Study in Poland

Over 110,000 international students choose to study in Poland each year. The Polish education system is now ranked in the world’s top ten and offers internationally recognised bachelors and research degrees in English, at a highly competitive cost. Low costs and the fact that Polish qualifications are EU recognised is a big factor in attracting students to study in Poland.

While studying in Poland, students will discover that Poland is a country steeped in a turbulent history but blessed with medieval architecture and the most modern teaching facilities. It’s a country where the 12th century sits cheek by jowl with the 21st. Polish people are enormously hospitable once you get to know them, and the country itself, with its lake district, Carpathian Mountains, and Baltic coast, is as diverse as the foreign students who come here to study in Poland from all over the globe.

Joining the European Union has allowed Poland to show its true potential and flourish. GDP continues to grow year on year, and cities and infrastructure enjoy investment and modernisation, facilitating easy travel and a vibrant social life. Most importantly, Poland is also one of the safest countries in the world.

When you are deciding which university to apply to study in Poland, you need to consider:

• Its rankings in the subject you are interested in studying.
• The location – do you want to live in a large city or a smaller town?
• Costs – Warsaw, Krakow and Gdansk are more expensive than other student cities, when it comes to accommodation.
• Transport links – although most Polish cities now have airports with cheap flight links.

Elab can give you all the inside-track information you need to make the best decision!

Many students choose to study in Poland at the University of Warsaw. It is ranked the best university in the country and runs 26 programmes in English. The following table provides the QS university world rankings for 2024:

Poland offers over 400 English-taught study programmes, which include engineering, business, and veterinary science. They also offer a broad range of courses in the arts and social sciences. 

Medicine and dentistry are both extremely popular with international students who apply to study in Poland. Click here to discover more. These courses run for six years, and tuition costs range from 10,000-16,000 euros per year –  which would cover a year’s fees in the USA, and just two years’ fees in the UK.

Deadlines for applications to study in Poland vary from one university to the next, but usually open in April for an October start. Applications continue to be processed until the course is full, however EU students must submit their applications by mid-September, at the very latest.

There is no centralised admission system to study in Poland, so you will need to apply to individual universities, all of which have their own application forms, document requirements and deadlines. Elab will provide you with up-to-date information and guidance on preparing your application and meeting university requirements.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees to study in Poland depend on the course and university but are very affordable. Undergraduate tuition fees at Polish public universities average around 2,000 euros a year, and Master’s cost 3,000 euros. The exceptions to this rule are courses in medicine and dentistry, with fees of 10,000-16,000 euros per year and MBA courses, which cost 8,000-12,000 euros a year.

Cost of living

It has been estimated that while studying in Poland you will need from 500-700 euros a month to live on, depending on the type of accommodation and location. Warsaw, Krakow, and Gdansk are the most expensive cities – but also offer the best opportunity for finding part-time work.

Financial support

Scholarships: Foreign students studying in Poland are eligible for various scholarship programs, which are merit-based, need-based, or offered in specific fields of study. Contact Elab for further information.

Work: Poland’s blooming economy and business-friendly environment enables students to take part-time work. Students may work up to 20 hours a week, during term times, and full-time when they are on break, to help with their costs. If you learn a little Polish this will significantly improve your chances of finding a job while you are studying. Many universities offer subsidised language courses for international students.

• Although EU students do not need a visa to study in Poland, you will need to apply for a temporary residence permit at your local voivodeship office. Your university will be able to give you its address. There is a fee of around 70 euros to pay and it can take from 1-6 months to get the permit, so apply as soon as you arrive and have a permanent address. Any changes of address need to be reported. The permit is usually issued for two years and can be renewed.
• The academic year is divided into two 15-week terms.
• The Polish transport system is efficient and affordable, offering international flights from a dozen airports, comprehensive rail connections, trams, bus, and mini-bus services. To date, only Warsaw has a metro.
• Buy your local tickets from newspaper kiosks or ”bilety” machines – students can get a discount across the whole transport network.