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5 best cheap universities in Poland for international students
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10 Oct 2024
Home to institutions that consistently rank in the top spots of the QS World University Rankings. A nation nestled strategically between Western and Eastern Europe. A city where you can discover the largest medieval square in Europe or take a walk down memory lane to relieve the heroic uprising for the liberation of Warsaw.
These are some reasons that pull international students to study in Poland.
In just the past decade, the number of international students in Poland has tripled and in 2023, reached a record-high of over 100,000 according to the education magazine Perspektywy.
A total of 102,200 international students were registered in the education ministry database for the 2022/23 academic year and about 9% of all students in Poland’s universities are now foreign.
And with Poland offering over 300 English-taught university programmes, its low living cost, and affordable universities and programmes, there’s no better time than now to pursue your studies in the country.
The city of Warsaw houses two top-tier Polish institutions: the University of Warsaw and the Warsaw University of Technology. Source: AFP
Study in Poland: Best cheap universities for international students
1. University of Wroclaw
The University of Wroclaw (UOW) is among the largest universities in the Central European region, housing over 25,000 students. It is the only university in South-Western Poland that qualified for the “Initiative of Excellence – Research University” programme.
Dubbed the “Meeting Place” of Poland, Wroclaw — the fourth largest Polish city — the town is filled with theatres, a concert hall, galleries and museums for a living expense of around 583 euros (US$602) per month, plus an additional 711 euros (US$735) for rent.
You will need to pay an application of 23 and 35 euros (US$25 and US$38), respectively, to start your undergraduate and graduate education at UOW. Tuition for a three-year bachelor’s and two-year master’s degree can go as low as 10,650 euros (US$11,648) and 3,150 euros (US$3,445).
2. AGH University of Science and Technology
If there’s one word to describe the AGH University of Science and Technology (AGH UST), it would be innovation — which explains why the university has successfully over 100 patents and granted dozens of licenses.
AGH UST’s research activities span the fields of technical sciences, natural sciences, Earth sciences and social sciences — with an emphasis on current priorities of the economy and business areas such as digitisation, energy transformation and zero-emission economy, climate change, circular economy, and Industry 4.0.
Look beyond the university, and you’ll discover the majestic and vibrant city of Krakow — a town at the forefront of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life. The city also serves as one of Poland’s most important economic centres.
Tuition for a bachelor’s starts from 1,725 euros (US$1,887) per semester and 1,600 euros (US$1,750) per semester for a master’s.
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3. University of Warsaw
Founded in 1816, the University of Warsaw is the largest in Poland. It sits among the top 300 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2025. As such, it conducts the largest research enterprise of its kind in Europe.
The University of Warsaw also offers a broad range of humanities, social and natural sciences courses. For international students, the English-language programmes cover subjects including but not limited to American Studies, European Politics and Economics, International Relations, and Political Science.
Beneath this dynamic institution lies the capital of Poland, Warsaw. Its Old Town district, beside the river banks and popular among tourists, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Described by many as attractive and prosperous, you can get by with an average cost of living of 535 to 650 euros (US$585 to US$710) per month.
Depending on the programme, an education at the University of Warsaw can cost between 1,500 to 18,000 euros (US$1,640 to US$19,687) per year. Some programmes, like a Master in African Studies or Master in Machine Learning, are free of charge.
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4. Warsaw University of Technology
Warsaw University of Technology (WUT) is not only the oldest, but also the best technical university in Poland. It continues the tradition of the Preparatory School for the Institute of Technology that used to function in Warsaw. Today, WUT offers comprehensive education in all key areas of technical sciences and related sciences.
The university has seven priority research areas: Photonic Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Data Science, Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering, Material Science and Engineering, High Energy Physics and Experimental Techniques, and Energy Conversion and Storage.
Undergraduate engineering programmes range from Automotive Mechatronics to Electrical Engineering, starting from as low as 2,100 euros (US$2,296) per semester. Postgraduate programmes are affordable too, starting from 1,500 euros (US$1,640) per semester.
5. Jagiellonian University
Another high ranking university in Poland, Jagiellonian University has welcomed international students to its halls from its very beginnings back in 1364. From the Poles, Ruthenians, and Lithuanians, to the French, Spanish, and Italians, quality education was shared in droves.
While most of the university’s programmes are carried out in Polish, there are English-programmes for international students to check out. This includes Business and Finance Management, European Studies, Global and Development Studies, International Relations, and a Doctor of Dental Surgery programme.
Depending on the programme, tuition varies between 3,486 euros (US$3,812) and 15,500 euros (US$16,952) for the first year of studies.
Disclaimer: This article was last updated on October 10, 2024.
