Poland is now one of the fastest-growing places in Europe for students to study, especially students from Nigeria and other developing countries. Poland is a realistic place to study in Europe in 2026 because it will have low tuition, programs taught in English, and many fully funded scholarships.
The best part is that many scholarships in Poland pay for tuition, give students monthly stipends, and sometimes even help with housing and travel costs, so you can study for very little or no money.
This guide covers the best scholarships in Poland for 2026, who can apply, their benefits, and how to get them.
Why go to school in Poland?
There are several reasons why more and more international students are choosing to study in Poland:
- The cost of education is lower than in Western Europe.
- Universities that are well-known around the world and offer degrees that are highly regarded
- Programmes in many fields are taught in English
- The cost of living is lower than in places like Germany or the UK.
- Getting a job in Europe
Poland also has structured programmes that give government-backed scholarships to international students, which makes it easier for them to get money.
Best scholarships in Poland for 2026
1. Fully Funded Poland Government NAWA Scholarships
The Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange offers the most important scholarship to know.
NAWA runs most of the scholarships for international students that the government pays for.
These are:
- The Stefan Banach Scholarship
- Scholarship for Ignacy Łukasiewicz
- Polonista Programme
NAWA’s goal is to support foreign students studying in Poland and promote international education.
What do NAWA Scholarships Pay For?
- Exemption from paying the full tuition fee
- Monthly payment
- Money for travel
- Free prep courses (sometimes)
The Banach Programme, for instance, offers:
- A monthly allowance of about PLN 2,500
- Study at public universities without paying tuition
- Help with traveling to Poland
Who Can Apply
- Students from poorer countries, like Nigeria
- People who want to get a Master’s degree
- Students who study engineering, science, agriculture, technology, and other fields
This program is the best fully funded scholarship in Poland for the year 2026.
2. The Ignacy Łukasiewicz Scholarship Programme
This is another big scholarship from the government through NAWA.
What It Gives
- A Master’s degree with no tuition
- Preparatory course (Polish language and schoolwork)
- Monthly payment
- Full help with schoolwork
It focuses on:
- Building
- Science of technology
- Farming
- Science of nature
If you want to get a degree in Poland in a technical or scientific field, the Erasmus+ Scholarship is the best option.
3. Erasmus+ Scholarship (All costs covered)
Erasmus+ is one of the most well-known scholarships in Europe.
What It Covers
- All tuition costs
- Monthly payment
- Costs of travel
- Insurance
It lets you study in Poland as part of a programme for Europeans.
Many people agree that it is one of the best fully funded scholarships in Poland.
4. Polonista NAWA Scholarship (Specialised Programme)
This scholarship is for students who want to learn about the Polish language and culture.
What It Gives
- Fully funded short-term or research programmes
- Opportunities for academic exchange
- Being immersed in a culture
It helps with research and studying in areas like the following:
- Books
- The past,
- Studies in culture
5. Scholarships for Polish universities
A lot of Polish universities give scholarships to students from other countries.
Some examples of institutions are the following: e:
- Warsaw University
- University of Jagiellonian
- University of Technology in Warsaw
Some of the things these scholarships might cover are:
- No tuition fees
- Financial help is based on merit
- Funding for research
Many colleges and universities also let students apply without the IELTS test if they can show that they are good at English.
6. The UNESCO Poland Fellowship Programme
This is another chance for international students to get full funding.
What It Covers
- Fees for school
- Monthly payment
- Help with research
It is mostly available for:
- Students in science and engineering
7. Scholarships from outside sources and research
Poland is also home to international scholarships like the following:
- Fellowships for PhD students
- Funding for research
- Programmes for international academic exchange
These often include:
- Completed funding
- Grants are for travel
- Help with research
Levels of Study Covered
You can get Poland scholarships for:
- A degree in business
- A master’s degree
- Programmes for PhDs
- Programmes for research and exchange
Most fully funded opportunities are for people who are getting their Master’s or Ph.D.
Requirements for Polish scholarships.
You need to meet certain requirements in order to apply successfully.
Requirements for school
- Bachelor’s degree (for master’s programmes)
- Good grades in school
What documents do you need?
- Transcripts from school
- Resumé or CV
- Letter of motivation
- Letters of recommendation
- Passage
Requirements for a language
Most programmes need:
- TOEFL or IELTS
But some universities accept:
- Language of instruction (MOI).
- Interviews to test English skills
How to Apply Step by Step
Step 1: Pick Your Programme
Choose a course that fits what you already know.
Step 2: Apply to get in
First, apply to a university in Poland.
Step 3: Apply for scholarships.
Some types of scholarships are:
- Applications which are separate (like NAWA).
- Automatically thinking about you after being admitted
Step 4: Send in Your Papers
Make sure that all of the papers are complete and in order.
Step 5: Go to an interview if you have to.
Some scholarships might require interviews.
Step 6: Wait for the results.
Usually, you will hear back about your application and scholarship within a few months.
Living costs in Poland
Poland is one of the cheapest places to live in Europe.
Monthly costs on average:
- €400 to €800
This includes:
- Housing
- Food
- Getting around
- Cost to yourself
Most of these costs can be covered by a fully funded scholarship.
Advantages of studying in Poland
Education that doesn’t cost a lot
Poland is less expensive than many other European countries, even without scholarships.
Degrees of high quality
Universities in Poland are known around the world.
Job openings
Students can work while they are in school.
Access to Europe
It’s easy to get around Europe.
A community that is growing around the world
There are students from more than 80 countries in Poland.
Useful Advice to Boost Your Chances
Apply early
Most deadlines are due between January and June 2026.
Concentrate on a compelling letter of motivation.
Clearly and professionally explain what you want to do.
Pick programmes that are important
Apply for classes that are a good fit for your academic background.
Apply for more than one scholarship
Don’t depend on just one app.
Get ready to give strong references
Use referees you can trust.
Things You Shouldn’t Do
- Not meeting the deadlines
- Sending in applications that aren’t complete
- Writing letters of motivation that aren’t very good
- Applying without meeting the requirements
- Not following the rules about scholarships
Last Thoughts
Studying in Poland in 2026 is one of the most realistic and affordable ways for African students to study in Europe.
Here are some of the best scholarships to look at:
- Banach and Łukasiewicz NAWA Government Scholarships
- Programmes for Erasmus+
- Scholarships from universities
- UNESCO and fellowships for researchers
You can study in Poland for free or at a very low cost and build a strong international career if you plan ahead, write good papers, and apply early.