Affordable and Cheap Universities in Poland in 2026

Poland as a country has recently emerged as popular destination for international students seeking affordable and high-quality education in a European country. This article lists some of the most affordable universities in Poland for international students in 2026. 

Poland, as a study abroad destination, has emerged as a hidden gem for international students seeking quality education without breaking the bank. With its world-class universities, rich history, vibrant culture, high-quality European education and numerous English-taught programs - Poland offers a unique study abroad experience. Apart from very low tuition fees, Indian students also benefit from the fact that most universities in Poland do not even require IELTS scores from international applicants. Polish universities also cater to a large number of educational disciplines such as humanities, science, engineering, business studies and more. After completing their higher education, Indian students in Poland can go for post-study work opportunities and look for ways to settle down in a country with a growing economy. But for students who wish to avail of the quality education offered in this country at the lowest possible cost, we have compiled a list of the cheapest universities in Poland in 2026. Some of these universities are the University of Warsaw, the University of Wroclaw and more.

Average Tuition Fees in Poland

The tuition fee for Polish citizens and foreigners who commence studies in Poland on terms applicable to Polish citizens is free at the state Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). All other foreign nationals pay an average tuition fee of EUR 2000 per year for the first, second and long-cycle studies, EUR 3000 per year for postgraduate as well as scientific, arts, specialist and post-doctoral internships, and EUR 2000 per year for an annual preparatory Polish language course to commence studies in Polish. 

Public and private higher education institutions are free to charge their own tuition fees but it cannot be lower than the costs of the education process. The annual tuition fees in Poland depend on course and level of study. However, tuition fees range from EUR 2000 to 6000 per year. For MBA programs - average tuition fee is 8000 to 12000 per year.

One major hurdle for more students opting to study abroad is the cost of studying that accompanies this dream. So how do you intend to study abroad on budget? You look for affordable and cheap universities to study abroad. In this article, we are going to be discussing the cheap and affordable universities in Poland that have low tuition fees without compromising on the quality of education. Meanwhile, you can read more about Poland - as a study destination. 

Poland is emerging as a viable study abroad destination for students looking to study in the Euro region and for all the right reasons. In this article, we are going to be discussing the tuition fees for universities in Poland, living costs in Poland and top reasons to study in Poland. We will also be discussing study abroad scholarships for studying in Poland and education loans for students looking for financial assistance. 

List of Cheap Universities in Poland 2026

The cheapest universities in Poland pose an annual tuition fee starting from around €2,000-€3,000 for international students. We are going to be talking about the cheap and affordable universities in Poland for international students looking to pursue their Undergraduate and Postgraduate studies abroad.

1. University of Wroclaw
2. University of Economics in Katowice
3. Maria Curie-Sklodowska University
4. Polonia University
5. Poznan University of Technology

Maria Curie-Sklodowska University

Founded in 1944, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University is located in Lublin in Poland. The university is named in honour of Marie Curie-Sklodowska - the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person and the only woman to win the Nobel Prize twice, and the only person to win the Nobel Prize in two scientific fields (Chemistry & Physics). To meet the growing demand for higher education, the university has established branches in other cities. Read: Maria Curie-Sklodowska University Courses & Fee structure

The university is home to multiple faculties which include courses dealing with Arts, Biology and Biotechnology, Chemistry, Economics, Geosciences and Land Management, Philosophy and Sociology, Humanities, Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science, Pedagogy and Psychology, Political Science and Law and Administration. Candidates wanting to opt for a cheap university in Poland can check out the official university website here: https://www.umcs.pl/en/

University of Economics in Katowice

Established in 1937 as the College of Social and Economic Sciences, the University of Economics in Katowice got its present name in 1974. The university had to be shortly closed after its foundation between September 1939 and February 1945 due to the emergence of World War II. The university reopened for the academic year 1946/1947. The university is divided into five faculties and they are, the Faculty of Business, Finance and Administration, the Faculty of Economy, the Faculty of Finance and Insurance, the Faculty of Informatics and Communication and the Faculty of Management. Read: the University of Economics in Katowice Courses & Fee structure

While a lot of the universities teach in the Polish language, the University of Economics in Katowice offers the following courses in the English language. Bachelor's Degree in International Business, Bachelor's Degree in Finance and Accounting for Business, Master's Degree in International Business, Joint Master Degree in European Business and Finance, Double Master Degree in Quantitative Asset and Risk Management, and Master's Degree in Finance and Accounting for International Business. Candidates looking for affordable universities in Poland can check out the official website of the university, here: https://www.ue.katowice.pl/en.html

University of Wroclaw

Established in 1945, the University of Wroclaw is a public research university located in Wroclaw, Poland. Renowned for its relatively high quality of teaching, the University of Wroclaw provides Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral level programmes. The university is spread across ten faculties that provide 44 areas of study, in which the language medium is mostly Polish, with only some in English. 

The faculties are divided into the Faculty of Biotechnology, the Faculty of Chemistry, the Faculty of Philology, the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, the Faculty of Biological Sciences, the Faculty of History and Pedagogy, the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Law, Administration and Economics. Candidates wanting to opt for a cheap university in Poland can check out the official university website here: https://international.uni.wroc.pl/en

Polonia University (PU)

Established in 1992, Polonia University is a private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the medium city of Częstochowa. The university offers courses and programmes leading to officially recognised higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees in multiple areas of study. 

Candidates looking to apply to the Polonia University would be introduced to several academic and non-academic facilities and services, including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aid and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services. Candidates looking for affordable universities in Poland can check out the official website of the university, here: https://en.ap.edu.pl/. The breakdown of Polonia University Courses & Fees structure for international students is given below.  

Poznan University of Technology

Often referred to as one of the best technical universities in Poland, Poznan University of Technology is a university in Poznan in Poland. The university is home to ten faculties that include the faculties of Architecture, Chemical Technology, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computing, Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, Engineering Management, Machines and Transportation, Mechanical Engineering and Management, and Technical Physics.

Candidates wanting to study at an affordable university in Poland without having to compromise on the quality of education can check out the official website of the University, here: https://www.put.poznan.pl/en Know how the Poznan University of Technology is ranked in the latest world university ranking, here.

Cost of Living in Poland for International Students

The cost of studying abroad makes up the lion’s share of the expenses incurred during the process of studying abroad. The cost of living is a close second. Candidates would have to keep in mind that staying in the capital or in a city would cost more than opting for a suburban lifestyle. Staying alone would be more expensive as compared to staying at a hostel accommodation or on sharing basis. International candidates are advised to be having a minimum of € 800-900 per month for expenses such as lodging (on sharing basis), food, transport and clothing, etc. 

A lot of times candidates wonder whether doing a part-time job would cover living expenses in a country. Candidates should note that money earned through part-time jobs in Poland would only suffice as pocket money. Candidates would be required to show proof of funds for both living as well as studying costs in Poland during the Student Visa process.

Scholarships for Studying in Poland

Scholarships and financial aid are a great way to bring the costs of studying abroad down. Even though we have provided some of the most affordable and cheap universities in Poland, a reduction in the study expenses has never hurt anybody. Government organisations, universities and private bodies have a large number of need-based and merit-based scholarships that they are willing to give to the students that truly deserve it. The key is to start early.

Candidates who wish to apply for a scholarship to study in Poland or apply for an education loan to study in Poland should start their application process early. This would give them ample time to complete all document work, appear for any test that might be required as part of the process and so on.

Some of the most popular scholarships available to international students are:

• Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange Programme for students
• Lane Kirkland Scholarship Programme
• Visegrad Scholarship Programme
• Scholarships for citizens from developing countries
• Fulbright Programme
• Programme for Fellowship under the Polish National Commission for UNESCO
• UNESCO/Poland Co-Sponsored Fellowships Programme in Engineering

Top reasons to study in Poland for International students

Ever wondered what are the top reasons for studying in Poland? Read on as we tell you why the top universities in Poland should be your next study-abroad destination and more. You may also like to check the top 20 universities in Poland.

1. The Polish university education system has a history of over 650 years of educating high-profile professionals
2. The country is famous for producing world-class doctors, engineers, architects, and IT specialists, among other graduate studies
3. While there is a large volume of courses taught in the native language, there are also courses in English, which are accessible to international applicants
4. The cost of studying in Poland and living expenses in the country are comparatively low when compared to other European countries
5. The country is also relatively safe for students looking to study in Poland. The country is a safe haven for international students of all races, beliefs, and origins

Candidates should note that the tuition fees for all universities have been sourced from shiksha.com. However, the rates could vary depending on the university updates. Candidates are requested to check the current rates while applying to any of the affordable and cheap universities in Poland mentioned above.

This was all about the cheapest universities in Poland for international students. For assistance related to studying abroad for Indian students, reach out to Shiksha's Counselling Services.