Supplementary university admissions — how to use them

Supplementary university admissions give a second chance to everyone who didn't get in during the first round — for whatever reason. Many universities in Poland, both public and private, open additional recruitment rounds for programmes that haven't filled their quota. This article shows you how to use this option step by step.

What supplementary admissions are

Supplementary admissions (sometimes called a second round) is an additional recruitment round announced by a university after the main admissions process ends, if places remain open on a given programme. This applies both to very popular fields (where some admitted students decline in favour of another university) and to less competitive ones that regularly have open places every year.

When supplementary admissions take place

Dates vary by university, but supplementary admissions usually run from late July through September, sometimes into early October. The table below shows an indicative timeline for a typical academic year:

Stage	Indicative timing	What to do
Matura results	Early/mid-July	Check results, calculate admission points
First admissions round	July	Register in IRK/ERK, choose programmes
Admitted-student lists published	Late July	Check whether you got into your chosen programme
Supplementary admissions	August–September	Monitor university websites, submit documents
Academic year begins	October	Enrolment, first classes

Supplementary admissions at public vs. private universities

It's worth remembering that the supplementary admissions mechanism differs somewhat between public and private universities. Public universities usually announce one formal second round with a clearly defined deadline, after which admissions close. Private universities more often run rolling admissions — sometimes as late as October or November — offering more flexibility, though this comes with tuition fees.

How to make the most of supplementary admissions

1. Monitor university websites regularly — information about open places often appears without prior notice, usually under the "admissions" tab or the university's IRK/ERK system.
2. Prepare your documents in advance — matura certificate, photo, any other certificates — so you can submit them as soon as a round opens.
3. Consider several universities at once — supplementary admissions for the same field may have different cut-off scores depending on the city and university.
4. Check related fields too — sometimes it's easier to get into a field closely related to your dream programme, and later switch specialisation or continue with a different focus at a higher degree level.

What documents you'll need

While the exact list varies between universities, in most cases it's worth having ready: your matura certificate (original or a copy), ID for verification, a recent photo for your student card, and sometimes a medical certificate (for medical or teaching-related fields) or proof of the admissions fee payment. Gathering these documents in advance — ideally right after matura results are published — lets you submit your application the same day open places are announced.

Supplementary admissions and your backup plan

If you didn't get in during the first round and want a broader overview of your options — not just supplementary admissions but other paths too — check our guide on I didn't get into university — what now, where we lay out all the available options, including a gap year and changing fields.

Before settling on a field through supplementary admissions

Time pressure in August or September can push you toward picking "any" field just to get into university this year. Before choosing a field you hadn't previously considered, it's worth spending 10 minutes on the free next.movv career aptitude test — it helps you check whether that field actually fits your profile, or is just a choice made out of necessity. It's also a good moment to revisit the general principles in our article on how to choose a degree course step by step.

What to avoid in supplementary admissions

• Don't submit documents "just in case" for a field you have zero interest in — it's better to spend time on a thoughtful choice.
• Don't wait until the last day of the round — places in supplementary admissions can fill up fast.
• Don't overlook smaller cities and regional universities — they often offer the same programme with a lower cut-off score.
• Don't forget to finish all the formalities — submitting documents is often just the first step; you may still need to confirm your intent to enrol by a set deadline.

Is it worth contacting the university directly

If the admissions page doesn't give a clear answer, it's worth simply calling or emailing the university's admissions office. Many universities are happy to share the current number of open places on specific programmes over the phone, before that information appears officially on the website — often the fastest way to find out whether it's even worth submitting documents.

In short: supplementary admissions are a real and often underestimated chance to get into university. The key to success is acting quickly, staying flexible about university and field, and — despite the time pressure — making a conscious decision rather than a random pick.