If you are planning a trip for study purposes, then you should also know that Poland has some of the oldest universities in the world. Modernity also placed its contribution through the development of institutions specialized in medicine, maritime services, army, arts, economics and others.There are over 400 higher-education institutions in Poland which welcome around 1.5 million students yearly. Poland is known to be an accessible European country, with a strong history and broad perspectives. Tuition fees are also below the European average while the rewards of studying in Poland are high. Below you will find everything you should know about this dynamic country.
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:
- 2,000-300 EUR for Bachelor, Master degree courses and professional studies
- 3,000-4000 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.
Student living costs in Poland:
Poland is an accessible European country with a pretty stable economy and living costs of 300 – 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 450 – 550 EUR/month.
If you will find a degree course in a smaller town as Radom, Sochaczew or Stalowa Wola, you will need a total of 300 – 350 EUR/month. The most expensive city of Poland is Pulkowice, where you will spend around 600 – 650 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: 368 EUR/month
- Students living with partner/child: 446 EUR/month
- Students living on university campuses: 269 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 380 – 501 EUR/month.
Other costs associated with accommodation:
When you live in Poland, besides rent you will also have some additional expenses which come from the utilities. The basic ones are electricity, heating, water and garbage and they have total prices of around 150 EUR/month for an 85 square meters apartment. Read more about prices in Poland.
An additional expense could also be considered the two months deposit that many of the landlords ask when you move into your rental apartment.
Food costs:
Food for an international student usually costs 100 – 150 EUR/month. You can save some money if you choose to buy groceries and you shop from low-price supermarkets. Some of the most widespread ones are Tesco, Auchan, Carrefour, Leclerc, and Lidl.
You can enjoy a dinner in an accessible restaurant for only 5 EUR or pay 24 EUR for a three-course meal in an average restaurant for two. A light drink will cost you only 2 EUR.
Transportation costs:
Public transport is the main option of 60 of the students who pay 24 EUR for a monthly pass. Many of the Polish cities have nice panoramic views and routes, so you can also walk by foot.
If you enjoy transportation by car, as 18% of the students in Poland, you will pay around 1 EUR/litre of gasoline.
Extra study materials:
During your study programme, you will need to purchase books, research magazines, and other products. These are, in most cases, necessary and they can be purchased even from some universities. However, you are advised to buy them from bookstores with old or used products, in order to save some money.
Compare 278 Master degrees in Poland
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