Studying in Poland: medicine in English and costs

European degrees, English-taught programmes, affordable fees and living costs: Poland has become a major destination for international students, particularly in medicine and dentistry, but also in engineering, IT and business. Here is how to study in Poland from Tunisia.

Why Poland?

• European degrees recognised across the European Union.

• Wide range of programmes in English, from bachelor's to doctorate.

• Renowned medical universities with long experience of international students.

• Moderate fees for non-medical programmes.

• Low cost of living compared with Western Europe.

• Safe country with lively student cities: Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, Wrocław, Poznań, Łódź, Lublin.

Medicine in English

Polish medical universities (Warsaw, Kraków with the Jagiellonian University, Gdańsk, Poznań, Łódź, Wrocław, Lublin, Białystok, Katowice, Szczecin…) offer English-taught programmes in:

• medicine (Medical Doctor, 6 years);

• dentistry (5 years);

• sometimes pharmacy and physiotherapy.

Admission

It is generally based on:

• your baccalaureate grades in biology and chemistry (sometimes physics or mathematics);

• an entrance exam and/or an interview in English, depending on the university;

• an English certificate (IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent) or the university's own test.

Applications often open in spring and close in summer; some universities have several sessions. Places for international students are limited: apply early.

Fees

English-taught medical programmes are fee-paying: around €10,000 to €16,000 per year depending on the university. That is more expensive than in Romania, but often cheaper than private institutions in Western Europe.

Other English-taught programmes

Engineering, IT, data science, business, international relations, architecture: Polish public and private universities offer many bachelor's and master's degrees in English, with fees generally amounting to a few thousand euros per year. Studying in Polish is free at public universities for certain categories of students, but requires an excellent level of the language.

Visa and residence permit

1. With your admission letter and proof of fee payment, you apply for a national study visa at the Polish consulate.

2. Usual documents: admission letter, proof of funds, health insurance, accommodation, passport, diplomas.

3. Once in Poland, you can apply for a temporary residence card covering the whole length of your studies.

The Polish authorities have tightened checks on student visas in recent years: a complete and consistent file is essential, and processing times can be long. Submit your application as soon as you are admitted.

What budget should you plan for?

• Tuition fees: see above, depending on the field.

• Daily life: generally €500 to €800 per month, more in Warsaw and Kraków.

• Accommodation: university residence (often the cheapest) or shared flat.

• Administrative costs: visa, residence card, insurance, translations.

Working while studying

Full-time students holding a residence permit for studies may work during their studies, under the rules in force. The student job market is easier to access in big cities, but Polish remains an asset.

Degree recognition

The Polish degree is a European degree. To practise medicine in Tunisia, you need an equivalence under Tunisian rules. See Equivalence of the Tunisian diploma abroad.

Comparing with other destinations

• Hungary: medicine in English, possible Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship.

• Romania: cheaper, programmes sometimes in French.

• Czech Republic and Lithuania: other Central European options.

Typical timeline for medicine in English

1. Autumn – winter of the final year of secondary school: choosing universities, preparing biology and chemistry, English test.

2. Spring: applications open, files submitted.

3. Spring – summer: entrance exams and/or interviews, results.

4. Summer: payment of first-year fees, national visa application.

5. End of summer: accommodation, departure, then temporary residence card application.

The visa is often the longest step: submit your application as soon as you receive your admission letter.

How to choose your medical university in Poland

• How long the English-taught programme has existed and how many international students it has trained.

• Group size for practical classes and placements.

• Partner university hospitals and organisation of clinical placements.

• Fees over the whole programme and any policy on increases.

• City: cost of living, accommodation, student community.

Universities in big cities are the best known, but those in medium-sized cities often offer better supervision and a lower cost of living.

Preparing for the entrance exam

Depending on the university, the exam covers biology, chemistry, sometimes physics or mathematics, at a level close to the end of secondary school. Some universities also assess English through an interview. Revise in English to master the scientific vocabulary, and practise with the sample questions published by the universities.

Documents to prepare

• baccalaureate diploma and transcripts, legalised or apostilled and translated;

• valid passport;

• medical certificate;

• passport photos;

• English certificate;

• proof of fee payment;

• proof of funds and health insurance for the visa.

Foreign diplomas often have to be recognised for final enrolment: the university will tell you the procedure.

Student life in Poland

Polish university cities are lively, safe and well served by transport. Restaurants and transport are affordable, and the communities of international medical students are large, especially in Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, Poznań and Lublin. Winters are cold: bring suitable gear.

How we support you

Worldwide Studies helps you choose the university, prepare for the entrance exam and interview, put together your visa file and find accommodation.

👉 Fees vary by university and field: talk to an advisor to compare Polish universities according to your budget.