Certain groups of foreign students may study on the same terms as Polish citizens. In particular, public higher education institutions do not charge tuition fees for full-time studies conducted in Polish for students who meet the conditions specified by law.
These include, among others:
- citizens of EU Member States, EEA/EFTA countries and Switzerland, as well as eligible members of their families residing in Poland;
- holders of a permanent residence permit or EU long-term resident status;
- persons who have been granted refugee status in Poland or who benefit from temporary or subsidiary protection in Poland;
- holders of certain types of temporary residence permits;
- holders of a valid Pole’s Card (Karta Polaka) or a decision confirming Polish origin;
- persons holding a certificate confirming knowledge of Polish as a foreign language at C1 level or higher;
- certain spouses, descendants and ascendants of Polish citizens residing in Poland;
- persons covered by certain provisions concerning researchers and their mobility in Poland.
Other categories of foreign students may also be exempt from tuition fees under international agreements, specific legal provisions or individual decisions.
Tuition
Full-time studies conducted in Polish at public higher education institutions are tuition-free for students who meet the applicable statutory conditions.
Programmes conducted in a foreign language, part-time programmes and programmes offered by non-public higher education institutions may be subject to tuition fees. The amount of tuition is determined by the higher education institution.
Student financial support
Foreign students may, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements, apply for financial support available to students in Poland.
The main forms of support provided by higher education institutions are:
- maintenance grant;
- scholarship for students with disabilities;
- rector’s scholarship;
- emergency grant.
Eligibility for particular forms of financial support depends on the student’s legal status and individual circumstances. In particular, access to a maintenance grant is limited to foreign students who meet the conditions specified by law.
Detailed rules, application procedures and the amount of support are determined by the applicable legislation and the regulations of the individual higher education institution.
Foreign students may undertake studies in Poland on the basis of:
- international agreements, under the conditions specified in those agreements;
- agreements concluded between Polish higher education institutions and foreign entities;
- a decision of the minister responsible for higher education and science;
- a decision of the Director of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA), in the case of NAWA scholarship holders;
- a decision of the rector of a higher education institution.
Tuition and scholarships
Depending on the legal basis of their studies, foreign students may:
- study on a tuition fee-paying basis;
- study without tuition fees;
- receive a scholarship from the Polish side, including under scholarship programmes;
- receive financial support from their home country, university or another sending institution;
- receive a scholarship or other financial support offered by a Polish higher education institution;
- be granted an exemption or reduction of tuition fees where permitted by the applicable regulations.
The conditions of study, tuition fees and possible financial support depend on the student’s legal status, the programme and the higher education institution.
Student financial support
Foreign students are not automatically excluded from student financial support. All foreign students may apply for certain forms of support, such as the rector’s scholarship, scholarship for students with disabilities or emergency grant, provided that they meet the relevant conditions.
Access to a maintenance grant and certain other forms of public financial support depends on the student’s legal status in Poland.
Admission requirements are determined by individual higher education institutions in accordance with Polish law. Foreign candidates should always check the requirements of the university and programme to which they wish to apply.
Language requirements
Certain foreign candidates are required to provide a document confirming knowledge of the language of instruction at a level of at least B2.
This requirement applies in particular to non-EU foreign candidates applying for admission on the basis of education documents obtained abroad. The accepted documents confirming language proficiency are specified by Polish regulations.
Documents required for admission
Applicants to first-cycle studies or long-cycle Master's programmes must hold a secondary school certificate or another document giving them the right to apply for higher education in Poland.
Secondary school certificates issued in EU, OECD or EFTA countries, certificates covered by applicable international agreements, as well as International Baccalaureate (IB) and European Baccalaureate (EB) diplomas, are generally recognised automatically for the purpose of applying for admission to studies in Poland.
For other foreign secondary school certificates, an individual recognition statement issued by the Director of NAWA may be required.
Applicants to second-cycle studies must hold a higher education diploma that gives them the right to apply for further studies. The higher education institution may require additional documents or verification of the foreign qualification.
Depending on the programme, candidates may also have to meet additional admission requirements, such as entrance examinations, aptitude tests, portfolio requirements or other conditions specified by the higher education institution.
Check your status before applying
Your citizenship, residence status, education documents and scholarship status may affect tuition fees, access to financial support and the documents required during admission. Before applying, check the current requirements of your chosen higher education institution and the rules applicable to your individual situation.