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Frequently asked questions

Straight answers to the questions international students ask most about applying to English-taught programmes in Poland. General guidance — always confirm specifics on the university's official admission page.

Applying to a Polish university

How do I apply to a university in Poland?

Poland has no central application system like the UK's UCAS. You apply directly to each university through its own online admission system (usually called IRK or IRKa). The standard process: (1) choose a programme and check its requirements, (2) register in the university's admission system, (3) upload your diploma, transcript, passport and language certificate, (4) pay the application fee (typically PLN 85–150), (5) receive a conditional admission letter, (6) use it to apply for your student visa. Most universities open registration in April–May for the October intake. You can search and compare all 963 English-taught programmes before applying.

When are the application deadlines for Polish universities?

Deadlines vary by university, but for the October intake most close between June and early August. For example, Warsaw University of Technology opened registration on 11 May 2026 with a 21 July deadline for October 2026. Medical programmes and popular technical programmes often close earlier. Some universities also run a smaller February intake with deadlines in November–December. As of August, some universities still run late or second-round admissions into September and October, so it's worth checking even after the main window. If you need a visa, apply to universities by early summer at the latest — visa processing takes 15–60 days after you receive your admission letter. See each university's current cut-off on the recruitment calendar.

What documents do I need to apply to a Polish university?

The standard set for a bachelor's application: secondary-school diploma (with apostille or legalisation), transcript of grades, passport copy, English-language certificate (or proof of English-medium education), and a passport photo. Master's applicants add their bachelor's diploma and transcript. Documents not issued in English or Polish need a sworn translation. Some programmes add entrance exams, portfolios (architecture, arts) or interviews. Each university lists exact requirements on its admission page — always check before paying the application fee. Our document checklist walks through the full set.

Do I need IELTS to study in Poland?

Not always. Most Polish universities accept several proofs of English: IELTS (typically 5.5–6.5), TOEFL, Cambridge certificates, or a document confirming your previous education was conducted in English. Many universities also run their own online interview or internal English test as a free alternative. This makes Poland one of the easier EU destinations to apply to without IELTS — but requirements are set per programme, so check the specific programme page. You can filter programmes and open each university's exact language requirements from every listing.

How much does it cost to apply to a university in Poland?

The application (recruitment) fee is set by national regulation: PLN 85 standard, PLN 100 where an entrance exam or interview is required, and PLN 150 for programmes with artistic aptitude tests such as Architecture. That is roughly EUR 20–35 per application — one of the lowest in the EU. The fee is paid per programme, non-refundable, and does not cover tuition. (Verified July 2026.)

Can I apply to multiple universities or programmes at once?

Yes. Because each Polish university runs its own admission system, there is no limit on how many universities you apply to — you simply register separately in each system and pay each application fee (PLN 85–150 per programme). Applying to 2–3 programmes is common practice and improves your chances, especially for competitive fields like medicine or computer science. Within one university, you can usually rank several programme choices in a single application.

The process in depth

Is there a central application system in Poland like UCAS?

No. Poland has no national clearing house — every university runs its own online recruitment system (IRK/IRKa/DreamApply, depending on the institution). This is why comparing programmes is harder in Poland than in the UK or Germany, and why apply.edu.pl exists: it aggregates all 963 English-taught programmes from official RADON/POL-on public data into one searchable catalogue, then links you to the university's own application system to apply directly. Applying directly means no agent fees — universities charge the same tuition either way.

How long does it take to get an admission decision?

Most Polish universities issue decisions 2–6 weeks after the application deadline, or on a rolling basis within a few weeks of a complete application. Programmes with entrance exams or interviews take longer. After a positive decision you receive an admission letter (often conditional on presenting original documents on arrival), which you need for the visa application — so factor in the full chain: application → decision → visa appointment → 15–60 days visa processing → travel before October.

What are the admission requirements for a bachelor's degree in Poland?

You need a secondary-school diploma that entitles you to enter university in the country where it was issued, legalised with an apostille (or consular legalisation), plus proof of English for English-taught programmes. There is no national entrance exam for most fields — admission is typically based on your diploma grades. Exceptions: medicine (often biology/chemistry requirements or entrance tests), architecture (drawing exam), and some technical programmes (maths requirements). Diplomas from most countries are recognised directly; a few require nostrification (recognition procedure) after arrival. The how-to-apply guide covers the full sequence.

What happens after I get admitted?

Four steps: (1) pay the tuition deposit or first instalment if the university requires it to issue final documents, (2) book a visa appointment at the Polish consulate with your admission letter, proof of funds (at least PLN 776/month plus return-travel funds), insurance and accommodation confirmation, (3) arrange health insurance — the NFZ voluntary scheme costs PLN 55.80/month, (4) after arriving, apply for a temporary residence permit (PLN 340 + PLN 50–100 card fee) before your visa expires — since 27 April 2026 you file it online via the MOS 2.0 portal (mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl), with biometrics taken in person. Full cost and visa details: see our complete cost guide on degree.edu.pl — our sister site.

Can I study in Poland without knowing Polish?

Yes. Polish universities offer 963 full-degree programmes taught entirely in English across 143 institutions (RADON/POL-on data, 2026) — from computer science and medicine to business and international relations. You never need Polish for these programmes, though universities offer optional Polish courses, and basic Polish helps with daily life and part-time work. Polish-taught programmes are cheaper (and free at public universities for some categories of students), but require a B1–C1 Polish certificate. Browse the English-taught catalogue by field.

About apply.edu.pl

Is apply.edu.pl free? Who runs it?

Yes — apply.edu.pl is free for students and independent of any recruitment agency. The catalogue is built from RADON/POL-on, the official public registry of Polish higher education, and covers all 963 English-taught programmes at 143 universities. It is run by Mirosław Jaskułowski, a Warsaw-based consultant, as an independent project. We link you directly to each university's official admission system — we don't process applications, charge commissions, or act as an agent. Universities charge the same tuition whether you apply directly or through an agent, so applying directly saves you agent fees. More on the about page.

Are the tuition fees on apply.edu.pl accurate?

Fees are sourced from official university pricing pages and the RADON/POL-on registry. Universities can change fees each academic year, so always confirm the current fee on the official programme page (linked from every listing) before applying. If you spot an outdated fee, use the "Report a mistake" link in the footer of any page (also on every programme and university page) — corrections are typically published within days. Contact details are on the about page.