Diploma nostrification for Non-EU Citizens

So: you’ve been accepted to study in Poland—congratulations! It's exciting to study in a foreign country, and Poland is (and we might be slightly biased here) a fantastic choice for international students. But before you start your university studies in Poland, there’s an important step that you can't forget about: the nostrification of your diploma.

What exactly is nostrification?

Nostrification is the process of having your secondary school diploma (or its equivalent) officially recognized by Polish authorities. In other (simpler) words, it confirms that your foreign diploma meets the educational standards required for university admission in Poland.

Why do you need nostrification?

Before you can start studying at the Bachelor’s level in Poland, your secondary school diploma must go through the nostrification process. This is a legal requirement for all non-EU students applying for higher education in Poland. Essentially, your potential university wants to make sure that what your high school offered in terms of the educational program will be enough for you to hold your ground and study in Poland.

How does the nostrification process work?

1. Apostille or legalization? During the application process, the university will likely ask you to submit a copy of your secondary school diploma and grades. Depending on whether your country is part of the Hague Convention, your diploma may need either:

   • An apostille (if your country is part of the Hague Convention).

   • Legalization through a Polish embassy (if your country is not part of the Hague Convention).

   If you're unsure which option you need, you can check out this guide: Apostille vs. Legalization.
   

2. Legalization via a Polish embassy Please remember that if your diploma needs legalization, it must be done either on the original diploma or its official duplicate. Notarized copies cannot be legalized, which is crucial to realize because it can be challenging in some countries. Unfortunately, in these cases the only thing to do is to insist that the embassy legalize the original document; there's no going around it.
   

3. Apostille process Good news for some: if your country follows the Hague Convention, getting an apostille is much simpler. You can use the original or a duplicate of your diploma—or even a notarized copy. The apostille can be obtained from your country’s designated office, and you won’t need to visit the Polish embassy.
   

4. Additional documents Besides your diploma, you may also need to provide some additional documents from your school:

   • A list of final grades from your secondary school exams.

   • A list of subjects studied and corresponding grades.

   • A certificate detailing the content of education for each subject, the grading scale, and the duration of your studies.

   These documents should be either issued or confirmed by your school or an official educational board.

   
   

What to expect after you apply for nostrification

Once you arrive in Poland and are ready to start your studies, the university will let you know the deadline for submitting your nostrified diploma. Typically, the deadline is within the first semester, but it might get extended if you get approval from the university Dean.

All documents must be translated into Polish by a certified translator before submission to the Polish Educational Authority.

If you forget to submit any required documents, you’ll be notified by post and given a deadline to provide the missing paperwork. If you fail to submit everything on time, your application may be rejected.

What Happens if Nostrification is Delayed?

The nostrification process can take several months, depending on the workload of the Polish educational authorities. Due to this, students sometimes encounter delays. If your diploma is found to be equivalent to the Polish education system, you will be informed, and you can continue your studies. However, if you miss the deadline or fail to submit the necessary documents, the university has the right to remove you from their student list.

Tips for a smooth nostrification process

• Start Early: The nostrification process is often overlooked, but it’s important to start as soon as you arrive in Poland. Many students leave it until the last minute, which causes unnecessary stress. Make sure you bring all the necessary documents with you so you don’t run into any issues.

• Work with Professionals: The process can be complicated, especially if you don’t speak Polish or are unfamiliar with the bureaucracy. We recommend reaching out to us to help you navigate the paperwork.

  
  

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We hope this guide helps you better understand the nostrification process and prepares you for your studies in Poland. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@berelocated.