), if the relevant document was issued in Poland (How to Get a Blue Card)
- Citizens of EU, EFTA, EOG, and Switzerland
π° Scholarships for International Students
International students in Poland may be eligible for different types of scholarships depending on their university, academic performance and legal status.
π Rector’s Scholarship
One of the most popular scholarships for students with excellent academic results.
It is usually awarded for:
- High GPA
- Scientific achievements
- Sports achievements
- Artistic achievements
The amount depends on the university, but is typically:
- 500β2,000 PLN per month
β€οΈ Social Scholarship
Available to students in a difficult financial situation.
The university evaluates the applicant’s income and supporting documents before making a decision.
The amount usually ranges from:
- 800β2,000 PLN per month
βΏ Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
Students with a certified disability may receive additional financial support.
The amount depends on:
- Degree of disability
- University regulations
π Minister’s Scholarship
Awarded to students with outstanding academic, scientific, artistic or sports achievements.
It is one of the most prestigious scholarships available in Poland.
π NAWA Scholarships
The Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) offers scholarship programmes for international students.
Popular programmes include:
- Banach NAWA Programme
- Anders NAWA Programme (for people of Polish origin)
- Polonista NAWA Programme
Depending on the programme, scholarships may include:
- Full tuition waiver
- Monthly scholarship
- Travel allowance
- Preparatory Polish language course
π΅ Tuition Fees
Approximate annual tuition fees for foreigners:
| Programme | Price per year |
| Bachelor’s In Polish | 1200β4000 EUR |
| Bachelor’s In English | 1600β5000 EUR |
| Master’s Programmes | 2000β8000 EUR |
| Medical Programmes | 6000β15000 EUR |
π Application Submission Deadlines
Admissions committees generally work from July to September, but may extend their work until October if there are insufficient enrollment.
π¨ Study typically begins in October but some universities may begin their academic year as early as March.
Payment periods (for fee-paying students) may be distributed according to the start date of studies. Payments may be made per semester, per decade, or per year.
β Exams
Exams are not always mandatory for admission and depend on the chosen specialty. If an exam is required, it may be administered remotely after submitting documents to the university.
Creative arts programs typically require a portfolio of work.
π Required Documents
- Valid passport
- A Secondary School Certificate For Bachelor’s Studies (or Poland matura exam)
- A Bachelor’s Degree For Master’s Studies
- A Master’s Degree For Doctoral Studies
- Certificate of proficiency in Polish at level B2 (PaΕstwowy Certyfikat ZnajomoΕci JΔzyka Polskiego jako Obcego, Certificaty ECL abo TELC, Certificate of completion of a 9-month preparatory course – ZerΓ³wka)
- Certificate of proficiency in English at level B2 if the program is taught in English (IELTS type 5.5, TOEFL type 72, Pearson type 59, LanguageCert, Cambridge English FCE, CAE, CPE, TELC, LCCI etc.)
- Apostille of documents
- A guardian or a parent in Poland (in the case of a teen under 18 years of age)
- Travel medical insurance β minimum coverage β¬30.000, valid for the entire stay in Poland, covering emergency treatment and repatriation
- Proof of financial means β minimum 776 PLN/month of stay + 2500 PLN for return ticket (for non-EU/neighbouring countries). Read our article about Money on Bank Account for Visas
β οΈ All required documents are submitted to the university in Polish, so remember to obtain a sworn translation of the required documents. (Sworm Translation in Poland)
π’ Step-to-Step Guide
- Check the admission requirements
- Prepare documents
- Register in the electronic system of the university (IRK/ERK)
- Pay application fees (usually ranges from 85 PLN to 150 PLN, depending on the university and programme)
- Wait for verification from university
- Write exams, if required
- Receive the admission decision
- Receive original of acceptance letter from university
- Apply for a student visa (How to Get a Student Visa)