Costs
Tuition
€2,000–4,000/year for English-taught programmes. Study in Polish: often free or heavily reduced. Medicine: €9,000–16,000/year (still far cheaper than UK/US).
Living Costs
Warsaw: €600–800/month. Krakow, Wroclaw, Poznan: €500–650/month. Smaller cities: €400–550/month. Student dormitories: €100–200/month.
Total Annual Cost
€8,000–12,500/year (English-taught, mid-tier city).
Part-Time Work
No limit on working hours during academic year. Average earnings: €400–600/month part-time.
Post-Study & Immigration
Post-Study Work Visa
1-year job search visa. EU graduates can also use EU mobility provisions. After finding employment → Temporary residence permit.
Path to Permanent Residency
5 years legal residence → Permanent residence. 3 years for Polish spouse. EU long-term residence directive applies. Polish citizenship after 3 years of PR.
Language Requirements
Many English-taught programmes available. Polish-taught programmes free or cheaper. Polish not essential for daily life in major cities but helps enormously. IELTS 5.5–6.5 for English programmes.
Visa Processing
2–4 weeks. D-type national visa at Polish consulate. EU/EEA citizens: no visa needed. Non-EU: need admission letter, financial proof (€600/month), health insurance.
Top Universities
| University | QS 2025 | Tuition (Int'l) | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Warsaw | #262 | €3,000–4,000 | Sciences, Humanities, Law, Economics |
| Jagiellonian University (Krakow) | #301 | €2,500–4,000 | Medicine, Law, Sciences — Poland's oldest (1364) |
| Warsaw University of Technology | #531 | €3,000–4,000 | Engineering, Computer Science, Architecture |
| Wrocław University of Technology | #581 | €2,500–3,500 | Engineering, IT, Environmental Science |
| AGH (Krakow) | #601 | €2,500–3,500 | Mining, Engineering, IT, Materials Science |
Scholarships
NAWA Polish Government Scholarships
Award: Tuition waiver + 1,500 PLN/month
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: March–May
Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange. Various programmes for different levels.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: March–May
Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange. Various programmes for different levels.
Erasmus Mundus
Award: €1,400/month + tuition
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Oct–Jan
Many Erasmus Mundus programmes include Polish universities.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Oct–Jan
Many Erasmus Mundus programmes include Polish universities.
Visegrad Fund Scholarships
Award: €2,300/semester
Eligibility: V4 and partner countries · Deadline: January
For study in Visegrad countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia).
Eligibility: V4 and partner countries · Deadline: January
For study in Visegrad countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia).
University merit waivers
Award: 25–50% tuition reduction
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Per university
Most Polish universities offer fee reductions for high-performing students.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Per university
Most Polish universities offer fee reductions for high-performing students.
Banach Scholarship (NAWA)
Award: Tuition + 1,500 PLN/month
Eligibility: Developing countries · Deadline: Varies
For master's students from developing countries in priority fields.
Eligibility: Developing countries · Deadline: Varies
For master's students from developing countries in priority fields.
2026 Policy Updates
What changed: Poland continues to actively recruit international students (target: 150,000 by 2027). English-taught programme offerings expanding. EU membership means Schengen access and degree recognition across Europe. Post-graduation work rules becoming more favourable.
Best For
Budget-conscious students wanting an EU degree. Medical students (English-taught medical programmes at fraction of UK/US cost). Students wanting Schengen access. Those targeting Central European job markets. IT and engineering students (growing tech sector in Warsaw, Krakow).
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