Study in Poland for international students in English - Education - Poland Universities

The Higher Education Institutions in Poland

21 Mar 2022

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In Poland, there are two types of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): public (state) and private (non-public) institutions. Academic and vocational institutes are the two main kinds of these institutions.

The academic category accommodates the authorization of at least one scientific or artistic discipline and conferment of scientific category A+, A, or B+. The academic institution conducts first-cycle (bachelor’s degree) and second-cycle (master’s degree) studies or long-cycle studies. It may also provide education for doctoral students (Ph.D.) too.

The same conditions that apply to academic education do not apply to vocational education. It may only be able to provide practical education. First- and second-cycle studies, as well as long-cycle studies, are conducted at a vocational-type institution.

The Polish Accreditation Committee, which is an independent entity tasked with ensuring and improving educational quality, oversees all sorts of HEIs.

The following is a list of public and non-public HEIs, both public and university-type.

Universities

Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan
Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University
Jagiellonian University in Krakow
Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa
Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce
John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin
Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz
Maria Curie-Skłodowska University
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun
University of Białystok
University of Gdansk
University of Lodz
University of Opole
University of Rzeszów
University of Silesia in Katowice
University of Szczecin
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn
University of Warsaw
University of Wrocław
University of Zielona Góra

Universities of Technology in Poland

AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow
Bialystok University of Technology
Czestochowa University of Technology
Gdansk University of Technology
Kazimierz Pułaski Technical University of Radom
Kielce University of Technology
Koszalin University of Technology
Lodz University of Technology
Lublin University of Technology
Opole University of Technology
Poznan University of Technology
Rzeszow University of Technology
Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice
Tadeusz Kosciuszko Cracow University of Technology
University of Bielsko-Biala
Warsaw University of Technology
West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin
Wrocław University of Technology

Medical Universities in Poland

Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow
Medical University of Bialystok
Medical University of Gdansk
Medical University of Lodz
Medical University of Lublin
Medical University of Silesia
Medical University of Warsaw
Nicolaus Copernicus University – Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz
Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin
Poznan University of Medical Sciences
Wroclaw Medical University
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Faculty of Medical Sciences

Universities of Economics in Poland

Cracow University of Economics
Poznan University of Economics and Business
The University of Economics in Katowice
Warsaw School of Economics
Wroclaw University of Economics

Universities of Agriculture and Life Sciences in Poland

Poznań University of Life Sciences
The University of Agriculture in Krakow
University of Life Sciences in Lublin
UTP University of Science and Technology in Bydgoszcz
Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW
Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences

Universities of Pedagogy in Poland

Jan Długosz University in Częstochowa
The Maria Grzegorzewska University
Pedagogical University of Cracow
Pomeranian University in Słupsk
Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities

Universities of Arts in Poland

Academy of Art in Szczecin
Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk
Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice
Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
Academy of Music in Kraków
Aleksander Zelwerowicz State Theatre Academy in Warsaw
Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław
Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz
Frideric Chopin University of Music
Grazyna and Kiejstut Bacewicz Academy of Music in Łódź
Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań
Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Art in Krakow
Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław
Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice
Ludwik Solski State Drama School in Cracow
Polish National Film, Television And Theatre School in Łódź
Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdansk
Strzemiński Academy of Art Łódź
University of Arts in Poznań

Universities of Physical Education in Poland

Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice
Jędrzej Śniadecki Academy of Physical Education and Sport in Gdańsk
Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw
University School of Physical Education in Krakow
University School of Physical Education in Poznan
University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw

UNIVERSITY-TYPE NON-PUBLIC HEIs

Academy of Business in Dąbrowa Górnicza
Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University
Collegium Civitas
Katowice School of Economics
Kozminski University
Łazarski University
Pedagogium Higher School of Resocialization Pedagogics in Warsaw
Philological School of Higher Education in Wrocław
Polish-Japanese Institute of Information Technology
Pultusk Academy of Humanities
School of Law and Public Administration in Przemyśl
Silesian School of Economics and Languages
University of Social Sciences
University of Finance and Management in Warsaw
University of Humanities and Economics in Lodz
University of Lower Silesia
SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities
Vistula University
University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow
WSB Universities
WSG University in Bydgoszcz

NON-UNIVERSITY-TYPE NON-PUBLIC HEIs

Ateneum University in Gdansk
Sopot University of Applied Sciences
Vincent Pol University in Lublin
University College of Enterprise and Administration in Lublin
University of Economics and Innovation in Lublin, Poland
Warsaw Film School
College of Personnel Management

Tuition fees

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

EUR 2000 per year for the first, second, and long cycle studies,
EUR 3000 per year for postgraduate as well as scientific, arts, specialist, and post-doctoral internships,
EUR 2000 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 the education process. The tuition fees range from EUR 2000 to 6000 per year and depend on the institution and study program (for MBA programs: about EUR 8000-12,000 per year).

Please take note that actual fees and specific study conditions are described in the framework agreement between individual institutions or between the student and the given university.

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

VISA & APPLICATION

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR EU CITIZENS

If you are a citizen of an EU member state the only thing you need to have to enter Poland is a valid travel document or a document confirming identity and citizenship (i.e. your national ID). However, if you wish to travel abroad during your stay in Poland it is a good idea to have a passport with you, as it is necessary to visit some of Poland’s neighbors that do not belong to the EU.

For a stay shorter than three months there are no formal requirements. Your studies will, however, take longer. For such a stay a registration of residence is necessary, one should register with Voivodship (Provincial) Office.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-EU CITIZENS

Two main documents that are required when entering Poland by non-EU citizens are a valid travel document (passport) and a visa (if required).

Visa

As a general rule, you would need a visa to enter Poland. However, foreigners from a number of countries are exempted from a visa requirement when entering Schengen Area for the periods not exceeding 90 days within a 180-day period: One can check the list of the countries ie here: https://udsc.gov.pl/en/cudzoziemcy/obywatele-panstw-trzecich/chce-przyjechac-do-polski/czy-potrzebuje-wizy/

Poland is a part of the Schengen Area, so you can apply for a Polish visa and travel all around Europe (excluding the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia and states outside of the EU).

There are several types of visas to choose from:

“A” type – an airport transit Schengen visa, so it cannot be used by a student coming to Poland
“C” type – a short-term Schengen visa allowing the holder to stay in the Schengen territory for up to 90 days in 180 days period
“D” type – a long-term national visa issued for up to one year allowing travel around the Schengen area for up to 90 days in a 180 days period A visa can only be extended in exceptional situations. Should you need to stay in Poland longer than specified in your visa please do apply for a temporary residence permit (see below)

5 easy steps to get a visa

1) Find a Polish Consulate/ consular section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland that can process your application. You can use the MFA’s search engine https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/polands-missions-abroad

2) Read carefully ALL the information concerning visa application on the consulate’s website and follow ALL the instructions.

3) Set a visa appointment with the consulate. In most cases, you will have to register through the website: https://secure.e-konsulat.gov.pl/

4) Prepare the necessary documents, including application form, travel document (passport), biometric photo, health insurance, sufficient means to support yourself, documents confirming the purpose of your stay. The specifics of the required documentation may vary among consulates, so confirm them with the consulate’s website.

5) Submit all the documents including a printed and signed application form and the visa fee. Your visa application is complete. It should take up to 15 days for it to be reviewed.

Early submission of visa documents is advisable as in some cases procedure may take a considerable amount of time.

TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT

Who needs it?

Every Non-EU student needs it.

You should apply for a Temporary Residence Permit before your visa expires.

When you receive the permit you will be issued a Temporary Residence Card, an ID card that proves that you have a residence permit. Together with your travel document, it allows you to cross the Polish border as many times as you wish. The first residence permit is issued for a period of 15 months. It can be renewed for periods of up to 3 years but for no longer than the remainder of your studies.

REMEMBER: You should apply for the Temporary Residence Card when you are legally staying in Poland, which means after you arrive, but before the expiry of your visa

Application

You have to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit with the local Voivodship Office. You can find a complete list of offices here: https://udsc.gov.pl/en/cudzoziemcy/obywatele-panstw-trzecich/chce-przedluzyc-swoj-pobyt-w-polsce/zezwolenie-na-pobyt-czasowy/studia-i-nauka/nauka/ The documents you will need to legalize your stay include an application form, photos, and documents proving your identity and citizenship, address, the purpose of stay (a certificate from your school) health insurance and possession of sufficient funds. For detailed information check out the Voivodship Office’s website. The procedure costs 390 PLN in total.

EU students

EU students do not need to apply for temporary residence permits. As UE citizens they should only apply for registration of their stay with the local voivodship office within 90 days of their arrival. They will be issued a cost-free certificate of registration with a non-limited period of validity proving their right to stay in Poland. For detailed information check out the Voivodship Office’s website.

https://udsc.gov.pl/en/cudzoziemcy/obywatele-panstw-trzecich/karta-pobytu/

Accommodation

There are many different options for arranging student accommodation in Poland. They vary depending on the city and higher education institution you choose. Many Polish HEIs have their own dormitories, which are usually the cheapest option available. However, most Polish students prefer to rent a room in a private apartment.

Student houses and dormitories

The pricing of the student houses depends on the particular HEI. Usually, the cost of accommodation in a dormitory ranges is around EUR 60-80 monthly for a shared room and between EUR 100-150 for a single room. However, the standard of the dormitories may differ greatly even between various student houses of the same HEI, so it’s good to do some research before the final decision. What doesn’t differ is the friendly and helpful atmosphere in the student houses.

Private housing

It is quite common in Poland to rent a room in a bigger apartment. Most of the out-of-town students share flats in this way. The cost varies between cities and it depends greatly on the location of the apartment as well as the size and quality of the room. The monthly rent is usually between EUR 150 and 200. Some landlords may require a deposit of a similar amount. Don’t worry if you don’t have friends to live with. Sharing a flat with locals is an amazing opportunity: you can pay for the accommodation and get great friends for free! And if you really don’t like to share, you can find an independent apartment. The rent for the smallest, one-room apartment starts at about EUR 300 (in Warsaw).

Cost of living in Poland

Total average cost: €330

Compared to other countries in the European Union, living in Poland as a student is relatively inexpensive. The cost of living will start at PLN 1500 (EUR 330) a month for students. The rates, however, depend on the city in which you currently live. It may be slightly more costly to live in the capital and tourist city than in other major Polish cities. You will find out how much it costs to live in Poland for a month on this page. Please notice that non-EU/EEA students have to have ample means to cover the cost of living to be able to study in Poland.

Monthly Expenses ( Average Value )

Expenses	Cost (PLN)	Cost (EUR)
Rent (student dormitory)	400 - 600	90 - 140
Public transportation	50 - 60	11 - 13
Health insurance	40 - 60	9 - 13
Phone, internet, and TV subscription bills	80 - 100	17 - 22
Groceries	700 - 900	150 - 200
Entertainment	150 - 200	35 - 45
Average total expenses	1500 - 2000	330 - 430

Cost Polish Big Cities Living

Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Poznan, Lodz, and Katowice are some popular cities for Poland's study destinations. Monthly expenses for student dormitory and public transit fares may be used to compare living costs. Let's take a look now! What town provides the most acceptable cost of living for you?

Working While You Study

Students from non-EU countries can work here during their course.

You can work part-time and finance your stay in Poland by working part-time.

However, having a valid residency permit to operate would be advantageous. That is required to study in Poland, so you would be able to work part-time.

Documents Required Including

Valid passport
Completed visa application form
2 passport size photos
Medical insurance that is valid in Europe
Proof of having the required financial resources to cover your educational and living expenses during your course of study
Certificate of acceptance from the educational institution in Poland
Proof of accommodation
Receipt of payment of tuition fees for the first semester
Receipt of payment of the visa application fees