STUDY IN POLAND

Basic facts

Why Poland?

Poland has a lot to offer to a student coming from a foreign country. There are over 400 both public and private higher education institutions in the country. Many of them with centuries old tradition but all of them well technically equipped and with outstanding, internationally recognized body of professors on their staff.

Polish educational system provides high quality services. That is proven by the success of Polish professionals working all over the world, acclaimed as perfectly educated, creative and effective. Studies in Poland cost much less than in most European countries and cost of living is much lower.

There are English courses available for international students, so you don't have to speak Polish. If you prefer to study in Polish you will have to graduate a Polish course before you start studying. The course costs 2000 euro, lasts a year, and takes place on a University of Łódź.

Education system

Since 2007/2008 academic year Polish higher education system has been divided to three stages, which are: Bachelor (Licencjat, Inżynier), Master (Magister), and Doctor (Doktor). This system applies to all fields of education except Law, Pharmacy, Psychology, Veterinary Medicine, Medicine and Dentistry, which are still based on two-stage system (Master and Doctor).

Degrees granted

Bachelor (BA, Licencjat)

Obtained following the completion of 3-3,5 year-long vocational/technical college studies

Bachelor (BSc, Inżynier)

Obtained following the completion of 3,5-4 year-long college studies in technical sciences, agriculture and economy.

Master (MA, MSc, Magister)

Equivalent degrees: Master of Art, Master Engineer, Master Engineer Architect, qualified physician, dental surgeon or veterinarian. Granted following the completion of 5-6 year long uniform university studies. The MSc may also be obtained following the completion of 2-2,5 years-long supplementary master’s degree studies which may be taken by persons with a college diploma.

Doctor (PhD, Doktor)

A degree awarded to those who pass doctoral exam and successfully defend dissertation. To qualify for the academic degree of doctor one must hold a master or equivalent degree.
The requirements depend on a specific university decision, and should be verified on a website of the university of your choice. Usually it's necessary to fill an application form, and enclose the transcript of secondary school (or college/university) results as well as the evidence of English proficiency (usually TOEFL results). Some universities require letters of recommendation, personal essays and other documents, listed on their websites. Art schools, as well as some physical education departments, and few other ones, organize additional aptitude tests.

Costs

Studies in Poland cost 2000 Euro yearly as a minimum, 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 190 €, for postgraduate students 285 € a month. All students from Belarus who are subject to political repression may participate in Kalinowski Scholarship Fund, offering 285 € a month. The scholarship application must be posted to local Polish consulate before coming to Poland. Polish consulates provide all the necessary information.

Student life

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. Citizens of European Union are eligible to work in Poland without a work permit.

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.

It's mandatory for international students to have a health insurance in Poland. EU citizens are allowed to exercise their healthcare rights on a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) basis.