Poland is quite famous for its high-quality and affordable education in the field of finance and accounting. Polish universities that are renowned for programs in the field are SGH Warsaw School of Economics, University of Warsaw, Kozminski University, Krakow University of Economics, and Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. Since the courses are taught in English, international students need not worry about learning Polish. The programs in finance and accounting in Poland are available at both bachelor’s and master’s levels and cost anywhere from 2,500-6,000 EUR.
Additionally, the above-mentioned universities are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a global organization that ensures the quality of education in business-related fields like finance and accounting. Keep reading to learn more about these universities and their courses in finance and accounting.
Highlights: Finance and Accounting in Poland
| Number of universities | 23 |
| Courses offered | Bachelor’s and master’s levels |
| Duration of bachelor’s programs | 3 years |
| Duration of master’s programs | 2 years |
| Annual tuition fees | 2,500-6,000 EUR |
Why Study Finance and Accounting in Poland?
Quality education: Universities teaching finance and accounting in Poland are internationally renowned for offering quality education. They all rank in the Perspektywy Ranking by Subject: Finance and are regionally accredited.
English-taught programs: International students do not need to learn Polish to study finance and accounting in Poland. Many universities in Poland offer English-taught programs in the field.
Affordable fees: Studies in Poland are highly affordable for international students. The average tuition fees for finance and accounting in Poland range from 2,500 to 6,000 EUR.
Low cost of living: The average cost of living in Poland is 3,500 to 6,000 EUR per year which is quite affordable compared to other European countries. Students can also work while studying to earn some money to reduce their living costs.
Scholarships for international students: Polish universities and the government offer a variety of scholarships to international students. These scholarships are based on merit, financial status, or other specific criteria. These scholarships can provide full or partial funding for your education.
Work while studying: The Polish government allows international students to work and study in Poland. They can work part-time for 20 hours/week during the academic year and full-time during semester breaks.
Multicultural and diverse study environment: Poland has some of the best student-friendly cities like Warsaw, Wroclaw, Poznan, Kraków, Łódź, etc., which host foreign students from more than 180 countries worldwide. International students can truly experience a diverse and multicultural study environment in Poland.
Employment opportunities: Being the sixth-largest economy in the EU, Poland offers ample employment opportunities for finance and accounting professionals. The unemployment rate in the country is merely 5.1%.
Post study work visa: International students who have completed their studies in Poland can extend their stay with a temporary residence permit, which allows them to search for employment in the country.
Best Finance and Accounting Universities in Poland
| University Name | Perspektywy Ranking by Subject: Finance 2023 | THE World University Rankings 2023: Finance and Accounting |
| SGH Warsaw School of Economics | 1 | 601-800 |
| University of Warsaw | 2 | 601-800 |
| Kozminski University | 4 | – |
| Krakow University of Economics | 5 | – |
| Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń | 8 | 501-600 |
SGH Warsaw School of Economics
The SGH Warsaw School of Economics or Warsaw School of Economics is the oldest and most prestigious business school in Poland. Its history dates back to 1906 with the current student population of 10,000 students. It offers both bachelor’s and master’s courses as well as doctoral programs and postgraduate degrees in the following fields
- Economics and international economics
- Finance and accounting
- Management
- Social policy
- Big data
The university delivers second-cycle study in finance and accounting with ACCA qualification. Association of Chartered Certified Accountants ACCA, an internationally recognized professional qualification The course is designed to provide students with advanced finance-oriented knowledge in financial management, accounting, financial analyses, and research.
| Course Name | Duration | Annual Fees (EUR) |
| Master’s Degree in Finance and Accounting | 2 years | 5,100 |
University of Warsaw
Established in 1816, the University of Warsaw is one of the oldest universities in Poland. It is also the largest university in the country that holds pride in a long history of academic excellence. The university offers a wide range of courses across 25 faculties, attracting over 40,000 students worldwide. It is ranked 284th in the QS World University Rankings. It is known for its strong emphasis on research and international collaboration. The University offers ~44 courses in English in the fields of business, humanities, and social sciences.
The Faculty of Economic Sciences delivers the following bachelor’s program in finance and accounting.
| Course Name | Duration | Annual Fees (EUR) |
| Finance, International Investment and Accounting (bachelor’s) | 3 years | 2,900 |
Kozminski University
Founded in 1993, Kozminski University is a non-profit-based private university situated in Warsaw, Poland. It is one of the highest-rated private universities in the country. In the Global Masters in Finance Ranking released by “Financial Times” in 2023, Kozminski University was placed first in Central and Eastern Europe and 32nd overall. In fact, it was the only university in Central and Eastern Europe and Poland to rank on the list. The university offers business education in the areas such as finance, management, economics, law, etc.
Currently, it provides two courses in the field of finance and accounting. The bachelor’s program comes with the following three specializations:
- Corporate Finance and Financial Markets
- Green Finance
- FinTech and Digital Transformation in Finance
The students of the program have the opportunity to get a double degree from one of the partner universities of Kozminski University.
The master’s program is delivered as per the ACCA standards and students can choose either one of the following four majors
- Corporate Finance (CFA Track) with KPMG and Santander Investment Bank
- Corporate Reporting and Accounting (ACCA Track) with Accenture Operations
- International Banking and FinTech with Citibank
- Sustainable Finance and ESG with UN Global Compact
| Course Name | Duration | Annual Fees (EUR) |
| Financial Management | 3 years | 6,330 |
| Master in Finance & Accounting | 2 years | 6,330 |
Krakow University of Economics
The Kracow or Cracow University of Economics is an esteemed state university known located in Krakow, Poland. It was founded in 1925 and is the second oldest economic university in Poland. It offers first- and second-cycle courses in economics, management, finance, and related subjects. The university boasts a large green campus of over 7 hectares dedicated to education and research.
The Economics, Finance, and Law College at the Krakow University of Economics offers 3 courses (1 bachelor’s and 2 master’s) in the field of finance and accounting.
| Course Name | Duration | Annual Fees (EUR) |
| BSc in Global Finance and Accounting | 3 years | 2,448 |
| MSc in Global Finance and Accounting | 2 years | 2,448 |
| MSc in Financial Accounting | 2 years | 2,448 |
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
The Nicolaus Copernicus University (NCU) founded in 1945 is named after the very famous mathematician and astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus. It is one of the largest universities in the country composed of 16 faculties offering over 100 fields of study and 55 postgraduate courses. The student population at NCU is 18,331. The university is placed in the top 4% of universities in the world by the QS ranking and is a member of the Young Universities for the Future of Europe consortium.
The Faculty of Economic Sciences and Management at NCU offers a master’s course in finance and management. The faculty has AACSB accreditation ensuring that graduates receive their master’s degree with an AACSB certificate along with their diploma. The program has been designed as per the needs of the labor market. Students can choose either one of the two specialties: Corporate finance and accounting or financial markets and institutions.
| Course Name | Duration | Annual Fees (EUR) |
| MA in Finance and Accounting | 2 years | 4,362 |
Recommended readings: Masters in Accounting and Finance in Ireland, Best Accounting and Finance Universities in Canada, and Top Accounting and Finance Universities
Admission Requirements to Study Finance and Accounting in Poland
Bachelor’s Level
- High school diploma
- A certificate confirming English Language proficiency on B2 level (IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 70) and the certificate must not be older than 3 years
- Passport
- Student visa
- Motivational letter
- Reference letters
- University entrance test or interview (if any)
- Portfolio
Master’s Level
- Bachelor’s degree obtained in economics or related fields either in Poland or abroad
- A certificate confirming English Language knowledge on B2+ level (IELTS >6.0 or TOEFL 72)
- Passport
- Student visa
- Motivational letter
- Reference letters
- University entrance test or interview (if any)
- Portfolio
Careers Post Finance and Accounting Studies in Poland
Poland boasts a robust economy and a flourishing job market, with plenty of opportunities for graduates in finance and accounting. Graduates must have skills and knowledge in financial accounting to help in budgeting, data analysis, the preparation of financial statements, etc. They must possess strong analytical, numerical, communication, and presentation skills. They are hired by all kinds of companies for roles such as
- Financial analysts
- Financial accountant
- Auditor
- Controller
- Financial manager
- Accountant
- Accounting manager
- Tax accountant
Academic roles are available for students wishing to do Ph.D. and postdoctoral research. They can also work as lecturers, professors, and heads of departments, teaching finance and accounting to budding students.
The average income of finance and accounting graduates in Poland is 21,172 EUR per year. Experienced graduates can earn as high as 42,255 EUR per year (Salary Explorer).
Note: The tuition fees and costs mentioned are converted based on 1 PLN = 0.22 EUR. The exchange rates are subject to change from time to time.
Conclusion
In summary, Poland is an attractive destination for pursuing studies in finance and accounting. The courses are offered at both undergraduate and graduate levels and are taught in English making it an ideal choice for students from around the world. For English-taught programs in finance and accounting you can apply to universities like SGH Warsaw School of Economics, University of Warsaw, Kozminski University, Krakow University of Economics, and Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. It is advisable to apply to multiple universities at a time to increase your chances of admission. Keeping this in mind, Gyanberry has a designed platform called Gyanberry created to streamline the application process for multiple universities. For more information and personalized guidance, contact our experts by booking a free video call.
