Plan your studies

Higher education

Institutions of higher education

The Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Poland are divided into two main groups: state (public) and private (non-public) institutions. 

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 (PhD).

Many universities are specialised in specific fields, such as: technology, medicine, economics, agriculture and life sciences, pedagogy, art, physical education, maritime sciences, military, and more.

More information: Higher Education Institutions in Poland

Degrees

Poland conforms to the guidelines from the Bologna Process in European higher education. The Polish structure of studies has been successfully implemented together with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). 

1st cycle

• Bachelor’s degree (licencjat or inżynier, 6-7 semesters, 180 ECTS).

2nd cycle

• Master’s degree (magister, 3-5 semesters, 90 ECTS).

Long-cycle studies

• Master’s degree (magister, 9-12 semesters, 300-360 ECTS).

Long-cycle studies include programmes in medicine, dentistry, medical analytics, pharmacy, physiotherapy, veterinary medicine, law, canon law, pre-school and early school education, special education.

Additionally, the following programmes can also be offered in the form of long-cycle studies: architecture, theology, acting, acting of the puppet theatre, art conservation and restoration, psychology, film and television production, film directory, stage design, graphics, painting, sculpture and studies only for candidates for professional soldiers.

Doctoral school

• PhD degree (6-8 semesters).

Find your study programme

Visit the following websites to find your study programme:

• Study.gov.pl
• Radon.nauka.gov.pl

Application

Entry Requirements

• Application form,
• Digital copy of your photo,
• Secondary school leaving certificate together with a grades transcript,
• Translation of the above-mentioned certificate if it is not in Polish or English, 
• A certificate confirming the level of language proficiency (level B2 or higher),
• Proof of application fee payment.

If required:

• Apostille or legalization of your documents (ministry of foreign and European affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreignn Trade Luxembourg)
• Certificate from your school or the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth that confirms that your school leaving certificate entitles you to apply to any university in the country it was issued.

The entry requirements for international students to higher education are determined individually by each institution and are generally based on national examination performance and English language aptitude. Entry requirements may vary between different universities and degree programmes so it is best to contact the international office of your chosen university to find out what grades you will need for your course.

How to apply

Applicants need to contact the Admissions Office of the university of their choice and discuss the details of the admissions such as required documents, deadlines, and start of the programme. To find the contact information and links to the admissions rules of the university, you can use the STUDYFINDER tool (click on “more” for a detailed overview of each programme).

Dates

Usually, admissions campaigns for undergraduate and graduate programmes are starting in April or May. The duration of the campaign depends on the university and may last for up to 6 months.  Generally, applicants can apply until July, but some institutions conduct multiple rounds, continuing as long as places are available.

Specific deadlines vary by program, so applicants should check the current round's schedule on the university website.

Tuition fees

All foreign applicants, who wish to study in another language than Polish, are required to pay tuition fees that on average are the following:

• 2.000 € / year for the first, second and long cycle studies,
• 3.000 € / year for postgraduate as well as scientific, arts, specialist and post-doctoral internships.

Fees at public and non-public HEIs are established by the institution itself. The tuition fees range from 2.000 € to 6.000 € per year and depend on the institution and study programme (for Master of Business Administration / MBA programmes: about 8.000 € - 12.000 € per year).

Doctoral colleges in Poland offer free tuition and guaranteed scholarships to all full-time PhD students, making advanced study both accessible and financially supported.

Scholarship

The Poland My First Choice NAWA programme aims to encourage young talented people from different countries, including Luxembourg, to pursue studies at the Polish university-type higher education institutions (HEIs). The Programme offers a scholarship during the statutory period of full-time second-cycle studies at academic HEIs (both public and non-public) supervised by the Minister of Science and Higher Education. In addition, the Programme provides an exemption from tuition fees at public universities.

Want to apply for engineering?

Poland’s higher education system is well-developed and rigorously monitored. With many programmes available in English, Polish engineering programmes emphasize both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, often including hands-on projects, internships, and industry collaboration. Some specializations include:

• Sound engineering,
• Robotics,
• Renewable energy sources,
• Aerospace and automotive engineering,
• Computer science, AI, ethical hacking, and game development.

The list of technical universities in Poland offering engineering related courses may be found at: https://study.gov.pl/studyfinder