Transfer to Polish universities
University Transfer is the process of continuing your studies (most often from the second year of study) in your specialty at another university. Transfer to universities in Poland is becoming increasingly popular among international students. This is due to the high level of education, affordable tuition prices and the prospects of obtaining a European diploma, which opens the door to a successful international career. In this article we will look at how to transfer to a Polish university, what steps you need to take and what to pay attention to.
Steps to transfer to a Polish university
1. Choosing a university and a program
The first and most important step is to choose a university and program of study. It is important to choose a university offering the same or similar program in order to minimize the number of academic differences (non-similar subjects) and to simplify the adaptation process. The number of ECTS credits (academic workload) in the university programs is also an important indicator.
Usually, in order for your transfer request to be considered favorably, you need to have in the area of 3-6 academic differences for the whole period of study. It is often students who have completed their first year of study that have the highest chance of being approved for transfer.
Since in many universities, in the first two semesters of study, there is a study of the general program on the specialty. The most popular universities among international students include:
- University of Economics and Human Science in Warsaw
- Vistula University
- Lazarski University
- Collegium Civitas
- SWPS University
2. Collection and preparation of documents
To transfer to a Polish university, you will need to collect and prepare the following documents:
- Transcript of records from the current university
- High school leaving certificate (confirming you finished you secondary education)
- Sworn translation of the transcript with grades (Polish or English)
- Application to the dean of the selected university
Once your application has been approved by the Dean of the university and your academic standing has been determined, you will also need to gather all communication documents for admission to the university. The complete list includes a passport, apostille and sworn translation of your school certificate/diploma, a certificate of proficiency in the language you plan to study in, and a student visa. You can find the full list of documents for admission to universities in Poland here.
3. Submission of documents
Documents can be submitted online through the university website or through a specialized agency that will help with the translation and submission process. It is also necessary to pay the admission fee, which varies depending on the university and usually ranges from 150 to 250 EUR for programs in English.
4. Academic differences and language requirements
If you transfer to another university, you may be required to take academic differences. These are additional examinations during the academic year, which must be passed to meet the program of the selected university.
Language requirements depend on the language of instruction and the selected university. For programs in Polish you will need a B1 level Polish language certificate or proof of completion of a Polish language course above, and for programs in English - a TOEFL or IELTS certificate, in many private universities B1 level will be enough for you to start your studies. However, if you do not have such a certificate - do not be upset! Many private universities offer an online interview or a test where they will check your language level and accept you on the basis of the interview or a test.
Also for those who wish to apply to Polish universities with low language skills, there is an opportunity to take a one-year language preparatory course “Zerówka”, where you will be taught from zero to the required level for admission. You can read more about this course here.
5. Receiving a decision and starting the study
After submitting the documents and meeting all the requirements, you will have to wait for the official decision from the university. If the answer is positive, you will need to go through the entire university admission process, including obtaining a student visa and applying in person. Universities often run adaptation programs for international students, including language courses, to help them adapt to their new environment and start their studies faster.
Advantages of transferring with our help
Admission with us offers the following benefits:
- Estimation of realistic chances of transfer and matching of academic programs of universities.
- Individual support and consultations at all stages of transfer.
- Support with documents, translations, and nostrification.
- Support in the process of adaptation, including assistance in finding accommodation, obtaining a PESEL number, registration and further legalization.
Transferring to a Polish university is a great opportunity for international students to get a quality European education and open new career prospects.
If you need help with the transfer process, please contact us, we will provide all the necessary information and support for your successful admission!
Frequently Asked Questions
