Step by Step
How to applyfor studies?
Guide
Main Principles
Applying with qualifications from outside Poland? (e.g., a high school certificate or university diploma). Before you start, make sure to carefully check how foreign documents are recognized in Poland so everything goes smoothly!
Shortcuts
Could this be you?
Study eligibility in Poland
Educational documents issued outside Poland can be divided into two types:
- documents entitling the holder to apply directly for studies in Poland
and
- documents that are subject to the procedure of recognition as entitling to study in Poland
Documents entitling the holder to apply directly for studies in Poland:
- IB diploma (International Baccalaureate) issued in Geneva (Switzerland) or EB diploma (European Baccalaureate) issued by the European Schools – in accordance with the Convention defining the Statute of the European Schools;
- documents issued in countries covered by international agreements: Ukraine, China (gaozhong);
- higher education diplomas recognised as equivalent to the corresponding Polish diploma through the nostrification procedure carried out in Poland;
- documents issued in the member states of the EU, OECD, EFTA, EEA: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, South Korea, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Mexico, Germany, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, USA, Hungary, the United Kingdom, Italy.
If your educational document has been issued in a country not listed above, it does not entitle you to apply directly to university.
What does this mean?
You must first go through an official procedure to have this document recognised in Poland (to confirm that it gives you the right to study), and only then can you take part in the recruitment process
Details:
1st cycle studies and long-cycle studies
Could this be you?
- You hold a certificate that allows you to apply directly, but you are a citizen of a non-EU/EFTA/EEA country
If your documents allow you to apply directly (see the list above), but you are from a country outside the European Union, EFTA or EEA, there is only one additional requirement:- Language proficiency proof: proof of proficiency in the language of instruction at a minimum B2 level (According to Polish law of July 2025).
- You hold a certificate that requires recognition in Poland
If your certificate was issued outside the EU, OECD, EFTA, EEA and outside the countries covered by the agreements, e.g. Ukraine, China (gaozhong), your recruitment path is slightly longer.
You will need:
- Language proficiency proof: proof of proficiency in the language of instruction at a minimum B2 level.
- Entrance examinations: taking the entrance examination for your chosen degree programme.
- A document that confirms your eligibility to apply to university. We accept two types of such documents:
Option 1: Individual written information from NAWA (National Agency for Academic Exchange)
- you must submit your application electronically via the SYRENA system (run by NAWA). More details on the NAWA’s website. Note: A document downloaded from the KWALIFIKATOR system is not accepted.
Option 2: Decision by the Superintendent of Education
The Superintendent of Education no longer issues such confirmations. We accept all decisions issued before 30 June 2025
Second-cycle studies (Master’s degree)
Find out what rules apply to you when applying for a Master’s degree. As with the 1st cycle studies, pay attention to your nationality and which country your degree was issued in.
Could this be you?
- You hold a diploma that allows you to apply directly, but you are a citizen of a non-EU/EFTA/EEA country
If your diploma allows you to apply directly (see above), but you are from a country outside the European Union, EFTA or EEA, there is only one additional requirement:
- language proficiency proof: proof of proficiency in the language of instruction at a minimum B2 level.
- Your diploma requires recognition in Poland
If your diploma was issued outside the EU, OECD, EFTA and EEA countries, is not subject to special international agreements (e.g. with Ukraine or China), and has not been previously nostrified, you have to fulfil two conditions in the recruitment process:- language proficiency proof: proof of proficiency in the language of instruction at a minimum B2 level.
- providing individual written information from NAWA (National Agency for Academic Exchange). Note: A document downloaded from the KWALIFIKATOR system is not accepted
Language certificates (New rules from August 2025)
As of 1 August 2025, new nationwide rules from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education regarding the confirmation of the language in which studies are conducted will apply in Poland. See if you have to comply with them and which documents we accept.
Could this be you?
You must present a certificate from the list if you are in one of the following two situations:
- You do not have citizenship of an EU country and you are applying on the basis of a document issued outside Poland.
- You have European Union citizenship, but you apply with a foreign document that does not allow direct recruitment (requires a recognition procedure in Poland).
Who is exempt from the new rules?
You are exempt from these requirements if:
- you have Polish citizenship.
- you have passed the Polish Matura Exam (in Poland).
- you have EU citizenship and you apply with documents issued in EU, OECD, EFTA or EEA countries.
The main principle: what level of language proficiency do you need to prove?
Whether you will be studying in Polish or English, your document must confirm two things:
- a language proficiency level at a minimum B2 level (we also accept C1 and C2).
- proficiency in the four language skills: listening, reading, speaking and writing.
Studies in Polish – download a list of accepted documents.
Studies in English – download a list of accepted documents
Discover
Step-by-Step Guide
The good news: the entire recruitment process takes place fully online via the Online Application System (IRK). This means that you do not have to come to Poland at all during the application stage! Your qualification is mainly based on the grades of your certificate or diploma.
Exception for degree programmes in the arts: An additional, in-person entrance exam is required to assess your artistic predisposition. This exam is held on-campus at the University of Silesia
When does the recruitment start?
Deadlines may vary slightly depending on the degree programme (always check them on our website), but we have two recruitment deadlines:
- basic recruitment (June) – applies to all 1st cycle (Bachelor’s/Engineer’s degree) and long-cycle studies (long-cycle Master’s degree), as well as most of the 2nd cycle studies (Master’s degree);
- winter recruitment (December) – applies only to 2nd cycle studies (Master’s degree) studies for those who have completed 3.5 years of Engineer’s degree studies.
Note: detailed schedule for the specific academic year is usually published in April or May
Recruitment in 7 simple steps:
How to navigate this process smoothly and stress-free? Here is your roadmap
- 02.
- Select your degree programme
Find your dream study from our offer
- 03.
- Upload scans
Add legible scans of the required documents to the system
- 04.
- Pay the admission fee
Make a bank transfer or pay online (without this your application will not be considered!)
- 05.
- Wait for the results
Give us a moment to calculate your points
- 06.
- Confirm your decision
Got in? Awesome! Please submit the original copies of your documents
- 07.
- Come to study
Pick up your student ID and start your adventure at the University of Silesia!
