4 best cheap universities in Poland for international students

study in poland
These universities make it affordable for you to study in Poland. Source: Andy Buchanan/AFP

Home to institutions that consistently rank in the top spots of the QS World University Rankings. A nation nestled strategically between Western and Eastern Europe. A city where you can discover the largest medieval square in Europe or take a walk down memory lane to relieve the heroic uprising for the liberation of Warsaw. These are some reasons that pull international students to study in Poland.

It’s little wonder why this country has quickly become a favourite among these students. Over 89,000 international students studied at universities in Poland for the 2021-22 academic year, according to Adriana Sas, a research expert covering the Polish market. Data from the “Foreign Students in Poland 2019 Report” showed that there were 78,259 international students from 174 countries for the 2018-19 academic year. 

Your living cost in Poland will also be much cheaper than in other European capitals. Generally, your living should range between 350 to 550 euros per month. 

The best part? This country houses several cheap options for international students to consider. Tuition at these universities can start from as low as 1,500 euros per semester:

study in poland

The city of Warsaw houses to top-tier Polish institution: the University of Warsaw and Warsaw University of Technology. Source: Miguel Medina/AFP

Study in Poland: Best cheap universities for international students

1. University of Wroclaw

The University of Wroclaw (UOW) is among the largest universities in the Central European region, housing over 25,000 students. It is the only university in South-Western Poland that qualified for the “Initiative of Excellence – Research University” programme. Moreover, UOW frequently participates in numerous international exchange programmes like Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters or Fulbright scholarship. 

Its setting complements UOW’s prestige. Dubbed the “Meeting Place” of Poland, Wroclaw — the fourth largest Polish city — ranks 117th in the world, according to the QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2019. Immerse yourself in a town filled with theatres, a concert hall, galleries and museums for a living expense of around US$602 (582.68 euros) per month, plus an additional US$735 (711.42) for rent. 

You will need to pay an application of 20 euros and 35 euros, respectively, to start your undergraduate and graduate education at UOW. Tuition for a three-year bachelor’s and two-year master’s degree can go as low as 9,150 euros and 6,150 euros.  

2. AGH University of Science and Technology

If there’s one word to describe the AGH University of Science and Technology (AGH UST), it would be innovation — which explains why the university has successfully over 100 patents and granted dozens of licenses. 

AGH UST’s research activities span the fields of technical sciences, natural sciences, Earth sciences and social sciences — with an emphasis on current priorities of the economy and business areas as digitisation, energy transformation and zero-emission economy, climate change, circular economy, and Industry 4.0.

Look beyond the university, and you’ll discover the majestic and vibrant city of Krakow — a town at the forefront of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life. The city also serves as one of Poland’s most important economic centres. Generally, a student’s average cost of living is about 400 euros per month, according to the university’s website

Tuition for a bachelor’s and master’s starts from 1,725 euros and 1,500 euros per semester. 

3. University of Warsaw

Founded in 1816, the University of Warsaw is the largest in Poland. It sits among the top 300 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2023. As such, it conducts the largest research enterprise of its kind in Europe. 

The University of Warsaw also offers a broad range of humanities, social and natural sciences courses. For international students, choose from over 34 English-language programmes that cover American Studies, European Politics and Economics, International Relations, Political Science and many more.

Beneath this dynamic institution lies the capital of Poland, Warsaw. Its Old Town district, beside the river banks and popular among tourists, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Described by many as attractive and prosperous, you can get by with an average cost of living of 400 euros per month. 

Depending on the programme, an education at the University of Warsaw can cost between 1,500 euros to 18,000 euros per year. Some programmes, like a Master in African Studies or Master in Machine Learning, are free of charge. Administrative charges will total up to 122 Polish złoty (1 Polish złoty is valued at 0.22 US$ at the time of writing).

4. Warsaw University of Technology

Warsaw University of Technology (WUT) is not only the oldest, but also the best technical university in Poland. It continues the tradition of the Preparatory School for the Institute of Technology that used to function in Warsaw. Today, WUT offers comprehensive education in all key areas of technical sciences and related sciences.

Undergraduate engineering programmes range from Automotive Mechatronics to Electrical Engineering, starting from as low as 1,800 euros per semester. WUT is also another institution that is based in the city of Warsaw.