What to Expect If You Consider Pursuing a Medical Degree in Poland

 Poland has a long tradition of academic education. Polish university diplomas are recognized within the European Union (EU) and globally, including in Australia, Canada, and the United States. Furthermore, many universities have adjusted their English language medical programs to match those of US medical education and thus aid students’ admission to residency programs in North America.

Prospective medical students in Poland can also take advantage of the full mobility afforded by the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). The system facilitates the transfer of international credits. Upon completion of any course, students receive certificates or equivalent official documents. If they graduate with a full degree or a diploma, they receive a diploma supplement in English.

Poland strives to provide medical students with a high-quality, comprehensive educational experience at competitive costs. Tuition fees are much more affordable than what medical students pay in other European countries or the US for comparable programs. Most Polish medical universities offer a premedical course or foundation year for developing the knowledge and skills to pursue medical studies in English.

Practical classes and clinical placements underlie Polish medical education. Students gain access to various educational facilities, including clinics, hospitals, laboratories, and libraries. There, they get daily exposure to and can learn from highly skilled practitioners from diverse areas in medicine, pharmacy, and health sciences.

As of 2019, 15 medical universities across Poland offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate programs in English. Some examples include the Medical University of Lublin (MUL), the Medical University of Bialystok (MUB), and the Medical University of Silesia (SUM) in Katowice.

Accredited by the US Department of Education, the Medical Board of California and the New York State Education Department, as well as the US National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA), MUL’s history goes back to 1944. MUL students can learn from highly qualified staff and train in its Center of Medical Simulation. In addition, they can complete clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals outside Poland, including in the United States.

For details on how to apply, contact the US office at +1-757-873-3333 or by email at admissions@hmi-edu.org