General rule: If a diploma confirming the completion of a program of studies abroad gives the holder the right to continue their education in second-cycle studies in the country where it was issued, then it entitles the holder to continue their education in second-cycle studies in the Republic of Poland.

A diploma of studies obtained from abroad may also be recognized on the basis of an international agreement, to include: Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Cuba, Libya, Lithuania, Latvia, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Germany, Russia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Syria, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Hungary, and Vietnam, as well as from the following currently non-existent countries: Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia (SFRY), East Germany, USSR, or by way of the nostrification procedure.

It should be checked whether the document (on the basis of which the candidate is applying for admission to university) indicates that he/she is entitled to continue his/her education in higher education institutions in the country in which the document was issued. If the diploma does not provide such information, you should obtain an additional document confirming that your diploma entitles you to continue your education in your country of origin. Depending on the country, such confirmation may be obtained, for example, from:

• the university that issued the document,

• the higher education authorities of the country in whose education system the document was issued,

• The Consul of the Republic of Poland, in office, in the country in whose education system the document was issued,

• The diplomatic mission or consular post of the country in whose education system the document was issued/accredited on the territory of the Republic of Poland,

• National Agency for Academic Exchange (more information on the NAWA website).

Diplomas obtained from abroad do not entitle you to continue your education if:

a) the institutions that issued them or the institutions where the education was carried out:

• were not accredited universities on the day of issuing the diploma or implemented a study program not having accreditation on the day of issuing the diploma,

• do not operate in any higher education system.

b) the higher education program (or part of it) was implemented contrary to the regulations of the country in which the education is conducted.