University of Warsaw Doctoral Schools 2027–2028: Tuition-Free PhD with a Monthly Scholarship for International Candidates

Opportunity Overview

The University of Warsaw, Poland's top-ranked university (271st in QS 2026), runs four doctoral schools: the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School and the Doctoral Schools of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Exact and Natural Sciences. The same admission rules apply to Polish and international candidates, the competition is open to applicants from all over the world, and tuition is free for everyone, including non-EU candidates. Doctoral candidates without a previous doctorate receive a doctoral scholarship for up to 4 years; the law sets its minimum at 37% of a professor's salary until the mid-term evaluation and 57% after it, i.e. PLN 3,570.50 and then PLN 5,500.50 gross a month in 2026–27. Training lasts 4 years, extendable by up to 2 years; interviews are held in English for candidates not fluent in Polish, and English at B2 must be documented. Apply through the university's IRK system: in the 2025 cycle, registration ran from 15 April to 29 May 2025 for all schools, with results by 30 September. Dates for 2027–28 have not been announced; applications are expected in spring. Documents: the IRK application, a master's or equivalent diploma, a CV of research activity over the last 5 years, a research proposal, a prospective supervisor's consent, a photo and the required declarations.