Poland has changed the admission rules for Ukrainian applicants: what is now required

The Ukrainian embassy in Poland has reported that admission to the country's universities has become much more difficult for foreign students due to the new rules. Now, applicants must have certificates confirming their knowledge of Polish or another required language.

'The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland has published information on the verification of language knowledge for foreign students upon the request of the Ukrainian side,' the message states.

Currently, all applicants, except those who have a Polish certificate or diploma, must confirm their language proficiency at the appropriate level. Even if they have a foreign certificate, they must also have a language certificate at a level not lower than B2.

Explanation of the new admission rules

From June 2025, it will be possible to enroll without language certification unless it is a requirement of the university. From July 2025, a transitional period began during which universities defined the requirements for the B2 language level. And from August of the same year, strict requirements for language documents were introduced.

Conditions for preparatory courses

• The minimum duration of preparatory courses is 9 months
• The courses can be conducted by both accredited and non-accredited institutions
• Students need a study visa

Consular services and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may check language skills when issuing visas, regardless of the requirements of universities. This information was communicated to the rectors of Polish universities in August.

Ukrainian applicants planning to enroll in Polish universities should prepare for a more challenging admission process due to the new rules that require high-level language certification. It is also important to comply with the conditions for preparatory courses and to have official documents confirming the level of language. Candidates should carefully review the requirements of each university in order to have a successful admission campaign.