Attending high school in Poland gives students the opportunity to receive a European education at affordable costs, within a long-established educational tradition, in one of the largest and fastest-developing countries in Central Europe. Polish high schools stand out for their disciplined academic structure, their achievements in mathematics and science and their strong results in international assessments.
Poland is still chosen by a limited number of students from Turkey for high school education, but the options it offers are quite varied. Many high schools in Poland offer the English-language International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Students from Turkey usually attend high school in Poland through high schools offering the IB, international schools or exchange programs lasting one semester or one year.
Attending high school in Poland offers students important academic and personal advantages.
Poland is a Central European country and a member of the European Union and NATO. Its capital is Warsaw. The official language is Polish, and English is widely spoken, especially among young people. The currency is the Polish zloty.
Poland is known for Kraków's historic city center, Warsaw's modern character, the Baltic coast and the Tatra Mountains. The country has four distinct seasons, with mild summers and cold winters. The long-standing diplomatic relations between Turkey and Poland and direct flights make travel easy for families.
In Poland, students move on to secondary education, usually at the age of 15, after eight years of primary school. There are three main types of secondary school:
General and technical high schools end with a national final exam called the maturity exam. The results of this exam are used for university admission in Poland. At Polish high schools, grades are given from 1 to 6, with 6 being the highest. Many high schools also have bilingual classes in which part of the lessons are taught in English or another foreign language.
The types of high schools international students can choose from in Poland are:
There are different programs for high school education in Poland depending on the student's goals and the length of stay:
Application requirements for high schools in Poland vary depending on the type of program and the school. High schools offering the IB and international schools usually ask for report cards from recent years, a transcript, teacher references and a copy of the passport. These schools may also hold an English proficiency assessment, an entrance exam and an interview.
For exchange programs, students are usually expected to be within a certain age range, have a good academic record and be open to adapting to a different culture. For full-time education, the student's previous school documents must be recognized in Poland, and the student must be legally resident in Poland.
The school year in Poland starts around September 1 and ends in late June. It is divided into two semesters, with a winter break as well as Christmas and Easter holidays. Winter break dates vary by region.
Applications for entry to Polish high schools are usually made in the spring before the school year. Entrance exams for IB high schools are also mostly held during this period. Applications for exchange programs are usually made 6 to 12 months before the program starts. Since visa processes take time, applying early is very important.
High schools offering the IB and international schools in Poland are concentrated in the country's large cities.
Public high schools in Poland are tuition-free, and international students who are legally resident in Poland can also study at these schools on the same terms as Polish citizens up to a certain age. IB programs offered at public high schools are also generally free or low-cost.
However, this right depends on the student being legally resident in Poland. It is not easy for a student living in Turkey to enroll full-time in these schools without moving to Poland with their family. In exchange programs, no tuition is paid to the school; however, a program fee is paid to the organizing institution for host family placement, organization, insurance and support services. International schools charge fees.
The cost of high school education in Poland varies widely depending on the type of school. IB programs at public high schools are generally the most affordable option. Fees at private IB high schools and international schools are higher, but generally lower than at similar schools in Western Europe.
When planning your budget, you should account for accommodation, books, IB exam fees, school trips, health insurance, visa and residence permit costs, airfare and pocket money in addition to the school or program fee.
At NGGlobal, we share the current prices of our partner institutions with you and work with you to choose the program that best fits your budget and goals.
The main accommodation options for high school students in Poland are:
In all options, students' safety and wellbeing come first. For minor students, an adult responsible for the student in Poland must be designated.
Turkish citizens need a visa to attend high school in Poland. Studies longer than 90 days require a long-stay national visa for study purposes. For longer studies, students may need to apply for a temporary residence permit after arriving in Poland.
The application usually requires documents such as the letter of acceptance from the school or exchange organization, proof of accommodation, proof of financial means, health insurance, a notarized parental consent form and documents on the person who will be responsible for the student in Poland. Applications are made through Poland's missions in Turkey or the authorized visa application center.
Since visa processing can take time, it is important to plan your application early. At NGGlobal, we support our students and their families at every step of the visa process.
Students who take part in a high school exchange program in Poland or complete part of their high school education there must obtain recognition (denklik) from the Turkish Ministry of National Education to continue their education where they left off when they return to Turkey. Students who earn an IB diploma or a high school diploma in Poland must also obtain recognition of their diploma to apply to universities in Turkey.
For the recognition process to run smoothly, the courses taken and grades earned in Poland must be documented, and the documents must be certified and translated. It is advisable to speak with the Provincial Directorate of National Education before choosing a school to learn the recognition requirements.
At NGGlobal, we offer free consultation to students who want to attend high school in Poland and to their families. By assessing the student's age, academic background, English level and the family's budget, we identify the most suitable program.
Contact us to build your plan for high school in Poland together.
Public high schools in Poland teach in Polish. IB programs and international schools teach in English, and in bilingual classes part of the lessons are taught in a foreign language.
Yes. Poland is one of the leading countries in Europe in terms of the number of schools offering the IB program. These programs are offered at public and private high schools in Warsaw, Kraków and other large cities.
Public high schools in Poland are tuition-free, and international students who are legally resident in Poland can also benefit from this. Students from Turkey usually study through exchange programs, for which a program fee is paid, or at fee-paying international schools.
In Poland, general high school lasts four years and technical high school five years. High school ends with the national maturity exam.
Yes. If you prepare all the required documents, you can obtain recognition from the Turkish Ministry of National Education and continue your education in Turkey where you left off.
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