Study in Poland

Study in Poland

Poland is the 9th largest country in Europe and an increasingly popular destination for international students. Local universities offer a good return on investment, with affordable study programmes and accommodation costs. Add in the low living expenses and you have a formula for (financial) success.

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).

What to study in Poland?

Out of the various academic courses available in Poland, these are some of the most popular among international students:

  • Information Technology degrees in Poland 
  • Business degrees in Poland 
  • Social Science degrees in Poland 
  • Law degrees in Poland 
  • Engineering degrees in Poland 

Universities to attend in Poland

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

  • University of Warsaw
  • Jagiellonian University
  • Warsaw University of Technology
  • Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań
  • AGH University of Science and Technology

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.

Find out more and apply

For the essential information about studying in Poland and applying for higher education programmes, visit the Go-Poland website.

Practical Information

Each university in Poland has its own admission system on their website that allows future students to apply for and enrol in their Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programmes. So, once you select the University of your Choice, you can go through their application and submit your materials there.

Here are some documents you might need to submit during your university application:

  • A scan of your diploma (high school or Bachelor’s degree)
  • A transcript/record of your previous courses
  • A scan of your passport and/or birth certificate
  • Your CV
  • Testing scores
  • Evidence of scholarship or funding
  • Letters of recommendation (2 or 3)
  • Portfolio and/or writing samples

Helpful ways to make sure you qualify for a Polish university

Take preparation courses

this kind of courses enable degree-seeking students to get an extra educational boost just before they start their Master’s degree or other post-graduate degree programmes. Try a pre-MBA, pre-Law, or pre-Medicine programme, as well as any other foundation or preparation courses that will allow you to study in the degree programme of your choice.

Improve your English through an English-language prep course

If you’re attending a degree programme in Poland, you will need to prove that your language skills are good enough to participate in the classes and understand the lectures. These courses will also prepare you for any of the English-language tests that universities require.

English-language tests

To study in Poland, you’ll need to provide proof of your English language proficiency. The certificates generally accepted by Polish universities are:

  • PTE Academic
  • TOEFL iBT
  • IELTS Academic
  • C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency

Still, you should always check your university’s website to be sure what the exact requirements are.