University
There are more than 1.2 million students studying in Poland, at almost 380 universities and most the programs are offered in both Polish and English languages.
Higher education currently includes the following types of programmes:
College programmes (ISCED 5): 3-year programmes, provided by public colleges of social work (kolegium pracowników służb społecznych), which are classified as tertiary education for international comparisons, but are not recognised as part of higher education in the national legislation.
Specialist programmes (ISCED 5): fee-based programmes of at least 3 semesters, provided by public and non-public higher education institutions. A specialist programme sets out learning outcomes which integrate universal first-stage descriptors as defined in the Integrated Qualifications System. It includes classes developing practical skills.
First-, second- and long-cycle programmes (ISCED 6-7), provided by public and non-public university-type higher education institutions (uczelnia akademicka) and non-university higher education institutions (uczelnia zawodowa), which comply with the following requirements:
first-cycle programmes leading to a Bachelor’s degree (licencjat or inżynier): programmes which last at least 6 semesters and lead to a licencjat degree or last at least 7 semesters and lead to an inżynier degree, depending on the area of study;
second-cycle programmes which last 3 to 5 semesters and lead to a Master's (magister) degree or an equivalent degree, depending on the area of study;
long-cycle programmes which last between 9 and 12 semesters and lead to the same Master's (magister) degree or equivalent degree as awarded upon completion of second-cycle programmes; the areas in which long-cycle programmes can be provided are specified in the national legislation.
Doctoral education / training (ISCED 8): a 3- to 4-year education / training cycle: the right to confer a PhD in a given discipline is granted to higher education institutions, research institutions or international research institutes with a research category of A+,A or B+.
The duration of a programme may depend on its form (mode of study); part-time programmes may last longer than the corresponding full-time programmes.
Higher education institutions (HEIs) and research institutions also offer 1- to 2-year non-degree postgraduate programmes which are open to applicants holding at least a Bachelor's degree. However, non-degree postgraduate programmes are considered part of adult or continuing education.
Classes in HEIs usually begin on 1 October and finish in June. The academic year is divided into two semesters.
All types of HEIs are controlled by the Polish Accreditation Committee, which is an independent institution, acting to ensure and enhance the quality of education.
Full-time studies (in the Polish language) at the state Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are free for Polish students and foreigners who commence studies in Poland on terms applicable to Polish citizens (see: define your status). These include citizens of the EU/EEA and students who hold the Polish Charter (Karta Polaka). All other foreigners are required to pay tuition fees that on average are the following:
EUR 2000 per year for the first, second and long cycle studies,
EUR 3000 per year for postgraduate as well as scientific, arts, specialist and post-doctoral internships,
EUR 2000 per year for an annual preparatory Polish language course to commence studies in Polish