University of Wrocław
Uniwersytet Wrocławski
A 1702 Jesuit foundation on the Oder, now one of Poland's ten 'research universities' with about 30 English-taught degrees.
- Students
- 20,000
- International
- 8%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 15.3:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- €3,800
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1702
About UWr
The University of Wrocław began in 1702 as the Jesuit Leopoldina, founded by Emperor Leopold I's Golden Bull. In 1811 it merged with the Viadrina of Frankfurt (Oder) to form a state university, which as the German University of Breslau counted scientists such as Max Born and Otto Stern among its students. After 1945 it was re-founded as a Polish university by professors from Lviv, and it continues the traditions of the Polish universities in Lviv and Vilnius.
Today UWr has more than 20,000 students, including over 1,500 international students, around 620 doctoral candidates and more than 2,000 academic teachers. Its 12 faculties cover the humanities, languages, law and economics, social sciences, history and pedagogy, communication and media, biotechnology, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, physics and astronomy, and mathematics and computer science. It offers close to 170 fields of study, about 30 of them taught in English.
UWr holds the title of 'Research University' in Poland's Initiative of Excellence, as the only university in Lower Silesia and one of ten nationally. It suits students who want a historic city-centre university with strong science and social science departments; full-time Polish-taught study is free for Polish and EU/EEA citizens, while English-taught degrees cost EUR 2,300 to 4,200 a year.
Why students choose UWr
About 30 programmes taught in English, including Biotechnology, Criminal Justice, Data and Society, International Relations and an LLB in International and European Environmental Law.
Full-time Polish-taught degrees are free for Polish citizens and for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens.
One of only ten Polish universities with 'Research University' status under the Initiative of Excellence, which funds scholarships, tutoring and smaller classes.
A historic main building on the Oder in central Wrocław and five university dormitories near the Grunwaldzki campus, with double rooms from 720 PLN a month.
Admissions
Academic year 2027/28 (dates below are from the 2026/27 cycle)
Selectivity
UWr does not publish an overall admission rate. Polish-taught programmes have published admission limits and are applied for through rekrutacja.uni.wroc.pl. For English-taught programmes, the International Office checks documents and a Faculty Committee decides on the basis of grades, cover letter (where required) and English; there is no fixed minimum GPA, and some programmes, such as Biotechnology and Chemistry, hold interviews.
Typical entry requirements
| Secondary school leaving certificate | Legalised (apostille or Polish consul) certificate and transcript, a certificate confirming access to higher education in your country, and recognition (nostrification) where the certificate is from outside the EU, OECD or EFTA and not IB/EB |
|---|---|
| IB or European Baccalaureate | Accepted without nostrification, and also count as proof of English |
| English (non-EU candidates) | B2 with all four skills tested: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72 (score 4 for tests after 21 January 2026), PTE Academic 59, Cambridge B2 First or higher |
| English language | IELTS 5.5 · TOEFL iBT 72 B2 is the minimum for non-EU candidates under Polish regulations, with all four skills tested. IELTS 5.5 (academic or general), TOEFL iBT 72 for certificates before 21 January 2026 (4 on the new scale afterwards), PTE Academic 59, TOEIC 785 L&R plus 150 speaking and 160 writing. The English for Knowledge, Culture and Innovation programme sets different requirements. |
Deadlines
- English-taught Biotechnology and Medical Biotechnology Non-binding Passed24 July 2026 (2026/27 cycle)
IRC opened 2 February 2026; interviews ran on a rolling basis until 10 August and results by 14 August.
- Other English-taught programmes Non-binding Passed31 August 2026 (2026/27 cycle)
Results within 14 days of a complete application, by 14 September at the latest; first-year tuition due within four weeks of the offer and by 18 September 2026.
The 2027/28 admission timetable has not been published; UWr says admission usually opens at the end of February or beginning of March. Studies start only in October, and non-EU applicants should apply well before the final deadline to leave time for a visa.
How to apply
For English-taught degrees, register in the Internet Registration of Foreigners system (IRC, international-applications.uni.wroc.pl), pay the EUR 23 registration fee (EUR 27 if there is an exam) for each programme, and upload your documents. Assessment takes about two weeks from a complete application. If you receive a Letter of Offer, accept it and pay the full first-year tuition within four weeks; UWr then issues the Admission Letter for your visa. Polish citizens and those studying in Polish apply through rekrutacja.uni.wroc.pl.
What admissions looks for
- A complete, legalised application including your final school-leaving certificate.
- Good grades, especially in subjects related to the chosen programme.
- At least B2 English, with all four skills certified, for non-EU applicants.
- A cover letter (and CV) for programmes that require one, such as Biotechnology, and a positive opinion from the programme coordinator.
Tips for applying to UWr
- 1 Apply only when you have your final diploma: UWr assesses complete applications only.
- 2 Start nostrification early if your certificate comes from outside the EU, OECD or EFTA; it runs through NAWA's SYRENA system.
- 3 Check your English certificate tests all four skills; certificates without speaking or writing are not accepted.
- 4 Budget the full first-year fee up front: it must be paid within four weeks of the Letter of Offer before the admission letter is issued.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
Full-time study in Polish is free for Poles and EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, and certain other groups of foreigners. The Research University (Initiative of Excellence) project funds scholarship and grant programmes at UWr, and the university lists further scholarships on its recruitment site. English-taught programmes charge tuition, with lower rates for EU citizens and Pole's Card holders.
- EUR 23 (EUR 27 with exam)
- Registration fee per application
- 720 to 870 PLN a month (double room); 1,110 to 1,500 PLN (single)
- Dormitory rent from October 2026
- About 2,000 in five halls
- Dormitory places
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (academic year starts 1 October)
Biotechnology (BA, English)
English-taught at the Faculty of Biotechnology with a cover letter and interview; EUR 4,200 first-year fee for non-EU students.
Criminal Justice (BA, English)
English-taught bachelor's; EUR 2,400 a year for EU candidates and EUR 3,900 in the first year for non-EU candidates.
Data and Society (BA, English)
A new English-taught bachelor's for 2026/27; EUR 2,800 a year for EU candidates, EUR 4,200 first year for non-EU.
LLB International and European Environmental Law
An English-taught law degree focused on international and EU environmental law.
Genetics and Experimental Biology (BA, English)
A new English-taught bachelor's for 2026/27; EUR 3,000 a year for EU candidates, EUR 4,200 first year for non-EU.
Astrophysics and Theoretical Physics (MA, English)
English-taught master's options with the lowest fees at UWr (EUR 1,950 a year for EU candidates).
Research
- UWr is one of ten Polish universities awarded 'Research University' status in the Initiative of Excellence, with extra funding for research, scholarships and English-taught programmes.
- Its predecessor, the University of Breslau, trained Nobel laureates Max Born and Otto Stern (PhD 1912).
- UWr works with around 800 foreign universities and is a member of the Arqus European University Alliance.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Biotechnology
- Faculty of Chemistry
- Faculty of Letters
- Faculty of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
- Faculty of Social Communication and Media Studies
- Faculty of Law, Administration and Economics
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Historical and Pedagogical Sciences
- Faculty of Biological Sciences
- Faculty of Earth Sciences and Environmental Management
- Faculty of Physics and Astronomy
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
Student life
UWr's buildings are spread through central Wrocław, from the baroque main building on the Oder to the Grunwaldzki campus. First-year international students can apply for one of about 2,000 places in five co-educational dormitories near Grunwaldzki (Dwudziestolatka, Kredka, Ołówek, Parawanowiec and Słowianka), in single, double or triple rooms with internet, costing 720 to 1,500 PLN a month. International students get a buddy system and an international alumni network, and the university runs sports sections, student organisations and a careers office.
- Five dormitories with about 2,000 places near Grunwaldzki campus.
- Buddy System for international full-degree students.
- Member of the Arqus European University Alliance.
- Lower Silesian Science Festival run with schools and the public.
Housing. About 2,000 dormitory places in five halls; first-year international students reserve through the Students Service Department and must reapply from the second year.
Location
Wrocław is the capital of Lower Silesia in south-western Poland, a historic city on the Oder river shaped by Silesian, Austrian, Prussian, Czech and Polish culture. The university's baroque main building sits on the riverbank in the city centre, and Wrocław Copernicus Airport serves the city.
Nearest airport: Wrocław Copernicus Airport (WRO)
Notable alumni
- MB Max BornNobel Prize-winning physicist; studied at the University of Breslau from 1901 (predecessor institution)
- OS Otto SternNobel Prize-winning physicist; PhD in physical chemistry, University of Breslau (1912)
- PE Paul EhrlichNobel Prize-winning immunologist; studied medicine in Breslau from 1872 (doctorate from Leipzig)
- ES Edith SteinPhilosopher and Catholic saint; studied at the Silesian Friedrich Wilhelm University in Breslau
- LK Leon KieresPresident of the Institute of National Remembrance (2000-2005) and Constitutional Tribunal judge; law degree
- ED Ewa DałkowskaActress in more than 50 films; graduated in 1970
- WS Władysław StasiakSenior Polish state official; history graduate (1989)
- MD Marta DymekChef and cookbook author advocating plant-based cooking; interdisciplinary humanities graduate
Frequently asked questions
How much does the University of Wrocław cost for international students?
English-taught bachelor's programmes starting in 2026/27 cost non-EU students EUR 3,800 to 4,200 in the first year and EUR 3,600 to 4,000 in later years; EU candidates pay EUR 2,300 to 3,000. Full-time Polish-taught study is free for Polish and EU/EEA citizens.
What English level does the University of Wrocław require?
Non-EU applicants need B2 with all four skills tested, for example IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72 or PTE Academic 59.
When is the application deadline for the University of Wrocław?
For 2026/27, applications ran from 2 February to 31 August 2026 for most English-taught programmes and to 24 July for Biotechnology and Medical Biotechnology. The 2027/28 timetable is usually announced in late February or early March.
Does the University of Wrocław offer medicine or engineering in English?
No. UWr's English-taught degrees are in the humanities, social sciences, law, business, biotechnology and chemistry; medicine and engineering are offered by other Wrocław universities.
Does the University of Wrocław have dormitories?
Yes: five dormitories with about 2,000 places near Grunwaldzki campus, with double rooms from 720 to 870 PLN a month from October 2026.
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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