If you are applying to a Polish university with qualifications obtained outside Poland, you may need to have some of your application documents translated. These may include your school-leaving certificate, university diploma, diploma supplement or transcript of records.
The exact requirements vary by university and programme. Sometimes the main certificate or diploma is enough, while in other cases the supplement or transcript must also be translated. A sworn or certified translation is not always required.
Before ordering a translation, check the admissions requirements for the specific Polish university and programme you are applying to.
In short
- Translating the diploma alone may not be enough — the university may also require a diploma supplement or transcript of records.
- A Polish sworn translation is not always required. Some universities accept documents in English, particularly for English-taught programmes.
- Translation does not mean recognition of the qualification. Apostille, legalisation or nostrification may be separate requirements.
Which documents may need to be translated when applying to a Polish university?
Depending on the level of study and the university’s requirements, you may be asked to provide translations of:
- a secondary-school leaving certificate or equivalent qualification,
- a university diploma or degree certificate,
- a diploma supplement,
- a transcript of records,
- other documents required as part of the admissions process.
Do not assume that translating the diploma alone will always be enough. If the university needs to assess the subjects you studied, your grades, contact hours or ECTS credits, it may also ask for a diploma supplement or transcript.
The documents required will also depend on the level of study. For first-cycle studies, usually leading to a Bachelor’s degree, and long-cycle programmes, you will normally need documents confirming completion of secondary education and your eligibility to enter higher education. For second-cycle studies, usually a Master’s degree, you will normally need your previous university diploma and may also need documents showing the subjects you studied and your academic results.
The university may need to establish not only what your diploma says, but also what the qualification represents in the education system in which it was issued and whether it gives you access to the level of study you are applying for in Poland.
Does my diploma have to be translated by a Polish sworn translator?
Not always. The translation requirements are set by the university receiving your documents.
In Poland, a sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły) is a translator officially authorised under Polish law to prepare certified translations. You may therefore see Polish universities asking for a sworn translation rather than simply a “certified translation”.
Before ordering a translation, check:
- whether a sworn or other certified translation is required,
- which languages the university accepts,
- who is authorised to prepare the translation,
- whether the documents can be submitted electronically,
- whether a paper version will be required later.
My diploma is already in English. Do I still need a Polish translation?
Not necessarily. If your diploma, school-leaving certificate, transcript or diploma supplement was originally issued in English, some Polish universities may accept it without requiring a separate Polish translation, particularly if you are applying to a programme taught in English.
For example, the University of Warsaw allows applicants to English-taught programmes to submit documents with translations into either English or Polish.
Source: University of Warsaw – Required documents
That is why it is worth checking the requirements of the specific university before ordering a translation.
This does not mean that all Polish universities follow the same rules. Requirements can vary by university and programme, so always check whether documents issued in English are accepted and whether a sworn translation is required.
Does the diploma supplement need to be translated?
Not always. A diploma supplement contains information that is usually not shown on the diploma itself, such as the subjects completed, results, programme details and the level of the qualification.
A university may therefore require both the diploma and the supplement. This can be particularly relevant when applying for a Master’s programme or whenever the admissions team needs to assess the subjects you studied and your academic results rather than simply confirm that you were awarded a degree.
Do I need an apostille for my diploma when applying in Poland?
Sometimes, but an apostille and a translation serve different purposes.
An apostille is used to authenticate a public document for use in another country. Whether your diploma, school certificate or other education document needs an apostille or legalisation depends on where it was issued and on the requirements applicable to your application.
If an apostille or legalisation is required, also check whether it needs to be translated together with the document.
Does translating my diploma mean that it is recognised in Poland?
No. Translation, recognition of qualifications and nostrification are separate matters.
A translator reproduces the content of a document in another language but does not decide what academic level the qualification corresponds to in Poland.
Nostrification (nostryfikacja) is a formal procedure used in certain cases to recognise a foreign higher-education diploma as equivalent to a corresponding Polish diploma. Not every foreign diploma requires nostrification.
If your documents are to be used in a nostrification procedure, check the translation requirements for that procedure separately.
What should I check before ordering translations for a Polish university?
Before sending your documents for translation, check:
- exactly which documents the university requires,
- which languages it accepts,
- whether documents already issued in English are accepted,
- whether the translation must be sworn or otherwise certified,
- whether an apostille or legalisation is required,
- whether the documents can be submitted electronically,
- whether a paper version will be required later.
If the admissions requirements are unclear, ask the university’s admissions office before ordering a translation. This can help you avoid translating documents that are not required or ordering the wrong type of translation.
Notice: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice or an individual recommendation. Before making any decision, check the current law, the requirements of the relevant institution and the specific circumstances of your case.