Poland Education System Explained for International Students | Qogent Global

Academic Structure

Understanding the Poland Education System

Gain insights into the Poland higher education framework, academic culture, teaching methods, and grading system to prepare for your studies.

Polish Degree Levels

Bachelor's (licencjat or inżynier)

3 to 4 years (6 to 7 semesters)

First level of study (bachelor's). At least 180 ECTS credits (European study credit points).

Master's (magister)

1.5 to 2 years (3 to 5 semesters)

Second level of study, after a bachelor's.

Long-cycle master's

4.5 to 6 years (9 to 12 semesters)

One long programme, for fields such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and law.

Doctoral school

Usually 3 to 4 years

For holders of a master's degree.

Poland follows the Bologna Process (shared European degree rules), so its degrees match the European bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels.

Higher Education Framework

Degree Types in Poland

Studies are run at three levels, plus long-cycle master's programmes for some fields.

Types of Higher Education Institutions

State and private institutions

Almost 350 in total. Both offer degrees.

•Full-time and extramural (part-time) study.

Academic Degree Structure

First level (bachelor's)

3 to 4 years, at least 180 ECTS credits

Licencjat, inżynier (engineer)

Prepares you for work or for a master's.

Key Characteristics:

6 to 7 semesters.

Second level (master's)

1.5 to 2 years

Magister

Follows a bachelor's degree.

Key Characteristics:

3 to 5 semesters.

Long-cycle master's

4.5 to 6 years

Magister or equal title

For medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, law and some other fields.

Key Characteristics:

9 to 12 semesters.

Grading System

Polish Grades

Each university sets its grading scale in its study rules. The most common scale runs from 5 (best) to 2 (fail).

Letter Grade	Description
5 (bardzo dobry)	Very good.
4.5 (dobry plus)	Good plus.
4 (dobry)	Good.
3.5 (dostateczny plus)	Satisfactory plus.
3 (dostateczny)	Satisfactory. The lowest pass.
2 (niedostateczny)	Unsatisfactory. A fail.

Higher is better

In Poland, 5 is the best grade and 2 is a fail.

Academic Calendar

The Study Year

The study year has two semesters of 15 weeks each: winter (from October) and summer (from mid-February).

Semester system

Two semesters of 15 weeks each.

Winter semester

October to the end of January or mid-February

With a break of about 10 days at Christmas.

Summer semester

Mid-February to June

With a one-week break at Easter.

Summer holidays run from July to the end of September for students who pass all exams.

Key Academic Dates

Major Academic Events

•Winter semester: October to the end of January or mid-February
•Summer semester: Mid-February to June
•Summer exam session: 2 to 3 weeks in June; retake exams in September

Credits (ECTS)

Since 2007, all Polish universities use ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System).

What credits are for

Credit definition:

•A set number of credits is given to each subject, whatever the grade.
•Credits help other countries recognise your study in Poland.

Credit Load & Status

•Full-time student: 60 ECTS credits a year, 30 each semester.

Plan for the October start

Most programmes start in October. Apply early, because the NAWA letter (a free letter from the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange that says your papers count in Poland) takes time. So does your type D study visa. The next October start is in 2027.

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