How to Study in Poland for International Students

Poland is home to a huge and diverse international student population. The excellent teaching and low tuition fees at Polish universities make the country a great place to study. As you pursue your degree, you will get the chance to meet other international students like yourself and make friends that will last a lifetime.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Poland currently has 126 universities, from which 97 universities are a part of the public sector and 29 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Poland you should definitely check out are University of Warsaw, Jagiellonian University, and University of Zielona Góra.

Being able to study in Poland as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Poland, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Poland

The cost of your studies is a big factor to consider when you're planning to study abroad. It can financially burden you, but here's the good thing: the public universities in Poland don't charge tuition fees to international students like you! Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, University of Rzeszów and University of Warsaw are some of the tuition-free schools. You will just be required to pay some registration and other study fees, but these won't be as high.

On the other hand, if you choose to study in a private institution, expect that you'll pay higher fees. Here are some of the private universities in Poland with their tuition fees:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin 3,800 PLN - 9,400 PLN 6,800 PLN - 15,400 PLN
University of Computer Sciences and Skills 13,700 PLN - 17,900 PLN 13,700 PLN - 17,400 PLN
Katowice Business University 8,590 PLN - 21,700 PLN 9,220 PLN
Kozminski University 26,300 PLN 26,300 PLN
West Pomeranian Business School 21,800 PLN 22,700 PLN
College of Economics and Computer Science in Cracow Poland 8,600 PLN
International University of Logistics and Transport in Wroclaw 11,000 PLN
Academy of Finance and Management in Bialystok 7,060 PLN 8,000 PLN
University of Humanities and Economics in Lodz 13,900 PLN - 14,700 PLN 13,900 PLN
Vistula University 5,670 PLN - 6,850 PLN 6,140 PLN - 8,270 PLN
School of Business National Louis University 7,090 PLN - 11,900 PLN 7,090 PLN - 11,900 PLN
University of Economics and Innovation 10,500 PLN - 15,200 PLN 10,500 PLN
Lazarski University 7,440 PLN - 109,200 PLN 10,200 PLN - 52,200 PLN
WSB University 6,160 PLN - 7,580 PLN 7,580 PLN
Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology 11,000 PLN - 24,000 PLN 23,000 PLN - 26,000 PLN
SWPS University 10,400 PLN - 2,410 PLN 10,400 PLN - 27,500 PLN
WSB University 9,480 PLN - 14,000 PLN 9,480 PLN - 11,900 PLN

2. Requirements to Study in Poland for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Poland, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Poland, English and Polish are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting CEFR for Polish.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Poland and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Academy of Music in Gdańsk

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

AGH University of Science and Technology

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Poland

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Poland have online applications available on their websites, like University of Warsaw and Jagiellonian University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Poland.

University of Warsaw

Jagiellonian University

University of Zielona Góra

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Poland differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Poland.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Poland

Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in Poland. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to Poland as an international student.

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Poland. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Schengen visa. .

To start your student visa application in Poland, you will need to present the following:

  1. A completed and legal Poland student visa application form
  2. Valid passport
  3. Passport-size photo
  4. Letter of acceptance from a university in Poland
  5. Curriculum Vitae
  6. Proof of your English language proficiency
  7. Health insurance
  8. Records of school certificates and diplomas
  9. Proof of sufficient funds to support the study and living expenses
  10. Accommodation information
  11. Travel itinerary

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Poland is 358 PLN.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Locate a Polish embassy or consulate that can process your visa application near you. You can use the locator in Poland Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
  2. Take note of all information about the visa application process and requirements.
  3. Schedule your appointment with the consulate.
  4. Prepare the required documents and submit those on your appointment date.
  5. Wait for the decision, which usually takes around 15 days or longer.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Poland. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!