Studying in Krakow: universities, costs, housing and student life

Universities in Krakow

Jagiellonian University, founded in 1364, is Poland's oldest university and one of the oldest in Europe still operating today. It covers a full range of subjects, from law and medicine to humanities and natural sciences, and draws a large share of Poland's top domestic applicants alongside a growing international intake. AGH University of Science and Technology is Krakow's other major institution, focused on engineering, computing, mining and materials science, with close ties to the city's growing tech sector. Krakow University of Economics adds a strong business option, and Jagiellonian University's medical faculty runs English-taught medicine programs that draw applicants from across Europe and beyond, alongside its much larger Polish-taught medical intake.

Together with several smaller public and private institutions, Krakow holds one of the largest student populations of any Polish city, which shapes everything from housing demand to the rhythm of nightlife in the historic center. Both universities offer a growing range of English-taught bachelor's and master's programs aimed at international applicants, alongside their much larger Polish-taught offering.

Tuition and admission basics

EU and EEA students studying in Polish at public universities in Poland generally pay no tuition fees, in line with the country's constitutional right to free higher education for citizens and EU nationals. Non-EU students, and anyone studying in English-taught programs regardless of nationality, typically pay tuition set by the individual faculty, so check the specific program page for the current rate before you apply.

Admission for foreign qualifications runs through each university's own recognition process, and both Jagiellonian University and AGH publish detailed application timelines and document checklists for international applicants on their websites. Apply well ahead of the standard October intake, since document verification and, where needed, visa processing take time.

Cost of living in Krakow

Poland runs well below Western European living costs. According to Study in Poland , the official government portal for international students, the typical monthly budget for a student breaks down as follows.

Krakow tracks close to this national range, with private rentals in the city center running above a dorm room, and prices near the Old Town or the AGH campus generally higher than in outer districts.

Housing in Krakow

Both Jagiellonian University and AGH run their own dorm networks (domy studenckie), and demand for a place is high given Krakow's large student population, so apply as early as your university allows. Dorm rooms are the cheapest housing option and often come furnished, with shared kitchens and bathrooms on each floor.

Students who miss a dorm place, or prefer more independence, rent private rooms or shared flats through local listing platforms. Expect prices closer to the city center to run above the national averages listed by Study in Poland, with the Old Town and areas near the main campuses commanding the highest rents in the city.

Getting around Krakow

MPK Kraków runs the city's trams and buses, and a monthly student pass sits within the national range of roughly 11-13 EUR, well below what similar passes cost in Western European cities. The historic center is compact and walkable, so many students combine walking with occasional tram trips for longer journeys to AGH's campus or the outer districts.

Student life in Krakow

Krakow was Poland's royal capital for centuries, and its Old Town, centered on the Rynek Główny, the largest medieval square in Europe, is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wawel Castle and Kazimierz, the historic Jewish quarter turned nightlife district, sit within easy walking distance of the city center and both university campuses.

The city runs cheap by European standards, with student bars, milk bars (bar mleczny, budget cafeterias) and cultural events priced for a student income. Krakow also works well as a base for weekend trips, with fast connections to Warsaw, Wroclaw and the Tatra Mountains to the south.

Health insurance and application basics

EU students can use their European Health Insurance Card for basic care while studying in Poland. Non-EU students must arrange health insurance before enrolling, either by joining the National Health Fund (NFZ) on a voluntary basis or through a private policy, and non-EU students staying longer than 90 days also need to apply for a temporary residence permit at the regional voivodeship office.

Both Jagiellonian University and AGH publish application deadlines and document checklists for international applicants, and foreign secondary school certificates go through a recognition check as part of admission. Apply well ahead of the standard October intake, since document checks, insurance arrangements and any visa or residence steps all take time to complete.

Tips for keeping costs down in Krakow

• Apply for a domy studenckie dorm room as soon as your university opens applications, since it costs a fraction of a private room and demand is high.

• Eat at a bar mleczny (milk bar), a budget cafeteria style restaurant that serves traditional Polish food at low prices.

• Shop at discount chains like Biedronka or Lidl, common practice among Polish students for keeping grocery costs down.

• Get a monthly MPK Kraków student pass instead of paying per ride, which stays cheaper for anyone using transport daily.

• Look outside the Old Town for private rentals, since prices near Kazimierz and the main squares run above the citywide average.