Study in Poland
Europe's fastest-growing tech and services hub, degrees from €2,000 a year, and unrestricted work rights for full-time students.
Why students choose Poland
Poland is the value pick in the EU: English-taught degrees from €2,000 a year, living costs among the lowest in Europe, and a booming market for software, finance operations and engineering in Warsaw, Kraków and Wrocław. Medical universities teach English-language programmes recognised across the EU and beyond. Full-time students can work without a permit.
Intakes
Main intake; applications from March to July.
Second intake at many private universities.
What international students study in Poland
After you graduate
Full-time students on a residence permit can work any hours without a work permit, and graduates of Polish universities can apply for a temporary residence permit to look for work for up to 9 months. Polish university graduates also have easier access to permanent residence.
Temporary residence permit for graduates seeking work
9 months. Available to graduates of Polish universities.
Part-time work
No hourly limit for full-time students holding a temporary residence permit. Wages of PLN 30.50 an hour minimum (2025), about €7.
Employment by sector
IT and software (high), Business services and finance operations (high), Engineering and manufacturing (high). Full picture.
What it costs to study in Poland
Living costs of €500 to €900 a month. Tuition of €2,000 to €5,000 for undergraduate and €2,500 to €6,000 for postgraduate study. English-track medicine costs €11,000 to €15,000 a year.
| Monthly cost | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | €200 to €500 (dormitories from €120) |
| Food and groceries | €150 to €250 |
| Transport | €10 to €25 with student discounts of 50 percent |
| Utilities and phone | €50 to €90 |
| Health insurance | About €15 to €25 a month through the national fund |
Fees and costs are indicative for the 2026/27 cycle, change with exchange rates and policy, and should be confirmed with the university or the relevant government before you decide.
National visa D (study) and temporary residence permit
Documents you will need
- Admission letter and proof of fee payment
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance
- Passport and photos
- Legalised or apostilled secondary school or degree certificate
- Language proof for the programme
Funding for international students in Poland
| Scholarship | What it offers | Who awards it |
|---|---|---|
| NAWA scholarships | Government programmes such as the Banach and Poland My First Choice schemes with monthly stipends. | Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange |
| University rector's scholarships | Merit awards for high grades during the degree. | Universities |
| Visegrad scholarships | For students from Eastern Partnership and Western Balkan countries. | Visegrad Fund |
Poland in eight facts
Poland has the largest number of universities in Central Europe.
Student ID gives 50 percent off public transport and trains.
Kraków is a UNESCO World Heritage city and a major student town.
Poland is in the Schengen Area, so students travel across 29 countries without extra visas.
English-track medical degrees are recognised in the EU, the UK and the US after licensing exams.
Dormitories are cheap and social; apply early.
Winters are cold but buildings are well heated.
Warsaw's business services sector employs hundreds of thousands in multilingual roles.
Where to study in Poland
Everything else about studying in Poland
Student visa
How to get a Poland student visa: fees, funds, documents and timeline
Cost of studying
What it costs to study in Poland: tuition, living and one-off fees
Cost of living
Monthly cost of living for students in Poland
Scholarships
Scholarships for international students in Poland
Work after graduation
Working in Poland during and after your degree
Education system
How the Polish education system works
Student life
Student life in Poland: housing, work, weather and culture
Best student cities
Best cities to study in Poland
Exams required
Which exams you need to study in Poland
Master's degrees
Studying a master's in Poland
Studying in Poland: what students ask
Can international students work in Poland?
Yes. Full-time students with a temporary residence permit can work without restrictions on hours.
Is Poland cheap to live in?
Among the cheapest in the EU. Budget €500 to €900 a month including rent.
Is a Polish medical degree recognised?
Yes, across the EU automatically, and in the UK, the US and India after the relevant licensing exams.
Ready to plan Poland?
A counsellor who knows this country's rules builds you a shortlist and a timeline. Free.