Why Study In POLAND?

Working in Poland

In Polish cities it's easy for a student to find a part-time job. The wages increase systematically; so many Polish students choose paid studies and start working, although the permission to work in Poland depends on your country of origin.

EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of the European Union and EEA countries (Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland are eligible to work in Poland without a work permit.

Citizens of Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine

If you're a citizen of Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia or Ukraine, you may work in Poland without a work permit for six months in a period no longer than 12 months. Declaration of employment must be registered by the employer at the local job centre.

Non-EU/EEA citizens 

Non-EU citizens enrolled as regular, full-time studies in Poland are allowed to work in July, August and September. For the rest of the year a work permit is needed. A work permit can be granted but only if no EU citizen is found to fill the vacancy. Formalities must be done by the employer. International students are not allowed to work on a student visa basis only. Students who have residence permits in Poland are entitled to work without authorization.

Legalizing your stay

EU/EEA citizens

UE and EEA citizens do not need a visa to stay in Poland. After no longer than 91 days of stay they need to visit local Voivodship Office and register. The applicant must prove that he's subject to a public healthcare insurance, and has enough money to cover the cost of stay in Poland.

Non- EU/EEA citizens

Non EU and EEA citizens must apply for a long term visa at their local Polish consulate. The certificate of enrolment is required. The visa is valid for no longer than 12 months and must be revalidated in a local Voivodship Office. The visa allows staying in Poland and, for the first three months also to visit the other Schengen Agreement member countries. The prolongation of visa may occur only in exceptional circumstances. The general rule is, in the case of the planned extension of the period of stay in Poland over the period specified in the visa, to apply for residence permit. In order to acquire the permit, international students must have a valid health insurance policy and enough money to cover the costs of stay and return travel to the country of origin.

All international students must apply for a temporary residence certificate within 3 days from the date of crossing the Polish border. In order to apply, it's necessary to visit the local Population Registry Bureau in the Municipal Office.

Healthcare

It's mandatory for international students to have a health insurance in Poland. EU/EEA citizens are allowed to exercise their healthcare rights on a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) basis. Citizens of other countries must buy the commercial insurance policy covering the healthcare costs in their countries, or pay for a voluntary policy in Polish National Healthcare Fund. The policy cost ranges from 36 PLN to 279 PLN monthly, depending on a number of medical procedures included. To get a policy it's necessary to present the university certificate of enrolment, student ID card, the temporary residence certificate and passport with valid visa or residence permit.

Scholarships

Studies in Poland cost around 2000 - 5000 Euro yearly, but it's necessary to check out the price of the course of your choice, as it may by higher, depending on particular university's decision. Scholarships are available for students with proven Polish origin. For graduate students the amount is 850 PLN, for postgraduate students 1270 PLN a month. All students from Belarus who are subject to political repression may participate in Kalinowski Scholarship Fund, offering 1270 PLN a month. The scholarship application must be posted to local Polish consulate before coming to Poland. Polish consulates provide all the necessary information.

Practicing religion

Although the Roman Catholic Church is the dominant religious institution in Poland, practicing other religions is possible. Poland has a history of religious tolerance. The hate crimes on religious basis are very rare. Orthodox, Greek Catholic and protestant churches are present in almost all big cities, as well as Muslim prayer centres. Jewish Kehillas are available in ten cities. Many other religious societies are active, and their institutions available.

Personal safety

The crime rate in Poland is much lower than in EU countries, and significantly lower than in the USA. This applies to most kinds of crime, including murders, car theft, rapes and robberies. The safety level is high although, common sense behaviour is necessary. One should avoid walking at night in most dangerous locations, keep an eye on personal belongings, remember about locking the apartments, and do not leave opened cars, or unprotected bicycles on the streets.

For high quality of Polish educational system

Polish university education system has a history of 650 years of educating high profile professionals. It resulted with a profit not only for Poland, but also for many countries all over the world, where the Poles brought their professionalism and the spirit of innovation. Want some examples? Ignacy Domeyko established the geology research in 19th century Chile. Between 1872 and 1876 Ernest Malinowski built the world's highest located railroad in Peru. Bronisław Malinowski was a creator of modern anthropology.  Ten Nobel Prizes were awarded to polish artists, scientists and other public figures. Maria Skłodowska-Curie is one of only four laureates to receive a prize twice.

Polish academic traditions reach back to 14th century. The Jagiellonian University in Kraków was established in 1364, as the second university in Central Europe. Today's Polish universities continue the glorious traditions of their predecessors. Warsaw University ifor example is ranked first in the Top Coder international IT ranking.

Polish specialists of all professions are highly appreciated by the recruiters worldwide. Especially Polish doctors, engineers, architects and IT specialists are acclaimed, but other Polish graduates are also considered to be fully prepared to compete on a global job market. 

The quality of the system is guaranteed by State Accreditation Committee, which monitors all Polish higher education institutions. According to its control results, over 80% of the Polish universities have outstanding and good rankings.

For low costs of studying and living

Although Poland undergoes through a process of rapid economic development, the cost of living is still significantly lower than in most of the EU countries. A total amount of 200-500 Euros is enough to cover the basic cost of accommodation, food and transport. The cost of entertainment and participation in cultural events are also much lower than EU average. The basic cost of studies is also very competitive. The average minimum rate is around 2000-5000 Euro a year (depending on the field of studies), what's a few times lower than the EU average.

For high level of personal security

Poland is much safer than most of the European countries. Even the Nordic countries, considered as very safe, have much higher crime rate than Poland. It's perfectly safe in here for international students of all races, beliefs and origins.

For outstanding culture and entertainment offer

Polish culture is well known in the world, for both historical heritage and present achievements. Five Polish writers were rewarded with Nobel Prize. Historical composers like Karol Szymanowski, Fryderyk Chopin and Ignacy Paderewski, and present ones like Henryk Górecki, Witold Lutosławski or Krzysztof Penderecki wrote new chapters in the history of music. Academy Award winners Andrzej Wajda, Janusz Kamiński, Roman Polański, Golden Palm winner Krzysztof Kieślowski and many other film industry artists are recognized all over the world. Polish cultural institutions provide high quality entertainment for all tastes. The number of festivals, book fairs, concerts, gigs, and other kinds of entertainment is massive. There's also something for sport fans. In 2012 Poland hosted the UEFA European Football Championships. One of the most important sport events in the world will attract thousands of fans from all Europe.

Cost Of Living:

Foreign students in Poland need to remember about standard daily expenses, which include flat rent, public transport tickets, food, educational materials and other costs. AEGON’s report of study costs in Poland and abroad for 2016/17 presents rough prices regularly paid by all students in Poland. The table below presents the figures in selected cities: Lublin, Warsaw and Wrocław. The low figure stands for costs incurred by the thriftiest students, whereas the higher one shows the top possible spendings in each area.