Conditions and costs of undertaking higher education in Poland
Persons who do not belong to any of the groups mentioned in the previous subsection may undertake paid studies or studies in compliance with binding bilateral agreements.
According to article 43 section 5a of the Law on Higher Education, the right to undertake paid higher education, doctoral programmes, as well as to participate in research and development work applies to foreigners holding a residence card with the designation “access to the labour market”, a Schengen or a Polish visa, granted for the purpose of performance of work within the territory of the Republic of Poland.
Other foreigners, not mentioned in previous paragraphs, may undertake studies in Poland on grounds specified in international and bilateral agreements. Detailed information on treaties to which Poland is a party can be found on the Bureau for Academic Recognition and International Exchange website.
Being in good health is a general requirement for all candidates who want to study in Poland. Moreover, before participating in recruitment proceedings, health insurance has to be obtained (more on this subject can be read in the article: Health insurance), as well as accident insurance (NNW).
Polish universities offer study programmes in foreign languages especially in English, dedicated mainly to foreigners. However, foreigners can also undertake studies in Polish. A candidate must then meet one of the following criteria:
- present a certificate issued by State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language (more on this subject can be read in the article: Learning Polish language);
- obtain a confirmation from the university that his language skills are sufficient to undertake studies at this institution;
- complete a one-year-long course preparing for undertaking higher degree studies in Polish, organised and conducted by academic institutions indicated by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
For interested people we give a list of such institutions below. Currently, such courses are organised by the following universities:
Polish Language and Culture Studies Centre, Polonia University in Częstochowa (Studium Języka i Kultury Polskiej, Akademia Polonijna w Częstochowie)
School of Polish language and Culture, University of Silesia in Katowice (Szkoła Języka i Kultury Polskiej, Uniwersytet Śląski w Katowicach)
The Center for Polish Language and Culture in the World, Jagiellonian University (Centrum Języka i Kultury Polskiej w Świecie, Uniwersytet Jagielloński)
School of Polish Language and Culture, Jagiellonian University in Cracow (Szkoła Języka i Kultury Polskiej, Uniwersytet Jagielloński w Krakowie)
The Polish Language and Culture Centre for Polish People from Abroad and Foreigners, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin (Centrum Języka i Kultury Polskiej dla Polonii i Cudzoziemców, Uniwersytet im. M. Curie-Skłodowskiej w Lublinie)
School of Polish for Foreign Students, University of Lodz (Studium Języka Polskiego dla Cudzoziemców, Uniwersytet Łódzki)
Polish Language Study Centre, Universitas Opoliensis Studium Kultury i Języka Polskiego dla Obcokrajowców, Uniwersytet Opolski
The School of Polish Language and Culture for Foreign Students, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, (Studium Języka i Kultury Polskiej dla Cudzoziemców, Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu)
"POLONUS" Centre of Polish Culture and Language for Poles from Abroad and Foreigners, University of Rzeszów (Centrum Kultury i Języka Polskiego dla Polaków z Zagranicy i Cudzoziemców „Polonus”, Uniwersytet Rzeszowski)
The Centre of Polish Language and Culture for Foreigners, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun (Studium Języka i Kultury Polskiej dla Cudzoziemców "Polonicum", Uniwersytet Warszawski)
The Centre of Polish Language and Culture for Foreigners “Polonicum”, Warsaw University (Studium Języka i Kultury Polskiej dla Cudzoziemców "Polonicum", Uniwersytet Warszawski)
The School of Polish Language and Culture for Foreigners, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw (Szkoła Języka i Kultury Polskiej dla Cudzoziemców, Uniwersytet Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Warszawie)
The Department of Polish Language for Foreigners (Studium Języka Polskiego dla Cudzoziemców, Politechnika Wrocławska)
School of Polish Language and Culture for Foreigners, University of Wroclaw (Szkoła Języka Polskiego i Kultury dla Cudzoziemców, Uniwersytet Wrocławski)
In case of foreigners undertaking paid higher degree studies in Polish, tuition per year of first and second cycle studies amounts to at least 2,000 euros. People who want to undertake PhD, post-graduate or post-PhD studies, (habilitacja) will have to pay at least 3,000 euro per year. The fee for a one-year-long language course preparing for undertaking studies in Polish amounts to 2,000 euros. These are minimum fee rates, defined in article 17 ust.1 of the Law on Higher Education and in the resolution of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of 12 October 2006 on the subject of undertaking and pursuing studies and training by foreigners, and their participation in research and development work. Particular universities may demand higher tuition fees. Before undertaking first year studies of any degree course, a one-time recruitment fee payment of 200 euros has to be made. On the basis of a substantiated application the Dean may lower the fee or even release a foreign student from paying it.
Foreigners of Polish origin undertaking paid studies in Polish pay fees 30% lower. Candidates interested in undertaking studies in Poland may submit their applications directly to a higher education institution of their choice. A full list of these institution can be found on the Ministry of Science and Higher Education website.