Polish universities see a rise in international students, with a 20% increase over five years, particularly at non-public institutions.
Nearly 86,000 foreign students studied in Poland in 2021, with over half coming from neighboring countries, mainly Ukraine and Belarus. The RAD-on platform, developed by the National Information Processing Institute (OPI PIB) in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science, provides comprehensive data on this trend.
Shift Towards Non-Public Universities
Most international students in Poland choose full-time studies, with 52% opting for non-public universities, compared to only 30% of Polish students. In doctoral programs, over 1,400 foreign students, primarily from India, Ukraine, and Iran, focused on engineering, science, and natural sciences.
Educational Landscape and Demographic Trends
While the total number of students in Poland has decreased by 5% over the past five years, the number of foreign students increased by 20%. Non-public universities saw a 27% rise in enrollment, reflecting a trend towards higher-quality education amidst demographic changes.