Study in Poland - Study abroad destination

Costs & Funding - Study in Poland

A realistic breakdown of tuition fees, living costs, scholarships, and part-time work earnings in Poland — one of the most affordable study destinations in the EU.

Updated March 1, 2026 9 min read

Costs & Funding

Poland is one of the most affordable study destinations in the European Union — and that is not a compromise on quality. The combination of low tuition fees, very affordable living costs, and a growing economy makes Poland a place where your money goes remarkably far. A full degree in Poland — including tuition and living expenses — often costs less than a single year at a UK or US university.

Here is the honest picture of what studying in Poland actually costs and how to fund it.

Tuition Fees (2025-2026)

Tuition by Field of Study

Field of Study	Annual Tuition (EUR)	Notes
Humanities and social sciences	2,000-3,000	Lowest fees
Business and economics	2,000-4,000	Popular with international students
Engineering and IT	2,500-4,000	High demand, growing programs
Sciences (physics, chemistry, biology)	2,000-3,500	Lab-based programs cost more
Architecture and design	3,000-5,000	Portfolio required
Medicine and dentistry	10,000-14,000	Significantly higher; 6-year programs
Pharmacy	8,000-10,000	5.5-year programs
MBA programs	8,000-15,000	Total program cost, 1-2 years

Tuition at Top Universities (2025-2026)

University	Bachelor's (Business)	Master's (IT)	Medicine
University of Warsaw	EUR 2,800	EUR 3,200	N/A
Jagiellonian University	EUR 3,000	EUR 3,500	EUR 12,500
Warsaw University of Technology	EUR 3,000	EUR 3,500	N/A
Kozminski University	EUR 5,500	EUR 6,500	N/A
Medical University of Warsaw	N/A	N/A	EUR 13,500
AGH University of Krakow	EUR 2,500	EUR 3,000	N/A
University of Wroclaw	EUR 2,200	EUR 2,800	N/A

EU/EEA students: If you pass entrance exams conducted in Polish, you can study at public universities tuition-free, just like Polish citizens. English-taught programs carry tuition fees regardless of nationality.

Pro tip: Some Polish universities offer tuition discounts of 10-20% for early application, full upfront payment, or academic excellence. Always ask the admissions office about available reductions.

Monthly Living Costs by City

Poland's living costs are among the lowest in the EU. Here is a realistic breakdown:

Category	Warsaw	Krakow	Wroclaw	Gdansk	Poznan	Lublin
Rent (dormitory)	100-180	80-150	80-130	80-140	80-130	60-100
Rent (shared apartment)	300-500	250-400	220-350	230-370	220-350	150-250
Groceries	150-200	130-180	120-170	130-180	120-170	100-150
Transport (monthly pass)	25-50	20-40	20-40	20-40	20-40	15-30
Utilities (shared)	30-50	25-40	25-40	25-40	25-40	20-35
Phone/Internet	10-20	10-20	10-20	10-20	10-20	10-20
Entertainment	50-100	40-80	40-80	40-80	40-80	30-60
TOTAL (dormitory)	415-650	345-550	335-520	345-540	335-520	275-435
TOTAL (shared flat)	615-970	515-800	475-740	495-770	475-740	365-585

Pro tip: University dormitories (akademiki) are the cheapest housing option by far. Apply early — popular dormitories fill up months before the semester starts. Most rooms are shared (2-3 students), but single rooms are available at some universities for a slightly higher price.

Eating on a Budget

Polish food is hearty, delicious, and astonishingly cheap:

Milk bar (bar mleczny) — Government-subsidised cafeterias serving traditional Polish food. A full meal costs EUR 2-4. Found in every student city.
University canteen (stowka) — Affordable meals on campus, typically EUR 2-5.
Cooking at home — Groceries at Biedronka, Lidl, or Zabka are very affordable. A week's groceries cost EUR 25-40.
Eating out — A restaurant meal costs EUR 5-10 in most cities. Pizza delivery is EUR 5-8.

Healthcare Costs

Student Type	Coverage	Monthly Cost
EU/EEA students	EHIC card — free public healthcare	Free
Non-EU students (NFZ voluntary)	Public healthcare through NFZ	PLN 55 (EUR 13)
Private insurance	Private clinics and hospitals	EUR 20-40

EU students should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before arriving. Non-EU students can join the NFZ (National Health Fund) voluntarily by paying a monthly premium, or purchase private health insurance.

Compare health insurance options for Poland

Pro tip: University health centres provide basic medical care for enrolled students, often at no additional cost. They are usually the quickest option for common health issues.

Scholarships and Funding

NAWA Scholarships (Polish Government)

NAWA Scholarship Programs

Polish National Agency Scholarship — For students from various countries; covers tuition and/or living costs
Banach Scholarship Programme — For students from developing countries (Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa); covers tuition, living allowance, and health insurance
Ulam Programme — For researchers and academics; covers living costs for research stays
CEEPUS (Central European Exchange Programme) — Monthly scholarships for students and staff from Central European countries

Erasmus+ Scholarships

EU and partner-country students can study in Poland through Erasmus+ exchanges:

Monthly grant: EUR 600-750 (depending on your home country's cost level)
Duration: 3-12 months
Covers: Living costs; tuition waived at the host university
Application: Through your home university's international office

University Scholarships

Many Polish universities offer merit-based scholarships:

University	Scholarship	Value
University of Warsaw	Rector's Scholarship for International Students	10-20% tuition reduction
Jagiellonian University	Merit scholarships	Variable, up to 50% tuition
Kozminski University	Kozminski Scholarship	15-50% tuition reduction
Warsaw University of Technology	Merit awards	10-25% tuition reduction
AGH University of Krakow	Rector's Scholarship	Up to 100% tuition waiver for top students

Pro tip: Even if a scholarship is not advertised prominently, ask the admissions office. Many universities have discretionary funds for exceptional students or can offer payment plans that ease the financial burden.

Other Funding Sources

Visegrad Fund — Scholarships for students from Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia
Home country scholarships — Many governments fund students studying in EU countries
Education loans — Available in many countries for overseas study
Employer sponsorship — Some employers fund employees' further education

Part-Time Work

International students can supplement their income through part-time work:

Work Rights

EU/EEA students: No restrictions — work freely like Polish citizens
Non-EU students: Can work without a separate permit while holding a valid student visa and student card. Some conditions may apply.

Typical Wages

Job Type	Hourly Rate (PLN)	Hourly Rate (EUR)
Retail	28-35	6-8
Hospitality (cafes, restaurants)	25-35	5.50-8
Tutoring (English, other languages)	40-80	9-18
IT and tech support	35-60	8-14
Translation	40-80	9-18
Campus jobs	28-35	6-8
Freelancing (IT, design)	50-150	11-34

Poland's minimum wage in 2026 is PLN 28.10/hour (approximately EUR 6.50/hour). Working 15-20 hours per week can earn you EUR 400-600/month — enough to cover basic living expenses outside of rent.

Where to Find Jobs

Pracuj.pl — Poland's largest job portal
OLX.pl — Classifieds with casual work listings
University career offices — Campus jobs and internships
Facebook groups — Search for student job groups in your city
Walk-in applications — Especially for hospitality and retail in tourist areas

Budgeting Examples

Example 1: Bachelor's in Business at University of Wroclaw — 3 Years

Item	Annual Cost (EUR)	3-Year Total (EUR)
Tuition	2,500	7,500
Living costs (dormitory, Wroclaw)	5,000	15,000
Health insurance	200	600
Books and supplies	200	600
Total cost	—	23,700
Part-time work income	-3,600	-10,800
Net cost	—	12,900

Example 2: Master's in IT at Warsaw University of Technology — 2 Years

Item	Annual Cost (EUR)	2-Year Total (EUR)
Tuition	3,500	7,000
Living costs (shared flat, Warsaw)	8,000	16,000
Health insurance	200	400
Books and supplies	200	400
Total cost	—	23,800
Part-time work income	-5,000	-10,000
Net cost	—	13,800

Example 3: Medicine at Medical University of Lodz — 6 Years

Item	Annual Cost (EUR)	6-Year Total (EUR)
Tuition	11,500	69,000
Living costs (dormitory, Lodz)	4,500	27,000
Health insurance	200	1,200
Books and equipment	500	3,000
Total cost	—	100,200

Even the most expensive option — a full 6-year medical degree — costs roughly EUR 100,000 total, which is less than two years of medical school in the UK or US.

Money-Saving Tips

Live in a dormitory — Save EUR 100-300/month compared to private accommodation
Eat at milk bars — Full meals for EUR 2-4 at government-subsidised cafeterias
Get a student ID (legitymacja) — 50% off public transport and discounts at museums, cinemas, and restaurants
Cook at home — Weekly groceries at Biedronka or Lidl cost EUR 25-40
Use student discounts — ISIC card and Polish student ID give widespread discounts
Apply for every scholarship — Even small awards reduce your total cost
Choose a smaller city — Lublin, Bialystok, or Katowice can save EUR 200-400/month vs. Warsaw

Compare health insurance options for Poland

Next Steps

Explore programs and universities — Find the right institution
Prepare your application — Documents, deadlines, and process
Apply for your visa — Visa requirements and arrival guide
Plan your daily life — Housing, transport, and cultural tips

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to study in Poland as an international student?

Total costs are typically EUR 7,000-14,000 per year, including tuition (EUR 2,000-4,000 for most programs) and living costs (EUR 5,000-10,000). Medicine is more expensive at EUR 10,000-14,000 tuition alone. Poland is one of the most affordable EU study destinations.

What is the cheapest city to study in Poland?

Cities like Lublin, Bialystok, Katowice, and Rzeszow have the lowest living costs, with monthly expenses of EUR 400-600. Krakow and Warsaw are the most expensive, but still significantly cheaper than Western European capitals.

Are there scholarships for international students in Poland?

Yes. NAWA offers several scholarship programs including the Polish National Agency Scholarship and Banach Scholarship (for developing countries). Erasmus+ covers exchange students. Many universities offer tuition discounts of 10-30% for academic merit. The Visegrad Fund supports students from Central European countries.

Can EU students study for free in Poland?

EU/EEA students can study tuition-free at public universities if they pass entrance exams in Polish. English-taught programs carry tuition fees regardless of nationality. EU students also benefit from lower or equal tuition rates compared to non-EU students at some institutions.

How much is rent in Poland for students?

University dormitories cost EUR 80-150/month. Shared apartments range from EUR 200-400/month depending on the city. Warsaw is most expensive (EUR 300-500 for a room), while smaller cities like Lublin or Katowice offer rooms for EUR 150-250/month.

Can I work while studying in Poland?

Yes. EU students can work without restrictions. Non-EU students on a student visa can work without a permit if they have a valid student card, though some restrictions may apply. Many students work 15-20 hours per week in hospitality, tutoring, or IT.

How much money do I need to show for a Polish student visa?

Non-EU students typically need to show access to approximately PLN 776/month (about EUR 180) for living costs, plus proof of tuition payment or scholarship. Requirements vary, so check the latest figures with your nearest Polish consulate.

Is healthcare free for students in Poland?

EU students with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) receive free public healthcare. Non-EU students must purchase voluntary health insurance through the NFZ (approximately PLN 55/month or EUR 13) or private insurance (EUR 20-40/month) to access the public healthcare system.

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