Nostrification

1. What is nostrification?

Nostrification is a procedure leading to the determination of a Polish equivalent of a foreign diploma. A diploma that has been obtained abroad and that cannot be recognised as equivalent to a relevant Polish diploma and professional title on the basis of an international agreement that defines equivalence. The nostrification procedure is conducted on the basis of the Regulation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of 28 September 2018 on the nostrification of diplomas of completion of studies abroad and the confirmation of completion of studies at a specific level (Journal of Laws, item 1881).

Note: The process of nostrification should not be confused with the confirmation of professional qualifications.

Recognition of qualifications for the regulated teaching profession acquired in European Union member states is the responsibility of the Department of General Education and Basic Curriculum

2. Online verification of how foreign diplomas are recognised in Poland and determine whether nostrification is necessary

KWALIFIKATOR is a database that enables the automatic checking of general information on selected types of higher education diplomas obtained abroad. It makes it possible to evaluate the level and status of qualifications of a given foreign diploma equal to the degree recognised in Poland. It also indicates the specific legal basis for the entitlement of the diploma holder.

The results of the so-called recognition statement can be saved as a PDF document. NAWA’s electronic signature guarantees the reliability of information.

If it turns out, after verification of the diploma in the Kwalifikator, that the diploma cannot be recognised as equivalent to the corresponding Polish diploma and professional title on the basis of an international agreement defining equivalence, it means that nostrification is required.

Before an application is submitted, it is worth checking that the university meets the requirements of Article 327, section 4 of the Law on Higher Education and Science, i.e. that it has a scientific category of A+, A or B+ in the discipline to which the application relates. This can be done directly on the Ministry’s website or here.

It is also worth looking at the offer of the university where you want to apply.

The University of Wrocław offer is available here

3. Documents required

The person applying for nostrification shall submit an application that includes:

a diploma of higher education;
documents enabling an evaluation of the course of study, the learning achievements and the duration of the studies;
a certificate, diploma, or other documents based on which the applicant has been accepted into the university;
a statement by the applicant of his/her place and date of birth.

After a formal evaluation of the application, the dean’s office may require the applicant to submit a regular translation into Polish of the documents listed in points 1-3.

For justifiable cases, the dean’s office may require an applicant to present a translation into Polish of documents enabling an evaluation of the course of study, the learning achievements and the duration of the studies, prepared and certified by a sworn translator, or prepared by a foreign translator and certified by the appropriate Polish consul.

The nostrification committee may not require the applicant to submit documents other than those listed above.

4. Place of submitting documents

The completed application form and copies of the required documents (original documents for inspection) can be submitted on working days from 10:00 to 13:00 in the Teaching Department (Main building of the University of Wrocław), Plac Uniwersytecki 1, room 238, 2nd floor.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to email: [email protected] or call (71) 3752884.

Files to download

5. How the nostrification procedure works

Once the application is submitted, it is formally assessed. If it is positive, the applicant receives an invitation to pay a fee of PLN 4685. If the applicant is in a difficult financial situation, he/she may apply to the Dean with a request for payment in instalments, remission or reduction of the fee. The request should be documented. The applicant is obliged to submit the application to the Dean’s Office no later than 7 calendar days from the date of delivery of the summons. An application submitted after the deadline will not be considered. The deadline for submitting an application cannot be restored.

The fee for the nostrification procedure shall be paid to the bank account of the nostrifying higher education institution within the time limit specified by that institution, but not shorter than 14 days. The fee shall not be charged in the case of a lack of competence to conduct the nostrification procedure.

The nostrifying higher education institution compares the curriculum of the studies, the learning outcomes and professional entitlements obtained, the professional placements carried out and the duration of the studies with the curriculum of the studies, the learning outcomes and professional entitlements obtained, the professional placements carried out and the duration of similar studies conducted at that institution. If differences in the curriculum, learning outcomes or duration of studies are identified, the nostrifying higher education institution may oblige the applicant to take specific examinations or complete professional practice, specifying the conditions and deadlines for doing so.

Information on the occurrence of differences (with an explanation of what these are) and the compensatory measures applied (passing examinations, completion of professional internship) should be given to the person concerned in writing, together with a justification.

6. Deadlines

The date of the initiated proceedings is the date of delivery of the application of the university conducting the nitrification. The higher education institution shall assess the formal nature of the application. Should the university determine that the application has formal defects, an applicant shall be given a deadline for supplementation that may not be shorter than 14 days, otherwise, the application shall be left unprocessed.

Thus, the applicant may submit the application within the deadline selected by the applicant.

The University shall recognise or refuse to recognise a diploma of studies completed abroad as equivalent to a relevant Polish diploma and professional title within 90 days of submitting an application meeting the formal requirements. The aforementioned 90-day period does not include periods devoted to submitting translations of documents and taking examinations or completing a professional internship.

7. Refusal to proceed with nostrification

If the university finds that it lacks the competence to conduct the proceedings, it shall issue an order refusing to conduct the proceedings, which shall be subject to a complaint.

8. Final resolutions and issuing a certificate

After the nostrification procedure, the university issues a certificate.

The certificate states that the submitted diploma obtained abroad is equivalent to a specific Polish diploma (e.g., the diploma of graduation from the first/second-degree studies), granting a specific Polish professional title (e.g., bachelor, engineer, master’s, doctor).

Decisions made by the university conducting the nostrification can be appealed by the applicant based on Article 127 of the KPA [The Code of Administrative Procedure], on the basis of the Recommendation on Criteria and Procedures for the Evaluation of Education Obtained Abroad adopted in 2001, amended in 2010.

Recognition of refugee education

1. How the recognition of refugee education takes place and who can apply for confirmation of graduation at a certain level

For the approval of graduation from the university can apply:

a foreigner, who gained refugee status or subsidiary protection
a foreigner, who has a temporary residence permit according to circumstances mentioned in article 159, section 1, item 1, letters c or d of the Act of 12 December 2013 on foreigners

providing that a foreigner does not hold any degree certificate. People who hold a degree certificate may apply for its approval according to generally effective regulations. Legal foundation: article 327, section 3 of the Act of 20 July 2018 The Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws of 2020, item 85 (Journal of Laws 2020, item 85).

2. Required documents

A person who applies for the approval of a degree certificate must submit an application with documents that attest:

– documents that certify

graduation
passed courses and received grades
passed exams
obtained educational background or occupational powers
completed internship or employment
obtainment of the refugee status or subsidiary protection, or temporary residence permit obtained according to circumstances mentioned in article 159, section 1, letters c or d of the Act of 12 December 2013 on foreigners (Journal of Laws of 2020, items 2206 and 2208 from 2018, items 107, 138, 771, 1669 [U. z 2017r., poz. 2206 i 2208 oraz z 2018r. Poz. 107, 138, 771, 1669])

– statement of:

graduation which is considered to be approved
place and date of birth

After the official evaluation of the application, the university dean may request the applicant to submit the Polish translation of the document.

In justified cases, the university dean may request the applicant to submit the Polish translation of the documents that can validate the academic record, received grades, duration of the study which is prepared and notarized by a certified translator or prepared by a foreign translator and notarized by a competent consul of the Republic of Poland.

The nostrification committee may not require the applicant to submit documents other than those mentioned above.

3. The place for submission of papers

Completed application with required copies of documents (original papers for inspection) can be submitted on working days from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. in Teaching Department (Main building of the UWr) Plac Uniwersytecki 1, room 238, 2nd floor.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to email: [email protected] or call (71) 3752884.

Files to download

4. How the processdings in approval of graduation progress

Once the application is submitted, it is formally assessed. If it is positive, the applicant receives an invitation to pay a fee of PLN 3605. If the applicant is in a difficult financial situation, he/she may apply to the Dean with a request for payment in instalments, remission or reduction of the fee. The request should be documented. The applicant is obliged to submit the application to the Dean’s Office no later than 7 calendar days from the date of delivery of the summons. An application submitted after the deadline will not be considered. The deadline for submitting an application cannot be restored.

5. Deadlines

Thus, the applicant may submit the application within the deadline selected by the applicant.

6. Refusal to initiate proceedings on confirmation of completion of studies at a certain level

If the university finds that it lacks the competence to conduct the proceedings, it shall issue an order refusing to conduct the proceedings, which shall be subject to a complaint.

7. Final resolutions and issued declarations

After the proceedings, a certificate is issued. The certificate shall state that the applicant has completed studies at the level of first/second cycle studies or long-cycle studies, conducted in a Polish higher education institution.

Decisions taken by the university conducting the proceedings on confirmation of graduation at a certain level are subject to appeal by the applicant on the basis of Article 127 of the Polish Code of Administrative Procedure, and on the basis of the Recommendation on criteria and procedures for the assessment of education obtained abroad adopted in 2001, amended in 2010.