If a diploma confirming the completion of studies abroad gives the right to continue education in second-cycle studies in the country where it was issues, it entitles to continue education in second-cycle studies in the Republic of Poland.    

In that case, the legal basis for recognizing the diploma is Art. 326 of the Act of 20 July 2018 Law on higher education and science (Journal of Laws 2020, item 85, as amended).

It should be checked whether the document on the basis of which the candidate is applying for admission to university indicates that he/she is entitled to continue his/her education in higher education in the country in which the document was issued. If the diploma does not provide such information, you should obtain an additional document confirming that your diploma entitles you to continue education in the country of origin. Depending on the country, such confirmation may be obtained, for example, from:

• the university that issued the document,
• the higher education authorities of the country in whose education system the document was issued,
• Consul of the Republic of Poland in office in the country in whose education system the document was issued,
• a diplomatic mission or consular post of the country in whose education system the document was issued,accredited on the territory of the Republic of Poland,
• National Agency for Academic Exchange (more information on the NAWA website).

h

Note! Diplomas confirming the completion of higher education abroad do not entitle to continue education in Poland if:.

a) the institution that issued the diploma or the institution where the education was conducted:

• does not operate in any higher education system or state
• within the meaning of the internal law of the country in whose system of higher education this institution operates, on the day of issuing the diploma it was not an accredited university or implemented a study programme without accreditation;

b) the study programme or part of it was implemented contrary to the Orders of the country in which the education was conducted.

If you want to check the information about the selected selected types of higher education diplomas obtained abroad, use the system KWALIFIKATOR

If you still have doubts, you can apply for written information about your diploma free of charge. You will find instructions here.

A diploma certifying the completion of studies abroad may be recognised as equivalent to the relevant Polish diploma and professional title on the basis of an international agreement specifying equivalence, or in the absence thereof, by means of a nostrification procedure.

International agreement

Under international agreements, the Republic of Poland recognises documents on education from the following countries:

Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Cuba, Libya, Lithuania, Latvia, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Germany, Russia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Syria, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Hungary, Vietnam, and from the following currently non-existent countries: Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia (SFRY), East Germany, USSR.

The complete list of agreements is available on the website of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education

Nostrification procedure

Nostrification is a procedure leading to the determination of the Polish equivalent of a foreign diploma or degree. More information about the nostrification procedure can be found on the NAWA website.