Poland is a popular European destination for undergraduate education. Poland is part of the European Union and is located in Central Europe. It borders Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, and Russia.
Tuition for a bachelor’s degree in Poland varies depending on the university, field, language of instruction, and student status. At public higher education institutions, full-time programs taught in Polish are generally free for Polish students and eligible foreigners, including EU/EEA citizens and students who hold the Polish Charter, known as Karta Polaka. Other international students usually pay tuition. Official Study in Poland guidance lists an average of EUR 2,000 per year for first-cycle, second-cycle, and long-cycle studies, while tuition generally ranges from EUR 2,000 to EUR 6,000 per year. English-taught programs are often around EUR 3,000 per year. This is approximately USD 2,300 to USD 7,000 per year based on late-May 2026 exchange rates, but students should always check the current fee page of their chosen university.
Aside from relatively accessible tuition fees, Polish higher education institutions include public and non-public institutions, as well as academic and professional institutions. Study in Poland notes that there are almost 380 state and private higher education institutions in the country. Examples of well-known Polish universities include Jagiellonian University, University of Warsaw, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan, and AGH University of Science and Technology.
In this article, we will discuss how you can pursue and study for your undergraduate degree in Poland.
Bachelor’s Degree Admission Requirements
General requirements for Polish universities include proof that the student has completed secondary education and is eligible to begin higher education. A Polish Matura certificate, a foreign secondary school leaving certificate, or another equivalent document that gives the holder access to university-level studies is usually required for admission.
Visa requirements depend on the applicant’s citizenship and length of stay. International students from European Union countries do not need a student visa to enter Poland. However, EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who stay in Poland for more than three months generally need to register their residence with the relevant Voivodeship Office.
International students who hold citizenship from non-EU countries usually need a valid passport and, if required for their citizenship, a visa before entering Poland. For a full bachelor’s degree, which normally lasts longer than 90 days, the D-type national visa is usually the relevant visa category. A C-type Schengen visa is a short-stay visa and is not intended to cover an entire degree program.
Students from countries with visa-free access to the Schengen Area may be able to enter Poland without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period. However, visa-free entry does not replace the need to legalize a longer stay for degree studies.
Information on visa requirements and the application process is available through the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the official Study in Poland website.
Check Also: Programs in Europe for International Students
Language Proficiency Tests Needed for Undergraduate Studies
Polish universities offer programs in Polish and English, and some institutions offer selected programs in other languages. Prospective students who wish to study for a bachelor’s degree in Poland should check the language of instruction for their chosen program and submit the language documents required by that university.
For English-taught programs, universities commonly require proof of English proficiency at least at the B2 level. Accepted documents vary by university and program, but examples may include IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge B2 First (FCE), Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), and Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE).
For programs taught in Polish or another language, students should check the accepted language certificates on the university’s official admissions page. Requirements may differ by program, degree level, and applicant citizenship.
The Jagiellonian University, for example, requires documentation confirming proficiency in the language of instruction at the required level in certain cases. For most programs, international applicants also participate in an online interview assessing their aptitude for study and their proficiency in the language of instruction, usually at a minimum B2 level.
The University of Warsaw also requires candidates for English-taught programs to prove English language skills at least at the B2 level by submitting an accepted document or, when specified for a particular field of study, by taking a university language exam. The list of accepted documents to prove English proficiency at the University of Warsaw is available on its website. Students should always check the accepted or preferred language certifications of the institutions and programs they intend to apply to.
Bachelor’s Degree Application Process
Depending on the university and degree, the process may differ for students who wish to apply for a bachelor’s degree in Poland. Requirements may also include passing an entrance exam or interview for certain degree programs. However, there are standard application procedures and requirements that you can expect from many universities in Poland.
Many universities in Poland provide a step-by-step guide for applications on their websites.
Step 1. Completion of Online Application Form
A completed online application form is standard at many universities. You can expect to provide basic personal information, education details, a digital photo, and program-specific materials if the university requires them.
A completed personal questionnaire with a photo is another common requirement for undergraduate admissions in Poland.
Step 2. Submission of Required Documents
Required documents may vary depending on the university and program. However, applicants generally need a Polish Matura certificate or a foreign secondary school certificate that entitles them to begin higher education in the country where the certificate was issued. Certification from an accepted language proficiency exam may also be required.
Documents issued outside Poland may need an apostille or legalization, and documents issued in a language other than Polish or English may need a sworn translation. Translation rules can differ depending on whether the program is taught in Polish or another language.
The Jagiellonian University has the complete list of required documents on its website.
Similarly, Adam Mickiewicz University has a list of required documents for international applicants.
Prospective international students who are below 18 must also submit additional requirements before enrollment. Requirements for minor students often include written consent from a parent or legal guardian stating that they allow their child to study in Poland.
Step 3. Prepare for the Exam or Interview (Not All Degree Programs)
Entrance exams or interviews may be required for some degree programs and universities. The University of Warsaw, for example, tells applicants to check the qualification criteria for each specific field of study in the IRK system. For some courses, additional entrance examinations are held. It is best to review the program requirements of your desired course to prepare for any required exams or interviews.
Step 4. Wait for Admission
Most universities in Poland deliver admission results online through their recruitment or admissions systems. Jagiellonian University has an official admissions portal where students can check the decision on their application. Other universities may email the decision directly to the applicant or publish it in the applicant’s online account.
After receiving acceptance for admission, international students who need a visa or residence documentation should begin the process immediately and follow the instructions of the relevant Polish consulate or Voivodeship Office.
Step 5. Preparing Your Student Visa
As mentioned above, non-EU students who plan to study for a bachelor’s degree in Poland for more than 90 days generally apply for a D-type national visa if they need a visa to enter Poland.
Securing a student visa can be a lengthy process for some applicants. Students are encouraged to begin preparing their student visa application after receiving the official letter of acceptance from their university and to follow the instructions of the Polish consulate responsible for their place of residence.
Here are some of the usual requirements for securing a student visa.
- Completed Poland student visa application form
- Valid passport or travel document
- Biometric photo
- Proof of visa fee payment
- Official acceptance letter or other document confirming the purpose and conditions of stay
- Official secondary education certificates and diplomas, if required
- Proof of language proficiency, if required
- Health insurance or medical travel insurance documents
- Proof of accommodation and sufficient financial capacity
- Other supporting documents required by the relevant Polish consulate
Aside from the student visa, non-EU students who need to remain in Poland beyond the validity of their visa should apply for a temporary residence permit before the visa expires. More information on student visas and temporary residence permits is available on the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange’s official Study in Poland website.
Step 6. Enrollment
Once admitted into the degree program of your interest, universities will require admitted students to confirm attendance and submit any required enrollment documents within a given time frame.
We hope this article on how to apply for a bachelor’s degree in Poland was helpful. Check also the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying in Europe.
