How to Apply to Polish Universities 2026 Guide

Polish universities use the IRK system (Internetowa Rejestracja Kandydatów) — an online recruitment portal. Each university runs its own IRK instance. Applications go directly to the institution, not through a central body. Foreign diplomas require recognition (apostille or nostrification). Polish-language programs may require a language certificate. The academic year starts in October with some programs offering a February intake. This guide covers every step.

The Polish University System

Poland has over 400 higher education institutions: 130+ public universities and 250+ private schools. Public universities generally rank higher and offer free tuition for EU students in Polish. The Polish higher education system follows the Bologna Process.

Degree Structure

Degree	Duration	ECTS Credits	Polish Name
Bachelor (licencjat / inżynier)	3–3.5 years	180–210	Studia I stopnia
Master (magister)	1.5–2 years	90–120	Studia II stopnia
Integrated Master	5–6 years	300–360	Jednolite studia magisterskie
Doctoral (PhD)	3–4 years	N/A	Szkoła doktorska

Medicine, law, and psychology follow the integrated master model (5–6 years, no separate bachelor).

Academic Calendar

Winter semester: October to January/February
Summer semester: February to June
Main intake: October (applications March–July)
Spring intake: February (limited programs, applications October–December)

Key Deadlines

Intake	Application Window	Decision By
October (main)	March–July (varies by university)	August–September
February (spring)	October–December	January

The IRK System

IRK (Internetowa Rejestracja Kandydatów) is the standard online application system. Each university operates its own IRK portal. You create an account, select your program, upload documents, and track your application status online.

How IRK Works

Visit the university’s recruitment page and find the IRK link
Create an account with your personal details
Select your chosen program (you can register for multiple programs at the same university)
Upload required documents (scanned originals)
Pay the registration fee (PLN 85–150 per program)
Wait for document verification and qualification results
Accept your offer and confirm enrollment

Tip: Some private universities and medical programs bypass IRK and use their own application portals. Check the specific university website.

Recognition of Foreign Diplomas

Poland requires official recognition of foreign educational documents. The process depends on your home country and the type of qualification.

Apostille (Hague Convention Countries)

If your country signed the Hague Apostille Convention, your diploma needs an apostille stamp from the issuing authority. No further legalization is needed. Most European, American, and many Asian countries are signatories.

Legalization (Non-Hague Countries)

If your country is not a Hague signatory, your diploma must be legalized through the Polish consulate in your home country. This adds extra time — start 2–3 months early.

Nostrification

Some universities require nostrification — a formal equivalence assessment by a Polish university. This applies mainly to professional qualifications (medicine, law, engineering) and sometimes to bachelor degrees for master admission. The process costs PLN 3,150 and takes 2–4 months.

Sworn Translation

All non-Polish documents must be accompanied by a sworn translation (tłumaczenie przysięgłe) into Polish. Only certified sworn translators (tłumacz przysięgły) can produce these. Cost: PLN 100–300 per document.

Language Requirements

English-Taught Programs

Most English-taught programs accept:

Test	Minimum Score
IELTS Academic	5.5–6.5
TOEFL iBT	72–90
Cambridge C1/C2	B2–C1 level
School certificate	Some accept English-medium education

Medical programs typically require IELTS 6.0+ or TOEFL 87+.

Polish-Taught Programs

Polish-taught programs require proof of Polish language proficiency:

Certificate of Polish Language Proficiency issued by the State Commission (poziom B2 minimum)
Completion of a Polish language preparatory course (1 year, available at most universities)
University-administered Polish language exam

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Choose Your Program

Use the Study in Poland portal (studyinpoland.pl) to browse 900+ English-taught programs. Filter by city, field, and degree level. Shortlist 2–4 programs.

Step 2: Check Requirements

Each program page lists academic prerequisites, language requirements, and specific documents. Medical programs often require biology and chemistry backgrounds. Engineering programs may require mathematics.

Step 3: Prepare Documents

Secondary school certificate or bachelor degree (with apostille/legalization)
Sworn Polish translations of all documents
English proficiency certificate
Passport copy
Passport-size photos
Medical certificate (for medical programs)
Motivation letter (some programs)
CV/resume (for master and PhD programs)

Step 4: Register on IRK

Create your account. Complete the form. Upload all documents as scanned PDFs. Pay the registration fee.

Step 5: Wait for Decision

Processing takes 2–8 weeks. You receive notification through the IRK portal and email. Admission is typically based on academic grades — no entrance exam for most programs.

Step 6: Accept Offer and Pay Fees

Accept your offer in the IRK system. Pay the tuition deposit (usually one semester). The university issues an acceptance letter for visa purposes.

Step 7: Apply for Visa (Non-EU)

Use your acceptance letter to apply for a National Visa type D at the Polish consulate. See our Poland visa guide for details.

Entrance Exams

Most programs do not require entrance exams. Admission is based on academic grades (GPA) and sometimes subject grades. Exceptions:

Art and design programs: Portfolio review and/or practical exam
Music programs: Audition
Architecture: Drawing/portfolio exam
Some medical programs: Biology/chemistry entrance test
PhD programs: Research proposal and interview

Polish Language Preparatory Course

If you want to study in Polish but do not yet speak the language, most universities offer a 1-year preparatory course. The course brings you to B2 level and qualifies you for Polish-taught programs. Cost: €2,000–€3,500. This investment pays off through free tuition at public universities (for EU students).

Application Checklist

Item	Status
Research programs on studyinpoland.pl	☐
Obtain apostille or legalization for diplomas	☐
Get sworn Polish translations	☐
Take English/Polish proficiency test	☐
Register on IRK and complete application	☐
Pay registration fee	☐
Accept offer and pay tuition deposit	☐
Apply for student visa (non-EU)	☐
Arrange accommodation	☐
Book travel	☐

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IRK system?

IRK stands for Internetowa Rejestracja Kandydatów — the online recruitment system used by Polish universities. Each university has its own IRK portal where you register, upload documents, and track your application.

Do I need to legalize my diploma?

Yes. Diplomas from Hague Convention countries need an apostille. Other countries require consular legalization. All documents need sworn Polish translation.

Is there an entrance exam?

Most programs admit based on grades alone. Art, music, architecture, and some medical programs require additional exams or portfolio reviews.

When does the academic year start?

The main intake starts in October. A smaller spring intake begins in February for selected programs.

Can I study in Poland without knowing Polish?

Yes. Over 900 programs are taught entirely in English. Polish proficiency is only needed for Polish-taught programs.

How long does the application process take?

From registration to decision: 2–8 weeks. Allow 2–3 months for document preparation (apostille, translations) before that.

Can I apply to multiple universities?

Yes. There is no limit. Each application goes through the respective university’s IRK system.

What is nostrification?

A formal process where a Polish university evaluates your foreign degree for equivalence. Required mainly for professional qualifications. Costs PLN 3,150 and takes 2–4 months.

How to Apply to Polish Universities 2026