What is the best medical school in Poland?

Hey everyone, I am an American student who is interested in studying in Poland/EU. I completed an American Bachelors from a small univiersity. I am not of Polish origin, but actually Indian. According to most people here, generally what is the best medical school in Poland- is it Jagiellonian, Medical University of Warsaw, Poznan, or something else? For an American, who has no feel for Europe, which is the easiest city to live and adjust in? In grocery stores in Poland, do people generally rip of people who dont speak Polish or are prices standarized? Thank you for your answers

No English programmes at medical schools here are "good". In fact, they're all completely dire.

If you want to come here and buy your medical education, Poland is a great place. But don't be surprised when you can't find a job in the US or Europe afterwards because everyone knows the quality of the English language "graduates" from these universities.

I have to agree with delphiandomine here. While there are good medical schools in Poland, their English programs are of very low quality. You may end up wasting years of your life getting a diploma that means little if anything on the job market. My advice would be to forget about studying in Poland, and get your degree in the States. If you're good, you can get financial help, and even a full scholarship. That's what I did.

As for the rest of your question, the best cities are, in approximate order, Wrocław, Kraków, Poznań, Gdansk, Toruń and Warsaw. The second tier would include Szczecin, Białystok, Lublin, Rzeszów, Katowice and £ódź. An American would have no problem adjusting to life in those cities. The best medical school, however, is in Białystok. I'm always impressed when I visit the medical school there. In my opinion, it's the only medical school in Poland that comes close to American standards. However, like everywhere else, the English program there is a joke.

There is no haggling in Poland, and Polish shopkeepers are honest in dealing with foreigners.

This has been discussed in here before in numerous threads - feel free to use the search field.

For a foreigner from far away, I would say generally the larger the city the safer the bet if you were concerned with "mixing in the crowd", variety/availability of "western" food items, entertainment, etc.


I would not necessarily agree with this, especially without any facts or statistics presented (although there are some issues with these programmes).
I personally know many alumni of these programmes, vast majority of whom successfully got into residencies in UK/Canada/US - the ones who did not were slackers and/or immature and not able to get high enough grades both in-house and on the USMLE Steps.

I would say, however, that these programmes from the start will generally be tougher on a foreigner due to the local language barrier and often cultural differences. The BIGGEST downside, however, is that these programmes tend to attract large numbers of spoiled, immature brats with poor grades (especially from the US), so the overall learning environment may not be most conducive (not to mention poor public perception - which I think is what the above posters have in mind). But as with almost anything else, you will undoubtedly also find dedicated, mature students being there for the right reasons. If you can afford it, I would say it is probably better to go elsewhere. The mature/dedicated/on the budget student will do well under any circumstances - including these, so in the end it is a personal choice.

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Hello everybody,
My name is Omar Abu Agla and I am a Sudanese who lives in Saudi Arabia and I recently finished my IGCSE exam in 7 subjects : Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, English as a second language, ICT and Arabic. I got 6 A*s and 1 A in Arabic.

Now I am looking forward to study Medicine in Poland in English language.
My question is: What more qualifications do I need to apply for university and what are the best medical universities in Poland?

i think you would need something higher than GCSE level tbh

I know that's what I am asking about, and by the way i am taking AS level this year

I completed my MD at Warsaw Medical academy over a decade a go. I did my A level in My native Africa. Studying in Warsaw was one of the best times of my life. Isubsequently sat and passed (all at 1st sittings), medical exams to enable me to practice Medicine in UK, and I have ner looked back.

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Most universities provide some type of student accommodation, although demand is high due to the cost, which can be as low as £80 per month for a shared room. Contact your university as soon as you have an acceptance letter if you wish to pursue university housing. Many students living in shared apartments or houses, with costs ranging from £100-£200 per month depending on location.

According to most people here, generally what is the best medical school in Poland- is it Jagiellonian, Medical University of Warsaw, Poznan.

I appreciate comments made on the subject. I am a pole living in the US and consider sending my daughter to study medicine in Poland. I considered costs/efforts/time duration factors and it seems that studying in Poland may be a good deal for her. She does not speak polish, so either an English program for 11000 Euro a year or a Polish language school for a year and a Polish program for free would be for her. As a foreseeing parent I checked into ECFMG and USMLE requirements. These seem to be tough but for a hardworking student passable.

Because I am originally from Lodz , I considered MUL a a first choice. Yet some opinions that I got were similar to Jardinero's "The BIGGEST downside, however, is that these programmes tend to attract large numbers of spoiled, immature brats with poor grades (especially from the US), so the overall learning environment may not be most conducive "

Still the university page does not say anything about cooperation's with US Teaching Hospitals ( for the last year electives) and does not give any references to to former graduates for example Jagiellonian University MD program does.

The ECFMG shows 143 graduates from Poland attempting to pass USMLE in 2013 and only 17 of Polish citizenship. No % of success rate per country other than a general 53% success rate.

I am leaning to suggest to her to learn Polish and attempt polish language and calculate a year to prepare for USMLE ( 8 years same as US BSc/MD program).

Anybody willing to comment on my plans?

If she doesn't speak Polish now, it will take here at least three years of very hard work to learn Polish to the level that she will be able to study Medicine in Polish. The amount she has to read and regurgitate with great speed and a high level of fluency is staggering. Even if she does speak basic Polish, she may require a year or two to bring her academic Polish up to snuff.

Agree with Jardinero's comment. There are a lot of slackers in the English language programs, and the level of education is not very rigorous. She would need a review course after returning to the States.

Best option, of course, is to study in the States. If she has the grades, she can get significant financial help, including a full-ride scholarship (like I did). Medical schools in the States are lightyears ahead of Polish schools. And they may actually be cheaper. Look at your state university system, and those in other states.

Passing the USMLE is not the hard part. Getting into a good residency program is, and it is very tough to do without references from professors at American medical schools.

Free medical programs in Polish schools are highly competitive. If she could get accepted, then probably she could also study with scholarship in USA. On the other hand programs in English are much easier to get into. It's because the number of applicants is limited to foreigners who can afford tuition. I agree with DominicB that it's too late for teaching her Polish. You should have thought about it when she was still small.

If you want to cut costs, then I've heard that the cheapest medical studies in English are in Romania


studyinginromania.com/medicine-in-romania.html
medicina.umfcluj.ro/en/educatie-med-uk/of-educat-mg-uk

I studied Medicine in Poland myself on a scholarship and I had a 9 month course to learn Polish. I did the Polish course in Lodz and then studied in Warsaw. I am originally Zimbabwean and there are many African; Asian and other students. I had no knowledge of Polish language beforehand. I have since worked in Zimbabwe; South Africa and the UK.

It can be done!
info: josephkavu@doctors.org.uk

If she 1) does not speak Polish, 2) has no knowledge of how the Polish university system works (or relatives who can help her on the ground), and 3) plans on practising in the US upon graduation, then I would spare her the extra hassles if possible... hence the English language programme would make more sense despite the higher price tag.


Not necessarily. Many do - and many others don't. I personally know both - and the results sometimes were just the opposite what one would expect...


In my opinion it all boils down to the attitude - how committed they are at the end of the day. From experience, mature students will do better under these circumstances, whereas many of the youngsters enjoy the social life just a bit too much and subsequently tend to stack off and dwell on the negatives instead of just getting on with the programme... The programme level itself is not necessarily bad either I hear - but for the average US youngster (especially if they have not been out of the country and are unaccustomed to sometimes harsher realities) it will take some 'adjusting to'. And at the end of the day what matters is the class standing and the performance on the USMLEs - if they place in the top 10% they will have no problems succeeding wherever they go.

Good luck!

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Hi guys, I'm lookong into studying medicine in Poland.

Can anyone name the 3 most prestigious medical schools or the ones with highest reputation?

I am actually in the English programs but I know there isn't any distinct ranking list for them.

I know the qualities of those programs are not as high as the Polish ones, but some of the Eng programs are still recognized in my country. And the med school tuition fees here are just too much for my parents......

Is there any student/graduate of the Eng programs can share their experiences? Or is there anyone also interested in those programs?

Hey guys. I'm a Nigerian looking to study Medicine in Poland. Any help and advice would do

Hello good people, I am currently doing my undergraduate degree currently in the University of Toronto and I would really like to go to Poland for medical school. My parents were both born in Poland, and I speak fluently and go there every summer. I really like it there, more than in Canada, and it has always been a goal of mine to attend medical school there. However, now I am hesitant as I have heard that it is difficult to get residency back in Canada or the United States after. Does anyone have any insight on this potential issue?

What you heard about having a hard time getting into residency programs is very true. Last year, about 5 percent of US medical school graduates failed to get a residency in the US. For graduates of foreign schools, the percentage is 50%. Also, the American graduates generally get the best residencies in the best fields, whereas the foreign graduates are left with the table scraps.

As a foreign graduate, you are at a distinct disadvantage. It will be very difficult for you to visit prospective programs and make valuable contacts before you finish medical school. The goal is to have a good residency lined up well before you finish. To do this, you have to be a stellar student and a stellar person overall. And you have to have plenty of contacts from highly placed professors and physicians at your university and medical school, at the host hospital and in the profession overall, as well in the community overall, who will write glowing letters of recommendation for you. Letters that are taken seriously by the acceptance committee at the host hospital. Sadly, letters from abroad are generally given less weight.

Competition for quality residency programs, or for any residency programs at all, has increased in recent years.

You could bet the farm on the assumption that you will face about a 50% chance of landing a residency after you finish. The chances of getting into a highly desirable program are much lower, though. A good program at a top-notch research hospital can be the best, though hardest, years of your life. A bad program can be mind-numbingly horrendous.

Another thing you are not considering is that you may qualify for substantial amounts of financial aid to medical schools in Canada. Again, letters from high-quality contacts are the key.

By the way, the reason you are going to university is to make powerful and close contacts that will help you in your future career- among your peers, your professors, professors at you future medical school, perspective employers, and leaders in the profession and the community at large. Learning is secondary-

you could do that on your own at home. High-quality contacts are important not only for letters of recommendation, but also a whole bunch of "cookies" like job tips, inside info about medical schools and residency programs, and invitations to international conferences and workshops that look great on your resume, and top-notch career advice.

These cookies are doled out to the students who are the first to enter the head of the professor. Not necessarily the best students, just the first students. The other students get the table scraps, if anything. So your goal during undergraduate and medical school is to make sure that you are the first student that pops into your professors head (in a good way). When I was a student, I was shocked how few students knew this.

Bottom line: going to med school in Canada can open up a lot more doors to a much brighter future than going to a school in Poland if you plan to practice in Canada. Likewise, if you plan to practice in the US, study there. Just make sure you focus on contacts and cookies, as aggressively as you can without being obnoxious or blatantly sycophantic. Don't treat these contacts solely as a way to get a temporary career advantage for yourself, but as people you are genuinely connected with for a lifetime of mutual benefit. Contacts formed in university and medical school can be very long-lived, and very beneficial for all involved. If you can't pay a debt back, you are obligated to pay it "forward" to the next generation.

If you think you are in university to get good grades and get a diploma, think again. You could have the best grades from the best university, but if you go into your professor's or dean's office during your fourth year to ask for a letter of recommendation and he has to ask you your name, you have failed miserably. You're going to university to become an integral part of the world you will be living and working in.

DominicB I'm sorry but reading this and your other posts I think you're just busy trolling international students and slandering the English divisions.

I graduated English division had my first choice in the Uk foundation programme (Oxford) now I have a training number as a surgical registrar (only 140 a year in the uk and surgery has one of the toughest competition ratios)

Also my fellow alumni are working in Germany, the US, Canada, all without any issues. We all did just fine.

Also if you're smart, have what it takes to be a doctor, medical school matters very little 2 years after graduating. Your exam scores and how you perform at work will be much more important to your employer. As well as the research/posters/presentations you do.

To answer you question michalek the one thing you need to consider is that generally speaking as an ECFMG you will need to have high Usmle scores were talking 95 or above to have it easy whereas home schools you can slack a bit

Nice try, but highly unlikely to have happened.


If you're smart, you don't go to English-language medical school in Poland unless you're one of the very, very few exceptions.

Yet it is a true story. In fact 2 of us went to Oxford.

There are many reasons to dgo to ED in Poland. Family, financial, relationship driven just a few examples.

So far from my class we all have jobs where we wanted. Psych consultant in London(their training in shorter), Orthopaedic reg in Liverpool, interventional radiology in Canada, paediatrics in Germany, surgery in Chicago. Surgery in Taipei even!

These are the facts.
You spread slander

And why would that be? Having said that, remember that the NHS has many problems - one of them is employment of physicians and other medical staff straight from third world countries with substandard clinical and English skills.


You seem to have signed up to the 'cult of the profession'...

"You seem to have signed up to the 'cult of the profession'..."

His interests are law and business. I have a feeling he has nothing to do with medicine.

[sonda]
is there anyway i could get in touch with you? i'm thinking of applying to study medicine at warsaw uni and would like to learn more about it. i completed my highschool education in africa

Why do you comment that polish universities have a poor english version of their MD program? Their curriculum seems complete and their admission requirements not too low. What's your opinion about other english MD programs like the ones in Italy?

Hi everyone, Im in a very difficult situation now. Im finishing highschool now and have to choose between going to university in ottawa for an undergraduate in biomedicine, or going to Poland for medical school. Ive been accepted in both places but I just dont know where to go now. I want to be a doctor. If I stay here theres a big risk in becoming a doctor, but if i go to Poland I would already be in medical school, for six years. Im from Canada by the way. If I go to Poland I would be away for 9 months straight (no coming to Canada during this time), for first year, and I have a dog here that Im very attached to. Let me know your guys' thoughts....

I have just read that newly qualified doctors earn between 2,2K to 2,.7 net a month. This is the money you receive in hand. Now, if you think that this is fine then o.k. Most of them have a second job in order to survive. They do this during the period of 'specialization' which I think lasts 5 years.

Something to aspire to.....(I don't think so).

Come on, most of doctors make 8-12k a month. Some make several times more.

And you have evidence of this....how?
Perhaps if you had bothered to read my post CAREFULLY and not jump to any conclusions, you might have realized that I wrote 'when they are still doing their specialization'.

After that time, YES, I agree with you...that doctors may a fair whack. I have myself used private doctors, had a private operation too - so have a basic idea of their charges.

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Which is the best medical school in Poland

Hi everyone,
I am turkish students and ı want 6 years english md program with english preparation.But I do not know which university the English md program is better. Do you give information about tuition and dormitory fees and admission requirements.
Thanks for answers