Exam Prep for Studying in Poland
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Unlike some European destinations that run a single national entrance test for every applicant, Poland’s admissions system is refreshingly qualification-based for most fields — but it still has clear, specific requirements you need to plan for well in advance, especially if Medicine is your goal. Here is exactly what you need to know for a smooth application.
Step 1: English Proficiency — Required for Every English-Taught Programme
Public universities require proof of B2-level English (CEFR) for admission to English-medium degrees. At Jagiellonian University, for example, accepted documents include IELTS Academic (minimum 5.5), TOEFL (iBT 72 / ITP 543 / CBT 180), or Cambridge B2 First (grade C+), C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency — with exemptions available for IB/EB diploma holders, candidates who completed a prior degree in English, or native speakers from English-speaking countries. (Source: Jagiellonian University) Requirements are set at the institutional level, so always confirm the exact threshold with your target university.
Step 2: Polish Language Requirements (Only for Polish-Taught Programmes)
If you choose a Polish-medium programme, you’ll need B2-level Polish as a baseline (C1 can qualify you for state-funded study places). The official proof mechanism is the state certificate exam administered by the Państwowa Komisja Poświadczania Znajomości Języka Polskiego jako Obcego (State Commission for Certifying Knowledge of Polish as a Foreign Language) — a body under Poland’s Ministry of Education and Science. (Source: State Commission for Certifying Knowledge of Polish as a Foreign Language) A university’s own Polish-language centre certificate, the Polish Matura, or passing an admission interview in Polish are also accepted. (Source: Jagiellonian University)
Step 3: Entrance Requirements for Medicine (MD)
There is no single national medical entrance exam in Poland — each medical university sets its own process:
• Medical University of Warsaw: the university’s own competency test, or submitted BMAT/MCAT/GAMSAT/UKCAT scores, plus passing grades in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or Mathematics. (Source: Study.gov.pl — Medical University of Warsaw)
• Poznań University of Medical Sciences: a written science quiz (60 minutes, 60 MCQs) covering Biology, Chemistry and Physics, followed by an oral interview (20-40 minutes). (Source: Poznań University of Medical Sciences)
• Medical University of Gdańsk: a written entrance exam in English plus an interview, testing advanced-level Biology and Chemistry (with Physics/Maths for some tracks); CEFR B2 English certification is required. (Source: Medical University of Gdańsk)
• Medical University of Białystok: no standardised test — candidates are ranked on academic transcript scores plus an interview covering two of Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Mathematics, along with English. (Source: Medical University of Białystok)
• Medical University of Łódź: a two-stage process — science-subject grades converted to points, followed by an online entrance examination for qualifying candidates (with exemptions for IB/EB/Matura holders). (Source: Medical University of Łódź)
Step 4: Engineering, Business, and Other Fields — Qualification-Based Admission
Poland has no national standardised entrance exam for non-medical fields. Official guidance confirms: “Additional entrance examinations may be conducted by HEIs only if this is necessary to assess knowledge or skills that are not assessed by the Matura examination, or the applicant holds an upper secondary school certificate obtained abroad.” (Source: Study.gov.pl — Admission Requirements) In practice, admission to Engineering, IT, Business and most other fields is qualification-based: you apply directly to your chosen university with a recognised secondary-school leaving certificate (or its Polish equivalent via nostrification), your language proficiency certificate, and any programme-specific documents requested by the university’s international office.
Step 5: Nostrification — Recognition of Your Indian Certificate
Indian secondary-school certificates are not automatically recognised in Poland. Per official guidance: “If your certificate does not come within any international agreement, its equivalence with a relevant Polish school certificate can be stated only by means of nostrification.” (Source: Study.gov.pl — Recognition for Academic Purposes) The process is handled by local educational authorities (kuratoria), determined by either your place of residence or the institution you’re applying to, under the Regulation of the Minister of Education and Science of 6 April 2006. For postgraduate applicants, higher-education diploma nostrification is handled separately by A+/A/B+-rated institutions, with decisions required within 90 days of a complete application. (Source: Study.gov.pl — Recognition for Academic Purposes; Study.gov.pl — Nostrification of Higher Education Diplomas)
Step 6: The Official Application Route via study.gov.pl
NAWA’s official “Ready, Study, Go! Poland” portal — study.gov.pl — is your central hub for programme search (via the STUDYFINDER tool) and application guidance. The general process: shortlist programmes, contact the university’s admissions office directly to confirm requirements, apply within the admissions window (typically opening April/May and running up to 6 months), receive your acceptance letter, then apply for a student visa. The academic year begins in early October. (Source: Study.gov.pl — How to Apply) The Indian Embassy in Warsaw advises applying only to universities listed by Poland’s Ministry of Science & Higher Education, and paying tuition directly to the institution, never through intermediary agents. (Source: Embassy of India, Warsaw)
Quick Exam Reference Map
| Requirement | Who Needs It | Field |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (≥5.5 typical) / TOEFL (iBT ≥72) / Cambridge B2+ | All applicants to English-taught programmes | All fields |
| Polish state certificate exam (B1/B2/C1) | Applicants to Polish-taught programmes | All fields |
| University-specific MD entrance test/interview, or BMAT/MCAT/GAMSAT/UKCAT | Applicants to Medicine (MD)/Dentistry | Medicine, Dentistry |
| Matura or recognised-equivalent secondary certificate | All undergraduate applicants | Engineering, Business, IT, most other fields |
| Nostrification of secondary certificate (via kuratorium) | Indian applicants entering undergraduate study | All fields, undergraduate entry |
| Diploma nostrification (via A+/A/B+-rated institution) | Applicants with a foreign first degree | Postgraduate/Master’s entry |
Your Prep Timeline
| Timeframe | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 10-12 months out | Shortlist universities/programmes via study.gov.pl’s STUDYFINDER; confirm language requirements and nostrification needs |
| 8-10 months out | Begin nostrification at the appropriate kuratorium if required; start IELTS/TOEFL or Polish-language exam prep |
| April-May of intake year | Admissions campaigns typically open; submit applications directly to chosen universities |
| Through the admissions window | Sit any required university-specific entrance exam/interview (e.g., for Medicine); await your acceptance letter |
| After acceptance | Apply for a National (D) study visa at the nearest Polish consulate |
| On arrival in Poland | Apply promptly for a Temporary Residence Permit; register with the Indian Embassy |
| Early October | Academic year begins |
The Eleevate Advantage for Your Poland Prep
At Eleevate Overseas, we equip Indian students with personalised exam prep strategies tailored to Poland’s system — from high-scoring IELTS/TOEFL coaching to guidance through university-specific medical entrance tests and interviews. Our experts also manage your nostrification paperwork and application deadlines, so nothing slips through the cracks on your way to a top Polish university.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need IELTS or TOEFL for English-taught programmes in Poland?
Yes, for most English-medium programmes. Typical minimums (varying by university) are IELTS Academic 5.5+ or TOEFL iBT 72+, corresponding to CEFR B2 level. (Source: Jagiellonian University)
2. Is there a national medical entrance exam in Poland?
No single national exam exists. Each medical university — Warsaw, Poznań, Gdańsk, Białystok, Łódź and others — runs its own English-medium entrance test and/or interview, and some accept international tests like BMAT, MCAT, GAMSAT, or UKCAT in place of their own test. (Source: Study.gov.pl — Medical University of Warsaw)
3. Do Indian students need an entrance exam for Engineering or Business programmes?
Generally no. Admission is qualification-based on your secondary-school leaving certificate. Universities may add a supplementary test only where the certificate doesn’t already assess the required skills. (Source: Study.gov.pl — Admission Requirements)
4. Does my Indian 12th-grade certificate need to be “nostrified” before applying?
Likely yes, unless it falls under a specific international agreement. Nostrification is handled by the local educational authority (kuratorium). (Source: Study.gov.pl — Recognition for Academic Purposes)
5. What official Polish language certificate is accepted for Polish-taught programmes?
The certificate issued via the state examination system run by the Państwowa Komisja Poświadczania Znajomości Języka Polskiego jako Obcego, a body under Poland’s Ministry of Education and Science. (Source: State Commission for Certifying Knowledge of Polish as a Foreign Language)
