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About Studying in Poland
There are more than 500 universities in Poland, most of which are within the private sector. The country prides itself on having produced many notable university alumni, including the first ever woman to win a Nobel Prize, Marie Curie, and the famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.
Why study in Poland?
Today, the Polish higher education system is developing rapidly. Poland holds fourth place in Europe (after the United Kingdom, Germany and France) in terms of the number of people enrolled in higher education. The total student population at over 400 university level schools is almost 1,5 million. Each year almost half a million young people begin their education at universities and colleges. Most schools offer courses in foreign languages.
Education system
The Polish higher education system is well developed. The quality of the education provided is monitored and regularly evaluated. The main Polish institutions in charge of quality assurance in higher education are: the Polish Accreditation Committee, the General Council for Science and Higher Education and the Conference of Rectors of the Academic Schools in Poland.
About country
Poland is a fascinating country that serves as the geographical and cultural crossroads of Eastern and Western Europe. Located at the center of the Northern European plain, Poland has been a nation of survivors since the foundation of the first Polish state more than 1000 years ago. Through its turbulent history its people have managed to maintain their identity, and today, the country enjoys a crucial position as the largest of the former Eastern European states and one of the most populous members of the European Union.
Universities
Six universities in Poland feature in the QS World University Rankings® 2018, while 22 rank within the top 300 in the QS EECA University Rankings 2018 – a dedicated ranking of the top universities in Emerging Europe and Central Asia. Here are some of the highest-ranked universities in Poland
University of Warsaw
Located in the Polish capital, the state-funded University of Warsaw is currently ranked sixth in the EECA rankings. Founded in 1816, it’s Poland’s largest university, with 54,800 students enrolled across its 21 departments. The University of Warsaw’s long history is also packed with interesting events and legends. During World War II, for instance, the campus was turned into a military barracks by German soldiers, so academics established the so-called “Secret University of Warsaw” and continued educating students in various hidden locations..
Jagiellonian University
The country’s oldest university, and one of the oldest in Europe, Jagiellonian University is another of the most prestigious universities in Poland, ranked joint 14th in the EECA rankings. Established in 1364, it has a long tradition of educating the country’s future leaders. Among the numerous notable alumni of the university are John III Sobieski (King of Poland until 1696), Nicolaus Copernicus (famed for formulating a model of the universe with the sun at the center), Pope John Paul II and two Nobel Prize winners, Ivo Andrić and Wisława Szymborska. Today Jagiellonian University teaches about 38,500 students at its campus in Krakow, Poland’s second largest city.
Warsaw University of Technology
Warsaw University of Technology also features in the QS EECA University Rankings, in which it’s ranked 19th among universities in Emerging Europe and Central Asia. It claims a place among the leading technological institutes in Europe, and is one of the region’s largest providers of technical education. Located in the Polish capital, the university has about 36,100 students and 19 faculties, which cover all fields of science and technology. Founded back in 1899, the university was one of the first universities in Poland to teach engineering. In recent years, its graduates have become known for making up an impressively high percentage of Polish managers and executives.
Top Ranked Universities on QS
According to QS World University Ranking
Tuition fees
Tuition fees at top-ranked universities in Finland
| # | Name | Ranking | Average tuition fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Warsaw | 394 | 2,000 - 4,000 USD/year |
| 2 | Jagiellonian University | 411 | 4,000 - 6,000 USD/year |
| 3 | Warsaw University of Technology | 601-650 | < 2,000 USD/year |
Living, acoomodation and tuition costs
Poland is an accessible European country with a pretty stable economy and living costs of 450 – 650 EUR/month. You can adjust your budget depending on the city or area you wish to study in. Larger cities such as Krakow or Warsaw require 500 – 850 EUR/month
When you live in Poland, besides rent you will also have some additional expenses which come from the utilities. The basic ones are electricity, heating, water and garbage and they have total prices of around 155 EUR/month for an 85 square meters apartment.
Food for an international student usually costs 100 – 150 EUR/month. You can save some money if you choose to buy groceries and you shop from low-priced supermarkets.
Public transport is the main option for students, who pay 50 EUR for a semestral pass, available for 6 months. Many of the Polish cities have nice panoramic views and routes, so you can also walk by foot.
Housing is a major subject in Poland since it represents 37% of the total monthly budget, according to a European study. International students may find options in university residence halls or private rental apartments that can also be shared. Also, universities have services dedicated to students who seek to house off-campus.
The costs of accommodation in Poland are a bit above the European average of 200 – 300 EUR/month. However, private rental apartments have high standards. Below you will find the costs of housing in most of the Polish cities.
For students who live alone: 350-400 EUR/month
Students living with partner/child: 450 EUR/month
Students living on university campuses: 169 EUR/month
On-campus housing is not too accessible to students. Only 12% of them live in residence halls and 57% of them are satisfied with the services and housing itself. A one-bedroom apartment in Krakow costs around 290 – 390 EUR/month, while Warsaw has prices of 350 – 460 EUR/month.
Funding and student support programm
There are a number of scholarships available within the limits defined in bilateral agreements. They are financed either by the Polish or the foreign partner’s government, often with the aim to enhance exchange within a specific field of study. The amount of a scholarship depends on the type of study undertaken. Is not possible to enumerate here all of bilateral agreements. The main partners are France, Italy, Germany. Likewise scholarships are offered within bilateral agreements with China, Japan and Mexico. For more information please contact the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) www.nawa.gov.pl It is also advisable to check with local authorities if they have a scholarship programme that includes studies in Poland.
For more information please contact the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) www.nawa.gov.pl.
It is also advisable to check with local authorities if they have a scholarship programme that includes studies in Poland.