Admissions and visa process update. New rules from July 2025

Starting from 1 July 2025, new rules for visas to Poland and university admissions will apply. These changes apply to all Polish universities, including the University of Wroclaw. These changes are the result of governmental policies and have been introduced independently of any actions of either the University of Wroclaw or other Polish Universities.

We want to make sure you’re fully informed about what’s changing and how it might affect your application.

We know that changes like these might seem a bit confusing at first, but there’s really no need to worry. Once you’ve had a chance to go through the new steps, you’ll see that the process is still clear and completely doable. We’ve  got your back every step of the way.

 

Candidates for I cycle studies (Bachelor) 


! ONLY high school certificates from outside of EU/OECD/EFTA or citizenship from outside of EU/OECD/EFTA

 

Here’s a summary of the key updates:

  1. The list of English language certificates (minimum B2 level) that can be accepted
  2. The process of the recognition of high school certificates
  3. Entry requirements – entry examinations for undergraduate studies will be introduced
  4. Visa requirements

 

Can I still apply under the old rules?

Yes – if you complete your application before the changes take effect. Here's what you need to do:

  • complete the admissions process and pay the tuition fee by 23 June 2025 (UWr must receive your payment by this date)
  • receive your admission decision in the system by 30 June 2025

Note: If your certificate has not yet been legalised or recognised, please contact your faculty coordinator and ask for your application to be processed conditionally. This will allow you to receive a Letter of Offer, finalise the admissions process, and pay the tuition fee by 23 June 2025.

 

What If I apply after this deadline?

If the admissions process is not completed by 23 June 2025, candidates who wish to continue their application will have to meet the new admission requirements, including:

  • Taking an entrance exam
  • Providing an updated English certificate, if yours is no longer accepted according to the new list
  • Applying for certificate recognition (if not previously completed) through NAWA (National Agency for Academic Exchange) using the Syrena system

 

Details of the main changes:

  • English Language certificates:
    1. Minimum B2 level according to Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) required
    2. Recommended certificates: IELTS, TOEFL, Pearson, Cambridge (these are considered visa-safe)
    3. Probably the Duolingo English Test will no longer be accepted
    4. Polish Matura – extended-level English passed with a minimum score of 60%
  • Entrance examination for first-cycle degree Candidates:
    1. You’ll need to take an exam if your documents were issued outside the EU, OECD, EFTA, or if you don’t hold an IB/EB diploma or a certificate recognised through an international agreement.
    2. Depending on the chosen programme, the exam will take the form of either an oral interview or written essay (based on a defined scope of material). Exam criteria will be completely clear and you will know exactly what's required of you.
    3. Admissions will remain on a rolling basis. Candidates will receive system notifications about essay deadlines or scheduled oral exams and will be able to choose suitable date - we’ll do our best to be flexible and support your needs where we can, within the limits of the admission rules.The list of exam topics will be published in June 2025 at: https://international.uni.wroc.pl/en/admission-full-degree-studies/programmes-english
    4. You’ll need at least 10 out of 20 points to pass
    5. Entrance exams will be marked quickly and won’t slow down your admission. We’ll aim to give you your results within two working days, so you’ll know where you stand as soon as possible. You’ll know the topics in advance, so you’ll have time to prepare.
  • Recognition statement:
  1. From 1 July 2025, secondary school certificates must be recognised through the Syrena system (www.syrena.nawa.gov.pl).
  2. If a decision for your certificate has already been issued by the Education Superintendent or the process was initiated before 30 June 2025, it remains valid and does not need to be repeated in the Syrena system
  3. This process is mandatory from 1 July 2025 for first-cycle degree candidates with documents other than ones issued in EU/OECD/EFTA systems, IB/EB diplomas, or those recognised under international agreements. The recognition document must be submitted together with the original certificate (as before).
  4. According to NAWA, applications can only be submitted from 1 July 2025 – those submitted earlier will not be reviewed. More info: https://nawa.gov.pl/uznawalnosc/wydawanie-informacji-o-zagranicznych-dyplomach/swiadectwo-szkoly-sredniej
  5. The Syrena system operates online using scanned documents, which do not need to be legalised. The process is free of charge. The statement provided by NAWA’s director will be electronically signed.
  6. Even if the process takes longer than anticipated, the University will have a temporary solution for you, i.e. conditional acceptances (when necessary), acceptance of late arrivals and hybrid learning which will allow you to fully participate in classes online until your arrival (details can be discussed with your admissions coordinator). 
  • New visa requirements:
    1. Secondary school certificate along with a confirmation of recognition from NAWA (Syrena system) or from the Education Superintendent (if you applied before 1 July 2025)
    2. Legalisation of your documents (e.g. Apostille or consular legalisation – full info here)
    3. Proof of English language proficiency at B2 level (if your current certificate is not accepted after 1 July 2025 and your visa interview is scheduled after this date, you may be asked to submit a document that meets the new requirements)
    4. In case of delays in visa process remember to contact with your admission coordinator – they will inform you about the option of hybrid classes in the first semester of your studies (when necessary, we modified our study programs in the 1st semester to enable hybrid classes) so you can arrive even after the academic year has begun.

All other visa requirements remain the same – check the website of the Polish consulate responsible for your area for a full list. Remember: you must submit original documents when applying.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your admissions coordinator – they’re here to guide you and support you every step of the way. Please remember that these changes apply to all universities in Poland. While they may seem a bit overwhelming at first you are not alone in this. With the right information and preparation, you’ll be able to navigate the admission process smoothly.
We had no influence over the government decision however, we truly believe that with these new rules, if you meet all the admission requirements, your visa application will have a stronger chance of success. This should make the process smoother and help avoid unnecessary refusals.

 

Candidates for II cycle studies (Master)


! ONLY diplomas from outside of EU/OECD/EFTA or citizenship from outside of EU/OECD/EFTA

 

Here’s a summary of the key updates:

  1. The list of English language certificates (minimum B2 level) that can be accepted
  2. The process of the recognition of diplomas
  3. Visa requirements

 

Can I still apply for visa under the old rules?

Yes – if you complete your application before the changes take effect. Here's what you need to do:

  • complete the admissions process and pay the tuition fee by 23 June 2025 (make sure UWr receives your payment by this date)
  • receive your admission decision in the system by 30 June 2025

Note: If your diploma has not yet been legalised or recognised, please contact your faculty coordinator and ask for your application to be processed conditionally. This will allow you to receive a Letter of Offer, finalise the admissions process, and pay the tuition fee by 23 June 2025.

What If I apply after this deadline?

If the admissions process is not completed by 23 June 2025, candidates who wish to continue their application will have to meet the new admission requirements, including:

  • Providing an updated English certificate, if yours is no longer accepted according to the new list
  • Applying for diploma recognition through NAWA (National Agency for Academic Exchange) using the Syrena system
     

Details of the main changes:

  • English Language certificates:
    1. Minimum B2 level according to CEFR required
    2. Recommended certificates: IELTS, TOEFL, Pearson, Cambridge (these are considered visa-safe)
    3. Probably the Duolingo English Test will no longer be accepted
    4. Education in English at the undergraduate or postgraduate level can only be accepted as proof of language proficiency only if one of the following conditions is met:
      1.  The language of instruction (English) is clearly stated in the transcript or diploma supplement.
      2. The transcript or diploma supplement includes confirmation of English language proficiency at minimum B2 level according to the CEFR scale
      3. Your diploma is from an English language philology or linguistics programme with at least 500 hours of English language instruction, confirmed in the transcript.
  • Recognition statement:
    1. From 1 July 2025, diplomas must be recognised through the Syrena system (www.syrena.nawa.gov.pl).
    2. According to information from NAWA, applications for diploma recognition can be submitted now (before 1.07.2025) to speed up your recognition process: https://nawa.gov.pl/uznawalnosc/wydawanie-informacji-o-zagranicznych-dyplomach
    3. This process from 1.07.2025 is compulsory for candidates for second cycle degree studies - with documents other than those issued in the education system of countries: EU/OECD/ EFTA, IB diploma, EB diploma or recognised under international agreements. The diploma recognition document must be provided together with the document to which the recognition relates.
    4. The Syrena system operates online using scanned documents, which do not need to be legalised. The process is free of charge. The statement provided by NAWA’s director will be electronically signed.
    5. Even if the process takes longer than anticipated, the University will have a temporary solution for you, i.e. conditional acceptances (when necessary), acceptance of late arrivals and hybrid learning which will allow you to fully participate in classes online until your arrival (details can be discussed with your admissions coordinator). 
  • New visa requirements:
    1. Diploma along with a confirmation of recognition from NAWA (Syrena system)
    2. Legalisation of your documents (e.g. Apostille or consular legalisation – full info here)
    3. Proof of English language proficiency at B2 level (if your current certificate is not accepted after 1 July 2025 and your visa interview is scheduled after this date, you may be asked to submit a document that meets the new requirements)
    4. In case of delays in visa process remember to contact with your admission coordinator – they will inform you about the option of hybrid classes in the first semester of your studies (when necessary, we modified our study programs in the 1st semester to enable hybrid classes) so you can arrive even after the academic year has begun.

All other visa requirements stay the same – check the website of the Polish consulate responsible for your area for a full list. Remember: you must submit original documents when applying.

 

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your admissions coordinator – they’re here to guide you and support you every step of the way. Please remember that these changes apply to all universities in Poland. While they may seem a bit overwhelming at first you are not alone in this. With the right information and preparation, you’ll be able to navigate the admission process smoothly.
We had no influence over the government decision however, we truly believe that with these new rules, if you meet all the admission requirements, your visa application will have a stronger chance of success. This should make the process smoother and help avoid unnecessary refusals.