How to study, work and live in Poland

Are you desiring to study in Poland? If yes, it is a good decision. Poland is a great place for international students who seek cheap tuition money, friendly immigration policies, and a flexible admission process. In Poland, there are about 400 universities and colleges that provide Polish and English language programs. This post covers how you can study, work and live in Poland.

Poland is a country located in the central part of Europe. Neighboring countries to Poland include borders Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, and Russia. Poland is in the league of countries offering quality education, and its universities are remarkably known to be among the cheapest, correspondingly, Ph.D. degrees are free!
A study in Poland comes with lots of benefits. If you fancy this country but know little about it as regards the admission process, tuition fee, and everything you need to know about study in Poland, you find them in this post.

Why study in Poland?

• Flexible admission policy
Getting admission to study in Poland is simple and quick. Most Polish institutions of higher learning have open admission policy. As far as a student can provide the required documents, the selected university will offer the applicant admission. Amazingly, the majority of schools in Poland have a high acceptance rate for students, which is why a large number of international students make up the student body.
• Cheap tuition fee
Poland has some of the cheapest universities in Europe and western countries. Apart from the cheap tuition fee, the living cost is also relatively cheap as compared to other countries it borders with.
• Student part-time job
International seeks a part-time job to cover some of their basic needs. If lucky, this part-time can eventually turn into a full-time job, meaning, you can stay longer after graduation in Poland.
• Friendly immigration policy
Poland is a member of the Schengen countries, obtaining a visa is not as difficult as other Schengen countries. The country is among the easiest countries to get a visa. Its immigration policies are favorable to international students desiring to study in Poland.

How to study in Poland

The application process in Polish universities is simple that you can handle it yourself. All you need to do is follow the steps which are
1. Choose a program/university of your choice
Every application process begins with applicants choosing a program and a university. Sometimes, it can be difficult to select a university, but that shouldn’t be the same as choosing a problem. Your intending program should align with your passion, strength, and perhaps, the demand for the course.
Once you’ve selected a program, check the lists of Polish universities that provide education in that field; do well to check the mode of instruction and entrance requirements.
2. Check the admission requirements
The entrance requirements might vary depending on the course, and study level. After gathering all the required documents, check the submission process
Admission requirements to study in Poland
A dully-filled visa application form.
Valid passport.
Official letter of acceptance to a school in Poland.
CV (for postgraduate study)
Your school certificates and diplomas (must be officially certified)
Evidence of proficiency in the language in which you wish to study
Passport-size photographs.
3. Submit your application
The submission process is also simple. Applicants can apply online, via the Polish application system, all you need to do is to upload the documents. Another way of submitting your documents is by scanning the documents and send through email to the University.
4. Apply for a Poland study visa
After your documents have been reviewed and you get an offer, an admission letter would be sent to you; with that, you should start the visa process immediately. There are other supporting documents you will provide for the Poland study visa, they include the following.

Poland student visa requirements

A completed and signed Poland student visa application form
Official letter of acceptance from a university in Poland
Valid passport (must be valid for three months after your planned departure from Poland)
Your CV (master’s applicants)
School certificates and diplomas
English language proficiency tests
Means of subsistence
Health insurance documents
One passport-size photo

Proof of accommodation in Poland

Top Universities in Poland
Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan (UAM)
AGH University of Science and Technology
Gdansk University of Technology
Jagiellonian University
Jagiellonian University – Centre for European Studies
Lodz University of Technology
Nicolaus Copernicus University
University of Gdansk
University of Lodz
University of Warsaw
Warsaw University of Technology
Cracow University of Economics
Cracow University of Technology
Czestochowa University of Technology
Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa
Koszalin University of Technology
Kozminski University
Lazarski University
Lublin University of Technology
Medical University of Bialystok
Medical University of Gdańsk
Medical University of Silesia, Katowice
Medical University of Warsaw
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Opole University of Technology
Poznan University of Technology
Poznań University of Economics and Business
Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities
Silesian University of Technology
University of Ecology and Management in Warsaw
The University of Economics in Katowice
Warsaw School of Computer Science
Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW

Cheapest universities in Poland
Warsaw University of Technology
Poznan University of Life Sciences
The University of Agriculture in Krakow
University of Opole

Tuition

Universities in Poland have a low tuition fee. Tuition expenses range from EUR 2000 to EUR 6000 per year on average, but this varies greatly depending on the institution and program of study. International students enrolled in English-medium courses and MBA programs pay higher tuition.
Bachelor’s degrees cost between 2500-4000 EUR/academic year.
Master’s degrees cost between 4000-8000 EUR/per year
MBAs can cost between 12000-17,000 EUR/year.

Important note:

There is no free tuition fee for international students. If eligible, there are scholarships programs in Poland open to European and Non-European students. Students belonging to EEA states, do not need to pay any tuition fees to study in Poland.
Scholarships in Poland
Scholarships are available from the Polish government, private organizations, and universities in Poland. They include the following:
The Gen. Anders Scholarship
The Visegrad Scholarship.
The POLONISTA Scholarship and Fellowship.
The Stefan Banach Scholarship.
The Poland My First Choice Scholarship.
The Bilateral Cooperation Exchange Scholarship.
The Eastern Partnership Scholarships for post-soviet countries.

Work while studying in Poland

Working with a Polish Type D student visa has no restrictions. International students do not need a work permit to work in Poland if they have a valid residence permit. Working part-time while studying can help you pay for your education. As long as they are enrolled in an institution, international students have the right to work while studying in Poland. Students who are not citizens of EU member countries must have a valid residency permit as well. All students, including those who are visiting Poland for the first time, those who are in their first year of university, and those who are enrolled full-time in a language school, have the right to work.
During studies, 20 hours of work per week are permitted, as well as three months of full-time work during the summer. Full-time students in Poland are allowed to work full-time, which equates to 40 work hours a week, but only if they have a Residence Card.

Working full-time while studying in Poland is possible, you must ensure that working does not interfere with your education. Working excessive hours may make it more difficult to renew your residence permit if it has a detrimental influence on your grades.

Stay back after graduation

After graduation, students from member nations of the European Union are free to work in Poland. If you prefer to stay and work in Poland, don’t worry, the country allows that. You do not require a work permit if you have completed a full-time program at a Polish higher education institution. Simply double-check that your stay permission is valid. You can extend your stay for another 2-3 years if you can demonstrate that you are financially self-sufficient and do not require government assistance. A Work Permit is available to students who find or Take a job.
International students from Non-EU students can also stay back in Poland after finishing their education but would require to have a temporary residence card. The Temporary Residence Card is one of the ways to stay in Poland after finishing your studies. If you wish to stay and work but haven’t found a job yet, you can apply for this permission. After graduation, the temporary residency permit can be awarded just once for nine months.

Highlights

Citizens from the EU/EEA

EU/EEA citizens do not require a temporary residence card to remain in Poland after their studies. However, if you are a member of the EU or EEA, you must apply for a post-study visa in Poland at a local administrative office after three months. You must show that you have the financial means to cover your medical and other charges.
Additionally, you do not require a work permit if you have completed a full-time program at a Polish higher education institution. Just make sure you have valid stay permission. You can stay for another 2-3 years if you can show that you can sustain yourself financially without relying on government assistance.

Citizens from outside the EU/EEA

Non-EU and EEA citizens must apply for a long-term visa at their nearest Polish embassy or consulate to receive a post-study visa in Poland.

Conclusion

Studying in Poland is appealing for the excellent academic opportunities it offers. Also because of the good quality of life accessible, and cheap tuition fee, EU and non-EU students tip it as one of the preferred countries. If you plan to stay in Poland after finishing your studies, don’t worry, the country allows that, but you must start looking for a job that pays well before completing from studies.