How much does it cost to study Poland?
Are you unsure how to handle your expenses in Poland? Here's a list of figures to assist you!
Students planning to study in Poland should be aware that studying abroad can be costly. A successful budget plan, on the other hand, will help you better control you’re living expenses. When estimating the estimated cost of studying in Poland, make sure to factor in expenses such as accommodation, food, health care, and travel, as well as your tuition fee.
1. The primary expense is tuition.
The amount you spend on tuition fees is determined by the type of qualification you pursue and the university or school you attend. In Poland, there are several high-ranking universities and colleges with their fee structures. Furthermore, the fee is determined by where you study in Poland (different rules apply in Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan, Lodz, and Wroclaw), as well as your academic standard.
Humanities, arts, and education courses are typically less costly, whereas medicine and engineering are more likely to be more expensive. Tuition fees are usually higher at the postgraduate level, and rates differ depending on the programme. MBA systems, including those in most other countries, are often the most costly.
Full-time studies (in Polish) at state Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are free for Polish students and foreigners who begin studies in Poland on terms available to Polish citizens. These involve EU/EEA residents and students with the Polish Charter (Karta pobytu). All other foreigners are expected to pay tuition fees, which are usually as follows:
S.no. |
Study Program |
Average fee (in Euros*) |
1 |
Undergraduate bachelor degree |
EUR 2000 to EUR 4500 per year |
2 |
Postgraduate master's degree |
EUR 3000 to EUR 4500 per year |
3 |
Doctoral degree |
EUR 4500 to EUR 5000 per year |
EUR 2000 per year for an annual preparatory Polish language course to begin studies in Polish.
Fees at public and private University are set by the school, with the caveat that they cannot be less than the costs of the educational process. Tuition fees vary by institution and study programme, ranging from EUR 2000 to EUR 6000 per year (for MBA programs: about EUR 8000-12,000 per year).
Acknowledge that actual fee and study conditions are specified in the framework agreement between individual institutions or between the student and the given university
If you want to bring down your educational expenses, it is best to apply to various scholarship available for International students.
*Please note that: all figures are indicative and PhD cost might differ as fully funded options are also available in Poland
2. Where will you be taking up residence? Evaluate the price of accommodation.
Accommodation is essential, it accounts for approximately 35% of your overall monthly living expenses. International students can live in university residence halls or private rental apartments that can be shared.
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Monthly rent for student residence halls varies between 80 - 150 EUR. Excellent for socialising with other students, but conditions can differ from one residence hall to the next.
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Rent in a shared flat is between 100 - 150 EUR per month. Among Polish students, this is the most common alternative.
Renting an apartment by yourself is more expensive, particularly in a big city. A one-bedroom apartment in Krakow costs between 300 and 465 EUR per month, while prices in Warsaw range between 350 and 650 EUR per month.
3. Food prices
Food for an international student usually costs between 100 - 150 EUR per month. You can save money by buying food and shopping at lower-cost supermarkets. Tesco, Auchan, Carrefour, Leclerc, and Lidl are some of the most well-known.
Dinner in a low-cost restaurant costs just 5 EUR, while a three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant costs 23 EUR for two people. A light drink will only set you back 2 EUR.
Average Food Prices in Poland 2021
Product |
Average cost (PLN) |
Loaf of white bread |
3.00 |
Butter (200 g) |
5.00 |
Milk (1 litre) |
2.50 |
Flavoured yoghurt (150 g) |
1.50 |
Cheese (150 g) |
3.80 |
Free-range eggs (10) |
9.00 |
Cooking oil (1 litre) |
6.00 |
Spaghetti pasta (500 g) |
3.80 |
Rice (400 g) |
3.20 |
Chicken - whole (1 kg) |
12.00 |
Chicken wings (1 kg) |
8.00 |
Cod fillet (200 g) |
12.00 |
Potatoes (1 kg) |
1.50 |
Tomatoes (1 kg) |
8.00 |
Apples (1 kg) |
2.50 |
Bananas (1 kg) |
5.00 |
Oranges (1 kg) |
6.00 |
Tea bags (100) |
16.00 |
Ground coffee (250 g) |
12.00 |
Mineral water (1.5 litres) |
1.70 |
Orange juice (1 litre) |
4.00 |
Bar of chocolate |
3.50 |
Eating out/take-aways |
|
Pizza |
30.00 |
Cheeseburger |
4.50 |
Coffee to go |
12.00 |
Two-course meal (soup + main course) |
30.00 |
4. Cost of your student visa(Karta Pobytu)
EU/EEA students do not need a Polish visa; however, if they wish to remain in Poland for more than 90 days, they must apply for a temporary residency permit.
Non-EU/EEA students must arrive in Poland with a student visa obtained from a Polish Embassy or Consulate in their home country. It is necessary to note that visas are only valid for three months. To prolong your stay in Poland, you must apply for a residency permit for a defined period at the Voivodeship office 45 days before your visa expiration date. To obtain a temporary residence permit, Stamp duty cost 75 euros. Please contact your Study in Poland ThinkNew counsellor for the most recent changes and details on the visa application process and associated costs.
5 . Transportation expenses
Students' primary mode of transportation is public transportation, which costs 50 EUR for a semester pass valid for six months. Many Polish cities have beautiful panoramic views and walking paths, so you can also explore on foot.
If you choose to travel by car, as do 18% of students in Poland, you can pay about 1 EUR per litre of gasoline.
6. Keep safe. Consider health support and insurance
In Poland, medical care is not given for free. Both students must have health insurance for the length of their stay in Poland. Students from non-EU/EEA countries are advised to purchase medical insurance in their home country or as soon as they arrive in Poland. Otherwise, students must pay for any medical services they receive. International students can also get third-party liability protection and accident insurance.
Non-EU citizens and EU citizens who do not have insurance in their country of residence can sign an insurance agreement with the Polish Health National Fund (NFZ – Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia) and purchase insurance for a monthly fee of 40 PLN. There are also Private Insurance companies also available in Poland .
Please contact your Study in Poland ThinkNew counsellor for assistance for insurance.
7. Additional study materials
Throughout your studies, you would need to buy books, research magazines, and other study materials. In most cases, these are needed, and they can even be purchased from some universities. However, to save money, it is recommended that you purchase them from book stores that offer used or used items.