Cost of Living in Poland: Rent, Universities, and More

published on 05 December 2022
Cost of Living in Poland: Rent, Universities, and More
Cost of Living in Poland: Rent, Universities, and More

This article provides detailed information about the cost of living in Poland, the best universities in Poland, and more. 

You probably want to travel to Poland if you've heard of the breathtaking Tatra Mountains or the Masurian Lake District. Do you know that some of the world's oldest universities are located in Poland? 

Are you planning to study in Poland? If so, you should also be aware of Poland's cost of living if you intend to study there. We have tried to cover this in our article. So keep on reading this article. 

Quick Facts about Poland:

  • Located in central Europe
  • Area:  322,575 km²
  • Capital: Warsaw (also the largest city)
  • National currency: zloty (PLN)
  • Borders with Belarus, Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine, and the Baltic Sea.
  • To cover their living expenses in Poland, students will need at least 30,000 PLN (roughly $7,820 USD) (5, 00,000-6, 00,000 INR) annually.
  • Tuition fees at public universities can range up to $4,180 per year. (3,00,000-4,00,000 INR Roughly)

Top 10 Universities in Poland

In Poland, there are more than 500 universities, the majority of which are in the private sector.  With a number of universities offering English-language courses, as well as a low cost of living, rich cultural heritage, and beautiful landscapes, Poland is becoming a very popular place to study. You may be aware of some of Poland's academic alumni, such as the composer Frédéric Chopin, astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, and Marie Curie, the first woman to win the Nobel Prize and the only person to win this twice.

Some of the most popular universities in the country include: 

  • Jagiellonian University
  • University of Warsaw
  • Adam Mickiewicz University
  • Gdańsk University of Technology
  • Medical University of Bialystok
  • Medical University of Warsaw
  • Nicolaus Copernicus University
  • SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities
  • AGH University of Science and Technology
  • Cracow University of Technology

Cost of tuition fees in Poland Universities in General

In public universities, Polish students as well as students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland do not pay tuition fees for degrees taught in the Polish language. All other programs require students to pay tuition fees. In general, costs vary between:

500 – 6,000 EUR/academic year for Bachelor’s degrees (4, 00,000-5, 00,000 INR)

1,000 – 8,000 EUR/academic year for Master’s degrees (6, 00,000-7, 00,000 INR)

Some business and dentistry degrees, especially MBAs, can cost more than 15,000 EUR/year (12,00,000-13,00,000 INR)

Additionally, if you enroll in private universities, your tuition costs will increase.

Cost of studying in Poland: As per the Course

Bachelors and Masters Courses: 1,70,000- 3,50,000 INR

Ph.D. :  2,60,000 INR

MBA in Medicine: 6,90,000- 10,30,000 INR

Language and Foundation Courses: 1,70,000 INR

Vocational Studies: 2,60,000 INR

Affordable Universities In Poland

Here are some of the cheapest universities in Poland that do not add much to the cost of living in Poland for international students:

  • Agricultural University of Krakow, Kraków
  • Jagiellonian University, Kraków
  • University of Economics in Katowice, Katowice
  • Kozminski University, Warsaw
  • Lodz University of Technology, Łódź

Student Living Cost in Poland:

The cost of living for international students varies between 350 and 550 EUR/month. (30,000-40,000 INR). You can tailor your budget to the city or area you want to study in. 

500 to 850 EUR per month (60,000-70,000 INR) are needed in bigger cities like Warsaw or Krakow.

Accommodation Cost:

Student residence halls: 

60 – 150 EUR/month. (8000-10,000 INR). Although the conditions can differ from one residence hall to the next, it's great for building relationships with other students.

Rent in a shared flat:

80 – 150 EUR/month. (17,000-20,000 INR). The most preferred choice among Polish students.

Renting an apartment by yourself will cost more, especially in a large city. While rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Warsaw ranges from 350 to 650 euros per month (43,000-45,000 INR), it costs between 300 and 465 euros ( 38,000-40,000 INR)in Krakow.

Food Cost

Typically, students' monthly food budget ranges between 100 and 150 euros. (12,000-15,000 INR). You can save money by buying groceries and shopping at cheaper supermarkets. Some of the cheap supermarkets are Tesco, Auchan, Carrefour, Leclerc, and Lidl.

For just €5 (400-500 INR) you can dine in a cheap restaurant or pay €23 (1000-2000 INR) for a three-course meal in an average restaurant for two.

Transportation Cost

Public transport is the main option for students, who pay EUR 50 (4000-5000 INR) for a semester pass, valid for 6 months.

You will spend about 1 EUR per liter of gasoline (80-100 INR)  if you enjoy transportation by car, like 18% of the students in Poland.

A one-way ticket for public transportation like buses and trams: PLN 4 (70-80 INR)

A monthly pass for public transport: PLN 100 (1800-2000 INR)

Standard tariff for a taxi: PLN 8 (145-200 INR)

Cost of Study Material:

During their time of the study, students have the option of buying either brand-new books or used study materials.

The cost of books wouldn't be more than PLN 30 (500-600 INR), even though it is advised to ask graduates or seniors for useful study material.

Other Expenses

It is estimated that students living in private apartments can afford the following prices per month:

PLN 878 for electricity, garbage, heating, cooling, and water (16,000-18,000 INR)

PLN 0.26 for 1 min of prepaid mobile tariff (4-5 INR)

PLN 56.53 for unlimited internet with a speed of 60 Mbps (1000-2000 INR)

PLN 700 – PLN 900 for groceries (14,000-15,000 INR)

Scholarship in Poland

There are several scholarships available in Poland, offered by the Polish government, private foundations, or universities. Some of them are:

  • The Gen. Anders Scholarship. 
  • The Poland My First Choice Scholarship.
  • The Bilateral Cooperation Exchange Scholarship. 
  • The POLONISTA Scholarship and Fellowship. 
  • The Stefan Banach Scholarship. 
  • The Visegrad Scholarship. 
  • The Eastern Partnership Scholarships for post-soviet countries.

Documents Required To study in Poland

  • 4 passport-size photographs
  • Completed application form.
  • Photocopy of your identification.
  • One personal reference and one academic reference.
  • Candidate’s CV.
  • English proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, or C1 Advanced. (if you’re a Non-EU)
  • A medical test that proves your overall health is normal.
  • Undergraduate diploma or proof of previous academic institution.
  • Receipt of admission fees.
  • A matriculation certificate or something similar.
  • A residence permit is necessary for Non-EU students. However, EU students are also instructed to have a residence permit if the course length is more than three months.

Tips to Reduce Overall Living Costs in Poland

  • Students can typically work part-time for about 20 hours per week while living in Poland. So that in Poland, you'll be able to afford your living expenses and support yourself comfortably.
  • Students pursuing a bachelor's or doctoral degree at a leading Polish institution may consider living in the relevant institution's dormitory to save money.
  • Students can use public transport and share rides with other students instead of paying for private transport.

Conclusion

There are more than 400 universities and colleges in Poland, which enroll around 1.5 million students per year.

Studying in Poland is attractive because the cost of living in Poland for students is also lower than in the rest of the European Union.

So we have provided all the information related to the Cost of living in Poland and much more. We hope you like this article.

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