Study in Poland

Welcome to Poland!

With a history dating back for over a thousand years, Poland’s cultural heritage is incredibly rich. This includes its longstanding traditions in the higher education sector, with the first university in Poland founded in the 14th century. Today, Poland is becoming an increasingly popular study destination, with more than 65,000 international students choosing to study there in 2016/2017 academic year, those are including 62,000 full degree studies and 3,000 within Erasmus+ Program.

Poland, with one of the best educational systems in the world according to the OCDE Pisa report, is also one of the largest countries of the European Union. With a long tradition in higher education, Poland hosts higher education institutions that date from the 14th century. The Jagiellonian University in Krakow, was established in 1364, as the second university in Central Europe and among top 100 most innovative universities in the world.

Regardless you plan to study in Poland a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD degree, Polish institutions provide international students with a wide range of fields of study. And don't be discouraged by the language there are more than 400 English study programs in Poland.

Higher Education System

Poland is a popular destination for international students and according to UNESCO’s latest statistics it is a host country to more than 23,000 international tertiary level student. Poland has 7 universities which features in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2016-2017 – the highest ranked being The University of Warsaw (501-600). There are a total of 121 state higher educational institutions and 210 non-state higher educational institutions in Poland, which offer a very wide range of different courses and programs. Graduates of higher professional courses are awarded the title of Bachelor of Arts/Science or Engineer (Bachelor of Engineering) after 3 to 4 years of study.

Graduates of university-type higher educational institutions are awarded the title of magister (Master of Arts/Science) or its equivalent after taking standard 5-year MA/MSc level courses or 1.5 to 2-year complementary MA/MSc level courses (intended for holders of the professional title of Bachelor of Arts/Science or Engineer received either at university-type institutions or institutions of higher professional education).

The academic degree of doktor (Ph.D.) is awarded to those who pass their doctoral examinations and submit and defend a doctoral dissertation (holding the title of magister or its equivalent is a necessary condition for successively obtaining the doktor’s degree).

Applying to study in Poland

Polish higher education lasts for three years at undergraduate (bachelor’s) level and one and a half or two years at master’s level. In order to apply, you need to provide proof of having successfully completed the previous level of studies, along with proof of English language proficiency (unless you are a native speaker). Some courses may require that you sit an entrance exam or present a portfolio of work. You can also choose to study in Polish, in which case you’ll either need to submit proof of proficiency in the language or enroll in a year-long language course to prepare.

Visas to study in Poland

International students from non-EU countries will need to obtain a student visa before arrival. On arrival, they will also need to apply for a residence permit, which will be valid for two years. For further assistance and information contact the Polish embassy in your country or visit the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.

Fees and funding Visa for Poland

Higher education in Poland is free for Polish citizens. If you wish to benefit from this as well, you will need to sit the same entrance exams as Polish students and study a course taught in the Polish language. Otherwise, international students are required to pay tuition fees, which are typically in the range of EUR 2,000 – 3,000 per year at public universities in Poland. Fees at private universities in Poland will be slightly higher; depending on your course and the institution, the fees could be up to EUR 6,000 a year.

Note that there are relatively few scholarships available for foreign students, so it’s likely that you’ll need to cover your own costs. However, it may be worth checking with the universities to which you are applying, to see whether any funding opportunities are available.

Living costs Fees in Poland

Costs of living in Poland are among the lowest in the EU, though the amount of money you need will vary depending on your lifestyle and the city you’re based in. You will probably need at least 1,500 - 2000 PLN (~EUR 355 - 473) per month to cover living costs, including accommodation. Accommodations are varied from PLN 400 – 600 (~EUR 95 – 142) for dormitory, or PLN 1,000 – 1,600 (~EUR 237 – 380) for shared flat room per month. Food will cost about PLN 500 (~EUR 120), books and entertainment around PLN 150 – 200 (~EUR 36 – 47), and local transport for about PLN 65 (~EUR 15) per month.

Health insurance is compulsory for all students for the entire length of their stay in Poland. Students from the EU are eligible for free or discounted health care if they can present a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), while it’s recommended that non-EU students buy health insurance either before or as soon as possible after their arrival in Poland. Foreign students are also advised to purchase third party liability insurance and accident insurance.

Brief Fact about Poland:

• Capital: Warsaw (also the largest city)
• Population: around 38.4 million
• Area: 312,685 sq km
• Located in central Europe
• Borders with Belarus, Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine and the Baltic sea
• The government is a parliamentary republic, with an elected Prime Minister and President.
• National currency: zloty (PLN)
• Local Time: GMT +1 hour
• National symbol: white-tailed eagle
• 17 Nobel Prize winners
• Polish-born astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was the first person to suggest that the Earth was in fact not the center of the universe.
• 90% of Poles have completed at least secondary education, the highest score in the EU, along with Czechs, Slovaks and Slovenes.
• More winners of the “World’s Strongest Man” competition than any other country
• 9,300 lakes, 23 National Parks and one desert, including famous Mazurian Lake District

Here, we give you reasons why Poland should own the first place of your destination country list for study. Tradition: Longstanding traditions in the higher education sector, with the first university in Poland founded in 1364. With a history dating back which Poland already teaching students for over 650 years, Poland’s cultural heritage is incredibly rich.

Today, 46,000 international students choosing to study in Poland (2014-2015). Competitive cost of living and studying: Relatively low living costs, which remain below those of most EU members. In a matter of fact, with only 3000 Euro tuition fee per year plus 250 Euro per month for living cost become the appealing aspect for many of those who choose to study in Poland. Poland offers scholarships to students funded by the government, various foundations and the higher education institution or universities themselves. They are available to in-country students, disabled applicants as well as to international students both from within the EU or non-EU. The high number of institutions that offer scholarships and their fluid availability added the uniqueness of this country.