Polska zmienia zasady przyjęć na uniwersytety w 2026 roku: Nowe możliwości dla studentów międzynarodowych

Polska przygotowuje się do wprowadzenia dużych zmian w systemie przyjęć na uniwersytety w 2026 roku. Dowiedz się, jak nowe zasady wpłyną na studentów międzynarodowych, co zmieni się w kampanii rekrutacyjnej i jak przygotować się do nauki w Polsce

Poland is preparing for important changes in the system of admission to higher education institutions. In 2026, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the country is considering the possibility of introducing a new mechanism for student admission, which will include several stages of the admission campaign.

The main goal of the initiative is to make the Polish higher education system more accessible to applicants who received secondary education outside the country. This applies not only to representatives of the Polish diaspora, but also to foreign students and graduates of international schools, who are increasingly choosing Poland for their studies.

Top 10 universities in Europe according to QS Europe 2026 in this article.

Planning to enter a university abroad? Educational systems of different countries have their own rules, deadlines and requirements for documents. Because of this, even a minor mistake can cost you a year of study.

An education lawyer from VisitWorld will help you assess your chances, prepare documents correctly and accompany you at all stages of admission.

Get professional advice today and take the first step towards studying abroad.

Why did Poland decide to change the admission system?

For many years, one of the main problems for applicants from abroad has been the discrepancy between the dates of issuing school certificates in different countries and the deadlines for the admission campaign at Polish universities.

Because of this, many applicants simply do not have time to submit documents by the established deadlines.

For example:

- in Lithuania, certificates are often issued only at the end of July;

- in the USA, graduates receive a High School Diploma in May or June;

- in the Netherlands, final documents are issued around mid-June.

At the same time, many Polish universities complete the main enrollment much earlier. As a result, potential students, even with high academic performance, lose the opportunity to enroll.

It is this problem that the Polish authorities plan to solve in the near future.

---

Visit World services for tourists, migrants, and expats: Insurance | Guides | Legal advice

---

What does the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland propose?

The new model involves conducting an admission campaign in several waves or rounds. This means that the recruitment of students will take place in stages, and places will be distributed gradually. The main principles of the new system:

- only a part of the available places will be distributed in each round;

- places that remain unfilled will automatically move on to the next stage;

- the total number of places in educational institutions does not change;

- both Polish and foreign applicants will be able to participate in the competitive selection.

This approach should make the admission campaign more flexible and fair.

The best countries for studying and living abroad in 2026 at the link.

What will change for foreign students?

For international applicants, the new system can be a significant relief. Among the main advantages:

- more time to collect and submit documents;

- less risk of missing the admission campaign due to a delay in the certificate;

- the opportunity to participate in several waves of selection;

- more chances of admission to the chosen university.

These changes may be especially important for Ukrainian applicants, who are increasingly choosing Polish universities due to their geographical proximity, high quality of education and affordable tuition fees.

Find the TOP scholarships for studying abroad in 2026 with full funding in our previous material.

Poland strengthens international education policy

The reform of the admission campaign is part of Poland's broader state strategy for 2025–2030. Among the country's key priorities are:

- strengthening ties with the Polish diaspora;

- developing international academic cooperation;

- attracting foreign students;

- increasing the competitiveness of Polish universities at the global level.

Poland has long been one of the most popular destinations for education among students from Central and Eastern Europe. Updating admission rules could further exacerbate this trend.

Will universities lose their autonomy?

No. Despite the new recommendations, Polish universities will retain the right to independently determine the details of the admission campaign. Each higher education institution will still be able to set its own deadlines for accepting documents, determine admission conditions and regulate the procedure for conducting individual stages of recruitment.

This means that the general rules will become more flexible, but the autonomy of universities will remain unchanged.

The distribution of foreign workers by industries, regions and cities in Poland in our previous material.

What should applicants do now?

Even if the reform is implemented in the near future, it is important for applicants to prepare in advance for studying in Poland, it is recommended to:

- check the deadlines of a particular university in advance;

- prepare translations of documents;

- clarify the requirements for legalizing a certificate;

- check the conditions for obtaining a student visa or residence permit.

It is important to remember that admission rules can vary significantly depending on the university, specialty and citizenship of the applicant.

Studying abroad opens up great opportunities, but at the same time is associated with numerous legal and organizational nuances. Admission to a foreign university often requires not only academic preparation, but also the correct execution of documents, legalization of certificates, obtaining a student visa and compliance with migration rules. That is why the support of a specialized specialist can be critically important.

An education lawyer from VisitWorld helps at every stage - from choosing a country and university to resolving complex legal situations during your studies.

Contact VisitWorld experts and receive professional support for successful admission abroad.

Recall! Studying abroad opens the door to quality education, new opportunities and an international career. We have already told you how to choose the best country for studying abroad in 2026.

Photo - generated by Gemini

---

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in Poland;

Legal consultation on immigration to Poland;

Travel insurance for foreigners in Poland;

Medical insurance worldwide.

---

We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline.