Study in English in Poland

Quality

Poland was ranked 2nd in OECD’s Better Life Index in Education only. Today's universities continue the glorious traditions and offer top quality programmes. E.g. Warsaw University is leading the Top Coder international IT ranking. Polish specialists are highly appreciated by recruiters worldwide: especially Polish doctors, engineers, architects and IT specialists are acclaimed.

There are over 5000 programmes available in Poland. All of them were certified by Polish Accreditation Committee. According to its control results, over 80% of the Polish universities have outstanding and good rankings.

What else needs to be considered when contemplating studying medicine abroad?

Degree recognition

Bologna Process:

• three-stage education modeled after Bachelor/Master/Doctor (PhD)
• European Credit Transfer System
• diploma awarded to them upon graduation is recognized not only Europe-wide but also in most countries of the world

Would you like more reasons to study abroad in the heart of Europe: Poland?

Realistic Entry requirements

It is very important to emphasize that Polish universities are well recognised in Europe and all over the world. The quality of the Polish education system was valued by OECD’s Better Life Index and ranked 2nd.

Requirements for medical universities vary from programme to program and from university to university. In general, entry requirements to top Polish universities are significantly lower, than those being set by Irish and UK universities. This is not a reflection of quality, but their admission policies.

In Ireland and the UK an education system is mainly based on points and additional examinations (HPAT, BMAT, UKCAT). The third-level education systems are under pressure, as more and more students chase a small number of places at Irish and UK universities.

Most of the Polish public universities do not require applicants to sit HPAT, BMAT, UKCAT. They opened their English divisions for international students and determined that interview is of key importance to find successful students and gives a chance to meet candidates personally to verificate their entry knowledge. It is also an opportunity for candidates to demonstarte their passion and determination to achivie their dream.

Medical Poland represents only public universities which have excellent reputation and their qualifications are internationally recognised.

Tradition and Modernity

Polish higher education system is 650 years old and has educated many high profile professionals. It has benefited Poland, Europe and most of the countries all over the world, where the Poles brought their profesionalism and the spirit of innovation. E.g. Maria Skłodowska-Curie is one of only four laureates of Nobel prize to receive it twice.

Polish academic traditions reach back to 14th century when the oldest Polish university (in Kraków) was established in 1364 as the second university in Central Europe. Poland is the fatherland of people who changed the world: Mikołaj Kopernik, Fryderyk Chopin. Among them Nobel Prize winners: Maria Skłodowska-Curie, Lech Wałęsa, Wisława Szymborska.

Are there anu other reasons why you could consider studying medicine abroad in Poland?

Poland has:

• the fourth place in Europe (after the United Kingdom, Germany and France) in terms of the number of people enrolled in higher education (almost 2 million)
• as an integral part of the European Higher Education Area most schools offer their courses in foreign languages
• modern infrastructure (lecture halls, laboratory equipment, libraries, dormitories)

Higher education in Poland

• over 400 universities (Poland has the largest number of higher education institutions in Europe)
• over  1.5  million  students  (Poland has one of the highest enrollment rates in the world)
• over 40 thousand PhD candidates
• nearly 36  thousand  foreign  degree  students  (their number is significantly increasing every year) + 11 thousand incoming Erasmus students

Are you concerned with safety when studying abroad?

Safety
Poland has been a member of the European Union since 1st May 2004, NATO since 1997. It joined the Schengen Area in 2007.

Have you calculated the cost of studying in Europe well? Have you checked the prices in Poland?

Living and studying in Poland

Poland offers very competitive costs of living and studying - it is a fraction of what a foreign student would have to spend in other European cities. Accomodation (including bills) typically costs < 200 EUR per month, food, local transport, books, going out and even an odd flight back home come to another 200 EUR per month.

Example prices (as of March 2016):

FAQ

Why study in Poland?

Poland has a long history in third level education with its oldest University being over 650 years old, and has been offering medical programmes through English for over 23 years. Since Poland’s accession to the European Union in 2004, it has invested heavily in higher education system and have been ranked 2nd in Education in the 2016 OECD’s Better Life Index.

Comparing to western european countries, Poland is still cheap place to study, which gives international students an opportunity to keep high life standard while studying. This sounds reasonable, as along with the fees the living cost is sometimes an expense that is hard to afford. And all this for no less quality of education and globally recognized diploma. Also, Poland is a study destination easy to travel to, as the net of the airports is well-built and most of them run flights to and from the UK.

Studying abroad is always an opportunity. Along with the academic knowledge you easily gain life experience and empathy, which are this much valued in proffessional career in today's world.

POLAND-KEY FACTS

Official Language: Polish

Capital city: Warsaw,

Population: 38 million, the sixth largest in the European Union

Capital city: Warsaw

Time zone: Central European time zone (GMT + 1 hour/ UTC + 1 hour)

Climate: moderate continental, with cold winters

Currency: 1 zloty (PLN

Watch the video and watch some of the most beautiful Polish sights.

How do I get to Poland?

Most of the university cities have an airport and most of them run flights to UK and Republic of Ireland. To travel around the country, the best way is the train transportation.

Is room in the dorms guaranteed to international students?

Applying early enough will secure applicant's place in the dormitory. There's usually a number of places dedicated to international students, but the availability depends on the time of application.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Poland?

Depending on the city and the apartment standards the prices vary. In Bydgoszcz you may find an offer to rent a bedsit in a good standard for 300 EURO, in Poznan the price for the same place would probably be a bit higher.

Medical Poland Admission Office provides their students with real-estate agents support. All the students need to do is to list their requirements.

How much does it cost to live in Poland comfortably?

The cost of living in Poland is considerably lower than in Ireland. In Bydgoszcz 400-450 EUR monthly is sufficient for accommodation in the dorms, food, books, transport etc. - comfortable life. In Poznan: 500-550 EUR monthly.

What courses are offered?
Medical Poland Admission Office represent the best Polish medical schools offering courses from across the medical sector including Medicine, Physiotherapy, Veterinary, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing all through English with three Polish Universities.

Is the application process difficult?

With Medical Poland Admission Office it is clear and comfortable. If you decide to apply with our admission office, we list all the documents you need to prepare, provide you with the answers you need and support any effort you are required to make, like interview preparation or organizing your trip to university if you decide to visit it before studies. All you need to do is provide Medical Polands with requested documents and then focus on your motivation. Send us an inquiry and we will come back with the answers as soon as possible.

How much does it cost?

The Medical Poland Admissions Office Support fee starts from 290 Euro.

At the time of admission, universities require the applicants to cover different admission fees, e.g. for an interview. If you want to ask about what the admission process looks like at your chosen university, please contact us at support@medicalpoland.ie.

In some cases a paid mandatory pre-course may be required. Programmes like this run classes of Biology, Chemistry and Physics and they are designed to make sure all the students start their studies at the same level.

What does Medical Poland do to support me?

• Advises on best options

• Guides through application

• Prepares for interview

• Helps to secure the place from March

• Runs university tours

• Supports on the ground in Poland (cultural & language support, apartment search etc.)

• Helps to organize summer placements in Poland

• Provides other support

Do I need to know/learn any Polish to study in Poland?

Knowing Polish is not a requirement, as all the programmes offered by Medical Poland are taught through English. 100% classes are conducted in English. Basic polish classes are normally part of the courses.

How will I communicate with patients during clinical classes?

Each student will be assigned to a doctor who speaks good English, and each doctor is only assigned to 5 students. Students will also have a basic level of Polish classes. Moreover, English as language is increasing as a second language across Poland, therefore many patients speak English.
At the later stage it is possible to assign English speaking patients to English Student.

The doctor-patient communication is a key, so some universities even hire English speaking actors role-playing patients so the students have enough practice on this field.

What points or grades do I need in my Leaving Cert/ A Levels/ HPAT/ GAMSAT to study a medical degree?
For International students looking to Poland points and grades are not necessary. Medical Poland is only looking that you have studied at least two out of four subjects at Leaving Cert/ A level (Biology, Chemistry, Physics Mathematics). It is not required that you sit a HPAT/GAMSAT exam (except 4 year MD programme). For most programmes entry test or interview determines candidate’s suitability.

Are there any other entry requirements?
Yes, the candidate must submit a personal statement and be willing to go for an interview with the University. In some cases an entry exam may apply.

In the documents it states that I need my A Level/ Leaving Cert Results with an Apostille, What is this and where do I get one?
An Apostille is official stamp given by a state body confirming that the document presented to them is genuine and correct, this can be obtained at these addresses:

IRELAND:
Consular Services SectionDepartment of Foreign Affairs and TradeHainault House69 - 71 St Stephen's GreenDublin 2
https://www.dfa.ie/travel/our-services/authenticating-documents
https://www.dfa.ie/travel/our-services/authenticating-documents
UK:
Foreign & Commonwealth Office. The Legalisation Office, Norfolk House West; 437 Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 2AH.
https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised

Where do I do the interview?
Depending on the university, you can have the interview in the UK/Republic of Ireland or in the city where chosen university is. Sometimes also different locations are offered, or you can do they interview via Skype.

You also travel to Poland for the interview and see the University which we highly recommend as this is an opportunity to learn about the place, city, ambience that you will spend a few years in. From our experience, students who visit the University before the course starts, are impressed by the facilities and feel more comfortable and confident in Poland.

Will my diploma be recognized in my home-country?

The Polish universities we came across are recognised. They are part of Bologna process, and this guarantees diploma recogniton in Europe. Also, most of the universities are accredited and listed by most important medical institutions, such as International Medical Education Directory (IMED) or Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).

The qualifications gained through studying at Polish medical universities are recognized all over the world. State-of-the-art educational facilities, small groups, the faculty with international experience and low living cost: these features make Poland a great place to start your medical career.