Study in Poland

Welcome to Poland!

Welcome to Poland, a modern and dynamic member of the European Union where education really counts. If you wish to learn more about our long and rich tradition of university education, which offers opportunities for young people aspiring to get a European degree recognized throughout the world, we invite you to study in Poland. Poland's university traditions are among the oldest in Europe. In 1364, King Casimir the Great established the Krakow Academy, known today as Jagiellonian University. Now Poland is fourth in Europe (after the United Kingdom, Germany and France) in terms of the number of people taking up higher education. The total student population at almost 400 university-level schools is over 1.1 million. Polish universities offer more than 800 courses in foreign languages as an integral part of the European Higher Education Area, where the level of tuition fees compares favourably with other EU countries. Foreigners studying in Poland can easily continue their education elsewhere in the European Union. Foreign students coming to Poland can expect an attractive and diversified educational curricula which meets high European standards - they can study medicine, biotechnology and engineering, as well as art and business. We invite you to consider the great opportunities that Poland can offer.

Poland is the place where you can earn a diploma that will open the door to the best companies in Europe and in the world. The country has many other perks, such as the fact that its medical schools are accredited in the US and the fact that while studying in Poland, you have access to the EU's study programmes and can do internships or traineeships abroad. With top-quality, internationally recognised degrees, almost no other region in the world can set your career off to such a promising start. Do not forget that with favourable geographic location and excellent transport connectivity the whole European Union is at your finger- tips. Being invited to study in Poland means that you are invited to the European Union. 

Higher Education System

The Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Poland are divided into State (public) and private (non-public) institutions. There are two main categories of higher education institutions: university-type and non-university institutions. In the university-type HEIs, at least one unit is authorised to confer the academic degree of doctor (PhD), i.e. it offers at least one doctoral programme. The Degrees and Titles Committee grants this authorization assessing i.a. unit research activities, achievements with regard to training of faculty Staff, scientific achievements, research base, as well as the guality of education.

Higher education institutions run full-time, extramural, evening and external courses. Full-time courses are defined as the basie type of studies. Poland conforms to the guidelines from the Bologna Process in European higher education. The degree system based on the three cycle structure has been successfully implemented together with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). The European standard in higher education makes it easier for students to obtain recognition of their qualifications in other countries. 

1st Cycle studies - (3 to 4 years) leading to the Professional title of a licencjat or inżynier (Engineer, in the field of engineering, agriculture or economics). This is the Polish equivalent of the Bachelor's degree. It is focused on preparing students for future employment or for continued education within a Master's degree programme. To obtain this degree, students must earn 180-240 ECTS credits.

2nd Cycle studies - Master's degree programme (1.5 to 2.5 years) following the first cycle studies and leading to the professional title of Master (magister, or an equivalent degree depending on the course profile). It is focused on theoretical knowledge as well as the application and development of creative skills. In arts disciplines, the focus is on the development of creativity and talents. Master's degree holders may enter a doctoral programme (third cycle studies). To obtain the degree, students must earn 90-120 ECTS credits.

Long Cycle Studies - In addition to the general structure, 11 fields of study including e.g. acting, art conservation and restoration, canon law, dentistry, law, medical analysis, medicine, production and photography, pharmacy, physiotherapy, psychology, pedagogy, scenography, fine arts, theology and veterinary medicine, offer long cycle programmes only. Long cycle studies - Master's degree programme (4.5 to 6 years) leading to the professional title of Master (magister), or an equivalent degree depending on the course profile). To obtain this degree, students must earn 270-360 ECTS credits. Such single long cycle studies are based on an integrated study programme containing both basis studies and in-depth specialisation. Completion of this degree will provide a qualification corresponding to a second cycle Master's degree.

3rd Cycle studies - Doctoral degree programmes (normally 3 to 4 years) accessible for graduates of Master's degree programme, leading to a PhD degree, offered by the university type schools as well as some research institutions (departments of the Polish Academy of Sciences as well as research and development institutions). The PhD degree is awarded to candidates who submit and successfully defend a doctoral dissertation before the thesis committee and pass the doctoral examination.

For the scholarships available for Indonesian citizens visit:   https://www.gov.pl/web/indonesia-en/studying-and-scholarships-in-poland

For more info visit:  go-poland.pl
GENERAL INFORMATION: https://nawa.gov.pl/images/NAWA-Studying-in-Poland-2019-07-v12-USD-web.pdf 
MEDICAL STUDIES:    https://nawa.gov.pl/images/users/629/Broszura-Medyczna-wersja-pdf-do-publikowania.pdf
TECHNICAL STUDIES: https://nawa.gov.pl/images/users/629/NAWA-Universities-of-Technology-in-PL-final.pdf
ECONOMIC STUDIES: https://nawa.gov.pl/images/users/629/NAWA-Universities-of-Economics_web.pdf
SHORT GUIDE:  https: //nawa.gov.pl/images/users/629/NAWA-ulotka-RSGP-EN-EUR-v4-internet.pdf

Interview with Indonesian student in Poland:  https://study.gov.pl/news/international-student-studying-polish-track-how-does-it-feel

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

Studying on terms applicable to foreigners, you can:

• be awarded a scholarship by a Polish partner,
• study on a tuition fee-paying basis,
• study free of tuition fees and with no scholarship entitlement,
• be awarded a scholarship by the sending partner (for example your country or university), and free of tuition fees,
• be awarded a scholarship by Polish higher education institutions.

Students who do not fall under the rules applicable to Polish citizens are not obliged to compete with other students to enter studies, but have to pay fees as defined by higher education institutions. Studying on terms applicable to foreigners does not provide an entitlement to State budget financial support. Students of non-public HEIs are admitted on the basis of the rector's decision and on a tuition fee-paying basis. They are able to be granted an HEIs scholarship or be partially or fully waived of fees. International students are required to pay tuition fees that on average are the following:

• 2,300 USD per year for first, second and long cycle studies,
• 2,300 USD per year for an annual preparatory Polish language course to commence studies in Polish.

Fees at public and non-public HEIs are established by the institution itself under the condition that they cannot be lower than the costs of education process. The tuition fees range from 2,300 USD to 7,000 USD per year and depend on the institution and study programme (for MBA programmes: about 9,300-14,000 USD per year).

Doctoral colleges are a notable exception, as not only do they offer tuition-free education but they also provide a scholarship for all doctoral candidates enrolled in a full-time programme.

Living costs Fees in Poland

If you dream of being independent and going abroad, but worry about the cost, Poland is ideal for a student on a tight budget. Dormitories start from 70 USD a month per student, cinema ticket starts from 3 USD, and a lunch in the cafeteria starts from 2.50 USD. No wonder Warsaw is the most affordable European student city according to 2016 QS Best Student Cities index. Prices depend on the city, but a student can get by with about 350USD at their monthly disposal. Average costs of student living range from 410USD up to 640USD. Please remember, that to be able to study in Poland non-EU/EEA students have to possess sufficient means to cover the living costs. 

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.