Study in Cracow, Poland

About Cracow

Kraków (Cracow in older English usage) is the main city of southern Poland and one of the country's largest academic centres. According to figures from Statistics Poland (GUS) published by the city, Kraków had 816,614 inhabitants on 31 December 2025. Its medieval old town, the Wawel hill and the former Jewish quarter of Kazimierz sit within a compact centre that students can cross on foot or by tram.

Students choose Kraków for its long university tradition, the wide range of public universities and art schools, and living costs that are moderate by European Union standards. Teaching is mostly in Polish, but a growing number of programmes are taught in English.

Studying in Kraków

The Jagiellonian University (Uniwersytet Jagielloński) is the oldest higher education institution in Poland. It was founded on 12 May 1364 by King Casimir the Great, and today it has 16 faculties and almost 40,000 students. The official Study in Poland portal also lists several other public institutions in the city, among them the AGH University of Science and Technology, the Tadeusz Kosciuszko Cracow University of Technology, the Cracow University of Economics, the Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts and the Academy of Music in Kraków.

Polish universities follow the Bologna structure. A first-cycle degree (licencjat or inżynier, the Polish bachelor's degree) takes 3 to 4 years and at least 180 ECTS credits; a master's degree (magister) then takes 1.5 to 2 years. Our directory currently lists one school in Kraków: the Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design (Krakowskie Szkoły Artystyczne, KSA), founded in 1989 by Joanna and Jerzy Gaweł. KSA teaches fashion design, creative photography, interior design, acting, choreography, theatre and film directing, visual merchandising and garment construction, and offers two full-time diploma programmes taught entirely in English, in fashion design and in creative photography. These are the school's own diplomas, not university degrees.

Cost of living for students

The Study in Poland portal, run by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA), estimates that a student's living costs in Poland start at about 1,500 PLN (330 EUR) a month, with average totals of 1,500 to 2,000 PLN. A place in a student dormitory typically costs 400 to 600 PLN a month. Students from outside the EU and EEA must show that they have enough money to cover these costs.

Public transport is cheap for students. A Polish student card gives up to 50% off public transport for students under 26. In Kraków, the annual student ticket for zone I costs 470 PLN; from 1 November 2026 the city is lowering it to 365 PLN for students who hold Karta Krakowska status, according to the public transport authority ZTP. Students who are not permanently registered in Kraków can obtain that status if they file their income tax in Kraków.

Getting around and daily life

Trams and buses run by Komunikacja Miejska w Krakowie cover the city, and the old town is largely pedestrian. Kraków Airport has its own railway station next to the terminal: the train to Kraków Main Station costs 20 PLN, and city buses 209 and 300, plus night line 902, also serve the airport. Poland has a moderate climate; winters are usually cold, with temperatures well below freezing, so students from warmer countries should bring proper winter clothing.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English in Kraków?

Yes, some programmes are taught in English. KSA, for example, offers full-time diploma programmes in fashion design and creative photography taught entirely in English; check the language of each university programme before applying.

How much does a month in Kraków cost for a student?

The official Study in Poland portal estimates student living costs in Poland at 1,500 to 2,000 PLN a month on average, including 400 to 600 PLN for a dormitory place. Costs vary by city and lifestyle.

How much is public transport for students in Kraków?

The annual student ticket for zone I costs 470 PLN and will cost 365 PLN from 1 November 2026 for students with Karta Krakowska status. A Polish student card also gives up to 50% off public transport for students under 26.

Which universities are in Kraków?

Kraków is home to the Jagiellonian University, founded in 1364, as well as public institutions such as the AGH University of Science and Technology, the Cracow University of Technology, the Cracow University of Economics and the Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts.