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 profesionalism 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.
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. On of the most important sport events in the world will attract thousands of fans from all Europe.
Before going to Poland
If you’re planning a holiday in Poland, there are a couple of things you should know before you embark on your journey.
It’s better to arrive in a new country knowing a thing or two about its culture and history. That’s how you get to make the most out of your stay.
And visiting Poland is no exception:
– once you get a grasp on these few basic facts,
you’re bound to have a much more meaningful and exciting experience once there.
Here are essential things you need to know before visiting Poland.
Where is Poland?
Poland is located right in the heart of Europe. In fact, considering Poland an Eastern European country is a bit problematic because of the unclear definition this term holds in the 21st century. During the Cold War, it made sense. However, today most Polish people would designate Central Europe as their region. Poland is a vast country that covers almost 305,000 km² of land. But its territory also includes around 8500 km² of water. All in all, Poland is the 17th largest nation in the world!
Poland has the eighth largest economy in the European Union – and one of its most dynamic ones.
Among Poland’s neighboring countries we counted Ukraine, Russia, Slovakia, Germany, the Czech Republic, Belarus, and Lithuania. Warsaw is the capital city of Poland. With the population of almost 2 million people, Warsaw the largest city in Poland and its political center. Other notable Polish towns are Lodz, Krakow, Wroclaw, Poznan, and Gdansk.
Poland weather – here’s what to expect
To put it simply: Poland tends to get very cold in winter and quite hot during the summer. Spring and autumn offer milder temperatures and quite a bit of rainfall, depending on your luck. The coldest months are January and February when you can expect the temperature to fall below freezing.
Universities and colleges in Poland
This is a list of universities in Poland. In total, there are approximately 457 universities and collegiate-level institutions of higher education in Poland, including 131 government-funded and 326 privately owned universities, with almost 2 million enrolled students as of 2010. According to the March 18, 2011 Act of the Polish Parliament, the universities are divided into categories based on their legal status and level of authorization. In total, there are 24 cities in Poland,with between one and eight state-funded universities each.Among the top are Warsaw, Kraków, Poznań, and Wrocław. The Polish names of listed universities are given in brackets, followed by a standard abbreviation (if commonly used or if existent). Note that some of the institutions might choose to translate their own name as university in English, even if they do not officially have the Polish-language equivalent name of uniwersytet.
- University of Białystok
- Casimir the Great University
- University of Gdańsk
- Jagiellonian University
- John Paul II Catholic University
- Maria Curie-Skłodowska University
- University of Łódź
- University of Warmia and Mazury
- Opole University
- University of Silesia
Tuition fees in Poland
While Polish citizens don’t pay for tuition fees in public universities, international students are charged with fees established by the universities. These cost the least:
- 2,000 EUR for Bachelor, Master degree courses and professional studies
- 3,000 EUR for Ph.D., specialised and vocational courses
Private universities have average tuition fees of 50,000 EUR/year, depending on the level of education and specialization. Also, you have the right to apply for a public university and compete with Polish students. However, admissions have a higher difficulty than in other cases and you will be enrolled in a programme taught in Polish.
Universities in Poland with affordable tuition fees
- Warsaw University of Technology;
- University of Information Technology and Management;
- Poznan University of Life Sciences;
- Poznan University of Technology;
- Medical University of Lodz.
Student living costs in Poland
Poland is an accessible European country with a pretty stable economy and living costs of 450 – 650 EUR/month. You can adjust your budget depending on the city or area you wish to study in. Larger cities such as Krakow or Warsaw require 500 – 850 EUR/month.
Accommodation costs in Poland
Housing is a major subject in Poland since it represents 37% of the total monthly budget, according to a European study. International students may find options in university residence halls or private rental apartments that can also be shared. Also, universities have services dedicated to students who seek to house off-campus.
The costs of accommodation in Poland are a bit above the European average of 200 – 300 EUR/month. However, private rental apartments have high standards. Below you will find the costs of housing in most of the Polish cities.
- For students who live alone: 350-400 EUR/month
- Students living with partner/child: 450 EUR/month
- Students living on university campuses: 169 EUR/month
On-campus housing is not too accessible to students. Only 12% of them live in residence halls and 57% of them are satisfied with the services and housing itself. A one-bedroom apartment in Krakow costs around 290 – 390 EUR/month, while Warsaw has prices of 350 – 460 EUR/month.
Funding & student support
In Poland, you can also support yourself financially through scholarships and funding programmes. Here are some of the options.
- Scholarships offered by the Polish Government or bilateral agreements with other countries
- Financial aid for citizens from developing countries and specialised scholarships
- Awards and EU programmes
- Student loans or part-time jobs
