Study Engineering in Poland: Requirements, Cost and Top Universities

In the heart of Europe, Poland stands as a beacon of academic excellence, especially in the field of engineering. Being an increasingly popular destination for international students seeking quality education, Poland offers a unique blend of rich cultural heritage and cutting-edge technological advancements. In this guide, we’ll explore the reasons to choose Poland as your study destination for engineering. We’ll take a look as well into the opportunities awaiting aspiring engineers at Polish universities and beyond the school benches.

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Is Poland Good for Engineering?

Studying engineering in Poland promises a unique and enriching experience. As a matter of fact, Poland boasts a rich academic tradition dating back to 1364. It’s the year of establishment of the renowned Jagiellonian University, a testimony to the country’s longstanding tradition in education.

Today, being a modern and dynamic member of the European Union, Poland ranks among the world’s 25 most developed economy. This emphasizes even more the significance that the country places on education. International students who plan to get education there are met with a higher education system that seamlessly aligns with global standards.

In fact, Poland, taking part in the Bologna Process, applies the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). That greatly facilitates credit transfers not only in Europe but globally. This also ensures that Polish diplomas hold recognition within the European Union and worldwide.

In the field of engineering, one notable event is the success of Polish university teams in the University Rover Challenge, an international robotics competition. This underscores the country’s prowess in engineering and technology. And on the matter of specializations, Poland offers a diverse array of engineering disciplines, from architecture to nanotechnology.

To sum up, students in engineering in Poland not only get a well-rounded, high-quality education but also at a reasonable cost. As a matter of fact, the affordability of the tuition fees is another compelling reasons to study in Poland in general, but most specifically, to study engineering in the country.

Read here about the compelling reasons to choose Poland for higher education.

Study Engineering in Poland: Requirements and Eligibility Criteria

In order to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering in Poland, applicants must have:

Completed 11 years of formal education attested by a 10+2 certificate of school-leaving or a high school diploma
A letter of acceptance from a university of technology in Poland
Passed as major subjects Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics
Passed the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE)
A Medical certificate stating that the student is in a good health condition (HIV and COVID-19)
Passed a IELTS/TOEFL exam to prove their ability to follow lectures and courses in the English language
A valid passport

Here are the common documents to provide for admission to an engineering program in Poland:

Completed application form
IELTS / TOEFL scorecard
JEE scorecard
Scanned copy of all academic records documents needed, based on the eligibility criteria and those needed for the specific engineering program
Copy of passport
Academic resume or CV
Passport size photographs (8)
Bank statement of the past 6 months to prove financial means
Proof of paid receipt
Negative COVID-19 and HIV report
Health insurance
Any other specific document required by the university

Get also additional info in our guide on university application in Poland.

How Many Years of Study is Required for Engineering in Poland?

Poland adheres to the Bologna Process guidelines in European higher education. The country therefore implements a three-cycle degree system along with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). Polish engineering and technology degrees are automatically recognized in the European Union. Moreover, engineering studies in Poland usually take place at a University of Applied Sciences or a technical university.

Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.)

The Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng. or BE) is an undergraduate degree in Engineering Sciences. It typically takes 3–4 years to complete. It is the equivalent to a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), commonly awarded by technical universities.

Additionally, international B.Eng. programs focus on applying mathematics, scientific principles, and modern technologies to solve engineering problems. Also, students develop problem-solving skills, analytical approaches.

Furthermore, they conduct research, culminating in the writing of an Engineering research paper allowing them to graduate.

Master of engineering (M.Eng. or ME)

The Master of Engineering (M.Eng. or ME) is a specialized postgraduate degree. It requires 1–2 years of study in Engineering Sciences. It is academically equal to a Master of Science and Master of Arts but is commonly awarded by universities of applied sciences or technology.

M.Eng. programs focus on developing highly specialized skills for students to become professional engineers. Programs encompass theoretical courses, assignments, and industrial placements for practical experience.

To graduate, students must complete a final project in which they apply the knowledge they accumulated to solve complex engineering problems.

How Much Does It Cost to Study Engineering in Poland?

Polish students, EU/EEA nationals as well as students holders of the Polish Charter (Karta Polaka) don’t need to pay tuition fees. Any other foreign students, on the other hand, pay a tuition. However, it remains a quite reasonable cost to get engineering education.

In general, study fees in Poland vary from a university to another. However, the average cost for a bachelor and a master’s degree in the field of engineering ranges between EUR 2,000 and EUR 7,000 per year.

Additionally, and this is specific to Poland, PhD’s students (in any field) receive a scholarship instead of paying a tuition fee.

Check here our review of the living and studying cost in Poland.

Study Engineering in English in Poland

Another significant advantage of studying engineering in Poland is the large-scale availability of English-taught programs. International students therefore, without any language barriers, can seamlessly integrate into the academic environment.

To give you some figures, there are currently 23 universities of technology in Poland. And most of them offer various engineering programs in English. To enroll in an engineering course, applicants must therefore provide their IELTS/TOEFL scores to prove their proficiency in the English language.

Top Engineering Universities in Poland for International Students

Here are some of the best universities in Poland where you can study engineering:

Check also our list of the top universities in Poland for international students.

Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice

The Silesian University of Technology (SUT), traces its roots back to 1945. Being a public university of technology, SUT boasts a rich tradition of nearly 75 years. With a commitment to providing the best student experience, SUT offers a comprehensive study portfolio encompassing engineering, technology, IT, and architecture. Classes take place in state-of-the-art laboratories and lecture halls with highly qualified academic teachers.

Moreover, SUT places a strong emphasis on research and development, addressing the challenges of the modern world. Beyond academics, the university also fosters entrepreneurship in its students through the Student Career Office. The latter is in charge of job placements and business ventures for students. SUT’s pivotal role in new technology is also underscored by its close industry connections.

To sum up, Silesian University of Technology has established its status as a key player in shaping the future of technology and science in Poland.

Facts and Figures

Number of faculties: 13
Programs: 50+
Programs in English : 32 including civil engineering, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering to name just a few
Total number of students: More than 20,000
Number of international students: Over 300 from 40+ countries including Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan

Visit the university’s website for more details.

AGH University of Science and Technology, Kraków

Established in 1913, the AGH University of Science and Technology (AGH UST) in Kraków stands as one of the oldest, largest, and most esteemed technical universities in Poland. Boasting the highest position among all Polish universities in the ARWU World Top 500 Candidates ranking, AGH UST has solidified its reputation as a global academic powerhouse.

The university also excels in the fields of Mining & Mineral Engineering as well as Metallurgical Engineering. It has secured a position in the top 30 and top 100 in the 2 fields in the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2018. Moreover, AGH UST holds accreditation from the American organization ABET for its Mechatronic Engineering program conducted in English.

To sum up, AGH university is dedicated to providing up-to-date education for aspiring engineers across various disciplines. They put a strong emphasis on exact sciences that serve as the foundation for applied sciences while increasingly incorporating social sciences and humanities.

Facts and Figures

Number of faculties: 16
Programs: 60+
Programs in English : 17 including mechatronic engineering, mining engineering, and Computer Aided Process engineering
Total number of students: 30,000
Number of international students: Over 600 from 51 countries including Belarus, Mongolia, Spain, Turkey, Vietnam, Ukraine

Visit AGH UST’s website for more details.

Warsaw University of Technology

Next is Warsaw University of Technology (Politechnika Warsawska – WUT) that started to exist in 1915. It’s a pioneering institution and a cornerstone of technical education in Poland. WUT is also one of the oldest and largest public universities in the country, and has consistently claimed the top spot in its category in the ranking of Polish universities.

Renowned for its forward-thinking approach, the university is a hub where high-quality education converges with world-class research and innovation. WUT’s rich history therefore counts in its rank the physicist Mieczysław Wolfke, a professor at the university and a forerunner of holography and television. Another notable alumnus is Henryk Władysław Magnuski, a telecommunications engineer. He invented the first Walkie-Talkie radio, which contributed significantly to the success of Motorola during WWII.

Facts and Figures

Number of faculties: 20
Programs: 50
Programs in English : 34 including electrical engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering and aerospace engineering
Total number of students: over 28,000
Number of international students: Over 1,700 from 94 countries including Belarus, China, India, Spain, Turkey and Ukraine

Learn more on the official website of WUT.

Wrocław University of Science and Technology

Another high-profile name, Wrocław University of Science and Technology (Politechnika Wroclawska – WUST) stands as one of Poland’s leading technical universities – especially for those pursuing engineering studies. Established in 1945, WUST is an innovation pioneer, consistently submitting over 100 patent applications annually for new inventions and utility models.

Being one of Wrocław’s largest employers, the university has a dedicated staff exceeding a few thousand, with over two thousand academic teachers. Also, it’s important to realize that research facilities at WUST are unparalleled. It features twelve accredited laboratories and a recent $250 million investment in cutting-edge research equipment and instrumentation.

To sum up, WUST offers an exceptional setting for engineering education. It even has gained recognition from the Huffington Post as one of the world’s 15 most beautiful campus, with over 400 lecture rooms and workrooms, 500 educational laboratories, as well as 120 computer laboratories.

Facts and Figures

Number of faculties: 13
Programs: 45
Programs in English : 42 including electronic and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical nano-engineering, automotive engineering
Total number of students: over 26,000
Number of international students: Over 1,100 from 69 countries including Angola, Belarus, India, Russia, Spain, Ukraine

Find out more on WUST’s website.

Poznan University of Technology

The last institution in our list is Politechnika Poznanska or PUT. Boasting a century-long legacy in technical education (established in 1919), PUT has solidified its reputation as a premier choice for both domestic and international students. The university stands out with its academic offerings consisting of a comprehensive range of B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. programs conducted entirely in English.

Furthermore, the university boasts some of the most state-of-the-art facilities in the country, including well-equipped laboratories and an extensive library. All serve the purpose to provide an optimal learning environment for engineering students. Additionally, PUT takes pride in its commitment to affordability, including free education for EU students and reasonable tuition fees for non-EU citizens.

Whether you aspire to pursue an undergraduate degree or advance your expertise at the graduate or doctoral level, PUT’s diverse study options for students at any academic stage.

Facts and Figures

Number of faculties: 10
Programs: 33
Programs in English : 19 including sustainable building engineering, civil engineering – construction engineering and management, software engineering among others
Total number of students: over 15,000
Number of international students: Over 500 from 60 countries Belarus, India, Pakistan, Turkey Ukraine

Find out more by visiting the institution’s website.

Other high-profile universities of technology for engineering studies in Poland

Here are other Polish institutions that have engineering programs in their course catalog:

Gdańsk University of Technology
Rzeszów University of Technology
West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin
Cracow University of Technology
Łódź University of Technology
Opole University of Technology

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you are on the pathway to build a successful career in the field of engineering, Poland is a strategic choice. With world-class universities, a technologically-rich environment along with a solid economy, broadening future career prospects, Poland has everything for aspiring engineers to thrive. Read our guide carefully and check the list of institutions we provide to find out which one offers the engineering course that will serve your professional ambitions.