Over 1.2 million students studied at Polish universities in the past academic year. Among them, 6.8% were foreigners, of which the most came from Ukraine (39,000) and Belarus (8,300).
Over 1.5 million refugees fleeing war have entered Poland up until mid-March 2022, as the country shares a 500-kilometre border with Ukraine. Poland is home to more than 500 universities, and it’s mostly known academic centres are Warsaw, Cracow, Wroclaw and Poznan.
European Union countries, including Poland, grant temporary protection to people displaced from Ukraine due to the armed conflict. Check the UN Refugee Agency Poland page for further details.
Have a look at the sources below for additional support provided to displaced students:
Credential evaluation
NAWA - Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange is the official body managing duties concerning the academic recognition in Poland.
To find out if your diplomas are recognized by the Polish state, have a look at the Coordination Point for Polish and European Qualifications Framework webpage, managed by the Ministry of Education in Poland.
Find general information about qualification recognition and education in Poland on the country’s dedicated ENIC-NARIC page, the European networks in charge of informing people about academic and professional mobility, and on procedures for the recognition of foreign qualifications.
Scholarships and financial aid
The Polish Academy of Sciences introduced a scholarship opportunity supporting cooperation with Ukrainian researchers.
Study programmes and opportunities
Students and doctoral candidates from Ukraine can continue their education in Poland. NAWA, the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange, launched the “Solidarity with Ukraine” programme inviting Polish universities to host Ukrainian refugees.
Information on the support provided to students and details of the initiative are available on the NAWA website: www.nawa.gov.pl and www.researchinpoland.org as well as on a dedicated channel: ukraina.nawa.gov.pl and on the profiles NAWA ??????? (@nawaukraine) – in social media.
NAWA also provides general information on how to define your student status in Poland.
Find everything you need to know about applying for higher education programmes and studying in Poland, including information on tuition fees and scholarships.
Other support sources
Help platform for scientists who left Ukraine to find accommodation and jobs amu.pan.pl/pomoc-ukrainie
Dedicated help and support information platform for people fleeing war in Ukraine pomagamukrainie.gov.pl.
UNHCR Poland, the United Nations Refugee Agency provides information about non-governmental organizations that may be able to help.
This European Commission information page offers key information about your rights with regard to crossing the border into an EU country, eligibility for temporary protection and applying for international protection, as well as the rights of travel inside the European Union.
Additional sources
- A legal advice platform for Ukrainian refugees in Poland: ukraina.interwencjaprawna.pl.
- Polish Government official page with step by step guide and information for people fleeing the Russian military aggression against Ukraine.
- Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE), the Erasmus+ National Agency
- Key information about the Education System in Poland, on the Eurydice Poland overview Page
* Please note we give our best to constantly update the information posted here, but we may not be able to track all specific changes that may occur.