University of Warsaw
Uniwersytet Warszawski
Poland's largest university, founded in 1816, with over 300 programmes and English-taught bachelor's degrees.
- Students
- 36,300
- International
- 10%
- of students
- Tuition
- €800
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1816
About UW
The University of Warsaw was founded in 1816 and is Poland's largest university, with 36,300 students, 1,742 doctoral candidates and 8,090 employees. It has 25 faculties and over 30 research units spread across three campuses, from the historic central campus on Krakowskie Przedmieście to the science faculties on Pasteura and Banacha streets, and offers over 300 degree programmes in the humanities, social sciences, sciences, engineering and, since 2023, medicine.
UW was one of ten Polish universities selected in the national 'Excellence Initiative – Research University' programme (2020-2026), where its application received the highest evaluation score. It leads Polish institutions in the EU's Horizon Europe programme, with 88 funded projects including 16 European Research Council grants. Six Nobel Prize winners studied at UW, including Henryk Sienkiewicz, Menachem Begin, Joseph Rotblat and Olga Tokarczuk.
Most programmes are taught in Polish and admit students by matura exam results, and some are highly competitive. UW also offers 42 English-language programmes, including bachelor's degrees in International Relations, Political Science, Business and Management, and European Politics and Economics, with fees from about €1,500 to €5,500 a year for non-EU students. It suits students who want a big, research-heavy university in the centre of a capital city.
Why students choose UW
Full-time Polish-taught study is free for Polish, EU/EFTA citizens and several other groups, such as Card of the Pole holders and those with a C1 Polish certificate.
42 English-language programmes, with bachelor's fees in 2026/27 from €1,500 (International Studies in Philosophy, non-EU) to €5,500 (American Studies, non-EU).
Six Nobel laureates among its graduates, including writers Henryk Sienkiewicz and Olga Tokarczuk.
The historic central campus sits on Krakowskie Przedmieście, one of Warsaw's main streets, near the Old Town.
Admissions
2027/2028 academic year (2026/27 admissions timetable shown; 2027 dates not yet published)
Selectivity
UW publishes applicants per place by programme rather than an overall admission rate. In the 2026 admissions (figures of 22 July 2026), 38,800 applicants paid for 76,900 applications and about 17,300 were admitted to first-cycle and long-cycle programmes; the highest ratios were Medicine (32.78 applicants per place: 1,967 for 60 places), Business and Management (26.23: 1,049 for 40) and Japanese Studies (19.12: 478 for 25). In 2025 the highest first-round cut-off scores were Computer Science (90.36) and Japanese Studies (88.55).
Typical entry requirements
| Polish matura or EU/EFTA/OECD school-leaving certificate | Ranked by exam results in the subjects each programme specifies; cut-offs vary widely by programme |
|---|---|
| IB or European Baccalaureate | Accepted without the additional requirements that apply to other non-EU/OECD certificates |
| Other foreign certificates (non-EU/EFTA/OECD countries) | NAWA director's statement on the document, proof of the language of instruction at B2 or higher, and a passed entrance exam |
| English language | IELTS 5.5 · TOEFL iBT 72 English-taught programmes require English at least at B2, e.g. IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, Cambridge B2 First or PTE Academic 59 (list for Polish, EU/EFTA and UK citizens with EU/EFTA/OECD certificates). Other foreign applicants must use documents from the Polish ministry's list. Polish-taught programmes require proof of Polish. |
Deadlines
- English-taught programmes, Faculty of Political Science and International Studies (first round) Non-binding23 February 2026 (2026 cycle; 2027 date not yet published)
For 2026/27, registration opened on 3 February 2026 and the first round closed on 23 February; further rounds for English-taught programmes reopened on 30 March 2026.
- Main IRK registration for full-time first-cycle and long-cycle studies Non-binding9 July 2026 (2026 cycle; 2027 dates not yet published)
For 2026/27: registration 9 June to 9 July 2026, application fee by 10 July, results 22 July, document submission 23, 24 and 27 July.
UW sets admissions dates each year by Senate resolution and Rector's order; the 2027/28 timetable has not been published yet. Dates above are from the 2026/27 cycle. English-taught programmes often open earlier (from February) and have several rounds; each programme's deadline is shown in IRK.
How to apply
Register online in UW's Internet Recruitment of Candidates system (IRK), choose programmes (use the 'Studies in English' filter for English-taught ones) and pay an application fee of 85 PLN per programme (100 PLN if it includes a written exam, oral exam or interview). Admitted candidates then submit documents in person on set dates; foreign certificates need recognition, legalisation and translation.
What admissions looks for
- Strong results in the matura or equivalent exam subjects that each programme scores.
- For English-taught programmes, English at B2 level or above.
- For some programmes, a passed entrance exam or interview.
- For non-EU applicants with certificates from outside the EU, EFTA and OECD, a NAWA statement and a passed entrance exam.
Tips for applying to UW
- 1 Check each programme's page in IRK for its own deadline: some English-taught programmes close their first round in February.
- 2 Look at past applicants-per-place figures and cut-off scores on the Admissions Office website to gauge your chances.
- 3 If you hold a non-EU certificate, check early whether the 2025 visa-law requirements (NAWA statement, B2 language proof, entrance exam) apply to you.
- 4 Budget for fees in the right currency: most English-taught bachelor's fees are in euros, but some programmes (such as Psychology) charge in złoty.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
Full-time Polish-taught study is free for EU/EFTA citizens and several groups of foreigners, including holders of the Card of the Pole, a C1 Polish certificate, permanent residence or refugee status; other foreigners pay the fees set each year by Rector's order, for 2026/27 mostly between €800 and €4,800 a year for Polish-taught first-cycle programmes and 46,000 PLN for Medicine. Foreigners can also be exempted from fees through a scholarship from the Polish minister or the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA).
- 85 PLN per programme (100 PLN with an exam or interview)
- Application fee
- 25,200 PLN (EU/EFTA) or 27,600 PLN (non-EU)
- Psychology (long-cycle, English-taught) per year
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters (winter and summer); the academic year starts on 1 October
Computer Science (BSc, Polish-taught)
Had the highest first-round cut-off score of any UW programme in 2025 (90.36), at the Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Mechanics.
International Relations (BA, English-taught)
Run by the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, with early registration from February; €4,300 a year in 2026/27.
Business and Management (English-taught)
The second most competitive programme in the 2026 admissions, with 26.23 applicants per place (1,049 for 40 places); €4,000 a year in 2026/27.
Medicine (long-cycle)
UW's newest faculty (first students in 2023) and its most competitive programme, with 32.78 applicants per place in 2026 (1,967 for 60 places).
Oriental Studies: Japanese, Chinese and Korean Studies
Among UW's highest cut-off scores in 2025 (Japanese 88.55, Chinese 85.55, Korean 85.4).
Psychology (long-cycle, English-taught)
A five-year English-taught programme costing 25,200 PLN (EU) or 27,600 PLN (non-EU) a year in 2026/27; full-time long-cycle Psychology was among UW's most popular programmes in the 2025 admissions.
Research
- Selected with the highest score among ten universities in Poland's 'Excellence Initiative – Research University' programme (2020-2026).
- UW leads Polish institutions in Horizon Europe, with 88 funded projects including 16 ERC grants and more than €44.4 million received.
- 1,280 ongoing research grants, including 957 from the National Science Centre.
- Four doctoral schools with 1,706 doctoral candidates.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Economic Sciences
- Faculty of Law and Administration
- Faculty of Management
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Mechanics
- Faculty of Physics
- Faculty of Chemistry
- Faculty of Biology
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Political Science and International Studies
- Faculty of Asian and African Cultures
- Faculty of Polish Studies
- Faculty of Philosophy
Student life
UW's central campus lies behind the ornate Main Gate on Krakowskie Przedmieście, around the Kazimierz Palace, while science faculties such as Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics sit on Pasteura and Banacha streets. With more than 36,000 students and 3,662 international students and doctoral candidates, it is a large, city-centre university. UW is part of the 4EU+ European university alliance, and its Welcome Point helps international students with their first steps in Poland.
- Over 300 degree programmes across 25 faculties.
- Member of the 4EU+ European university alliance.
- The Welcome Point supports international students arriving in Poland.
- Individual interdisciplinary studies let students combine subjects across faculties.
Location
Warsaw is Poland's capital and largest city. UW's historic central campus is on Krakowskie Przedmieście, part of the Royal Route leading to the Old Town, and its other faculties are spread across three campuses in the city, including the science faculties on Pasteura and Banacha streets. Warsaw Chopin Airport connects the city with the rest of Europe.
Nearest airport: Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW)
Notable alumni
- HS Henryk SienkiewiczNovelist, Nobel Prize in Literature 1905; studied at the Imperial University of Warsaw
- MB Menachem BeginPrime Minister of Israel and Nobel Peace Prize laureate 1978; studied law at the University of Warsaw
- JR Joseph RotblatPhysicist, Nobel Peace Prize 1995; doctorate in physics from the University of Warsaw in 1938
- LH Leonid HurwiczEconomist, Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences 2007; graduated from Warsaw University in 1938
- OT Olga TokarczukNovelist, Nobel Prize in Literature 2018; studied clinical psychology at the University of Warsaw
- LK Lech KaczyńskiPresident of Poland 2005-2010; law and administration graduate of Warsaw University
Frequently asked questions
Is the University of Warsaw free for international students?
Full-time Polish-taught study is free for EU/EFTA citizens and some other groups, such as Card of the Pole holders; other non-EU students pay fees there too (for 2026/27 mostly €800 to €4,800 a year, and 46,000 PLN for Medicine). English-taught bachelor's programmes cost from €1,500 to €5,500 a year for non-EU students in 2026/27, and some also charge EU students.
How do I apply to the University of Warsaw?
Register in the online IRK system, choose your programmes and pay an 85 PLN application fee per programme (100 PLN if there is an exam or interview). Admitted candidates then submit their documents on set dates.
When is the University of Warsaw application deadline?
In the 2026 cycle, main registration for full-time first-cycle studies ran from 9 June to 9 July, with results on 22 July. Some English-taught programmes opened in February and closed their first round on 23 February; the 2027 dates are not yet published.
What English level do I need for UW's English-taught programmes?
At least B2, for example IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72 or Cambridge B2 First. Some non-EU applicants must use a certificate from the Polish ministry's list.
How competitive is the University of Warsaw?
It depends on the programme. In the 2026 admissions, Medicine had 32.78 applicants per place and Business and Management 26.23, while in 2025 Computer Science had the highest cut-off score (90.36).
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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