The University of Warsaw (Uniwersytet Warszawski, or UW) was founded in 1816 and is one of Poland’s largest universities, with its historic main campus on Krakowskie Przedmieście in the centre of Warsaw. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026, it was 289th in the world and the highest-ranked university in Poland. It’s known for mathematics, physics, economics, the social sciences, international relations and the humanities.
Most of UW’s programmes are taught in Polish, but it offers a wide choice of bachelor’s and master’s programmes in English. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on the University of Warsaw’s own guidance and official Polish information.
1. Choose a programme taught in English, or in Polish
UW offers more than 300 programmes in Polish, as well as programmes taught in English and over 20 double-degree programmes with international partners. Its English-taught programmes include fields such as business and management, data science and business analytics, European politics and economics, finance, international investment and accounting, cognitive science and global environment and development. To find them, use the “Studies in English” filter in UW’s Internet Recruitment of Candidates (IRK) system. For a Polish-taught programme, you’ll need Polish at level B2 or higher.
2. Know the new rules for foreign documents
Under Poland’s Act of 4 April 2025, which aims to stop abuse of the student visa system, new rules have applied since 2025 to applicants whose school certificate or degree comes from outside the EU, EFTA and OECD. Bachelor’s applicants generally need a recognition statement from the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA), a B2 certificate in the language of instruction and a pass in the university’s entrance exam or interview. Master’s applicants need a NAWA recognition statement for their degree. NAWA’s recognition can take 60 to 90 days or more, so apply for it through its online Syrena system as early as you can. At UW, the admission rules for English-taught programmes have been updated to follow the new law. University of Warsaw: additional requirements for candidates with foreign documents.
3. Apply through IRK, and watch each programme’s dates
You apply online in the IRK system: create an account, complete your personal and education details, upload translated scans of your school or university results, choose your programmes and pay the application fee. Each programme has its own registration dates, and some English-taught programmes open early: for 2026-27, the first round for English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programmes at the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies closed on 23 February 2026. Look up your programme’s dates in IRK in good time, and expect them to be published for 2027-28 from early 2027. University of Warsaw: how to apply.
4. Pay the application fee on time
The application fee is PLN 85 for each programme you apply to, or PLN 100 if the programme includes a written exam, oral exam or interview. You pay into the individual bank account number shown in your IRK account, no later than the day after the registration deadline for your programme. Payments in foreign currencies can take several days to arrive, so pay early.
5. Prepare for the qualification procedure
Each programme sets its own qualification criteria, which you can read on its page in IRK. Many English-taught programmes assess candidates through an exam or interview, often held online, and some also take your previous results into account. If your exam or interview is online, upload a photo to your IRK account well in advance, as it must be approved first. Results are published in your IRK account, and if you’re on the reserve list you may still be offered a place later.
6. Prove your English
English-taught programmes ask you to prove your English at level B2 or higher. Since August 2025, applicants from outside the EU must use one of the documents listed in a regulation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education. These include IELTS Academic (at least 5.5), TOEFL iBT (at least 72), PTE Academic (at least 59) and Cambridge B2 First, but some universities set higher minimums, so check yours. Practise with our free IELTS and TOEFL practice tests.
7. Send your documents and get your decision
If you’re qualified, you must send the required documents by post to the admissions committee by the deadline shown in IRK, including your signed personal questionnaire and your legalised or apostilled certificates. If you miss the deadline, UW treats it as if you’ve given up your place. International candidates then receive an admission decision issued by the Rector, which you’ll need for your visa.
8. Understand the fees and look for scholarships
Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland study free of charge on full-time Polish-taught programmes and on some English-taught ones, but students from outside the EU pay tuition fees for English-taught programmes. For 2026-27, UW’s annual fees for non-EU students on English-taught programmes range from about €1,000 to €9,000: for example, €4,000 for Business and Management, €4,200 for Finance, International Investment and Accounting, €4,300 for European Politics and Economics and €4,900 for Data Science and Business Analytics. The National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) runs scholarship programmes for international students, such as the Stefan Banach programme for students from selected countries and Poland My First Choice, and NAWA scholarship holders are usually exempt from tuition fees. University of Warsaw: application and tuition fees.
9. Apply for your student visa, then a residence permit
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens don’t need a visa, but if they stay longer than three months they must register their residence with the local voivodeship office. If you’re from outside the EU/EEA, you usually apply for a national (D-type) student visa at the Polish consulate in your country once the University of Warsaw has sent your acceptance letter. You’ll need to show that you can pay for your studies and living costs, have health insurance and can pay for your return journey. The University of Warsaw’s Welcome Point, for example, lists PLN 1,010 a month for a student living alone, plus rent and utilities, but the amount is set by regulation, so check the current figure. If you stay longer than your visa allows, you apply to the voivode for a temporary residence permit for studies. Since 27 April 2026, these applications can only be submitted online through the government’s MOS portal. Visa appointments in some countries are booked months ahead, so apply as soon as you have your acceptance letter.
10. Plan for work during and after your studies
If you’re a full-time student at a Polish university, you can work in Poland without a work permit, but this doesn’t apply to part-time (extramural) students. Most part-time jobs need Polish, so don’t count on them to cover all your costs. When you graduate, you can apply once for a temporary residence permit for 9 months to look for a job or start a business, as long as you apply before your current permit runs out. As a graduate of full-time studies at a Polish university, you can work without a work permit. The University of Warsaw’s careers office can help you find internships and jobs. Zielona Linia: residence permit for graduates looking for work.
Applying for a PhD at the University of Warsaw?
Doctoral training at UW takes place in its doctoral schools, which run their own competitive admissions each year. You’ll usually need a master’s degree, a research proposal and a supervisor, and doctoral school students in Poland receive a monthly stipend. See our 50 sample SOPs and free GRE practice tests.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
Apply to more than one university to give yourself options. Read our guides to Jagiellonian University, the Warsaw University of Technology, Adam Mickiewicz University and AGH University of Krakow. Our guide to studying in Poland explains how the Polish system works, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from the University of Warsaw’s official admissions and fee pages, Polish government sources and the QS World University Rankings 2027, and checked in October 2026. Admissions rules, deadlines, fees and immigration rules can change, so always confirm the details on the University of Warsaw’s admissions website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with the University of Warsaw.