Best universities in Poland 2021
Explore the top universities in Poland using data from the Times Higher Education's World University Rankings.
Poland’s education system has seen some extraordinary changes in recent years. As a result of a huge drive in the nation’s pursuit of a world-class schooling system in recent years, Poland is now home to about 450 higher education institutions. Many of these institutions are specialised, unlike a lot of European universities, which tend to follow the traditional model of teaching and research in a wide range of disciplines. These are the best universities in Poland based on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021.
The increasing prestige of Poland’s higher education system is not the only thing the country has to offer. With a number of universities offering English-language courses, as well as low living costs, a rich cultural legacy and beautiful scenery, it easy to see why Poland is fast becoming a very popular place to study.
Among Poland’s academic alumni are some names you may be familiar with, including the first female Nobel prizewinner, Marie Curie (who is also the only woman to have won it twice), the composer Frédéric Chopin and the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.
Top 3 universities in Poland
1. Jagiellonian University
Founded in 1364, Jagiellonian University is the oldest university in Poland.
The main campus is centrally located in Cracow, and the university has 15 faculties including humanities, law, natural and social sciences, and medicine.
The university library is one of Poland’s largest and houses several medieval manuscripts as well as an extensive collection of underground political literature.
More than 70 student associations are part of the university, usually to encourage students’ scientific achievements through organising lectures, excursions and international conferences.
=2. Medical University of Warsaw
The Medical University of Warsaw is one of the oldest and the largest medical schools in Poland. The first academic department of medicine was created in 1809.
The university is affiliated with a number of hospitals across Poland.
The Medical University of Warsaw occupies two sites: Banacha campus and Lindleya campus. The campuses include student clubs, libraries, sports and rehabilitation centres to facilitate the full-fledged development and growth of students.
The university has established partnerships with many medical colleges and universities in countries such as Germany, France, the USA, China, Japan and India, among others. It also regularly hosts student exchanges through the Erasmus Student Network.
=2. University of Warsaw
The University of Warsaw is one of Poland’s largest institutions and also one of its most prestigious.
While most of the teaching is in Polish, the university offers more than 20 programmes that are taught in English, including courses in economics, business and political science. The main campus of the university is located in the city centre and comprises several historic palaces.
Four University of Warsaw graduates have won Nobel prizes, including the physicist Joseph Rotblat and the former Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin.
Other notable alumni include the composer Frédéric Chopin and David Ben-Gurion, the founding prime minister of Israel.
Top universities in Poland 2021
| World University Rank 2021 | Poland Rank 2021 | University | City |
| 501–600 | 1 | Jagiellonian University | Cracow |
| 801–1000 | =2 | Medical University of Warsaw | Warsaw |
| 801–1000 | =2 | University of Warsaw | Warsaw |
| 1001+ | =4 | Adam Mickiewicz University, Pozna? | Pozna? |
| 1001+ | =4 | AGH University of Science and Technology | Cracow |
| 1001+ | =4 | Cracow University of Technology | Cracow |
| 1001+ | =4 | University of Gda?sk | Gda?sk |
| 1001+ | =4 | Gda?sk University of Technology | Gda?sk |
| 1001+ | =4 | University of Lód? | Lód? |
| 1001+ | =4 | Lodz University of Technology | Lód? |
| 1001+ | =4 | Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toru? | Toru? |
| 1001+ | =4 | University of Silesia in Katowice | Katowice |
| 1001+ | =4 | Silesian University of Technology | Gliwice |
| 1001+ | =4 | SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities | Warsaw |
| 1001+ | =4 | Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW | Warsaw |
| 1001+ | =4 | Warsaw University of Technology | Warsaw |
| 1001+ | =4 | Wroc?aw University of Environmental and Life Sciences | Wroclaw |
| 1001+ | =4 | Wroc?aw University of Science and Technology | Wroclaw |
| 1001+ | =4 | University of Wroclaw |
