Poland My First Choice NAWA Programme

Overview

The Poland My First Choice NAWA Programme is a Polish government scholarship run by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA). It's designed to attract talented students from developed countries to pursue a Master's degree at Poland's top-rated universities. Where Poland's other NAWA scholarships focus on developing nations, this one targets citizens of OECD and other developed economies, along with Chinese citizens residing in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and steers them toward the highest-rated academic departments in the country.

The programme funds full-time second-cycle (Master's) studies and is positioned around quality. You study at departments holding an A or A+ category, the top research ratings in Poland's evaluation system, so the scholarship doubles as a signal of where the strongest programmes sit. Tuition is waived at public universities, and you receive a monthly stipend for the statutory duration of your studies. The aim is to make a Polish Master's a genuine first choice for high-achieving international students, rather than a fallback.

It matters because it pairs a respected academic setting with funding that covers the essentials. Unlike some scholarships where the agency places you, here you apply to the university yourself, then secure the NAWA scholarship around that admission. That gives you direct control over which programme and city you target, as long as the department meets the category requirement.

Key Facts at a Glance

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

You apply for full-time second-cycle (Master's) studies, so you need a completed bachelor's degree or its equivalent that qualifies you for Master's-level entry. The scholarship is tied to departments holding an A or A+ category in Poland's academic evaluation, so your chosen programme must be at one of those top-rated departments. Admission requirements for the degree itself are set by the university.

Nationality Requirements

You must be a citizen of one of the listed countries: Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Austria, Ireland, Portugal, Belgium, Iceland, Romania, Bulgaria, Israel, Singapore, Croatia, Japan, Slovakia, Chile, Canada, Slovenia, Cyprus, South Korea, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, Uruguay, Estonia, Luxembourg, the USA, Finland, Latvia, Hungary, France, Malta, Italy, Greece, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain or Norway. Chinese citizens residing in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan are also eligible.

Language Requirements

You can study in Polish or English depending on the programme you choose. The university sets the language proof it needs for admission, so if you study in English you'll typically need an English proficiency certificate, and a Polish-taught programme will expect Polish. Confirm the exact requirement with the department.

Age & Other Requirements

The call doesn't publish a fixed age limit. The defining conditions are your nationality, securing admission to an A or A+ category department, and enrolling full-time at second-cycle level. Each edition can add specific rules, so check the current call and regulations.

What the Scholarship Covers

• Tuition-free studies at public universities.
• A monthly scholarship of PLN 2,000, around EUR 460, toward your living costs.
• Funding for the statutory duration of your full-time second-cycle studies.
• The opportunity to study at a top-rated A or A+ category department.

How to Apply

1. Confirm your eligibility. Check that you're a citizen of one of the listed countries, or a Chinese citizen residing in Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan, and that you hold a bachelor's qualifying you for Master's entry.
2. Find an A or A+ department. Identify Master's programmes at Polish departments holding an A or A+ category that match your field and language.
3. Apply to the university yourself. Submit your admission application directly to the university and secure your place, since the scholarship is built around your own admission.
4. Prepare your scholarship documents. Gather your diploma, transcripts, language certificate and identity documents for the NAWA application.
5. Register in the NAWA system. Create an account in NAWA's online application platform and complete the scholarship application form.
6. Submit before the deadline. Upload your documents and submit within the dates announced for the current edition, usually in spring.

Required Documents

• Your bachelor's diploma or proof of an equivalent qualification.
• Academic transcripts.
• Proof of admission or application to an A or A+ category department.
• A language certificate appropriate to your programme, in Polish or English.
• A valid passport or identity document confirming your citizenship.
• Any additional documents named in the current call and programme regulations.

Key Dates & Deadlines

The programme runs on an annual cycle, and the exact dates are confirmed when each edition opens. Because you also need to secure university admission, start the process well ahead of the scholarship deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Confirm early that your target department holds an A or A+ category.
• Line up your university admission before the scholarship deadline.
• Match your language certificate to the programme's teaching language.
• Choose a Master's that builds logically on your bachelor's.
• Read the current call and regulations and follow them exactly.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying to a department that doesn't hold an A or A+ category.
• Leaving university admission too late to meet the scholarship deadline.
• Assuming NAWA places you, when you must apply to the university yourself.
• Submitting the wrong language certificate for your programme.
• Relying on last year's dates instead of the current edition's announced deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Poland My First Choice NAWA Programme?

It's a Polish government scholarship from NAWA that encourages students from developed countries to pursue a Master's at top-rated Polish universities, offering tuition-free study at public universities plus a monthly stipend.

How much does the Poland My First Choice NAWA Programme pay?

It provides a monthly scholarship of PLN 2,000, roughly EUR 460, for the statutory duration of your full-time Master's studies, alongside tuition-free study at public universities.

Who is eligible for the Poland My First Choice NAWA Programme?

Citizens of the listed developed and OECD countries, plus Chinese citizens residing in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, applying for full-time Master's studies at an A or A+ category department.

Which countries does the Poland My First Choice Programme cover?

The list includes countries such as the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore and many EU member states, plus Chinese residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.

What degree level does the Poland My First Choice Programme fund?

It funds full-time second-cycle, or Master's, studies at Polish higher education institutions.

What does the A or A+ category requirement mean?

Polish departments are rated for academic quality, and A and A+ are the top categories. Your chosen Master's must be at a department holding one of those ratings.

Do I apply to the university or to NAWA first?

You apply to the university yourself to secure admission, then complete the NAWA scholarship application around that admission.

When is the Poland My First Choice Programme deadline?

The call opens in spring each year with the deadline announced per edition, typically between April and June. Check the current call for exact dates.

Can I study in English under the Poland My First Choice Programme?

Yes, if your chosen Master's is taught in English. You can also study in Polish. The university sets the language proof you need for admission.

How long does the Poland My First Choice scholarship last?

It covers the statutory duration of your full-time second-cycle studies, meaning the standard length of your Master's programme.

Is the Poland My First Choice Programme tuition-free?

Yes. It provides tuition-free studies at public universities, on top of the monthly stipend.

Where do I apply for the Poland My First Choice NAWA Programme?

You apply through NAWA's online application platform after securing university admission. Use the official Poland My First Choice page on the NAWA website for the current call and instructions.