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General Criteria for Admission to a Master’s program in Poland
- Greeshma Daniel
- Asha M. Lingaraju
- April 25, 2020
- No Comments
Poland is becoming a popular destination for higher studies among international studies. High-quality education, low tuition fees and affordable cost of living are some of the factors attracting international students towards Poland for higher education. Prospective students who aspire to pursue their Master’s in Poland need to be familiar with the eligibility and entry criteria for admission. Here in this article, we have tried to answer all the fundamental questions regarding the general criteria for admission to a master’s program in Poland.
Where to begin?
Firstly, before choosing your study destination, you need to decide the discipline you want to major in. Once you decide on your major and have chosen Poland as your study destination, you need to research about the Polish universities that offer the program of your choice. The following is a list of some of the most popular graduate courses in Poland:
- Information Technology
- Business Management
- Economics
- Psychology
- Accounting and Finance
Begin your preparation by following the below steps:
- Finalise your course/specialisation.
- Shortlist universities based on your preferences and credits.
- Check for the application criteria and prerequisites for admission at the shortlisted universities.
- Finally, apply to your desired universities before the deadlines.
What are the general documents needed for admission in Poland?
To successfully complete the application process to Polish universities, all international students must submit the following documents:
- A matriculation certificate or equivalent document
- Proof of your English language proficiency
- Undergraduate degree certificate
- 2 LOR( one academic and one personal reference)
- CV
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Passport
- A medical certificate proving the candidate is fit to study at a Polish university
- Fee payment receipt
Besides this, you will have to take an additional aptitude test if you apply for a master’s in fields such as arts, teaching, medicine or engineering. Few departments also require you to submit a copy of your bachelor’s thesis report.
Do you need English language proficiency to study in Poland?
Unlike other English speaking countries in Europe, Poland does not require you to qualify IELTS and TOEFL exams. However, all international students must prove their English language proficiency to get a visa as well as for graduate admission in most of the universities in Poland. Hence, we recommend that you must thoroughly check the essential admission requirements for the respective course at the Polish university you are planning to apply for.
IELTS/ TOEFL are the most widely accepted language certifications. You can either choose to take the IELTS/ TOEFL exams or participate in an English language proficiency test conducted by the particular university.
Is it necessary for international students to learn Polish?
As far as academics are concerned, it is not a prerequisite for international students to speak Polish. Most of the courses taught at the universities in Poland are in English unless you choose to complete a course in the Polish language. However, having a basic understanding of the Polish language for communication is essential for surviving outside the university campus. Besides, employers prefer to hire students who can fluently communicate in Polish. Quite a few Polish universities organise Polish language orientation programmes for international students who are enrolled in their institute.
What are the Visa Requirements?
Students who are residents of EU/EEA member states do not require a visa to arrive in Poland. However, they need to get a temporary residence permit if they plan to stay in Poland for more than three months.
On the contrary, Non-EU/EEA students need a student visa before they arrive in Poland. They have to apply for a student visa at a Polish Embassy or Consulate in their homeland. Nevertheless, all students pursuing a graduate course in Poland need to register at one of the 16 Voivodship Offices in the country.
Is Health Insurance mandatory for studying in Poland?
Students who are residents of EU/EAA member states have access to free health service, provided they have their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). EU students without EHIC and non-EU students without health insurance need to sign an insurance agreement with Polish Health and pay for the health insurance every month. Hence, international students from non-EU states are requested to purchase medical insurance from the home country.
Are Letters of Recommendation and Statement of Purpose required while submitting the application to Study in Poland?
Almost all universities in Poland need students to submit a Statement of Purpose (SOP), two academic LOR’s and one professional LOR. Before you start your application process, visit the application portal of your target university to get a clear picture of the basic requirements. If these documents are prerequisites, start preparing them well in advance to produce high-quality transcripts.
The Statement of Purpose (SOP) is a letter of intent that deliberates on your motivation for higher studies. The SOP should highlight your academic and professional accomplishments, interest areas along with your short-term and long-term goals. This comprehensive document is reviewed by the admission committee to understand the student’s profile and hence plays a significant role in procuring an admission.
Getting letters of recommendation written from your professors and/or employers increases your chances of securing admissions at your preferred Polish university. A letter of recommendation is an academic or a professional assessment of your profile as evaluated by the authority writing the letter. Well-endorsed LORs add excellent value for your profile.
Ensure that both SOPs and LORs are well written, comprehensive, grammatically accurate and original work (free of plagiarism). Any copied content will straight away attract rejection from the universities.
Conclusion
For an international student planning to pursue Master studies in Poland, having a thorough understanding of general criteria for admission in Polish universities is a fundamental requirement. The primary goal of this article is to provide the required information for aspiring students. Right from selecting the target course, choosing universities, specifying the list of documents, eligibility criteria, visa requirements, etc., this article gives you step-by-step information on everything you need to know about the general criteria for admission to a Poland university.
