Poland offers scholarships for budget students for the 2026/2027 school year.

Poland has become one of Europe’s top “budget” destinations by 2026. It offers high-quality degrees taught in English at a much lower cost than Western Europe. The Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) offers a number of “Full-Ride” government scholarships that cover tuition and give students a monthly salary. These are excellent for students from developing countries or those on a tight budget.

1. The Stefan Banach Scholarship Programme (NAWA)

This is the best scholarship for students from developing countries, such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, India, Indonesia, and many Latin American countries, who want to get a Master’s degree in Poland.

• The Prize: 100% Paid for.
  • Benefits: You don’t have to pay for your full tuition at public universities, and you get a monthly stipend of PLN 1,500 (about €350) while you study. You also get a one-time settlement allowance of PLN 500 in the first and last years.
  • The Preparatory Course: If you want to study in Polish, the scholarship will pay for a full year of language classes and give you a higher monthly stipend of PLN 1,700.
• Timeline for 2026 and 2027:
  • Deadline for applications: usually June 20, 2026 (based on recent cycles).
  • Focus Areas: Engineering, Technical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, and Life Sciences.
• To be eligible, you must have a bachelor’s degree from 2023 or later and be able to speak English or Polish at a B2 level.

2. The Łukasiewicz Scholarship is now part of Banach.

The Łukasiewicz track used to be its own thing, but now it’s part of the Banach umbrella. It focuses on helping Engineering and Technical students from partner countries improve the “Socio-Economic Development” of their home countries.

3. The POLONISTA NAWA Scholarship

This award is a one-of-a-kind chance for students, PhD candidates, and researchers who are interested in Polish language, history, and culture.

• The prize is a monthly payment of PLN 2,000 for students and PLN 3,300 for doctoral candidates.
• The deadline for this cycle was April 3, 2026. In early 2027, the next cycle will start.
• You can study Polish, Philology, History, and Art History.

4. The 5 best “cheap” public universities for 2026 and 2027

If you don’t get a government scholarship, public universities in Poland are very cheap. Tuition is usually around €2,000 a year.

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5. How to Skip IELTS for Poland in 2026

5. How to avoid taking the IELTS test in Poland in 2026

Poland is very adaptable for students who have studied in English before:

• Medium of Instruction (MOI): Most Polish universities will not require the IELTS if your previous degree (high school or bachelor’s) was taught entirely in English (for example, in Nigeria, Ghana, the USA, or the UK).
• Internal Language Tests: Many universities, like UMCS and the University of Warsaw, give their own online English interviews or tests that are free or much cheaper than the IELTS.
• B2 Self-Certification: If you can prove your level through academic transcripts, you don’t need a formal certificate for some master’s programmes.

6. Important Timeline for 2026 and 2027

1. February to March 2026: Most NAWA calls, like Polonista, are open for applications.
2. The last day to apply for the Stefan Banach (Master’s) scholarship is June 20, 2026.
3. July to August 2026: This period is the last time that “Privately Financed” (self-funded) budget students can apply.
4. The academic year starts in October 2026 (the Winter Semester).

Final Thoughts

The Stefan Banach Scholarship is the best way for Budget Students to obtain a free education. The University of Lodz or the Poznan University of Technology are the best places to go if you are paying for your education. Because Polish admissions are based only on merit, focus your application on your GPA. Students with an average above 75% are given priority