Do you like diverse nature, cities steeped in history and delicious comfort food after a long exam season? If you answered yes to these three questions, and are looking to study somewhere in Europe – there is a perfect solution for you: Study in Poland!
Poland’s tradition of academic education goes back to 1364 when King Casimir the Great realised how important it was to have a class of educated people. Thus, Krakow Academy, today known as Jagiellonian University, was established.
Today, Poland has over 450 HEIs (Higher Education institutions) to choose from and being a member of the Socrates-Erasmus network, Poland has slowly built a reputation for students looking to get an unforgettable study experience and an internationally recognized degree.
There were 72 743 foreign students from 170 countries studying in Poland last year and the numbers grow steadily.
For many students, the cost is one of the main worries when looking to study abroad. After all, one has to take into account books, transportation, and tuition. Here is where Poland comes into play! While Polish universities follow the Bologna study standards and offer top-notch education, the cost is reasonably low compared to the alternative.
Tuition fees start from less than 1700 EUR per year. But the low costs do not apply only to the tuition. Despite having one of the fastest-growing European economies, Poland still has relatively low prices.
Student Housing & Living Costs in Poland:
Most universities in Poland offer accommodations to enrolled students. The price and quality may vary depending on the city and university of your choice. Normally you would pay around 65-80 USD monthly for a shared room and around 110-170 USD for a single room. It is important to know that the standard of the dormitories may vary greatly even between various student houses offered by the same university so you should do some research before deciding on one. One thing is for sure, whichever student house you pick you will be greeted by a friendly and helpful atmosphere.
Tuition Fees & Scholarships:
While education in Poland is free for Polish students, don’t worry, the prices of education for international students is still far lower than in many other European countries.
If you are an EU/EEA student you are not required to pay tuition fees for courses taught in Polish but you compete with Polish students for admission spots.
If you are not from an EU country, studying in Poland requires you to pay tuition fees. The good news is, that prices in Poland are lower than in many other European countries.
2230 USD per year for first, second and long cycle studies
3350 USD per year for doctoral, postgraduate and medical postgraduate internships as well as scientific, arts, specialist and post-doctoral internships
3350 USD per year for vocational courses and apprenticeships
2230 USD per year for an annual preparatory Polish language course to commence studies in Polish.
Study fees at both public and private universities are established by the institution itself as long as they are not lower than the costs of the education process.
The fees normally range from around 2230 USD to 6700 per year and depend on the institution and study program (for MBA programs: about 9000 – 14,000 per year).
You should keep in mind that actual fees and specific study conditions are decided by an agreement between individual institutions or between the student and given university. So it is always important to check at the site of the university you are interested in to know for sure.
Being an international student you have another advantage and that is being eligible for various tuition and scholarships.
Your options include:
A scholarship awarded by a Polish partner.
A scholarship awarded by the sending partner (for example your country or university).
A scholarship awarded by Polish higher education institutions.