In modern conditions, Poland is one of the most popular countries for Ukrainian students seeking to obtain a quality education abroad. The friendly atmosphere, the proximity of cultural and linguistic features, and the high level of education make Polish higher education institutions attractive to young Ukrainians. However, in the wake of the recent scandal involving abuse in the process of issuing study visas, the Polish government decided to revise its policy on the admission of foreign students. In particular, a new restriction has been introduced: foreign students cannot exceed 50% of the total number of students in any Polish university.
Such changes affect not only students from Asia and Africa, for whom Poland is becoming increasingly popular, but also Ukrainian students, whose number in Polish universities has increased significantly in recent years. It is worth taking a closer look at what exactly these innovations entail, how they may affect Ukrainian students, and what consequences this new approach to regulating foreign presence in Polish higher education institutions may have.
Reasons for the introduction of restrictions
The reason for the revision of the policy on foreign students in Poland was a series of scandals related to the illegal issuance of study visas. It turned out that some agencies and educational institutions abused the simplified procedure for admission of foreigners, which led to an increase in the number of students who did not actually study but used their student status to legalise their stay in Poland. This situation caused a negative public outcry and prompted the Polish government to take steps to tighten control over foreign students.
Main provisions of the new rules
The new rules include several key changes:
- Restrictions on the share of foreign students. According to the amendments to the legislation, foreigners cannot account for more than 50% of the total number of students at any Polish university. This rule aims to reduce the dependence of educational institutions on foreigners, who may choose Poland for various reasons, not always related to education.
- Cancellation of simplified rules for vocational schools. Previously, vocational education institutions were able to admit foreigners without the mandatory permission of the Ministry of the Interior. This rule has now been cancelled, and all vocational education institutions are required to follow stricter control rules.
- Prohibition on enrolment of new foreigners if the quota exceeds 50%. In cases where the number of foreigners in an institution exceeds 50%, the enrolment of new foreign students will be temporarily suspended until the figure drops.
- Mandatory entry of information about foreigners into the POL-on system. From now on, all educational institutions are obliged to enter information about foreign students into the state POL-on system and notify the Ministry of Education of Poland of changes in the status of students. This will help to identify possible violations of the visa regime in a timely manner.
Impact on Ukrainian students
These innovations will have a direct impact on Ukrainian students, as their number in Polish educational institutions has increased significantly in recent years. For many Ukrainian families, studying in Poland has become an opportunity to provide their children with a high-quality European education at an affordable price. However, the new restrictions may complicate the admission process for future applicants, as if the university reaches 50% of foreign students, the enrolment of new students from abroad will be suspended.
In addition, stricter control over educational institutions may affect those that previously provided loyal conditions for students. While Ukrainians used to be able to choose less prestigious educational institutions without strict control, now they will have to comply with requirements similar to those for Polish citizens.
Prospects for Polish universities
Such changes, although aimed at protecting Poland’s national interests, may create additional challenges for Polish universities, especially those with a significant proportion of foreign students. This applies to both large, prestigious universities and smaller institutions that often attract foreigners to ensure financial stability. Restrictions on the number of foreign students may lead to a decrease in revenues, which may necessitate the search for additional sources of funding.
The introduction of new rules for foreign students in Poland is a necessary step in response to scandals and abuses in the field of issuing study visas. Although these changes are intended to protect Polish education and ensure a fair and transparent enrolment process, they may have a negative impact on Ukrainian students who choose Polish universities for their studies. For Polish universities, this means the need to adapt to the new conditions, which may affect their financial stability and force them to reconsider their development strategies.
