How to choose a university in Poland — criteria that matter

Choosing a degree is only half the decision — it's equally important to work out how to choose a university in Poland to study it at. The same degree at two different universities can mean a completely different experience: a different level of internships, different employer connections, and different earning prospects after graduation.

Why the university matters, even for the same degree

ELA data clearly shows that earnings and time-to-employment for graduates of the same degree can differ significantly depending on the university — factors include program quality, the network of employer connections, location (proximity to a large job market), and reputation among recruiters. That's why instead of asking generally "is this degree good," it's worth asking more specifically: "does this degree, at this university, in this city, give a good start."

Criteria that genuinely deserve a check

1. Accreditation and quality assessments — check the Polish Accreditation Committee's (PKA) ratings for the degree and university you're interested in.
2. ELA data for the specific university — not just the degree in general, but the specific program at the specific university.
3. Internship and placement programs — does the university have agreements with companies, mandatory internships, a careers office?
4. Faculty and real facilities — labs, equipment, and how up-to-date the curriculum is relative to market needs.
5. Location and cost of living — is there a job market in the city that matches your degree, and what are living and dorm costs like?
6. Admission cut-off scores from previous years — a realistic assessment of your admission chances.

Table: public vs. private, big city vs. smaller center

Criterion	Public university	Private university
Tuition	Usually free full-time programs	Usually paid
Recognition among employers	Often high, especially for older institutions	Varies, depends on the school and industry
Curriculum flexibility	Usually more formalized	Often more flexible, quicker to respond to the market
Admission threshold	Usually higher for popular degrees	Usually lower, sometimes open enrollment

This is a generalization — always check the data for the specific school, not just its type. The same applies to location: a big city usually means a bigger local job market and more internship offers, but also higher living and dorm costs, which for some people can offset that advantage.

How to check this in practice

Start with 2–3 universities offering the degree you're interested in. For each one, check: the PKA report, ELA data, the careers office page, and reviews from current students (e.g. on forums or Facebook groups). If you're still torn between degrees, not just universities, it's worth stepping back and checking our guide how to choose a degree course, or — if you're also weighing non-university options — our comparison of university vs. technical school.

What to do if you don't get into your dream university

It's worth knowing the rules of supplementary university admissions in advance — it's often a real path to a good university, even if the first round didn't work out. If you're considering IT degrees, also check our overview of IT degree courses, where we discuss curriculum differences between universities.

What to check at a university open day

An open day is a good opportunity to verify information you found online. It's worth preparing specific questions rather than just passively listening to the presentation:

• What does the actual class schedule look like in each year, and how many courses are practical versus theoretical?
• Which companies does the university partner with for internships, and are they mandatory?
• What access do students get to the labs, equipment, or software used in the industry?
• What share of graduates find work in their trained field (worth comparing the answer with ELA data)?
• What does the careers office support look like — does it organize meetings with employers, job fairs, CV workshops?

The answers to these questions often say more than the university's name or its ranking position. It's also worth talking informally with current students if you get the chance — their perspective is often more candid than official promotional materials.

Before you submit your application

If you're still unsure which degree and type of university would suit you, take our free, 10-minute degree and career matching test — it will help you narrow down your list of degrees before you start analyzing specific universities.

Summary

Choosing a university is about more than a ranking or a prestigious name — hard data (ELA, PKA), real internship infrastructure, and a fit with your career and life plans all matter. It's worth giving this as much attention as choosing the degree itself.