ForeignerDeck » Higher education in Poland

Higher education can be pursued at public and non-public universities, i.e. universities, polytechnics, academies and colleges, among others. As a rule, public universities are subsidised by the state budget and do not charge fees for full-time studies. Studying at a private university is charged.

A list of universities and contact details of Polish higher education institutions are available here-> https://studia.pl/.

Studies can be pursued in full-time or part-time mode. In general, full-time studies (also known as daytime studies) take place every day except Saturdays and Sundays. In the case of part-time studies, the so-called "conventions" take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays several times a semester. The term "evening study" refers to a part-time study system in which classes are held from Monday to Friday from afternoons to evenings. Part-time and evening studies are paid even at public universities.

The academic year begins on 1 October and ends around mid-June. Studies are divided into winter and summer semesters. One semester lasts approximately four to five months. Students are assessed for each course in a semester - they must pass an exam or obtain a credit in a so-called session. In order to continue studying, students must pass the semester, i.e. obtain a passing grade in all subjects taken during the semester. Upon completion of the studies, graduation (i.e. obtaining an entry certifying that the student has passed all the examinations and passed the subjects required in the study programme), submission of the diploma thesis (bachelor's, engineer's, master's) and passing the examination, the university grants the student the title (bachelor's, engineer's, master's).

The organisation and course of studies, as well as the related rights and obligations of the student are defined in the study regulations. The study regulations of each higher education institution are one of the basic documents with which a student should be acquainted. The regulations contain regulations ensuring the proper course of the educational process, as well as general principles concerning the organisation of studies. The study regulations are available on the websites of higher education institutions. You can also get acquainted with them by contacting the university of your choice directly.

Types of studies and degrees in poland:

There are several types of studies in Poland. They differ in the prerequisites that a student must meet in order to be admitted, the length of study and the professional titles that a student may receive upon completion.

- First degree studies - are vocational studies that prepare for work in a specific profession and end with the bachelor's or engineer's degree. First-cycle studies last between six and seven semesters. In order to undertake these studies, it is necessary to complete secondary school and pass the baccalaureate exam (in Poland or abroad).

- Second-cycle studies - are vocational studies leading to a master's degree, master's degree in engineering or an equivalent title (e.g. doctor, dentist, veterinary surgeon). Second-cycle studies last 3-4 semesters. Second-cycle studies require prior completion of first-cycle studies (in Poland or abroad).

- Uniform master studies - are studies leading to the award of a master's degree, master's degree in engineering or an equivalent degree. The study of a uniform master's degree lasts from 9 to 12 semesters and requires a secondary school leaving certificate obtained in Poland or abroad. Uniform Master's degree programmes are applicable to such fields of study as pharmacy, law, psychology and medicine, among others.

After obtaining the degree, you can continue your education at:

- third-degree studies, i.e. doctoral studies enabling you to acquire advanced knowledge in a specific field or discipline of science. These studies prepare for the award of a doctoral degree, which the student may obtain after defending his/her doctoral thesis. A prerequisite for taking up such studies is possession of a master's degree obtained in Poland or abroad;

- postgraduate studies, i.e. studies whose aim is to deepen knowledge in a given field or discipline of science. Postgraduate studies last from 2 to 4 semesters. Upon completion, the student receives a postgraduate certificate (not a diploma), but no professional or academic title.

Foreigners - provided they meet the admission and study requirements - can study all the above-mentioned types of studies.

General conditions for admission of foreigners to studies in poland:

Full-time studies at state universities are free of charge for Polish citizens. Since 2013, a fee has been introduced for study in the second course of full-time studies. Evening and extramural studies at public universities are chargeable. The amount of fees is set by the university.

Full-time, evening and extramural studies at private universities are chargeable.

As a rule, all foreigners can study at Polish higher education institutions. However, the rules for their admission and the conditions for studying at public universities differ depending on the legal status of the foreigner in Poland. Some groups of foreigners can undertake studies in the Polish language at public universities on the same principles as Polish citizens (and thus also free of charge). These groups include:

- foreigners with a permanent residence permit in Poland

- foreigners holding a valid Pole's Card

- foreigners who have received a decision on the ascertainment of Polish origin;

- foreigners with refugee status granted by Poland;

- foreigners benefiting from temporary protection in Poland;

- Foreigners who have been granted subsidiary protection in Poland;

- Foreigners holding a certificate attesting the knowledge of Polish language as a foreign language at the level of at least C1, issued by the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language

- foreigners holding a residence permit for a long-term EU resident granted in Poland

- foreigners who are the spouse, ascendant or descendant of a Polish citizen residing in the territory of the Republic of Poland

- citizens of EU and EFTA member states and their family members residing on the territory of Poland;

foreigners who have been granted a residence permit for a temporary stay for the purposes of scientific research or long-term mobility of a scientist, or who reside on the territory of the Republic of Poland in relation to short-term mobility of a scientist or who hold a national visa for the purposes of scientific research or development work;

foreigners who have been granted a temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunion;

foreigners who have been granted a temporary residence permit due to the so-called other circumstances: these will be persons who have been granted an EU long-term resident permit by another Member State and who want to take up employment, studies or if there are other circumstances justifying their stay in Poland. Also members of their families, if they accompany them, may undertake studies free of charge. Other foreigners may undertake studies in Poland on a fee-paying basis, unless they benefit from scholarships that exempt them from these fees (more information on such scholarships is available below).

At a justified request of a foreigner, the rector of the university may reduce the fee or exempt them completely.

Scholarships for foreigners:

Foreign students who:

- have a permanent residence permit or are long-term residents of the EU,

- hold a temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunion

- foreigners and their family members, who have a temporary residence permit due to so called other circumstances: these will be people who have a residence permit for a long-term EU resident granted by another Member State and who want to take up employment, study in Poland, or when there are other circumstances justifying their stay in Poland

- have the status of refugee granted in Poland or enjoy temporary protection or subsidiary protection on the territory of Poland,

- they have a certificate confirming their knowledge of Polish language as a foreign language

at least at the C1 language proficiency level,

- have the Card of the Pole or a decision on confirmation of Polish origin,

are the spouse, ascendant or descendant of a Polish citizen residing on the territory of the Republic of Poland.

On the other hand, all foreign students who will undertake their education in the academic year 2019-2020 are entitled to apply for the remaining material aid benefits, i.e. for:

- rector's scholarship,

- scholarship for disabled persons,

- financial aid,

- scholarship financed by the local self-government unit,

- scholarship for learning or sports results financed by an individual or a legal entity which is not a state or local government legal entity,

- minister's scholarship

Polish government scholarships:

The Polish Government awards scholarships to students and trainees on the basis of bilateral agreements. Polish Government scholarship holders are exempt from tuition fees. Each year, international agreements set limits on places. Applicants for a scholarship to study in Poland should apply to Polish diplomatic and consular posts abroad (consulates).

The scholarship is paid directly to the scholarship holders by the host university.

Foreign Government (Sending Party) Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to foreigners who undertake studies on the basis of international agreements, by the ministries or institutions of their country responsible for academic exchange with foreign countries. Foreign government scholarship holders do not pay tuition fees.

No fees or scholarship benefits

Foreigners may apply for admission to study under such conditions under international agreements or aid programmes offered to specific countries by the Polish government. Applicants for studies in Poland without payment and scholarship benefits should apply to Polish diplomatic and consular posts. The foreigner does not pay the tuition fees, but does not receive a scholarship from the Polish government. They cover the costs of living in Poland on their own.

Individual universities in Poland are entitled to set their own rules for granting scholarships to foreigners and for exempting them from fees.