Study in Poland: Top Universities, Courses, Scholarships, Course Fees and Job Opportunities

Study in Poland- Highlights

Indian students who wish to study in Europe at a low cost might prefer studying in Poland. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), approximately 5,000 Indian students were enrolled in Polish universities in 2022. Poland has become an attractive destination for Indian students due to its affordable tuition fees, high-quality education, and post-study work opportunities. The country's post-study work visa allows graduates to stay and work for up to 2 years.

Studying in Poland - Advantages

Studying in Poland offers numerous advantages for Indian and international students. Here are some compelling reasons:

• Poland is home to around 439 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), with 133 public universities and 306 private universities. Among these,70% are university-type institutions, offering a wide range of academic disciplines, while 30% are non-university institutions, focusing more on vocational and specialized training.
• Salaries for graduates rangefrom PLN 50,000 to PLN 120,000 per year, depending on the industry and experience. This is competitive compared to many other European countries.
• On average, students can expect monthly expenses to be between PLN 1,500 – and PLN 3,500, depending on the city and lifestyle. Housing food and transport are cheaper compared to studying in the UK, Germany, or France.
• Poland is ranked among the safest countries for international students in Europe, with strong support systems in place for newcomers.
• The majority of students speak English in Poland. So learning of Polish language is not mandatory while pursuing education in Poland. The syllabus is at par with that of top countries like the USA.

The Education System in Poland

Poland's education system is similar to other education systems in Europe. oland adheres to the Bologna Process, ensuring compatibility with European higher education standards. The system is divided into

• First Cycle (Bachelor's): Typically 3 years, leading to degrees such as Licencjat or Inżynier (for engineering).
• Second Cycle (Master's): Usually 2 years, culminating in a Magister degree.
• Third Cycle (Doctoral/PhD): Approximately 3 years, leading to a Doktor degree.

Some fields like Law, Medicine, and Dentistry follow a long-cycle program, combining Bachelor's and Master's studies into a single continuous program lasting 5–6 years.

Top areas to study in Poland

• Medicine and Healthcare: Poland has17 medical universities, with approximately 10,000 international students enrolled in medical programs as of 2023.
• Engineering and Technology: Engineering is one of the most popular fields of study, with over 15,000 students currently enrolled in engineering programs across the country. Poland’s Warsaw University of Technology ranks among the top 500 universities globally for engineering.
• Business and Management: Over 10,000 international students pursue Business and Management programs in Poland each year, with strong demand for MBA and Master’s in International Business programs.
• Social Sciences and Humanities: These programs attract over 5,000 international students annually, with a growing interest in courses like International Relations, Sociology, Psychology, and Philosophy. Poland is home to over 10 universities specializing in the humanities, such as theUniversity of Warsaw and Adam Mickiewicz University.
• Law and Political Science: Poland has some of the oldest law schools in Europe, with the University of Warsaw and Jagiellonian University offering top-tier law programs. Every year, over 3,000 international students choose Poland to pursue LL.B. and LL.M. programs.

Top courses to study in Poland for Indian Students

1. Medicine (MBBS):

Poland is home to several internationally recognized medical universities, offering English-taught MBBS programs. These programs are highly popular among students from India and other non-EU countries due to their affordable fees and the global recognition of degrees. Over 10,000 international students are currently enrolled in medical programs in Poland, with a significant portion from India.

Top universities for Pursuing Medicine in Poland for Indian students

• Jagiellonian University Medical College
• Medical University of Warsaw
• Gdansk Medical University

Tuition Fees:

• PLN 27,000 – PLN 54,000 per year (Approx. INR 5,98,860 to INR 11,97,720)

• Post-Graduation Opportunities: Graduates can practice in the EU and other international markets after clearing local licensing exams.

2. Engineering

Poland is recognized for its strong engineering programs and collaboration with global industries, especially in IT, engineering, and manufacturing. Students are equipped with practical skills through internships and industrial collaborations. Over 20,000 international students are enrolled in engineering programs in Poland.

Top universities for Pursuing Engineering in Poland for Indian students:

• Warsaw University of Technology

• AGH University of Science and Technology

• Wrocław University of Science and Technology

Tuition Fees:

• PLN 9,000 – PLN 27,000 per year (Approx. INR 1,99,620 to INR 5,98,860)
• Post-Graduation Opportunities: Graduates often find employment with Poland’s booming tech and manufacturing sectors or within the EU job market.

3. Business and Management

Poland is emerging as a business hub inCentral Europe. The country offers a wide range of internationally accredited MBA and business management programs at an affordable cost compared to Western Europe.Poland is home to over 10,000 international business students, with many pursuing MBA programs.

Top Universities for Business and Management:

• • • Kozminski University

    • Warsaw School of Economics

    • Cracow University of Economics.

Tuition Fees:

• PLN 18,000 – PLN 36,000 per year (Approx. INR 3,99,240 to INR 7,98,480)

• Post-Graduation Opportunities: Poland’s growing business sector offers excellent job prospects, with salaries in Business Management ranging from PLN 50,000 to PLN 120,000 annually.

4. Computer Science and IT

Poland’s tech industry is rapidly growing, with high demand for IT professionals and software engineers. Universities offer cutting-edge courses in areas like Data Science, AI, Machine Learning, and Cybersecurity.Over 8,000 international students are currently enrolled in computer science programs in Poland.

Top Universities for Computer Science and IT

• • • Warsaw University of Technology

    • AGH University of Science and Technology

    • Wroclaw University of Science and Technology.

Tuition Fees:

• PLN 18,000 – PLN 36,000 per year (Approx. INR 3,99,240 to INR 7,98,480)

• Post-Graduation Opportunities: Poland’s growing business sector offers excellent job prospects, with salaries in Business Management ranging from PLN 50,000 to PLN 120,000 annually.

5. Social Sciences and Humanities

Poland’s rich historical background and its EU membership make it a great place to study International Relations, Political Science, Philosophy, and Psychology. These fields are popular among students interested in global diplomacy, law, and policy-making. Over 4,000 international students choose Poland for Social Sciences courses.

Top Universities for Social Sciences:

• • • University of Warsaw

    • Adam Mickiewicz University

    • Jagiellonian University

Tuition Fees:

• PLN 18,000 – PLN 36,000 per year (Approx. INR 3,99,240 to INR 7,98,480)

Post-Graduation Opportunities: Poland’s growing business sector offers excellent job prospects, with salaries in Business Management ranging from PLN 50,000 to PLN 120,000 annually.

Universities and Courses 

Top Universities in Poland

Poland Intakes

Recommended Intake- Winter

• Summer intake- February
• Winter intake- September/October

Cost of Studying in Poland

Scholarships for Indian Students in Poland

Student Visa in Poland

Documents Required for Visa Application in Poland

• Passport
• Poland Visa Application Form
• Passport-Size Photos
• Proof of Travel Health Insurance
• Cover Letter
• Proof of Accommodation
• Proof of Sufficient Funds
• Flight Reservation or Itinerary
• Paid Visa Fee
• Letter of Invitation
• Employment Status Documents

Required Entrance Exams

When it comes to studying in Poland, the good news is that Polish universities do not typically require entrance exams for international students. This makes Poland an attractive study destination for those who want to pursue higher education.

• IELTS or TOEFL- For non-native speakers, proof of English proficiency through exams such as IELTS or TOEFL is commonly required.
• Subject-Specific Exams- Certain programs, especially in medicine, may require subject-specific knowledge. For example, the Medical University of Łódź conducts an entrance exam via MS Teams to assess knowledge in subjects like Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics.
• Medical Programs: The Medical University ofŁódźź requires an MS Teams interview instead of a traditional written exam. This interview assesses the applicant's knowledge of two chosen subjects Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics.​

Work Opportunities in Poland for Indian Students

Poland offers a variety of lucrative career opportunities across multiple sectors. Professionals in Poland are compensated based on the complexity, responsibility, and impact of their roles. Below is a table summarizing the salary ranges and reasons for high pay for some of the highest-paying jobs in Poland: