Poland is one of the most affordable countries in Europe to study nursing. There are around 7 nursing universities in Poland that offer courses in English. Thus, many international students ditch the costlier countries to study nursing in Poland. Poland provides a 3-year long bachelor’s degree in nursing for high school leavers. After completion of a bachelor’s degree in nursing, students can apply for second-cycle or post-graduate studies. Following this, there is an option for a third cycle or a Ph.D. degree in nursing as well.
Since Poland is a part of the EU, a nursing degree from a Polish university is accepted across the EU. Let us look at nursing courses in Poland for international students. We will discuss the top nursing universities in Poland, their fees, and admission criteria.
Nursing Courses in Poland: Overview
Here are some highlights of nursing studies in Poland.
| Entry-level degree for nursing (First cycle degree) | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN/BN/BSc) |
| Duration of the undergraduate degree | 3 years |
| Grade requirement for BSN degree | Grade 12 |
| Average fees for BSN degree | 3,384 to 7,340 USD*/year |
| Post-graduation (Second cycle degree) | Master’s specialization |
| Duration of post-graduation | 2 years |
How to Become a Nurse in Poland?
- Get admitted to an accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing program
- Pass all 6 semesters of the program and complete an internship to attain the degree
- Get your name and degree registered in the Central Register of Nurses and Midwives run by the Supreme Council of Nurses and Midwives to obtain a license
- Start looking for employment opportunities as a nurse in Poland or EU
About Nursing Courses in Poland
The duration of an undergraduate nursing program in Poland is 3 years, and it contains 6 semesters. The successful students at the end of the course are awarded a degree called a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, or “licencjat pielęgniarstwa.” Both, the Polish Accreditation Committee (PKA) and the National Accreditation Board for Nursing and Midwifery Schools (KRASPiP) award this degree.
The curriculum is designed to cover both theoretical and practical aspects of nursing. This includes basic medical science, the basics of nursing care, and specialist nursing care. The major subjects included are anatomy, physiology, primary health care, surgery, anesthesiology, intensive care, psychiatry, gynecology, obstetrics, wound management, rehabilitation, nephrology, pediatrics, geriatrics, etc. The teaching takes place in specially equipped labs under simulated conditions.
Top Nursing Universities in Poland
International students wishing to study in Poland need not worry about language. Many universities offer nursing programs in English. Despite being in the first world, Poland’s education system is affordable. The nursing universities in Poland are accredited by Polish Accreditation Committee (PKA) and National Accreditation Board for Nursing and Midwifery Schools (KRASPiP). Here is a comprehensive list of Polish universities offering nursing bachelor’s degrees in English.
| National Ranking (Center for World University Rankings) | University Name | Bachelor’s degree | Tuition Fees (USD*/year) |
| 13 | Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum | BSc Nursing | 7,340 |
| 14 | Medical University of Gdańsk | BSc Nursing | 5,194 |
| NA | WSEI Lublin | Bachelor’s in Nursing | 3,388 |
| NA | Vincent Pol University in Lublin | BSc Nursing | 3,812 |
| 15 | Medical University of Silesia | BA in Nursing | 5,194 |
| NA | Polonia University in Czestochowa (Akademia Polonijna) | BSN Nursing | 6,353 |
| NA | WSG University | BA Nursing | 4,257 |
Upon completion of a bachelor’s degree in nursing, students can go for a master’s specialization (second cycle degree). The students who complete their master’s in nursing are then eligible for Ph.D. studies (third-cycle degrees).
Admission Requirements for Studying Nursing in Poland
The admission requirements to study nursing are primarily similar across all the nursing universities in Poland. The candidate for bachelor’s courses in nursing must be below 25 years old. There is no centralized application service, so students must apply to Polish nursing universities through their websites.
Each university will require a separate application. There is no entrance test as such for nursing schools. Therefore, the chances of students with strong academic qualifications getting selected are high. Students should also write a strong and compelling statement of purpose to show their motivation for the field. This drastically increases their chances of admission.
Polish admissions usually start in the fall (September or October) and student should start their application a year before. They can utilize OneApply Gyanberry admission services for a better admission experience. We have tie-ups with many Polish universities. We also provide visa services to over 20 countries. The following are some admission requirements for admission to undergraduate nursing programs:
- Higher secondary certificate or high school diploma equivalent to grade 12 in biology and two additional subjects like chemistry and physics
- Official transcripts
- English Proficiency proof: TOEFL 550 or IELTS 6.0
- Resume
- Valid passport
- Student visa
- Passport photographs
- Personal interview
- Medical certificate
- Clear criminal record
- A copy of bank statement showing adequate funds for at least one academic year of tuition
Admission Deadlines for Nursing in Poland
| University Name | Deadline |
| Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum | April to August (does not offer mid-year admissions to the summer semester) |
| Medical University of Gdańsk | July 31, 2023 |
| WSEI Lublin | – |
| Vincent Pol University in Lublin | August (for October intake) and January (for March intake) |
| Medical University of Silesia | December (exact dates are yet to be published) |
| Polonia University in Czestochowa (Akademia Polonijna) | May to September (winter semester)
January to February (summer semester) |
| WSG University | 31st of March (summer semester) and 30th of November (winter semester) |
Cost of Studying Nursing in Poland
The cost of nursing studies in Poland includes the pre-arrival cost, tuition fees, and living costs. Although it is quite cheap to study in Poland, students should plan their budget to avoid overspending. The pre-arrival cost for nursing in Poland includes student visa fees, ticket costs, health insurance, and English language test fees. Since nursing takes three years to complete, students must apply for a temporary residence permit. The cost of a flight ticket depends on the country from which a student is traveling.
| Pre-arrival cost | USD* |
| Student visa | 78 |
| Health insurance | 16 USD*/month |
| English language test fees | TOEFL (180 to 325 USD*) and IELTS (245 to 255 USD*) |
The tuition fees for nursing vary from university. The average tuition fee ranges from 3,384 to 7,340 USD*/year. Poland is quite cheap to live in. The cost of living in Poland can be broken down into
| Rent | 84 to 160 USD*/month |
| Food | 200 USD*/month |
| Transport | 14 USD*/month |
| Utilities | 18 to 23 USD*/month |
| Personal expenses | 100 USD*/month |
It costs anywhere from 4,000 to 7,000 EUR per year or 4,235 to 7,450 USD* to cover living costs in Poland.
Scholarships to Study Nursing in Poland
Nursing programs do offer scholarships to international nursing students. These include Polish government-funded scholarships, third-party scholarships, and university-specific scholarships. Here is a list of some popular scholarships in Poland
- Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program
- Visegrad Scholarship Program
- Scholarships for citizens from developing countries
- Fulbright Program
- Program of Fellowships under the Polish National Commission for UNESCO
Prospects of Studying Nursing in Poland
A nursing graduate with a bachelor’s degree can pursue further studies like master’s specializations or a Ph.D. The average salary of nurses in Poland is 19,890 USD per year (Salary explorer).
Nursing graduates in Poland get employed in the following settings:
- Palliative and hospice care centers
- Hospitals
- Private clinics
- Lecturer or professor at nursing schools
- Primary and secondary health care institutions
- Nursing homes
- Private nursing practice
- Sanatoriums
- Counseling (medical education)
- Ministry of National Defense
*Note: The costs and salaries are converted based on the current exchange rate, i.e., 1 Euro = 1.06 USD and 1 PLN = 0.23 USD. Exchange rates are subject to periodic change.
Conclusion
Nursing is one of the best programs to study in Poland. Although Poland is a non-English speaking country, there are around 8 universities that offer this course in English. The duration of an undergraduate nursing program in the country is 3 years, costing 3,384 to 7,340 USD*/year. After graduation, students can pursue higher-level education like a master’s or Ph.D. in nursing and related fields.