Young people today are increasingly striving to get a high-quality and decent education, realizing that this is the first step on the way to high salaries and a successful career. It is no coincidence that Polish universities have been very popular among graduates of Belarusian schools in recent years. On the one hand, it is geographically close, and on the other, there is an opportunity to get a European-level diploma. At the same time, education in Poland for Belarusians is sometimes available free of charge; moreover, when entering a university, it is often not even necessary to pass exams.
Specificity of the Polish education system and its advantages
Education in Poland is more affordable than in other European countries. At the same time, the quality of education is at a fairly high level - many Polish universities occupy leading positions in the rankings of the best universities in Europe.
In addition, getting an education in Poland is beneficial for a number of reasons:
- the proximity of the Belarusian and Polish languages, as well as cultures;
- the possibility of subsequent employment;
- study of additional languages (Polish, English);
- gaining experience of living in the European Union.
The education system in Poland is quite simple in structure and includes:
- preschool;
- secondary - general or professional;
- higher education.
Each stage has its own characteristics, but the main distinguishing feature is compulsory education in secondary education institutions (lyceums or technical schools), after which students take a special test - matura.
Education in preschool institutions
Preschool education in Poland starts at the age of 3. There are both public (free) and private kindergartens (you have to pay to attend them). In accordance with Polish law, children who have turned 5 years old and who live in Poland, even without citizenship, are obliged to attend a preschool institution (preschool institution) during the year, since this is a necessary stage of preparation for school.
This is one of the differences between the Polish system of preschool education and the Belarusian one, where, if you wish, you can not go to preschool education at all.
Obtaining secondary and secondary vocational education for Belarusians in Poland
The Polish school (or basic school, Szkola podstawowa) provides an opportunity for people from Belarus to receive secondary education. The term of study in it is 6 years, after which the students continue their studies at the gymnasiums (Gimnazjum).
After 3 years, they take exams, after which they move on to the next stage - training in general education or professional specialized institutions, technical schools or lyceums (Szkoly ponadgimnazjalne).
This stage lasts another 3 years, its main task is to prepare students for the Matura test, which plays a key role in admission to universities. During testing, 2 subjects are handed over orally and 6 - in writing. A test with more than 30% points is considered passed.
If desired, visitors from Belarus can send their children to an educational institution where teaching is conducted in their native language - in Poland there are colleges and schools with the Belarusian language of instruction.
Another thing is that, living in another country, you constantly have to contact with its inhabitants, so mastering the Polish language becomes inevitable - it's just a matter of time.
The Role of Police Schools in the Polish Education System
Any citizen of Belarus who has a certificate of complete secondary education can quickly and inexpensively undergo training in Poland in any narrow specialty of a technical orientation, for example, learn to be a cosmetologist, massage therapist, administrator, accounting technician. This opportunity is provided by Polish police schools. The main emphasis in training in them is made on the acquisition of practical skills and abilities by students in the chosen profession.
The purpose of the creation and development of this type of educational institutions in Poland is to increase the number of specialists in engineering specialization, since the labor market in the country is oversaturated with graduates with a liberal arts education. However, it should be borne in mind that without knowledge of the Polish language at a sufficient level, a native of Belarus will not be able to study at a Polish police school.
The higher education system in Poland
Since the 2007/2008 academic year, higher education in Poland has become three-level:
- bachelor's degree - 3 years of study;
- Master's degree - 2 additional years of study;
- doctoral or postgraduate studies - 2-4 years of study.
Such a system applies to most specialties, except for jurisprudence, psychology, medicine, dentistry and some others, where there is only a master's degree (an indivisible form, training lasts 5 years) and doctoral studies.
Language programs in Polish universities
In order to quickly learn Polish for study, foreign citizens just need to contact special education centers operating at most large universities in Poland. They include schools of the Polish language and culture, which offer courses of different duration and intensity for studying the Polish language: semester, year, summer.
Tuition fees - from 200 euros / month. Upon graduation from a language school, a certificate is issued, which is accepted in all universities in Poland.
In addition, a Belarusian applicant can study in Poland in English. The cost of studying in English will be an order of magnitude higher (from 4500 euros per year or more), but upon graduation, the graduate will receive 2 diplomas: in Polish and in English.
Some Polish universities successfully cooperate with British universities, for example, the L. Kozminsky Academy or the Lazarski University, so their students have the opportunity to also receive a British diploma.
Features of admission to a Polish university for Belarusians
In order to enter a Polish university, first you need to familiarize yourself with the list of required documents and the deadlines for their submission on the official website of the selected university. Then fill out all the required papers and contact the university by e-mail. After that, you will need to wait for an invitation and go through an interview. According to its results, they are immediately enrolled in a private university, and entrance exams (for free education) will also need to be passed to the state one.
Belarusians with a Pole Card can remotely enroll in a Polish university through the consulate. To do this, you need to wait for the announcement on the website of the consulate about recruiting for the university: usually the acceptance of documents begins in late February or early March and is valid until early April.
Then you need to fill out a questionnaire, collect and submit the necessary documents to the consulate. The exams are taken 1 day in advance, and then the result is expected within several working days. If everything went well, you will receive instructions on how to proceed by email.
Education for Belarusians with the Pole Card will be free. Also, Cardholders may not pay tuition fees; refugees and applicants who speak Polish at a level of at least B2, as well as holders of high marks in the school certificate, who successfully passed the entrance exams.
What documents are needed for admission to a Polish university
For a Belarusian applicant entering a university in Poland, you will need:
- a certificate of secondary education, certified by a notary (or a bachelor's degree, if the applicant enters the magistracy);
- completed application for training in Polish;
- 4 passport sized photos;
- photocopy of your foreign passport;
- a certificate confirming the knowledge of Polish or English at a sufficient level;
- medical certificate on the absence of contraindications to study;
- a receipt for the entry fee (85-150 PLN).
In addition, a Belarusian applicant must obtain a study visa at the consulate - short-term or long-term.
A student visa of category C (short-term) is opened for passing exams or taking courses in the Polish language, the maximum period of its validity is 3 months.
A category D national visa is issued to a young person who has already entered the university, and it is valid for 1 year.
How much does it cost to study in Poland
The cost of studying in Polish at a state university will average about 3-4 thousand euros (from 1000 euros / year), depending on the university and the course:
- bachelor's degree - 1,300-2,500 euros / year;
- Master's degree - 1 450-3 250 euros / year.
In private universities, the cost of training is lower - from 700 euros / year, in English-speaking groups, on the contrary, higher - from 4,500 euros / year.
As a rule, public universities provide foreign students with a place in a hostel or help in finding housing.
Monthly living expenses range from 150 PLN if it is a student residence, or 500-1600 PLN (the cost depends on the city, region, living conditions) if it is a rented apartment.
The most prestigious Polish universities
In the capital of Poland, there are over 80 higher educational institutions, including six of the best in the country. Students studying at universities in Warsaw have excellent prospects in terms of further employment.
The Vistula Academy of Finance and Business stands out from the modern institutions of Warsaw in terms of the best ratio of indicators of the cost and quality of education. Here, students not only undergo training in the basics of business, but also gain practical skills, have the opportunity to intern in Spain, Turkey or Germany. Upon completion of their studies, most graduates are guaranteed decent jobs in large international companies.
There are 30 universities in Wroclaw, among them - the Wroclaw University of Business, which trains narrow specialists in the field of tourism and business. Since Wroclaw is the largest logistics center in Poland, specialists in the field of logistics, international business and trade are in demand here.
Professions of a wide variety of types in the field of technology, natural science, medicine, religion, entrepreneurship can be obtained at the universities of Lublin. In addition to state universities - named after Maria Curie-Sklodowska, Catholic, Polytechnic, natural sciences, medical - there are also private higher educational institutions. All universities in Lublin have the Erasmus + program, which allows students to do internships in various EU countries.
Gdansk is the most beautiful Polish city and, in addition, the largest transport and educational center. Among the most popular universities in Gdansk are the Polytechnic and Gdansk Universities, the Academy of Music, the University of Tourism and Hospitality, a branch of the Polish-Japanese University of Computer Technology, and the Higher School of Banking. Moreover, in 2021, specialties in the field of innovations and modern technologies are especially popular: electric power, nano-, IT.
The second largest cultural center in Poland after Warsaw is Krakow. In addition to outstanding architecture and sights, the city is famous for its universities.
The Jagiellonian University, the oldest university in Poland, was opened in Krakow and still remains one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the country.
A complete list of faculties can be found on the university website.
No less famous are such local universities as the University of Economics and Krakow. T. Kostyushki, as well as academies: arts named after. A.F. Modzhevsky and mining and metallurgical them. S. Stashits. Krakow is also promising for students in terms of a large number of jobs, because there are offices of over 70 multinational corporations.
For those wishing to get education in finance, banking, international trade, it is recommended to pay attention to the University of Banking in Poznan. This university is notable for the fact that 85% of its graduates are immediately employed in prestigious positions in large Polish or international companies.
Famous Polish universities can also be called the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, which includes 17 different faculties, and the Technical University in Bialystok, where Martian rovers are designed.
The possibility of obtaining scholarships and grants for students from Belarus
Almost every Polish university establishes its own scholarships to reward the best students and motivate the rest of the students to study more effectively. Students from Belarus can expect to receive a social scholarship or the following special scholarship programs:
- them. Konstantin Kalinovsky - issued to those Belarusians who cannot study in their native country due to their political views; the student is paid living expenses and maintenance, as well as insurance, visa and residence permit;
- Teraz Wroclaw - provides an opportunity to study for free and receive a scholarship for students from Eastern Europe;
- them. Stanislav Grabsky - for citizens of the former USSR who are studying in Poland in economic specialties;
- GFPS-Polska - for Belarusian citizens permanently residing in Belarus, students, university graduates and postgraduates.
You can see which Polish universities give scholarships and grants to Belarusians on the sites StudyinPoland, Polski.pro, Grantist and others.
Internship and internship opportunities for students
One of the advantages of studying at Polish universities is internship and practice for students. This allows, while still studying at the university, to gain practical skills for the future profession and also earn money (companies pay students for part-time work). Therefore, despite the fact that an internship in Poland is not compulsory, students are looking for every opportunity to do an internship in Polish or European companies. At the same time, the university provides students with all kinds of assistance and support - for this, special agencies have even been created at the universities.
Prices for basic goods and services in Poland
Average prices in PLN for basic expenses for six cities in Poland are presented in the table:
| Spending | Average price in PLN, PLN | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warsaw | Wroclaw | Lublin | Gdansk | Krakow | Poznan | ||
| Lodging | rent in the center, 1-room | 2361,98 | 1958,54 | 1983,33 | 1968,42 | 1976,47 | 1575,00 |
| rent in the center, 3-room. | 4029,41 | 3282,76 | 3250,00 | 3286,67 | 3412,50 | 2543,75 | |
| rent on the outskirts, 1-room | 1785,29 | 1604,88 | 1412,50 | 1347,50 | 1452,83 | 1272,22 | |
| rent on the outskirts, 3-room. | 2990,80 | 2503,33 | 2060,00 | 2335,71 | 2346,88 | 2030,77 | |
| utility bills, monthly for 85 m2 | 570,46 | 633,88 | 517,53 | 818,19 | 653,60 | 636,06 | |
| internet monthly | 52,57 | 51,88 | 39,64 | 55,35 | 52,37 | 55,67 | |
| local mobile tariff, 1 min | 0,24 | 0,24 | 0,22 | 0,24 | 0,25 | 0,29 | |
| Catering in establishments | lunch in an inexpensive restaurant for 1 person | 25,00 | 20,00 | 20,00 | 25,00 | 20,00 | 20,00 |
| lunch at a mid-level restaurant for 2 people | 102,50 | 100,00 | 75,00 | 100,00 | 100,00 | 100,00 | |
| standard lunch set at McDonalds | 18,00 | 18,00 | 19,00 | 18,00 | 18,00 | 18,00 | |
| homemade beer, 0.5 l | 9,00 | 8,00 | 6,00 | 8,00 | 8,00 | 7,00 | |
| bottled beer, 0.33 l | 9,00 | 8,00 | 7,00 | 7,00 | 8,00 | 7,00 | |
| coffee, cappuccino | 9,08 | 8,60 | 6,86 | 8,56 | 7,88 | 8,25 | |
| Coca Cola/ pepsi | 4,35 | 4,04 | 3,30 | 4,64 | 4,24 | 3,53 | |
| water | 3,24 | 3,07 | 2,23 | 3,26 | 3,35 | 2,55 | |
| Food in supermarkets | bread, 0.5 kg | 2,95 | 2,89 | 2,59 | 2,76 | 2,88 | 2,67 |
| milk, 1 l | 2,63 | 2,63 | 2,23 | 2,54 | 2,48 | 2,36 | |
| eggs, 12 pcs. | 8,03 | 7,89 | 5,73 | 8,24 | 6,77 | 6,61 | |
| local cheese, 1 kg | 23,68 | 22,50 | 22,56 | 25,92 | 20,89 | 23,65 | |
| rice, 1 kg | 3,91 | 3,62 | 3,70 | 3,59 | 3,60 | 2,97 | |
| chicken breast, 1 kg | 16,18 | 16,71 | 14,82 | 15,50 | 15,60 | 15,76 | |
| beef, 1 kg | 34,02 | 32,18 | 26,12 | 32,53 | 32,77 | 36,93 | |
| potatoes, 1 kg | 2,00 | 1,90 | 1,61 | 1,79 | 1,77 | 1,76 | |
| tomatoes, 1 kg | 5,66 | 6,11 | 5,17 | 5,07 | 5,73 | 4,71 | |
| apples, 1 kg | 2,92 | 3,05 | 2,44 | 3,42 | 2,69 | 2,69 | |
| Red wine, 1 bottle | 25,00 | 24,00 | 20,00 | 21,00 | 20,00 | 20,25 | |
| water, 1.5 l | 1,93 | 1,76 | 1,80 | 2,02 | 1,85 | 1,87 | |
| homemade beer, 0.5 l | 3,22 | 24 | 2,94 | 3,41 | 3,10 | 2,97 | |
| bottled beer, 0.33 l | 4,76 | 4,33 | 4,69 | 4,89 | 4,55 | 4,22 | |
| Marlboro cigarettes, pack | 15,00 | 15,50 | 15,00 | 15,00 | 15,30 | 15,00 | |
| Transport | public, 1 ticket | 4,40 | 3,00 | 3,20 | 3,20 | 3,80 | 3,60 |
| public, travel card | 110,00 | 90,00 | 92,00 | 902,00 | 90,00 | 105,00 | |
| taxi (landing + 1 km) | 8,00+2,40 | 6,00+2,50 | 6,00+1,75 | 7,00+2,80 | 7,00+2,00 | 6,00+2,00 | |
| gasoline, 1 l | 4,67 | 4,58 | 4,41 | 4,63 | 4,61 | 4,65 | |
| new car, segment C | 70 thous. | 70 thous. | 76.5 thous. | 75 thous. | 68 thous. | 68 thous. | |
| Shoes, clothes | jeans, Levi's or similar brand | 262,57 | 247,33 | 235,23 | 271,21 | 271,35 | 268,06 |
| dress, brands Mango, Mexx, Zara and the like | 135,55 | 121,56 | 127,08 | 134,10 | 126,64 | 105,56 | |
| 1 pair of Nike shoes | 286,50 | 269,00 | 261,67 | 277,55 | 266,57 | 270,00 | |
| business leather shoes for men | 338,41 | 305,71 | 270,27 | 311,35 | 295,26 | 288,59 | |
| Entertainment | gym, subscription to 1 month | 118,50 | 98,63 | 90,75 | 139,50 | 102,02 | 96,48 |
| cinema, 1 ticket | 28,00 | 25,00 | 25,00 | 25,00 | 25,00 | 25,00 | |
| concerts, shows, 1 ticket | from 30,00 | from 20.00 | from 15.00 | from 30,00 | from 80,00 | from 22.00 | |
| museums, 1 ticket | from 5.00 | from 0.00 | from 0.00 | from 5.00 | from 3.00 | from 2.50 | |
| Care for children | attending a private kindergarten, monthly / 1 child | 1351,89 | 933,53 | 1166,67 | 882,00 | 782,75 | 1333,33 |
| primary school, annually / 1 child | 30909,52 | 53760,00 | 75000,00 | 26786,91 | 51166,67 | 60600,00 | |
As for the students, they have to spend from 500 zlotys per month, excluding the cost of tuition and rent. This money is enough for food, transportation, purchase of essential goods and occasional visits to entertainment events.
Considering that the education system in Poland allows students to earn extra money in their free time and on holidays, a foreigner, especially an absentee student, is quite able to provide himself for the duration of his studies. A simple part-time job in the food or service sector is paid from 4-8 zlotys per hour. More opportunities are given by summer internships, when you can get a job in a large company in Poland or the EU countries according to your future work profile.
Summing up
Poland opens up a real path for Belarusians to get a high-quality European education. For foreign citizens, Polish universities provide language courses, grants for free education and social benefits. During his studies, the student has the opportunity to earn extra money in order to fully support himself in a foreign country. And internships and internships in large international companies increase the chances of graduates for further successful employment and career building.
