Why Poland?

• Poland is the 6th largest country and 8th largest economy in the EU
• One of the fastest-growing economies in the EU
• Member of the European Union since 2004
• The population of over 38 million
• Member of the Schengen Area since 2007
• Polish academic institutions are among the world’s recognized educational centers
• More than 400 higher education institutions (330 of them hold the Erasmus University Charter)
• Polish universities offer more than 850 courses in foreign languages
• A large variety of study programs in English
• 1.3 million students in Poland

Discounts

Students aged below 26 are entitled to discounts on most means of public transport in Poland (with some differences in the discount rate under specific conditions allowing for the discount):

• national railway (PKP) – 51% discount for 2nd class tickets on all types of trains except EuroCity; necessary document: a valid student card from a Polish higher education institution;
• municipal transport – usually 50% discount; necessary document: a valid Polish student card (sometimes the International Student Identity Card – ISIC). 

Accommodation

Students can stay at a dormitory or rent a private room. Dormitories are usually cheaper, but you need to apply early to get a place, and remember that standards may vary significantly

Work

All full-time students who possess a student visa or a temporary residence permit, EU/EEA citizens and holders of the Polish Card are eligible to work in Poland and do not need to apply for a work permit.

Medical Care

In order to get free medical care in Poland EU/EEA students need to have the European Health insurance Card (EKUZ), for which they apply in their home country. Non-EU/EEA students need to purchase a private health insurance policy. Find out more: www.nfz.gov.pl

Higher education in Poland

Poland was among 29 countries that signed the Bologna Declaration in 1999. Since then, many legislative changes have been introduced to adjust the Polish higher education system to the Bologna Process action lines. “Bologna tools” such as the three-cycle study system, ECTS, and the Diploma Supplement are now legally binding for all Polish higher education institutions. Currently, Poland is working towards the full implementation of the National Qualifications Framework. Students in Poland may study either at university-type institutions or at nonuniversity higher education schools (which may not award the doctoral degree). Both types of HEls offer study programs in various academic disciplines.

Higher education institutions in Poland oer the following educational possibilities:

First cycle programs:  leading to the professional title of licencjat (Bachelor's degree), of 3 to 4 years duration;  leading to the professional title of inżynier (literally “engineer” – Bachelor's degree), of 3.5 to 4 years duration;

second cycle programs of 1.5 to 2.5 years duration, leading to the professional title of magister or an equivalent degree (Master's degree), accessible to graduates of first cycle studies;

long-cycle programs (or one-tier degrees) of 4.5 to 6 years duration, leading to the professional title of magister or an equivalent degree (Master's degree);

third cycle programs are doctoral programs provided by the institutions as well as some research institutions (principally the Polish Academy of Sciences).

Study programs

Polish Higher Education institutions offer more than 5000 courses taught in the Polish language and more than 850 courses taught in foreign languages (mainly English). All courses in Polish are available on the website www.wybierzstudia.nauka.gov.pl. All courses in English and other foreign languages are available through the «Find a Course» tool on https://www.studyinpoland.info/find-a-course.html

Exams and Assessment

February is the month when the first examination session (sesja) within the academic year takes place. lt usually starts in late January after the classes finish and lasts for two or three weeks, during which students have to take written and oral exams (egzaminy). Between the first session and the summer semester, students have a two-week winter break. The summer semester continues until late June when the second examination session takes place. In order to complete a semester, each student has to obtain at least pass marks for all classes within the semester, regardless of their form (including projects, integrated placements, etc.). The assessment scale most often used envisages the following grades: very good (5), good plus (4+ or 4.5), good (4), satisfactory plus (3+ or 3.5), satisfactory (3), fail (2) (for detailed information on the grading scale used by a particular HEI check its current ECTS course catalog).

The costs of studying in Poland

Full-time studies (in the Polish language) at the state Higher Education institutions (HEls) are free for Polish students and foreigners who commence studies in Poland on terms applicable to Polish citizens. These include citizens of the EU/EEA and students who hold the Polish Card (Karta Polaka). All other foreigners are required to pay tuition fees that on average are the following:

• EUR 2000 per year for first, second, and long-cycle studies,
• EUR 2000 per year for an annual preparatory Polish language course to commence studies in Polish.

Fees at public and non-public HEls are established by the institution itself under the condition that they can not be lower than the costs of the education process. The tuition fees range from EUR 2000–6000 per year and depend on the institution and study program (for MBA programs: about EUR 8000–12000 per year).