Can I apply to a Polish university after completing High School?

Yes, most Polish universities accept students right after they finish secondary school (11 years of education). The key requirement is a high school completion certificate, and in some cases, an official statement confirming your right to pursue higher education. Learn more in our full guide here.

Are entrance exams required to study in Poland?

For most private universities, entrance exams are not required — admission is based on documents. Exams may be required for public universities, medical, creative, or master’s programs.

What GPA do I need to get accepted?

The recommended minimum is 60% overall (or about 3.0 on a 5-point scale). Highly ranked universities and competitive programs may have higher GPA requirements.

What English or Polish language exams are accepted?

For English-taught programs, universities usually accept:✔️ IELTS (minimum 6.0) ✔️ TOEFL iBT (minimum 79) ✔️ Cambridge FCE/CAE (minimum level B2)Some universities offer internal language tests if you don’t have a certificate. For Polish-taught programs, a B1–B2 level in Polish is required.

What is nostrification, and do I need it?

Nostrification is the official recognition of a foreign diploma in Poland. It is not required if your diploma is from an EU, OECD, or EFTA country, or if you hold an IB or EB diploma. In all other cases, AcademGo can guide you through the process — quickly and without unnecessary stress.

When should I apply for admission?

Applications for the fall semester are usually open from March to August, and for the spring semester — from November to February.However, it’s best to apply early to secure your visa and accommodation on time.

Can I study in Poland without knowing Polish?

Yes! Many universities in Poland offer programs fully in English. You can also learn Polish during your studies — most universities provide free language courses for international students.

Admission Requirements for Polish Universities

Planning to study in Europe and want a clear admission process? Poland is one of the most affordable and popular destinations for international students. Learn what documents, language level, and academic results are required to get into a Polish university — and start your journey to higher education without unnecessary complications.

AcademGo supports students from over 10 countries worldwide: we help you choose the right university, prepare documents, apply for a visa, and secure your admission — stress-free and with no rejections.

Basic Requirements for International Students

To apply for a university in Poland, international candidates must meet several basic criteria. These may vary slightly depending on the institution and program, but generally include the following:

✔️ High school diploma (or bachelor’s degree for master’s programs)
✔️ Minimum GPA of 60% (or equivalent to 3.0 out of 5.0)
✔️ Valid passport (must be valid for at least 18 months)
✔️ Language certificate confirming proficiency in English or Polish
✔️ Completed application form and motivation letter, submitted via the university portal or by email
✔️ Official translations of all documents (if not in the language of instruction)
✔️ Application fee payment (typically €50 to €200)

For countries with a UK-based education system (such as India, Nigeria, Kenya, UAE, etc.), most Polish universities accept 3 A-levels for direct admission to undergraduate programs.

Important: Most private universities in Poland do not require entrance exams — admission is based on documents only. Exceptions may apply to medical, law, or art-related programs, especially at public universities.

Language Requirements: Polish or English?

The choice of language of instruction directly affects the admission requirements. Polish universities offer degree programs in both English and Polish.

If you choose to study in English:

✔️ You will need an internationally recognized language certificate, such as:

IELTS – minimum score of 6.0
TOEFL iBT – minimum score of 79
Cambridge (FCE/CAE) – at least B2 level

Some universities may offer an internal English test if you don’t have an official certificate. If your previous education was fully conducted in English, or you are a citizen of an English-speaking country (e.g. UK, USA, Canada, Nigeria, India, Kenya, South Africa, etc.), the certificate requirement may be waived.

Language Requirements: Polish or English?

If you choose to study in Polish:

✔️ You must demonstrate a B1–B2 level of Polish
✔️ Some universities may require a Polish language entrance exam
✔️ It’s highly recommended to complete a Polish language preparatory course, especially if you’ve never studied Polish beforeLearn more about the year-long Polish course in our dedicated article.

AcademGo can help you register for an internal language test or find a preparatory program that allows admission without a formal certificate.

Required Documents for University Admission

To be successfully admitted to a Polish university, it’s important to submit a complete set of documents. Incomplete applications are usually not accepted, so we recommend preparing everything carefully:

✔️ High school diploma (or bachelor’s degree for master’s programs)
✔️ Transcript of records with subjects and grades
✔️ Certified translation of all documents into English or Polish (by a sworn translator)
✔️ Copy of passport (page with personal data, valid for at least 18 months)
✔️ Motivation letter (in English or Polish, depending on the language of the program)
✔️ Photo (size 3.5 × 4.5 cm)
✔️ Language certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, internal test, etc.)
✔️ Completed university application form
✔️ Receipt of application fee payment
✔️ Recommendation letters – not mandatory, but recommended for master’s degree applicants

AcademGo supports you at every stage — from document translation to proper application formatting for each specific university.

Diploma Recognition and Legalization (Nostrification)

If you completed your secondary education outside the European Union, your diploma may need to be legalized or apostilled, and in some cases — go through nostrification (formal recognition by the Polish education authorities). This depends on your country of origin and the type of program you are applying for.

Nostrification is NOT required if:

✔️ Your diploma was issued in a country that is part of the EU, OECD, or EFTA (e.g. Ukraine, Turkey, USA, Canada)
✔️ You hold an IB (International Baccalaureate) or EB (European Baccalaureate) diploma
✔️ Your country has a bilateral agreement with Poland on mutual recognition of educational documents

More details are available in our dedicated article!

When is nostrification required?

✔️ Your diploma was issued in a country outside the EU, OECD, or EFTA (e.g. Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, India, Kenya and etc)

✔️ You are applying for a limited-capacity program, such as medicine

The nostrification process includes:

✔️ Apostille or legalization of your diploma
✔️ Translation of documents and apostille into Polish
✔️ A statement confirming your right to continue education
✔️ Application form and submission to the local Kuratorium (Regional Education Authority in Poland)
✔️ Processing time: up to 30 days

AcademGo handles the entire legalization and recognition process for you — so you can focus on preparing for your studies and receive a ready-to-use result.

Applying for a Master’s Degree in Poland

To apply for a master’s program (second-cycle studies) in Poland, you must hold a bachelor’s degree in a field related to the program you wish to study.

Key requirements include:

✔️ Bachelor’s diploma + transcript of records
✔️ Minimum GPA of 60% (or equivalent to 3.0 out of 5.0)
✔️ Certified translation of documents into Polish or English
✔️ Language certificate – IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 79, or an internal university exam
✔️ Motivation letter and, in some cases, recommendation letters
✔️ Statement of eligibility for further studies (if required by the university)
✔️ Apostille or legalization of diploma (for non-EU/OECD/EFTA countries)

Application deadlines vary by university, but typically follow this schedule:

Fall semester: apply by August/September
Spring semester: apply by January/February

Public universities may require an interview or subject-specific entrance exam as part of the admission process. Read our dedicated article for a full step-by-step guide to applying for a master’s degree in Poland.

Applying on Your Own or Through an Agency?

Applying to a Polish university may seem simple — collect your documents, translate them, and send everything in. But in reality, many students face challenges: errors in translation, missing documents, incorrectly filled forms, missed deadlines, or improper nostrification. These issues can lead to application rejections or delays of up to a year. It can be especially difficult if it’s your first time applying abroad, you don’t speak Polish, or you're unsure whether your diploma will be recognized.

AcademGo takes care of the entire process for you. We know the specific requirements of each university and help with program selection, document translation and legalization, application submission, visa support, and even housing search. You receive step-by-step guidance from your first inquiry to your arrival in Poland. This is especially valuable if you want to avoid rejections, secure admission on the first try, and reduce stress. Over 100 students have already enrolled with our help — and you can be next!

Frequently Asked Questions