Scholarships in Poland

Studying in Poland with a scholarship

Poland has become a practical study destination for international students because tuition and living costs can be lower than in many Western European countries, while universities offer programmes in both Polish and English.

International students can study at public or private universities and may receive funding through:

• Polish Government and NAWA programmes
• university scholarships
• tuition waivers
• bilateral agreements
• research funding
• doctoral schools

The Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange, known as NAWA, manages several major scholarship programmes for foreign students.

The right scholarship depends heavily on the applicant’s nationality and study level, so students should not assume that every NAWA programme is open worldwide.

Banach NAWA Scholarship

One of the main Polish Government scholarships for international students is the Stefan Banach NAWA Programme.

For the 2026/27 academic year, it supported full-time second-cycle, or master’s-level, study in Poland for applicants from 36 eligible countries.

The eligible list included countries such as:

• Indonesia
• India
• Nigeria
• Kenya
• Rwanda
• Senegal
• Tanzania
• Vietnam
• Philippines
• Brazil
• Mexico
• Ukraine
• Palestine

and others.

This means Banach is not a general scholarship for every international applicant.

Students should first check whether both their nationality and previous degree meet the current call.

What Banach NAWA covers

For the 2026 cycle, the Banach NAWA Scholarship provided:

• PLN 2,500 per month
• tuition-fee exemption at eligible public universities
• funding for a preparatory Polish-language course where applicable
• a PLN 2,500 travel allowance

Applicants could choose eligible master’s programmes taught either in Polish or English.

Students entering the Polish-language route could also complete a one-year preparatory course before beginning the degree.

This makes the programme broader than a simple tuition scholarship, although recipients should still calculate their own living expenses carefully.

Banach 2026 deadline

For the 2026/27 academic year, applications opened in April and closed on 8 May 2026 at 3:00 p.m. CEST, unless the application limit for a country group was reached earlier.

The scholarship applied to programmes beginning in October 2026.

Students preparing for 2027 should not assume the same date will be reused.

Wait for the next official NAWA call.

Banach academic requirements

For the 2026 programme, applicants had to have completed a bachelor’s degree no earlier than 2024, or be due to complete it by 15 July 2026.

They also could not already hold a second-cycle degree.

Language requirements depended on the chosen study route:

• at least B2 English for English-taught programmes
• at least B2 Polish for direct Polish-language study
• at least B1 Polish for applicants entering the preparatory-language route

Applicants should still use the next annual call as the final authority because requirements can change.

Poland My First Choice

Another important NAWA programme is Poland My First Choice.

This scholarship targets applicants from countries and territories with a relatively high level of socio-economic development who want to undertake full-time second-cycle study in Poland.

For the 2026 cycle, the scholarship offered:

• PLN 2,000 per month
• tuition-fee exemption at eligible public universities
• a one-time travel allowance

Applicants had to apply separately to the university because NAWA did not handle university admission on their behalf.

This is an important distinction.

Winning a scholarship and gaining admission are related, but they are not always the same process.

Poland My First Choice 2026 deadline

For 2026/27, the application deadline was 29 May 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Warsaw time.

Applicants also needed at least B2 proficiency in the language of instruction, whether Polish or English.

Again, students preparing for 2027 should wait for the current annual call rather than copying old dates.

Different NAWA scholarships serve different groups

Poland operates several other NAWA programmes.

For example, the General Anders Programme supports eligible applicants of Polish origin and some dual nationals undertaking first-cycle, long-cycle master’s or second-cycle study in Polish.

The Polonista NAWA programme is focused on Polish language, culture and related academic areas.

These programmes are much more specialised.

Students should therefore identify the scholarship that matches their nationality and background instead of applying based only on the word “Poland scholarship.”

Tuition fees in Poland

Tuition fees for international students depend on legal status, institution and programme.

Full-time Polish-language study at public universities can be free for students studying on the same terms as Polish citizens, including many EU/EEA citizens and certain other eligible groups.

For other international students, the official Study in Poland portal gives average tuition of approximately:

• €2,000 per year for bachelor’s, master’s and long-cycle degrees
• around €3,000 per year for postgraduate and certain specialist programmes
• around €2,000 per year for a preparatory Polish-language course

Actual university fees often range from around €2,000 to €6,000 per year, while MBA programmes can be considerably more expensive.

These are averages, not guaranteed prices.

Always check the university’s current tuition page.

Doctoral schools work differently

Poland has an important distinction at doctoral level.

The official Study in Poland portal notes that full-time doctoral schools are generally tuition-free and provide scholarships to doctoral candidates.

This means PhD applicants should not search only for opportunities called “scholarships.”

They should also search for:

• doctoral school admissions
• PhD vacancies
• research projects
• doctoral researcher positions
• university-funded PhD places

Funding at doctoral level may be built into the academic position itself.

Living costs in Poland

Poland can be relatively affordable compared with many European study destinations.

The official Study in Poland portal gives a starting estimate of around PLN 1,500 per month, with typical total student expenses of roughly PLN 1,500 to PLN 2,000 per month.

The same guidance gives approximate monthly costs such as:

• student dormitory: PLN 400 to 600
• groceries: PLN 700 to 900
• public transport: PLN 50 to 60
• health insurance: PLN 40 to 60
• phone and internet: PLN 80 to 100

These figures are general estimates and can be higher in major cities.

City choice affects your budget

Living in Warsaw or Kraków can cost more than studying in smaller cities.

Other major student destinations include:

• Wrocław
• Poznań
• Gdańsk
• Łódź
• Katowice
• Lublin

Students should compare accommodation costs before choosing a university.

A slightly lower-ranked university in a more affordable city can sometimes produce a much better financial outcome.

Scholarship stipend versus living costs

The Banach stipend of PLN 2,500 per month is above the official basic student-cost estimate, but that does not mean every recipient will have the same financial experience.

Private rent, travel, utilities and personal expenses can push costs significantly higher.

Students should calculate:

• dormitory or rent
• deposit
• food
• transport
• insurance
• study materials
• visa costs
• travel
• winter clothing

before deciding whether additional personal funds are necessary.

Language of instruction

Polish universities offer programmes in both Polish and English.

Students choosing an English-taught degree may still find it useful to learn basic Polish for everyday life.

Those applying for Polish-language programmes may need formal proof of language proficiency.

NAWA scholarship programmes can also impose their own language requirements.

Banach 2026, for example, required at least B2 English for English-taught study.

Always check both the university requirement and scholarship requirement.

Admission and scholarship applications may be separate

This is particularly important in Poland.

For programmes such as Poland My First Choice, NAWA handles the scholarship but does not manage university admission. Applicants must apply independently to their chosen university and satisfy its requirements.

That means students should track:

1. scholarship application
2. university admission
3. document recognition
4. visa process
5. accommodation

Missing one step can prevent enrolment even if another stage succeeds.

Recognition of foreign qualifications

International applicants may need to prove that their previous qualification allows entry to the next study level.

The standard requirements depend on study level.

For bachelor’s admission, applicants normally need an appropriate secondary-school qualification.

For master’s admission, they need a recognised first-cycle degree.

Poland’s official study guidance also notes that applicants must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the language used in the chosen programme.

Universities may ask for:

• diploma
• transcript
• certified translation
• apostille or legalisation
• recognition statement
• proof of language ability

Do not pay for document authentication before confirming what the university actually requires.

Student visa

Students who require a visa for long-term study generally apply for a Polish national D visa.

The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that visa applicants must provide documents confirming the purpose of travel and demonstrate sufficient financial resources for their stay and return journey.

A student visa application can also require:

• passport
• university acceptance documentation
• accommodation evidence
• financial evidence
• medical insurance
• other country-specific documents

The exact supporting documents can differ between consular posts.

Applicants should therefore use the Polish embassy or consulate responsible for their place of application.

Health insurance

Visa applicants are generally required to have medical insurance.

Polish visa guidance requires qualifying insurance with coverage of at least €30,000 for relevant visa applicants.

Students later applying for residence in Poland must also maintain appropriate health insurance or equivalent coverage.

Always check whether a scholarship provides insurance or whether the student needs to arrange it separately.

Residence permit after arrival

Non-EU students staying in Poland for longer periods may need to apply for a temporary residence permit for study.

Current Polish foreigner-service guidance requires students to show:

• valid study status
• health insurance
• sufficient funds for living
• funds for return travel
• tuition-payment evidence where applicable

The financial threshold is not simply one fixed “proof of funds” figure for everyone.

It takes several different costs into account.

Current residence financial requirements

For temporary residence for study, the current minimum monthly amount after housing costs is generally above:

• PLN 1,010 per month for a person without dependants
• PLN 823 per person where dependants are involved

Applicants also need sufficient funds for return travel. For someone returning to a country outside the neighbouring and specified European categories, the current return-cost amount can be PLN 2,500 per person.

These thresholds can change.

Students should check the official foreigner portal at the time of application.

Accommodation costs also matter for residence

For some study residence applications, the authorities also consider actual accommodation costs separately.

That means a student may need to show enough money not only for the basic monthly threshold but also for rent and utility obligations.

Do not calculate proof of funds using only the minimum social-welfare amount.

Use the current official formula and your actual housing situation.

University dormitories

Student dormitories can significantly reduce costs.

Prices vary by university and city, but dormitories are often cheaper than private apartments.

Before accepting accommodation, ask:

• monthly price
• deposit
• room type
• whether utilities are included
• distance from campus
• whether accommodation continues during holidays

Scholarship recipients should also check whether housing is included in the scholarship or must be paid from the monthly stipend.

Working while studying

Employment rules depend on a student’s immigration status and the legal basis of their stay.

International students should not assume that every visa or residence permit gives identical work rights.

Before accepting employment, check the rules attached to your specific study status and residence document.

Even where employment is permitted, students should avoid depending entirely on part-time work to finance a degree.

A scholarship and personal budget should be sufficient before arrival.

Application quality matters for NAWA scholarships

Competitive NAWA programmes assess more than basic eligibility.

For Banach 2026, evaluation included academic performance and candidate self-presentation.

Applicants should therefore explain clearly:

• academic background
• achievements
• why Poland makes sense for their field
• why the programme fits their plans
• what they hope to do after graduating

Avoid writing generic statements about Europe or saying only that Poland has cheap universities.

The application should demonstrate genuine academic and professional fit.

Choose the university carefully

Receiving NAWA funding does not mean every university is automatically suitable.

Compare:

• programme curriculum
• teaching language
• university reputation in your field
• tuition status
• city
• accommodation
• research facilities
• international student support
• scholarship conditions

For Banach and Poland My First Choice, applicants choose from universities that meet the programme’s eligibility rules.

The scholarship should support a programme you would actually want to study.

What applicants should check before applying

Before applying for a Polish scholarship, confirm:

• eligible nationality
• degree level
• supported universities
• previous degree requirements
• date of graduation restrictions
• language requirement
• scholarship value
• tuition exemption
• travel support
• preparatory language course
• university admission requirements
• visa requirements
• residence financial requirements
• scholarship deadline
• programme start date

For NAWA scholarships, use the current annual call rather than an old scholarship article.

Avoid scholarship scams

Applicants should be careful with anyone promising:

• guaranteed Banach scholarship selection
• guaranteed NAWA scholarship
• guaranteed university admission
• guaranteed visa
• scholarship approval in exchange for unofficial payment

NAWA applications use formal online selection processes.

Use scholarship websites to discover opportunities, but submit applications through the official NAWA system or university platform.

Final advice

Poland can be a strong option for international students looking for relatively affordable European study.

For eligible master’s applicants from developing countries, the Banach NAWA Programme is particularly important because it combines tuition exemption with a monthly scholarship and travel support.

Other students may qualify for Poland My First Choice, university funding or doctoral-school support.

The most important thing is matching the scholarship to your nationality, study level and programme.

Do not assume that an old 2026 deadline applies to 2027. Monitor NAWA for the next call and confirm admission requirements directly with the university.

The scholarship listings below can help students discover opportunities in Poland, while NAWA, Study in Poland and the relevant university should remain the final sources for current information.

Last reviewed: September 10, 2026