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

A diploma of studies abroad may also be recognized on the basis of an international agreement, which includes: 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, Vietnam, and from the following currently non-existent countries: Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia (SFRY), East Germany, USSR or by way of 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 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 education in the 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,

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

• a 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 abroad do not entitle you to continue 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,

• they 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 was conducted