Poland Entices More Than 105,000 International Students in 2022-23

Studying in Poland is becoming popular at a very rapid pace among Asian & African Countries and we recently came across a fascinating report that sheds light on the growing trend of international students enrolling in Polish higher education institutions. The figures for the 2022-23 academic year reveal that the number of international students has surpassed an impressive 105,000. This interestingly translates to an internationalization rate of 8.7 percent, considering the total student population in Poland is around 1.21 million. What's even more noteworthy is the substantial increase in the count of Ukrainian students this year, forming the largest group among international students. The influx of Ukrainian students has surged by over 12,000 when compared to previous years, a fact that caught my attention from a report.

Delving into the details of the report presented by the Perspektywy Education Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing education, it's revealed that there are currently 48,100 Ukrainian students pursuing their studies in Poland. This impressive number accounts for a substantial 45.6 percent of all international students within Polish higher education institutions. An intriguing initiative was launched last year, aiming to provide comprehensive support for Ukrainian students. This initiative allows them to study in Poland without the burden of tuition fees and also assists them in securing accommodation and employment opportunities in the country.

As we delved into the report's findings, it was amazing to see Poland's growing reputation as a favored destination for international students. This is especially remarkable considering the history – during Poland's entry into the EU, the count of international students was a mere 8,800, resulting in an internationalization rate of just 0.48 percent, the lowest across Europe. Waldemar Siwiński, President of the Perspektywy Foundation, aptly put it, "This is in line with the European average, reflecting the immense progress made by Polish higher education over the past 19 years."

Among the 105,400 international students, it's interesting to note that 48,700 are female, indicating an impressive nearly 18 percent increase from the previous year. According to the Perspektywy report, a majority of foreign students in Poland for the 2022/23 academic year hail from various countries, including Belarus (12,000 students), Turkey (3,800 students), Zimbabwe (3,600 students), India (2,700 students), Azerbaijan (2,500 students), Uzbekistan (2,100 students), China (1,800 students), Kazakhstan (1,700 students), and Nigeria (1,600 students).

Reflecting on the prior year, 2022, the count of international students in Poland had reached 89,500, representing a diverse array of 180 countries. This marked an impressive growth of 5.6 percent in comparison to the previous year. Interestingly, in 2022, there was a reported decline in the number of Ukrainian students, attributed by the foundation to the possible impacts of the Russian conflict in Ukraine. Opting to study in Poland certainly seems like a smart choice for international students, largely owing to the attractive combination of affordable living costs and reasonable tuition fees. Poland's reputation as one of the most budget-friendly European countries for pursuing a degree stands strong, with English-language programs available at an appealing annual rate of $2,500.