Scholarship in Poland: Requirements and more

Studying in a foreign country is an opportunity to learn a new language and get to know the culture of that country, but it involves a considerable financial outlay. There are countries where the cost of living is lower compared to other nearby destinations, and which also have grants to cover tuition fees and other costs such as accommodation, transport and living expenses. This is the case of scholarships to study in Poland, which you can easily access with our help.

In this article we’ll detail the five best scholarships to study in this country, known for its medieval architecture and museums steeped in Jewish history. You can start your career at one of its prestigious universities or specialise with a master’s or doctoral degree. The Polish government and other private institutions have designed these grants, which are being continued for the year 2025.

The 5 best scholarships to study in Poland

Study in another country is your dream? Choose a budget destination and you can save on your stay. Poland is a perfect country to complete your studies, as it not only has a low cost of living compared to other European countries, but also has prestigious universities and an extensive grant programme. Below, we show you the five best scholarships to study in Poland.

1. Ignacy Łukasiewicz Programme – Government of Poland

This programme, managed by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA), was established in 2015 with the aim of promoting the educational and professional development of international students from developing countries. With these grants, the Polish government wants to strengthen cooperation with these countries through education. They focus mainly on studies in engineering, natural sciences or agriculture. Here are some more facts:

• General requirements: You must be a citizen of a developing country, have an outstanding academic average and have a letter of admission from a participating Polish university.
• Coverage and benefits: They help you with full tuition waiver and a monthly living allowance of zł2,000 ($500 US). In addition, you can benefit from a health insurance and Polish language courses.
• Type of studies offered: Master’s degrees and postgraduate.
• Aimed at: Students from developing countries with an interest in engineering, natural sciences or agriculture.
• Form: Visit the official NAWA website (www.nawa.gov.pl) to register and complete the application form.
• Opening and closing dates: Calls usually open in February and close in May.

2. Erasmus+ Scholarships

Scholarships to study in Poland under the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme promote academic, cultural, artistic and sporting exchanges between European and non-European universities. In this way, thousands of international students have been able to access educational programmes in this country since 1987. For the period 2021-2027, they want to deepen social inclusion, the dual ecological and digital transition and the participation of young people in democratic life. We show you more information:

• General requirements: Be enrolled in a university that is part of the Erasmus+ programme.
• Coverage and benefits: Monthly financial assistance of between €250 and €300 ($250 and $320 US), to cover accommodation and living expenses. They also offer you a travel insurance, health insurance and tuition fees.
• Type of studies offered: Exchanges for undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, vocational and adult studies.
• Aimed at: Students from partner universities in and outside Europe, adults and athletes.
• Form: Contact your university’s international relations office to process your application.
• Opening and closing date: Varies according to the faculty, but generally from October to March.

3. CEEPUS (Central European Exchange Program for University Studies) Scholarships

State universities in the Czech Republic participate in the Central European Scholarship Programme CEEPUS which helps students to enter foreign universities in Central Europe. These scholarships to study in Poland, among other countries, were created in 1993 and promote academic exchange between Central and Eastern European countries in order to strengthen regional cooperation. If you belong to one of these countries, check their requirements:

• General requirements: Be a citizen of a CEEPUS member country and be enrolled in a university participating in the programme.
• Coverage and benefits: Monthly living allowance of zł1,350 ($340 US), tuition waiver and opportunities for short courses and research programmes.
• Type of studies offered: Undergraduate, master’s degree and doctorates.
• Aimed at: Students from participating countries such as Austria, Hungary, Romania and Poland.
• Form: Register on the programme’s official platform (www.ceepus.info).
• Opening and closing dates: Calls usually open in January and close in March.

4. University of Warsaw Scholarships for International Students

The University of Warsaw is one of the largest and most prestigious universities in the country, in fact, it appeared in the 2006 Times Higher Education Supplement’s top 500 as the second best Polish university. It was founded in 1816 and offers scholarships to study in Poland specifically for international students interested in its academic programmes. Read more about its characteristics if you’re interested in studying at this institution:

• General requirements: Have an excellent academic record and be accepted into one of the university’s programmes.
• Coverage and benefits: Partial or total reduction of tuition fees and access to extracurricular activities.
• Type of studies offered: Undergraduate, master’s degree and doctorates.
• Aimed at: International students of any nationality.
• Form: Visit the official website of the University of Warsaw (www.uw.edu.pl).
• Opening and closing dates: From February to May.

5. Polish-American Freedom Foundation Grants (Kirkland Program)

If you’re under 35, live in an Eastern European country and have experience in social projects or politics, you can apply for a Kirkland scholarship to study in Poland. Since 2000, it’s been working to promote social and economic development in Eastern Europe through academic training in this country. These are their requirements:

• General requirements: Be a citizen of an Eastern European or Caucasus country and demonstrate work experience in social or governmental projects.
• Coverage and benefits: Full tuition coverage, maintenance of zł1,800 ($850 US) and funding for research activities.
• Type of studies offered: Master’s programmes and research projects.
• Aimed at: Young professionals under 35 with experience in public policy or social development.
• Form: See details on their official website (www.kirkland.edu.pl).
• Opening and closing dates: From March to June.

Tips on how to get a scholarship in Poland

Do you already know what are the best scholarships for you to study in Poland? Now it’s up to you to go through the application process, collect all the required documentation and keep your fingers crossed that you’ll be one of the beneficiaries.

First of all, get the holafly eSIM for Poland this way, you’ll always be connected in a secure way to check your application and make on-line transactions whenever you need to. If you follow our little tips, you may have a better chance of standing out from the applicants. Jot down!

Research Poland’s education programmes

Some scholarships to study in Poland are linked to specific universities or priority programmes for the Polish government, such as engineering, technology, social sciences or business. If you’re interested in studying any of these areas, focus your application on recognised programmes within those disciplines.

Learn the basics of Polish

The selection committee values candidates who show cultural commitment and interest in integrating into society. For this reason, we advise you to take a basic Polish language course and include it in your academic record. Some scholarships, such as the Ignacy Łukasiewicz Programme, take these contributions into account.

Write a motivational essay with a focus on Poland

Don’t write a general motivational essay, you need to adapt it to this specific country. Mention your interest in their culture, history, economy or even the opportunities offered by their education system. This’ll demonstrate your real interest in studying in this country and not in another.

Take advantage of international cooperation programmes

Poland actively participates in programmes such as Erasmus+ and CEEPUS. If you’re already enrolled at a university in your home country, check with your educational institution to see if there are any exchange agreements that include scholarships to study in this country. European grants are often more accessible than grants from private institutions.

Meet deadlines

Being a responsible and organised person is also valued in this process, so gather all the certificates, documentation, translations and forms you need to submit with your application as soon as possible. Keep an up-to-date calendar with important dates for each programme and collect all documents in good time to avoid any setbacks.

Request relevant letters of recommendation

In Poland, the opinion of teachers or professionals who can support your application is highly valued. Ask for letters of recommendation highlighting your academic achievements or professional experience related to the programme you’re applying for. This’ll increase your credibility and strengthen your application.

Top universities to study in Poland

After having studied which are the best scholarships to study in Poland and what tips you can follow to get one of these grants, now it’s time to select your favourite university. To do so, we recommend that you choose the one that stands out in the programmes where you’re interested in starting your studies or specialising. For example, if you’d like to study economics, the Cracow University of Economics would be the best choice. Take a look at our selection:

Frequently Asked Questions about scholarships to study in Poland

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