Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu
Named after Copernicus, with English-taught programmes in Toruń and an English-language medical school in Bydgoszcz.
- Students
- 18,153
- International
- 6%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 11.1:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- PLN 6,000
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1945
About NCU
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (NCU, Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika) was established by decree on 24 August 1945 and, on its own website, describes itself as the largest university in Northern Poland. It works on two academic campuses: Toruń, with 13 faculties, and Bydgoszcz, where three medical faculties (Medicine, Pharmacy, Health Sciences) make up Collegium Medicum.
NCU reports 18,153 students, of whom 1,001 are international, and 4,645 employees, including 2,502 faculty members. It offers 118 study programmes, including 14 programmes taught in English outside language studies: Bachelor's degrees in Chemistry, English Studies, Management, Digital Economy and Urban Sustainability Studies; Master's programmes such as Physics and Astronomy, Cognitive Science, Economics and International Politics and Diplomacy; and Medicine, Pharmacy and Physiotherapy in Bydgoszcz.
It is a good fit for applicants who want a compact university with most Toruń faculties on one campus, who are comfortable with a Polish document and recognition process for non-EU certificates, and who want tuition in the low thousands of euros rather than tens of thousands. Astronomy is a distinctive strength: the university runs a radio telescope at Piwnice near Toruń.
Why students choose NCU
Bachelor's and Master's programmes in English, including Chemistry, Management, Physics and Astronomy and International Politics and Diplomacy.
Double and triple diplomas: Polish-German Finance and Accounting, Polish-French Management and a Polish-Italian-French Economics triple diploma.
Medicine (6-year MD), Pharmacy and Physiotherapy are taught in English at Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz.
One in four students lives in a university student house, with monthly accommodation costs of 480 to 1,150 PLN.
Admissions
Academic year 2026/27 is the latest published cycle; 2027/28 not yet published
Selectivity
NCU does not publish an acceptance rate. Admission is run through the IRK online registration system, with competitive programmes such as Medicine ranking candidates.
Typical entry requirements
| Secondary school certificate (any country) | Original certificate and transcript entitling you to university study in the issuing country, apostilled or legalised, with a sworn translation into English for English-taught programmes; some countries need a NAWA recognition statement via the SYRENA system |
|---|---|
| Master's programmes | Bachelor's, Master's or equivalent diploma and transcript; NAWA recognition may be required for non-EU, EFTA or OECD diplomas |
| English language | Non-EU applicants need an English certificate at B2 or higher from the list in the Polish Minister of Science and Higher Education regulation of 30 July 2025. The regulation sets the level but the page fetched does not give a minimum TOEFL or IELTS score. |
Deadlines
- Phase I - 2026/27 cycle Non-binding Passed15 April - 3 May 2026 (exams 7-8 May, results 13 May)
Previous cycle dates.
- Phase II - 2026/27 cycle Non-binding Passed1 June - 28 June 2026 (exams 1-3 July, results 8 July)
Previous cycle dates.
- Phase III - 2026/27 cycle Non-binding Passed20 July - 24 July 2026 (exams 30-31 July, results 5 August)
Previous cycle dates.
These are the 2026/27 dates, shown as the previous cycle; NCU had not posted 2027/28 dates on the page fetched. The Erasmus Mundus joint Master in Intercultural Leadership has separate admission details. Collegium Medicum (Medicine, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy in English) runs its own admission at study.cm.umk.pl.
How to apply
Register in NCU's IRK admission system, choose a programme, pay the 85 PLN non-refundable application fee, upload the required documents, and take any exam for your programme. After qualification, send originals (apostilled or legalised, with sworn translations) and the signed personal questionnaire, then accept the student oath in USOS. Foreign candidates living outside the EU, EEA, Switzerland or EFTA must name an address for service in Poland or a proxy.
What admissions looks for
- A secondary school certificate or diploma that gives access to university in the issuing country, properly legalised and translated.
- Proof of B2 English (or Polish for Polish-taught programmes).
- Results in the subjects or exams defined for the chosen programme.
Tips for applying to NCU
- 1 Start document legalisation and sworn translations early; apostille or legalisation is required before enrolment.
- 2 If your country is outside the EU, EEA, EFTA or OECD and has no recognition agreement, check the NAWA SYRENA recognition process.
- 3 Pay at least one semester's tuition before applying for a visa, as NCU recommends.
- 4 Remember you can pay tuition in up to four instalments a year on written request.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in PLN
NCU awards Rector's scholarships for high GPA or science, art or sport achievements, including to first-year students who won international or Polish science Olympiads, and social scholarships for students who study free of charge under defined categories. Tuition can be paid in up to four instalments per year on written request.
- 480 to 1,150 PLN per month depending on standard and campus
- Student house cost
- 85 PLN, non-refundable
- Application fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters; tuition set per semester
Physics and Astronomy (Master, English)
Taught by the Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics; 5,000 PLN per semester in 2026/27.
Chemistry (Bachelor and Master, English)
English-taught programmes at the highest listed fee of 8,600 PLN per semester.
Cognitive Science (Master, English)
Offered by the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences.
Intercultural Leadership (CLIDE, Erasmus Mundus joint Master)
An international joint Master with its own admission details.
Medicine (6-year MD, Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz)
Taught in English; 31,500 PLN per semester (63,000 PLN a year) for students starting in 2026/27. Wikipedia describes Collegium Medicum as among the top three medical schools in Poland on national exam outcomes.
Research
- The Piwnice Astronomical Observatory near Toruń operates a 32-metre radio telescope, described by Wikipedia as one of the largest in Central Europe.
- NCU was the first Polish institution to receive the European Commission's HR Excellence in Research distinction, according to Wikipedia.
- NCU is designated a Leading Research University under Poland's Excellence Initiative (Wikipedia).
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences
- Faculty of Chemistry
- Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management
- Faculty of Economic Sciences and Management
- Faculty of Fine Arts
- Faculty of History
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Law and Administration
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
- Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics
- Faculty of Political Science and Security Studies
Student life
In Toruń most faculties sit on a single campus, so lectures, the library, student houses and relaxation areas are a few minutes apart. NCU lists more than 100 academic societies and student organisations, the Od Nowa club, free psychological support and programmes for student athletes. One in four students lives in a student house; international students apply for accommodation in the IRK admission system after acceptance. The university is also part of the YUFE alliance, which offers international study options.
- More than 100 academic societies and student organisations.
- Od Nowa club and a campus with library, student houses and relaxation areas.
- Free psychological support and programmes for student athletes.
- YUFE alliance programmes for international study.
Housing. International students apply for a student house in IRK after acceptance; rooms are mostly double and are allocated near the chosen faculty at 480 to 1,150 PLN a month.
Location
Toruń is a city of about 197,000 people on the Vistula river whose medieval Old Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. It was Copernicus's birthplace in 1473 and is known for gingerbread and the Camerimage film festival. NCU says Toruń and Bydgoszcz are intimate, safe student cities with a low cost of living compared with the largest Polish academic centres.
Nearest airport: Bydgoszcz Ignacy Jan Paderewski Airport (BZG), about 50 km away
Notable alumni
- ZH Zbigniew HerbertPoet and essayist, nominated several times for the Nobel Prize in Literature; completed a Master of Law at NCU and also studied philosophy there
- AW Aleksander WolszczanAstronomer, co-discoverer of the first confirmed extrasolar planets; graduate of NCU
- JO Janina OchojskaHumanitarian activist, founder of the Polish Humanitarian Action, Member of the European Parliament 2019-2024
- PH Piotr HofmańskiJurist, President of the International Criminal Court 2021-2024; studied law at NCU (1974-1978) and took his doctorate there
- RB Rafał BlechaczClassical pianist, winner of the 15th International Chopin Piano Competition; studied philosophy and earned a PhD at NCU (besides the Bydgoszcz music academy)
- GC Grzegorz CiechowskiMusician, leader of Republika and a leading figure in Polish rock; studied Polish philology at NCU
Frequently asked questions
How much does Nicolaus Copernicus University cost for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, English-taught programmes in Toruń cost 3,000 to 8,600 PLN per semester, so roughly 6,000 to 17,200 PLN a year. At Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Medicine is 31,500 PLN per semester (63,000 a year), Pharmacy 17,000 (34,000 a year) and Physiotherapy 16,000 (32,000 a year).
What English level does NCU require?
Non-EU applicants need an English certificate at B2 or above from the list set by Poland's Minister of Science and Higher Education.
Does NCU teach in English?
Yes. There are 14 programmes in English, including Bachelor's in Chemistry, Management and Digital Economy, Master's in Physics and Astronomy and International Politics and Diplomacy, and Medicine, Pharmacy and Physiotherapy in Bydgoszcz.
What are the application deadlines?
For 2026/27 NCU ran three phases, closing on 3 May, 28 June and 24 July 2026. 2027/28 dates had not been published when this profile was checked.
Is student accommodation available?
Yes, international students can apply in the IRK system after acceptance. Rooms cost 480 to 1,150 PLN a month and are allocated by faculty location.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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