Poland offers international students a diverse higher education system that includes centuries-old research universities, specialized medical institutions, and major technical and business schools. When comparing these options, applicants should consider more than reputation alone, including program language, academic strengths, tuition fees, scholarship availability, and professional recognition requirements.
This guide introduces ten of the best-known universities in Poland for international students and features the real journeys of fully funded Erasmus Mundus recipients. Their experiences show how applicants matched their academic backgrounds to program objectives, supported their claims with evidence from research and leadership, tailored their CVs and motivation letters, and prepared for competitive interviews.
These stories also demonstrate that one unsuccessful application does not have to end the journey: one recipient strengthened her materials and interview preparation before winning funding on her second attempt. Alongside these practical application insights and scholarship outcomes, you can compare each Polish institution’s highlighted study areas, admissions information, tuition fees, and available funding opportunities.
Top Universities in Poland for International Students
| University | Selected Academic Areas |
|---|
| Jagiellonian University | Mathematics, Medicine, and Computer Science |
| Medical University of Warsaw | Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy |
| University of Warsaw | Psychology, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences |
| Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań | English Studies, Linguistics, Arts, and Humanities |
| AGH University | Engineering, Computer Science, and Materials Science |
| Cracow University of Technology | Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology |
| University of Gdańsk | Biology, Oceanography, and Quantum Technologies |
| Poznań University of Economics and Business | Economics, Finance, Business, and Data Analysis |
| Gdańsk University of Technology | Engineering, Computer Science, and Architecture |
| Wroclaw Medical University | Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy |
1. Jagiellonian University
Jagiellonian University, historically known as the University of Kraków, was founded in 1364 and is the oldest university in Poland. It has been a major center of teaching and research for more than six centuries, and astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was among its students. The university currently has 16 faculties, including three medical faculties, and offers a broad range of programs in the humanities, sciences, medicine, law, and social sciences.
The university offers programs in Polish and other languages, including English-language Medicine and Mathematics and Computer Science programs. It also maintains extensive international partnerships and is a member of academic networks such as the Coimbra Group.
2. Medical University of Warsaw
The Medical University of Warsaw traces its academic roots to 1809 and is one of Poland’s oldest medical universities. It is currently organized into four faculties covering medicine, medicine and dentistry, pharmacy, and health sciences. The university has approximately 10,000 students, including nearly 800 international students.
Its current English-language degree options include a six-year Medicine program and a five-year Dentistry program. Clinical education is supported by the University Clinical Center, affiliated hospitals, and medical simulation facilities. International graduates should always check the professional licensing requirements of the country in which they intend to practice.
3. University of Warsaw
The University of Warsaw is Poland’s largest university. It has more than 40,000 students, 25 faculties, over 30 additional academic and research units, and three main campuses. Its historic main campus is located in central Warsaw, while other university facilities support scientific, social science, and interdisciplinary research.
The university has approximately 4,000 international students and doctoral candidates. Its extensive study catalog includes psychology, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and interdisciplinary programs, with selected degrees offered in English.
4. Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań
Adam Mickiewicz University has academic roots reaching back to the Lubrański Academy, founded in 1519, and the Jesuit College, which received university status in 1611. The modern University of Poznań was established in 1919, and it adopted the name of Polish poet and activist Adam Mickiewicz in 1955.
The university is currently organized into five schools comprising 20 faculties, along with a doctoral school. Its broad academic offer includes English studies, linguistics, modern languages, arts and humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences.
One student’s journey: Yogita, who entered the joint SERP+ master’s after a Chemistry (Honours) degree at the University of Delhi, completed the degree program’s second semester at Adam Mickiewicz University, PoznaÅ„, studying photochemistry, biological reaction dynamics, and physical-chemistry simulations. For her fully funded Erasmus Mundus Scholarship application, she says she matched her academic background to the program’s objectives and concentrated on a strong statement of purpose, while making sure her CV and recommendation letters demonstrated her research record and academic strengths. Her advice is to start researching programs around October and tailor the application to explain why each host university and its courses fit your goals. View More Adam Mickiewicz University recipients →
5. AGH University
AGH University developed from the Mining Academy authorized in 1912, formally established in 1913, and opened in 1919. Although its origins lie in mining and metallurgy, the university has expanded into a broad technical institution offering engineering, computing, materials science, geoscience, energy, and management programs.
AGH currently offers more than 80 fields of study across 18 faculties. Programs are available at the bachelor’s and master’s levels in Polish, with a selection of programs also offered in English.
6. Cracow University of Technology
Cracow University of Technology was founded in 1945 and specializes in technical education and research. Its faculties cover architecture, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, chemical engineering, environmental engineering and energy, materials engineering and physics, and computer science and mathematics.
The university has maintained research and industry cooperation throughout its history. Its academic community operates across several campuses and participates in domestic and international research, mobility, and education projects.
One student’s journey: Sondous Ahmed, an Egyptian chemistry and microbiology graduate, entered the Erasmus Mundus Bioref Joint Master’s, which includes degree study at Cracow University of Technology. After an unsuccessful first scholarship round, she reapplied specifically to Bioref, tailoring her CV to the program and preparing much more intensively for the interview; she credits clearer motivation, stronger interview performance, and emphasizing her laboratory and cosmetics-formulation experience with helping her win on her second attempt. Her studies were supported by the fully funded Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarship, and at Cracow her degree work focused on process optimization and pilot-plant operations. View More Cracow University of Technology recipients →
7. University of Gdańsk
The University of Gdańsk was founded in 1970 through the merger of the Higher Economics School in Sopot and the Higher Pedagogical School in Gdańsk. It currently offers more than 90 fields of study through 11 faculties, with programs spanning biology, biotechnology, chemistry, psychology, economics, law, languages, and the marine sciences.
The university is especially associated with Baltic Sea and marine research. Its specialist facilities and research units include the Hel Marine Station, the Bird Migration Research Station, and the International Centre for Theory of Quantum Technologies.
8. Poznań University of Economics and Business
The Poznań University of Economics and Business is a public university located in Poznań, Poland. Founded by local entrepreneurs in 1926, it is one of the country’s oldest universities specializing in economics and business education. The university has approximately 10,200 students.
PUEB offers programs in areas such as economics, finance, accounting, business administration, international business, management, marketing, data analysis, and information technology. Its programs emphasize practical learning and prepare students for careers in private companies, public institutions, and international organizations.
The university also works closely with businesses through initiatives such as the PUEB Partner Club, allowing industry experts to contribute to teaching and curriculum development. Its research addresses areas including sustainable economies, business and technological innovation, responsible production and consumption, and inclusive societies.
A recipient’s path: Alexander Ryusandi Pratama, who previously studied computational sociology, completed the 120-ECTS Erasmus Mundus TISE joint master’s across four partner universities, including a full semester of Economics in Transition at PoznaÅ„ University of Economics and Business. For his application, he treated his candidacy like a case to prove: he mapped concrete projects, research, and leadership evidence to the program’s selection criteria, rewrote his statement so major claims were backed by results, and built a portfolio showing how he would use the degree. He attended through the fully funded Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarship, after previously reaching the Australia Awards interview stage and winning a University of Queensland scholarship. View More PoznaÅ„ University of Economics and Business recipients →
9. Gdańsk University of Technology
GdaÅ„sk University of Technology, also known as GdaÅ„sk Tech, was established in 1904 and is one of Poland’s oldest technical universities. It was placed second in the first Initiative of Excellence–Research University competition, the highest position achieved by a technical university in that edition.
The university offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral education in science, engineering, technology, architecture, and management. Its current English-language offer includes programs such as Architecture, Data Engineering, Green Technologies, Informatics, Mechanical Engineering, and renewable-energy-related fields.
10. Wroclaw Medical University
Wroclaw Medical University is a public medical university offering education in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, medical analytics, physiotherapy, public health, and related health sciences. Its teaching and research infrastructure includes the University Clinical Hospital and a Medical Simulation Center.
The university participates in international academic cooperation and student mobility programs, including Erasmus+. Prospective international students should consult the admissions portal for the current English-language offer, entry requirements, and tuition fees.
FAQs: Studying in Polish Universities
Is Poland a Good Place for International Students to Study?
Universities in Poland offer programs across a broad range of disciplines, including medicine, engineering, technology, the humanities, business, and the natural sciences. Many institutions participate in international exchanges and offer selected programs in English. Facilities, curriculum flexibility, and English-language availability vary by university and program.
Living and studying costs in Poland are relatively affordable compared with many other European Union countries. Poland’s official study portal states that tuition for fee-paying students commonly ranges from approximately €2,000 to €6,000 per year, depending on the institution and program. It estimates average student living expenses at around PLN 1,500 to PLN 2,000 per month, although costs can be higher in cities such as Warsaw and Kraków.
Can International Students Work in Poland While Studying?
International students’ employment rights depend on their citizenship and residence status. Non-EU students whose stay is based on a Polish visa issued for full-time studies or a temporary residence permit for full-time studies may work without obtaining a separate work permit. Part-time study status alone does not provide the same work-permit exemption.
Poland’s current rules do not impose a general 20-hour-per-week employment limit on eligible full-time international students. However, students must continue meeting the academic and residence conditions associated with their status. Those seeking career-related experience can also explore internships, but whether an internship is paid depends on the employer and arrangement.
Can International Students Stay in Poland After Graduation?
Eligible non-EU graduates of Polish universities may apply once for a nine-month temporary residence permit to look for employment or prepare to establish a business. The application must be submitted during a legal stay and directly after graduation. Applicants must generally show health insurance, accommodation, and sufficient financial resources.
Graduates of full-time university studies in Poland do not need a separate work permit, although they must still maintain a legal basis for residence. After obtaining qualifying highly skilled employment, some graduates may be eligible for an EU Blue Card. Long-term EU resident status is a separate permit that generally requires at least five years of qualifying, uninterrupted residence, along with other legal requirements; only half of time spent in Poland under a study visa or study residence permit normally counts toward that period.
We hope this article on the best universities in Poland for international students was helpful. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
