Universities and language preparation

Find the right study route in Poland

We compare programme content, teaching language, tuition, admission rules and location. Applicants normally need accepted B2 evidence for the chosen language of instruction.

Polish-language preparation

Our three featured choices: Kraków, Łódź and Lublin

These verified university centres are our main starting options for students preparing to reach the Polish level required for university. They are featured practical choices, not an official national ranking.

Kraków

Cracow University of Technology — International Centre of Education

A 30-week intensive preparatory course combining general and academic Polish with subjects related to the intended degree. The centre notes that a complete beginner will often finish the first year around B1 and may need longer to reach B2.

Official programme ↗
Łódź

University of Łódź — School of Polish for Foreigners

A two-semester preparatory course of up to 850 hours, combining general Polish, specialist language and subjects related to the intended field of study.

Official programme ↗
Lublin

Maria Curie-Skłodowska University — Polish Language and Culture Centre

A 750-hour annual preparatory course for Polish-taught studies, with levels from A1 to C1 and specialist subjects matched to the intended degree.

Official programme ↗

Dates, tuition, entry levels and the resulting documents can change. We verify that a course and its certificate meet the current requirements of the student’s intended university before enrolment.

A student may sometimes begin a Polish-taught degree and later apply to move to an English-taught programme. This is never automatic: it depends on programme availability, places, credit recognition, accepted B2 English evidence, tuition and a new decision by the university.

Popular with international students

Public and private universities frequently chosen by foreign applicants

These are practical examples of universities known for international communities, foreign-language programmes or frequent interest from applicants abroad. This is not an academic ranking. The right choice still depends on the subject, teaching language, tuition, recognition and current admission conditions.

Popular public universities

  1. University of ŁódźŁódźA large international student community and a broad selection of foreign-language degrees.
  2. Jagiellonian UniversityKrakówA major multidisciplinary university with international programmes and exchange opportunities.
  3. Maria Curie-Skłodowska UniversityLublinA frequent choice in one of Poland’s largest centres for international students.
  4. Medical University of LublinLublinOne of the Polish medical universities identified by the official Study in Poland portal as popular with foreign students.
  5. Poznań University of Medical SciencesPoznańA well-established destination for international medical and health-science students.

Popular private universities

  1. Lazarski UniversityWarsawA highly international university with many students from abroad in its English-language programmes.
  2. Vistula UniversityWarsawA widely considered private option offering numerous programmes for international applicants.
  3. Kozminski UniversityWarsawA popular specialist choice for business, management, finance and related subjects.
  4. Vincent Pol UniversityLublinA strongly international institution offering English-taught programmes, particularly in health and social fields.
  5. WSEI UniversityLublinA practical private option considered by international applicants in Lublin.
Explore institutions on Poland’s official study portal ↗
Start here

Polish language and preparatory route

Ask us about preparation before beginning a Polish-taught degree.

Kraków

Jagiellonian University

Official website ↗

Kraków

AGH University of Science and Technology

Official website ↗

Warsaw

University of Warsaw

Official website ↗

Gdańsk

University of Gdańsk

Official website ↗

Katowice

University of Silesia

Official website ↗

Łódź

University of Łódź

Official website ↗

Lublin

Maria Curie-Skłodowska University

Official website ↗

Opole

University of Opole

Official website ↗

This is a practical starting selection, not a ranking. Programme availability, tuition and international admission rules must always be confirmed with the university.

English or Polish?

Polish-taught studies can cost less, but both routes require B2

Study in English

You normally need accepted B2 English evidence. English-taught international programmes may have higher tuition, although the exact fee depends on the university and degree.

Study in Polish

Polish-taught programmes are often cheaper, but they are not automatically free for every international student. You normally need accepted B2 Polish evidence. From beginner level, allow roughly 18–24 months of intensive study; one year may be enough when starting from A2 or B1.