You can get into studies abroad through the Erasmus+ programme — it is the fastest and most financially supported path for students from all over Europe. Below you will find specific steps, requirements and tips that will guide you through the entire process.
Key takeaways
- If you want to study abroad through Erasmus, you mainly act through your home university — it nominates you to a university in Poland, not the other way around.
- Final exam results matter when applying to foreign universities outside Erasmus, but in the exchange programme itself, the most important factor is your university grade average.
- Studies through Erasmus are free of charge at the Polish host university — you do not pay tuition fees during the entire exchange period.
- A motivation essay and references from a lecturer are documents you can prepare in advance, regardless of when recruitment opens.
- Finding accommodation before arrival — preferably through a verified company such as Nearby Campus — eliminates the biggest stress of the first days in a new country.
What do studies abroad through Erasmus look like?
Studies abroad under the Erasmus+ programme are an academic exchange in which a student spends from 3 to 12 months at a partner university abroad while maintaining recognition of the semester at their home university. The programme offers a scholarship covering part of the living costs — without the need to pay additional tuition fees in Poland.
Are you coming to Poland for Erasmus? Looking for an affordable student room in Warsaw with no hidden fees? Check our offer!
Who can apply for studies abroad through Erasmus?
Not every student can apply for studies abroad through Erasmus. Recruitment has specific requirements that vary depending on the sending university.
Minimum Erasmus recruitment requirements:
- Active student status, at least the second year of bachelor’s studies
- Grade average above the threshold set by the university, usually 3.5–4.0 on a 5.0 scale
- Knowledge of the language of instruction at B1–B2 level, confirmed by a certificate or internal test
- A signed agreement between your university and the host university in Poland
It is worth checking with your university’s international cooperation office which Polish universities have bilateral agreements with your institution. This is where the whole process begins.
How to get into studies abroad?
Recruitment for Erasmus is not complicated, but it requires acting in advance. The most common mistake is submitting documents too late.
Step 1 — Choose a university and programme
Check the list of partner universities at your international cooperation office. Make sure that the selected study programme in Poland matches your current programme. Polish universities accept Erasmus students for almost all fields — from medicine to fine arts.
Step 2 — Submit the application at your home university
The application for studies abroad is first submitted at your university — not directly in Poland. The required documents usually include:
- Erasmus application form
- Transcript of records, translated into English
- Motivation letter, 300–500 words
- Proof of language proficiency
- References from a lecturer or thesis supervisor
Step 3 — Nomination and application to the Polish university
After being accepted by your university, you will be nominated to the host university in Poland. The Polish university will send you an application form and ask for additional documents — including the Learning Agreement, which is the study plan that must be approved on both sides.
Step 4 — Confirmation of admission and preparation for departure
After your application is approved by the Polish university, you will receive a Letter of Acceptance. This is the document you will need to activate the Erasmus+ scholarship at your home university.
Language requirements — what you need to know to get into university
Most universities in Poland offer classes for Erasmus students in English. You do not need to know Polish to study here.
However, if the selected programme is available only in Polish, you will need a language certificate or to pass a test. Check this in advance — before submitting your application.
| University / sending country | Required English level | Accepted certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Universities from Germany, the Netherlands, Scandinavia | B2 | IELTS 6.0, university certificate |
| Universities from Southern Europe, IT, ES, PT | B1–B2 | IELTS, internal certificate |
| Universities from Eastern Europe | B1 | Often an internal university test |
| Universities from English-speaking countries | C1 | IELTS 6.5–7.0 |
IELTS is the most commonly required language certificate when applying to English-language programmes. The exam lasts about 3 hours and costs around 200–250 EUR. If your home university accepts internal language tests, this may be a cheaper alternative.
Costs of studying through Erasmus in Poland
One of the biggest advantages of Erasmus is that you do not pay tuition fees in Poland. The Polish host university does not charge exchange students — regardless of whether it is Warsaw, Kraków or Wrocław.
What does the Erasmus scholarship cover?
The Erasmus+ scholarship does not cover all costs. Its amount depends on the sending country and ranges from 300 to 600 EUR per month for students coming to Poland. This is an indicative amount — check the exact rate at your home university.
Estimated monthly living costs for a student in Warsaw:
| Category | Monthly cost (PLN) | Monthly cost (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, room in an apartment | 1,800–2,800 PLN | 420–650 EUR |
| Food and groceries | 700–1,200 PLN | 165–280 EUR |
| Public transport, monthly ticket | 90–110 PLN | 21–26 EUR |
| Phone and internet | 50–100 PLN | 12–23 EUR |
| Recreation and other expenses | 300–600 PLN | 70–140 EUR |
| Total | ~2,940–4,810 PLN | ~688–1,119 EUR |
Warsaw is cheaper than Berlin, Amsterdam or Paris — but more expensive than Kraków or Łódź. Accommodation will always be the biggest expense.
Where to live? Finding a room for an Erasmus student in Poland
This is the question that keeps almost every incoming student awake at night. Dormitories at Polish universities have a limited number of places for external students, and renting on the open market can be complicated — especially when you do not know the language and are new to the country.
Advice from a Nearby Campus specialist
“Erasmus students often make the same mistake — they start looking for a room too late. We recommend starting the search no later than 2–3 months before the arrival date. At Nearby Campus, we offer fully furnished rooms located no more than 15 minutes on foot from campus. Contracts are available in English and signed remotely — without the need to come to Poland just to sign a paper. In addition, we help with formalities: from obtaining a PESEL number, to opening a bank account, to getting a SIM card. We are here to make the first days in Poland calm, not stressful.”
At Nearby, we help international students find student rooms in Warsaw prepared especially for people coming for an academic semester or a full academic year.
Why choose Nearby Campus?
Nearby Campus offers three accommodation packages adapted to different needs and budgets:
- Chill Basic — room + cleaning of common areas twice a month
- Clean Flex — room + cleaning four times a month
- All-In — room + cleaning four times a month + bed linen and towels
Every apartment is fully equipped: furniture, electronics, household appliances and 300 Mb/s internet. Locations are selected so that students can reach the university on foot or by taking one public transport stop.
What matters for international students — all communication takes place in English. Consultants speak the student’s language. You sign the contract remotely before arrival, so you arrive at a room that is already ready.
Nearby Campus works as more than a real estate agency. We create a community of students from all over the world, organise integration and help during the first weeks in Poland — practically with everything that may be difficult for a newcomer.
Want to study abroad? The most common mistakes when applying for Erasmus
Erasmus recruitment is transparent, but it is easy to make a mistake if you do not know the details.
1. Submitting documents too late
Most universities have two recruitment rounds: spring, for the winter semester, and autumn, for the summer semester. Applications often close 3–5 months before the start of the semester. Do not wait until the last moment.
2. Learning Agreement without consulting the lecturer
The Learning Agreement — the study plan for the exchange period — must be approved by the coordinator at your home university and by the host university. Mistakes in this document may result in the semester not being recognised after your return.
3. Lack of health insurance
The EHIC, European Health Insurance Card, is mandatory. Without it, medical treatment in Poland will be paid.
4. Not knowing the difference between ECTS and the national grading system
Poland uses a grading scale from 2 to 5. When you return, your home university must convert the grades to its own system. Check how this works at your university before choosing subjects.
Poland as an Erasmus destination — why is it worth it?
Poland is one of the most frequently chosen countries in the Erasmus+ programme. In the 2022/2023 academic year, it welcomed more than 22,000 international students — the 7th highest result in Europe.
Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław and Poznań have well-developed campuses with a wide range of courses in English. The cost of living is clearly lower than in Western Europe — with a similar level of infrastructure and quality of education.
For students from the Netherlands, Germany or Scandinavia, this is a particularly attractive option — the Erasmus scholarship covers a larger part of the costs than in the case of an exchange to Western countries.
Summary — what should you do first?
- Check with your international cooperation office which Polish universities your institution has agreements with.
- Submit your Erasmus application at your home university — do not wait until the last moment.
- Prepare your motivation letter, transcript and references in advance.
- Start looking for accommodation in parallel with your application — not after receiving acceptance.
- Contact Nearby Campus to reserve a room before arrival.
Studying abroad is one of the best decisions you can make during your studies. The Erasmus+ programme removes most formal obstacles — the rest can be managed with the right support.
FAQ — frequently asked questions
Do I need to have passed my final secondary school exam to study abroad through Erasmus?
Erasmus+ is a programme for active university students, so the final secondary school exam result is a condition for earlier admission to university, not a direct requirement of the exchange itself. Final exam results may, however, be checked by the home university during initial recruitment for bachelor’s studies.
Is the SAT required when applying for Erasmus?
The SAT applies to direct recruitment to universities in the USA and is not required in the Erasmus+ programme. Requirements of foreign universities under Erasmus are based on the transcript of records and language certificates such as IELTS.
Are studies through Erasmus free of charge?
Yes — the Polish host university does not charge tuition fees to Erasmus students. The programme is free on the host university side, and the student also receives an Erasmus+ scholarship to cover part of the living costs.
Is a motivation essay mandatory when applying?
Most foreign universities participating in the programme require a motivation letter or a short essay describing the goals of the exchange. A well-written essay may be decisive in recruitment when several people apply for the same place.
How long can you study abroad through Erasmus?
One exchange lasts from 3 to 12 months. During the entire bachelor’s and master’s study cycle, you can spend a maximum of 12 months abroad — so you can use the programme more than once.
Do final exam results affect the amount of the Erasmus scholarship?
Final exam results do not directly affect the amount of the scholarship. The amount depends on the sending country and the host country — Poland belongs to the group of countries with lower living costs, so the rates are lower than for trips to Western Europe.
Can I apply to foreign universities outside Erasmus?
Yes — direct recruitment to foreign universities works independently of the Erasmus+ programme. It usually requires final exam or SAT results, an application essay, references and a language certificate, and often also involves paying tuition fees.
How can I find accommodation before coming to Poland for Erasmus?
It is best to start searching 2–3 months before the arrival date and choose a verified student accommodation operator. At Nearby Campus, we offer rooms with English-language contracts signed remotely — so you can be sure of the rental conditions before you even board the plane.
