Poland
Located right in the middle of continental Europe, Poland could be the ideal place to continue your studies, expand your horizons and open doors in your career
Poland is starting to reap the rewards of gradual but comprehensive reforms to its education system, with university more accessible than ever to students of different backgrounds.
At higher education level, there are more than 500 universities and institutions, both public and private, covering many fields of study. These include:
For more information, visit Ministry of Science and Higher Education - Higher Education Institutions .
The higher education system is divided into three categories, as per the Bologna Process, which standardises qualifications in Europe:
The academic year in Poland is from October through to September.
Each university and course will have different entry requirements, so make sure you check what is expected of you with your chosen institution before applying. Details of prerequisites for postgraduates are usually listed on university websites by the end of May.
To enrol on any postgraduate programme, however, you will need an undergraduate degree that is legally recognised in Poland, and you must provide proof of recognition to the Polish university by the end of the first term.
Knowledge of Polish is not necessary for most universities in the country, as many courses are offered in English.
Full-time education at Polish higher education institutions (HEI) costs nothing for Polish citizens. In addition, it is free for international students in Poland in some cases. For more information, see Study in Poland - Questions and Answers .
For all other international students, course fees are:
Course fees differ in private institutions, ranging from €2,000 to €6,000 per year depending on the course and institution.
International students have access to numerous scholarships offered by the Polish government, through international agreements or under the decision of the minister of science and education. The minister appoints grantees through the Bureau for Academic Recognition and International Exchange .
There is also often funding available from specific HEIs, but you will need to make sure you ask your chosen institution what is on offer before applying.
For more information, visit the Ministry of Science and Higher Education - Scholarships, Exchange Programmes and European Programmes .
Students attending UK universities can take part in the European Union (EU)'s flagship educational exchange programme Erasmus . The scheme offers work placements, study opportunities and language assistantships, which last from three months to one academic year in EU countries.
Financial support is also available to selected Masters and Doctoral students through the Erasmus Mundus initiative.
Your university must have a formal agreement with a partner university in Poland. Check that your university is involved in the programme and offers the Erasmus scheme in your subject.
It isn't necessary to have any knowledge of the Polish language, but you can arrange intensive language courses before you go. Speak to the Erasmus coordinator at your university about available opportunities.
As an EU citizen, you are permitted to live in any EU country while studying as long as you:
EU/European Economic Area (EEA) students living in Poland for up to three months usually don't require a visa, but check with your local Polish embassy to make sure. After three months you will need to register for a residence permit (Karta Pobytu), which is valid for up to two years. This document is issued by the Department of Citizens Affairs of the local Voivodeship Office.
For more information, see Ministry of Science and Higher Education - Visas .
Considering living in one of the world's most historic countries? You could do with a job, then. Find out everything you need to know about working in Poland…
Poland is one of the few countries in the European Union (EU) that has been able to increase its gross domestic product (GDP) in the midst of the global economic downturn, seeing a cumulative growth of nearly 16% between 2008 and 2011.
The majority of the country's workforce is in the services sector, while around 30% are in industry, working in automotive manufacturing, chemicals and food processing, among other sectors. Approximately 16% of the workforce is employed in agriculture.
The number of foreign people working in Poland has increased steadily since 2010, mostly in the agriculture, construction, retail and wholesale trade sectors (OECD, 2012).
Youth unemployment is a big problem in the country, but there are opportunities available for people with highly sought-after language or IT skills in industries such as telecommunications, computer science and logistics.
Other areas of recent growth include education, banking and finance, business services, tourism and management.
Search for jobs in Poland at:
In addition, numerous Polish newspapers contain comprehensive job vacancy sections, including:
As the job market is competitive and youth employment is relatively high, work experience could give your CV the boost it needs to help you stand out from the crowd.
Internships and summer work placements for students can also be arranged by:
Many international companies based in the country, such as Poznan Volkswagen, GlaxoSmithKline Poland, Nordea Bank Polska, Toyota Polska, ING Bank Slaski and CitiGroup Polska, may offer internships, so check out their individual websites.
Another way to improve your employability in the eyes of prospective employers is to spend time volunteering in Poland.
The European Voluntary Service (EVS) is a programme, funded by the European Commission, that gives 18 to 30-year-olds the chance to volunteer for up to 12 months in a number of European and non-European countries.
Opportunities vary from placements concerned with sport and culture to others focused on social care and the environment. Travel, accommodation, food and insurance are covered by a European grant for successful applicants, who also get given a personal allowance each month.
Another organisation that may have volunteering opportunities available is Volunteers for Peace. For more information, visit Volunteers for Peace - Volunteer Europe .
You may also be able to arrange to volunteer by sending speculative applications to organisations in the sector in which you wish to work.
Make sure you thoroughly research all volunteering opportunities available and always check the terms and conditions before committing yourself to a scheme.
Polish is spoken by the vast majority of the population, so proficiency may well be a pre-requisite for many jobs. However, English is spoken among some academic, business and professional communities, as well as the younger generation, and some employers may prioritise your skills over your knowledge of Polish.
According to the European Commission, EU citizens have the right to:
If, however, you intend to stay in Poland for longer than three months and work, you will require a temporary residence permit (Karta Pobytu), which is valid for up to two years. For more information, visit Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London - Visas .
For more information and to check what conditions and restrictions apply, see:
EU nationals may also be able to transfer certain types of health and social security coverage to their host country. For more information, see European Commission - Your Rights Country by Country .