Universities in Poland ^New

Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 130 Universities in Poland

The Republic of Poland is divided into 16 provinces, known as voivodeships (Polish: województwa). The majority of higher education institutions meeting the uniRank selection criteria are located in the largest and most populous Masovian Voivodeship, which hosts the capital and largest city, Warsaw. The following uniRank league tables and sub-rankings take into account all provinces that include at least one Polish higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.

Greater Poland Voivodeship (10)  
Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship (4)  
Lesser Poland Voivodeship (13)  
Lodz Voivodeship (8)  
Lower Silesian Voivodeship (10)  
Lublin Voivodeship (9)  
Lubusz Voivodeship (1)  
Masovian Voivodeship (25)  
Opole Voivodeship (2)  
Podkarpackie Voivodeship (2)  
Podlaskie Voivodeship (6)  
Pomeranian Voivodeship (10)  
Silesian Voivodeship (15)  
Subcarpathian Voivodeship (1)  
Swietokrzyskie Voivodeship (4)  
Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship (2)  
West Pomeranian Voivodeship (8)  

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Overview of Poland Universities

Poland's higher education system features 130 universities, blending historic institutions with modern specialized schools. The sector includes public universities (state-funded and research-intensive) and private institutions (often industry-focused). Degrees follow the Bologna Process with bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. Programs are offered in Polish and English, attracting over 85,000 international students annually. Comprehensive universities cover humanities, sciences and social studies, while specialized schools focus on engineering, technology or business. Quality assurance is overseen by the Polish Accreditation Committee (PKA).

Top 10 Poland Universities

1. University of Warsaw (Uniwersytet Warszawski) - UW
   Ranked #1 in Poland (#311 globally). Established 1816 in Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship. Public research university. Comprehensive fields: law, humanities, STEM. Offers bachelor's to PhD.
2. Jagiellonian University (Uniwersytet Jagielloński) - UJ
   Ranked #2 in Poland (#430 globally). Founded 1364 in Kraków, Lesser Poland Voivodeship. Public research university. Comprehensive studies: medicine, physics, social sciences. All degree levels.
3. AGH University of Science and Technology (Akademia Górniczo-Hutnicza) - AGH
   Ranked #3 in Poland (#597 globally). Founded 1919 in Kraków, Lesser Poland Voivodeship. Public research university. Specialized in engineering, mining, materials science. Bachelor's to PhD.
4. Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań (Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu) - UaM
   Ranked #4 in Poland (#606 globally). Founded 1919 in Poznań, Greater Poland Voivodeship. Public research university. Comprehensive: arts, biology, political science. All academic levels.
5. Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu) - UMK
   Ranked #5 in Poland (#654 globally). Founded 1945 in Toruń, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. Public research university. Comprehensive: astronomy, chemistry, fine arts. Bachelor's to PhD.
6. Warsaw University of Technology (Politechnika Warszawska) - PW
   Ranked #6 in Poland (#690 globally). Founded 1826 in Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship. Public research university. Specialized in engineering, architecture, applied sciences. All degree levels.
7. Wrocław University of Science and Technology (Politechnika Wrocławska) - PW/WUST
   Ranked #7 in Poland (#705 globally). Founded 1945 in Wrocław, Lower Silesian Voivodeship. Public research university. Specialized: civil engineering, computer science, electronics. Bachelor's to PhD.
8. University of Wrocław (Uniwersytet Wrocławski) - UWr
   Ranked #8 in Poland (#833 globally). Founded 1702 in Wrocław, Lower Silesian Voivodeship. Public research university. Comprehensive: biotechnology, archaeology, international relations. All academic levels.
9. University of Gdańsk (Uniwersytet Gdański) - UG
   Ranked #9 in Poland (#872 globally). Founded 1970 in Gdańsk, Pomeranian Voivodeship. Public research university. Comprehensive: oceanography, economics, law. Bachelor's to PhD.
10. Gdańsk University of Technology (Politechnika Gdańska) - PG
    Ranked #10 in Poland (#962 globally). Founded 1904 in Gdańsk, Pomeranian Voivodeship. Public research university. Specialized: naval architecture, environmental engineering, nanotechnology. All degree levels.

Analysis of University Types

Poland hosts 130 higher education institutions. Public universities dominate with 95 institutions (73.1% of the total), primarily offering research-focused programs. Private universities comprise 33 institutions (25.4%), typically emphasizing practical and vocational training. This distribution reflects Poland's commitment to accessible public education while supporting specialized private alternatives.

Global Ranking and Standing

While no Polish universities currently rank in the global top 200, 10 institutions (7.7% of Poland's total) place within the top 1,000 worldwide. This includes all top 10 national universities, demonstrating Poland's strongest academic performers compete effectively in international rankings. These universities drive Poland's growing reputation for quality STEM and humanities education.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are tuition fees at Poland universities?
A: Public universities offer free education in Polish for EU students. International and private university students pay fees, typically €2,000-€5,000 annually for English-taught programs.

Q: Are degrees from Poland recognized internationally?
A: Yes. Poland follows the Bologna Process, ensuring degrees are recognized across 48 European countries. Many programs hold international accreditations.

Q: What is the academic year structure?
A: Two semesters: October-February (winter) and February-June (summer), with exam periods in January/February and June/July.

Q: Do universities offer programs in English?
A> Yes. Over 800 English-taught programs are available, especially in medicine, engineering, business and computer science.

Q: Can international students work while studying?
A: Yes. EU students face no restrictions. Non-EU students can work up to 20 hours/week during studies and full-time during holidays without a permit.

Q: What are popular cities for international students?
A> Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Gdańsk and Poznań are top destinations, offering vibrant student life and multicultural environments.

Since 2005, UniRank provides original research, valuable information and resources to help you explore and make informed decisions about Polish universities and their online presence.

• Oldest Universities in Poland
  Explore the most traditional and long-established Polish post-secondary institutions according to uniRank's original research.
• A-Z Universities in Poland
  Search for Polish higher education institutions listed alphabetically from A to Z.
• Polish Universities by Town
  Look for tertiary institutions located in a particular Polish town or city.
• Top Public Universities in Poland
  Discover Polish public higher education institutions with potentially lower tuition fees.
• Top Private Universities in Poland
  Find out about Polish private higher education institutions.
• Top Non-Profit Universities in Poland
  Explore Polish not-for-profit higher education institutions that may offer lower tuition fees.
• Top For-Profit Universities in Poland
  Look for Polish for-profit higher education institutions.
• Top Polish Universities on Facebook
  See which tertiary institutions in Poland have the most followers on Facebook, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Polish Universities on Twitter
  Discover the Universities in Poland that are most followed on Twitter, based on uniRank's original research.
• Top Polish Universities on Instagram
  Find out which post-secondary institutions in Poland are the most followed on Instagram, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Polish Universities on YouTube
  Explore the Universities in Poland with the most subscribed channels on YouTube, based on uniRank's original research.