Study in Poland on a Budget: Top Affordable Universities for International Students
Struggling to find an affordable study destination in Europe?
Poland stands out as one of the cheapest countries for international students, offering low tuition fees and reasonable living expenses. Moreover, its historic cities, rich culture, and welcoming people make it easier for international students to feel at home.
In this blog, we have compiled all the information you need to know about studying in Poland on a budget — from living expenses to tuition fees of the most affordable universities that offer high-quality education without breaking the bank.
Why study in Poland??
Poland ticks all the right boxes for students dreaming of pursuing higher education in an affordable country. It offers
- Low tuition fees and living costs
- English-taught programs
- High-quality education and research
- Top-ranked universities
- Rich culture and history
- Multiple work opportunities
Average cost of studying in Poland (Tuition fee + Cost of living)
Tuition fee
- Average tuition fee ranges from €2000-€4000 per year (depends on field and university)
Living expenses
- Average living cost ranges from €330-€430 per month (depending on city)
- Major student cities: Warsaw, Wroclaw, Poznan, Krakow
Top 10 affordable universities in Poland
University of Warsaw
Average tuition fee: €3000-€5000/year (as low as €3000 for certain disciplines such as social sciences, and environmental and Earth sciences)
Average living cost in Warsaw: €528 - €891/month
Popular Disciplines: Engineering and Technology, Arts, Design, and Architecture, Computer science & IT, Business management, Environmental and earth sciences, Medicine and Health, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Social Sciences
University of Wroclaw
Average tuition fee: €3000-€4200/year
Average living cost in Wroclaw: €486 - €799/month
Popular Disciplines: Business management, Environmental and earth sciences, Medicine and Health, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Social Sciences, Journalism and media, Humanities, Hospitality, leisure and Support, Law
Gdansk University of Technology
Average tuition fee: €4200-€7000/year
Average living cost in Gdansk: €488 - €833/month
Popular Disciplines: Business management, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Engineering and Technology, Social Sciences, Arts, Design and Architecture, Computer Science and IT
University of Gdansk
Average tuition fee: €700-€2200/year (Some courses are free.)
Average living cost in Gdansk: €488 - €833/month
Popular Disciplines: Business management, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Engineering and Technology, Social Sciences, Agriculture and Forestry, Computer Science and IT, Environmental and Earth Sciences, Hospitality, Leisure and Sport
University of Lordz
Average tuition fee: €2000-€3000/year
Average living cost in Krakow: €410 - €618/month
Popular Disciplines: Business management, Environmental and earth sciences, Social Sciences, Computer Science and IT, Humanities
Poznan University of Life Sciences
Average tuition fee: €1000-€3000/year
Average living cost in Poznan: €451 - €710/month
Popular Disciplines: Agriculture and Forestry, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Business Management, Engineering and Technology, Applied Sciences and Professions, Arts, Design, and Architecture, Computer Science & IT, Medicine and Health, and Social Sciences
Poznan University of Technology
Average tuition fee: €4000-€6000/year
Average living cost in Poznan: €451 - €710/month
Popular Disciplines: Engineering and Technology, Business Management, Computer Science & IT, Arts, Design, and Architecture, and Natural Sciences and Mathematics
University of Silesia in Katowice
Average tuition fee: €1500-€2900/year
Average living cost in Katowice: €399 - €640/month
Popular Disciplines: Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Business Management, Computer Science & IT, Arts, Design, and Architecture, Social Sciences. Law, Engineering and Technology, and Journalism and Media
AGH University of Science and Technology
Average tuition fee: €800-€4600/year
Average living cost in Krakow: €470 - €799/month
Popular Disciplines: Engineering and Technology, Arts, Design, and Architecture, Computer Science & IT, Environmental Studies and Earth Sciences, Business Management, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Social Sciences
Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan
Average tuition fee: €400-€2000/year
Average living cost in Poznan: €451 - €710/month
Popular Disciplines: Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Social Sciences, Humanities, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Studies and Earth Sciences, Applied Sciences and Professions, Business Management, Computer Science & IT, Journalism and Media, Law, and Medicine and Health
Scholarship and Funding available for International students
There are many funding opportunities for international students. Students from different regions are awarded various scholarships with many benefits.
Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange Scholarship
Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange Scholarship offers many prestigious scholarships to international students. The details of some scholarships are as follows:
- The Ignacy Łukasiewicz Scholarship Program
It is one of the prestigious scholarships jointly awarded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange to support the socio-economic development of developing countries. To be eligible for this scholarship, International students must be from an eligible country and be enrolled in a second-cycle master’s program in agricultural sciences, engineering and technical sciences, or natural sciences. The list of eligible countries is here.
- The Banach Scholarship Program
The purpose of this scholarship is also to support the socio-economic growth of developing countries by awarding their students financial aid to fund their education in Poland. The list of eligible countries can be found here. The scholarship is awarded to students pursuing second-degree studies in Poland.
- Poland My First Choice Nawa
This scholarship is offered to international students from selected countries who are enrolled in a second degree at a public or private university. A monthly allowance is provided to cover living expenses while staying in Poland.
University Scholarship
Some public universities, such as Jagiellonian University, also offer specific scholarships to international students, including the JU Scholarship, the Bohdan Łysiak Scholarship Fund, the Prof. Franciszek Ziejka Scholarship Fund, and the Scholarship for Olympians. The eligibility criteria are different for every scholarship. You can check your eligibility here.
Top 10 Master’s Scholarships in Europe
How to apply to Polish Universities (Step-by-Step)
- Shortlist universities according to your subject
- Check the eligibility and application timeline
- Collect required documents (Passport, CV, Official transcripts, Motivation Letter, etc.)
- Submit your application via the official university website
Step-by-step guide to applying to European Universities
Tips to save money as an international student in Poland
Living in a new country can feel overwhelming, and managing expenses often becomes challenging at first. But you can easily save money by following these tips:
- Live in shared apartments or dormitories
- Cook at home
- Apply for paid internships and part-time jobs
- Use student discounts (food and transport)
- Choose smaller cities because of lower rent
Conclusion
Poland stands out as one of the most affordable and study-friendly countries across Europe. If you are planning to complete your studies without financial burden, Poland is one of the best options. However, you must research your relevant courses in different universities and keep an eye on various scholarships so the cost of studies can be further reduced.