Poland attracts more and more international students: on Erasmus exchanges, on full degrees in English and in Polish. Whichever path you choose, Polish quickly becomes useful at the dean’s office, in the dorm and with your Polish friends. In this guide you will find essential university vocabulary, an email template for your professor and the language level required for degrees taught in Polish.
Erasmus or a degree in Polish? What level you need
Erasmus exchange. Classes are often taught in English, so Polish is not formally required. In practice, A1 or A2 lets you manage easily in shops, the canteen and public transport, and above all make Polish friends, not just other exchange students.
Degrees taught in Polish. Here the requirements are serious. Non EU candidates usually need to prove Polish at B2 level or higher, for example with the state certificate. Many universities also run one year preparatory courses for studying in Polish. Each university sets its own rules, so always check the admission requirements for your programme.
Student vocabulary: 20 words you will hear in your first week
| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| dziekanat | dean’s office |
| legitymacja studencka | student ID card |
| wykład | lecture |
| ćwiczenia | seminar or tutorial class |
| prowadzący, prowadząca | the person teaching the class |
| plan zajęć | timetable |
| sylabus | course syllabus |
| zaliczenie | course credit, pass |
| kolokwium | mid term test |
| sesja | exam period |
| egzamin poprawkowy | resit exam |
| warunek | conditional pass to the next year |
| punkty ECTS | ECTS credits |
| dyżur | office hours |
| akademik | student dormitory |
| stołówka | canteen |
| biblioteka uczelniana | university library |
| samorząd studencki | student union |
| stypendium | scholarship |
| obrona | thesis defence |
How to email a professor in Poland
Polish academic culture is more formal than in many countries. Lecturers are addressed by their title, not their first name.
- to a professor: Szanowny Panie Profesorze / Szanowna Pani Profesor,
- to a doctor (PhD): Szanowny Panie Doktorze / Szanowna Pani Doktor,
- if you do not know the title: Szanowny Panie / Szanowna Pani.
Email template
Szanowna Pani Doktor,
nazywam się Maria Lopez i jestem studentką pierwszego roku w grupie 3. Piszę w sprawie terminu kolokwium z ćwiczeń. Niestety w tym dniu mam egzamin na innym kierunku. Czy byłaby możliwość napisania kolokwium w innym terminie?
Z góry dziękuję za odpowiedź.
Z poważaniem
Maria Lopez
In English: Maria introduces herself as a first year student in group 3, explains that the date of the mid term test clashes with an exam in another programme, and politely asks whether she could take the test on another day. Short, polite and with a clear request. That email will be well received.
A study plan for students
- Before you arrive: pronunciation basics, greetings, numbers, shopping. A few weeks of study is enough.
- First semester: A1 to A2 in a small group course, everyday vocabulary and university life.
- Next semesters: if you are staying longer, aim for B1 and then B2. A B1 certificate will also help later when you think about work and a longer stay. See our guide to the Polish B1 exam.
The best results come from combining a course with daily contact with the language: Polish flatmates, volunteering, student clubs and language tandems.
Online Polish course for students
A student’s timetable changes every semester, and online learning means no time lost commuting. At Go For Polish you learn in a group of 3 to 6 students or one to one, from A1 to C2. If a certificate is your goal, we also run a dedicated B1 exam preparation course.
Before you start, you talk with Dorota, who will match the level and format to your timetable.
Explore courses for adults or get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
What level of Polish do I need to study in Polish?
Non EU candidates for degree programmes taught in Polish usually need to prove Polish at B2 level or higher, for example with a state certificate. Each university sets the detailed requirements, so always check the admission rules for your programme.
Do I need Polish for Erasmus?
Erasmus classes are often taught in English, so Polish is not formally required. Basic Polish still makes daily life, friendships with Polish students and university paperwork much easier.
How long does it take to get from zero to B2?
It depends on how intensively you study and how much contact you have with the language. With a regular course and life in Poland, many people reach B2 in about two years. An intensive programme can shorten that.