As the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland, Krakow was the official capital of Poland until 1596. Today, it’s still a thriving hub of academic, economic and artistic activity, ranking 101st in the QS Best Student Cities ranking this year.
With three universities placing in the QS World University Rankings this year, Krakow earns its best score in the student view indicator, based on the responses of 85,000 students worldwide, ranking 78th in the world. It also scores well for desirability, placing 95th in the world. Hardly surprising taking into account the city’s stunning architecture and rich cultural history.
To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.
Why study in Krakow?
Booming café culture
Home to many an artisanal coffee shop, students in Krakow are buzzing on caffeine while taking in the views of the city.
Interesting history
Krakow is a city with a rich history. Visit Krakow’s Old Town, one of the first ever urban UNESCO World Heritage sites, to experience the city’s history firsthand.
The green parks
Parks seem to be everywhere you go in Krakow. From the famous , packed full of winding paths, fir trees and greenery, to the vast expanse of Blona Common.
Near other European cities
If you fancy a weekend trip to explore more of Europe there are several popular cities just a train ride away, such as Budapest and Vienna.
Cost of studying in Krakow
Krakow ranks 110th this year in the affordability ranking. Despite having the highest tuition fees of Polish student cities, Krakow’s international tuition fees are much lower than in other European cities, such as London, Stockholm and Amsterdam.
International students living in Krakow can expect to pay around US$7,200 per year on average for tuition fees.
Numbeo estimates that a single person living in Krakow will need around £434 per month for living expenses, plus an additional £528 for accommodation in the city centre.
Life and culture in Krakow
Often called the prettiest of Poland’s cities, Krakow is situated on the Vistula river in the Lesser Poland area and dates back to the seventh century.
Emerging from World War II as the only major Polish city to not suffer serious damage, Krakow is uniquely steeped in history, with incredible architecture everywhere you look. The city’s Old Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.
If you’re looking to explore this stunning city, visit the Wawel Royal Castle – an iconic landmark which was home to three dynasties of Poland's monarchs. Or take a walk inside St. Mary’s Basilica, known for its impressive altarpiece and awe-inspiring stained-glass windows.
You can even combine historical sightseeing with some retail therapy by visiting the Cloth Hall, the world’s oldest shopping centre, dating back over 700 years. Wherever you choose to go, you will be surrounded by galleries, cafes, museums and restaurants.
Careers in Krakow
Krakow has a strong economy and graduate jobs available in a range of fields. This year the city ranks a modest 111th in the employer reputation indicator.
There are often roles available in the services sector, as this makes up a large proportion of Krakow’s economy. Other industries looking to hire skilled graduates include engineering, sales, IT and accounting and finance.
If you’re an EU citizen, you’ll be able to work in Poland for three months without a visa. After these three months have passed, you’ll need a temporary residence permit which lasts for three years.
Non-EU workers will need an employment offer from a Polish company in order to gain a work visa.
As Content Editor for TopUniversities.com and TopMBA.com, Chloe creates and publishes a wide range of articles for universities and business schools across the world. Chloe has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Reading and grew up in Leicestershire, UK.
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Krakow
By Chloe Lane
Updated July 28, 2021 Updated July 28, 2021Krakow for students
As the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland, Krakow was the official capital of Poland until 1596. Today, it’s still a thriving hub of academic, economic and artistic activity, ranking 101st in the QS Best Student Cities ranking this year.
Krakow possesses three world renowned universities, all of which are featured in the QS World University Rankings®. These are Jagiellonian University, Cracow University of Technology and AGH University of Science and Technology.
Of the three, Jagiellonian University earns the distinction of being the top university in Poland, having been ranked joint 309th in the world.
Do you think Krakow deserves to be the Best Student City? Let us know your thoughts.
Best universities in Krakow - QS Best Student Cities ranking: 101st
World ranking
University
=309
Jagiellonian University
801-1000
Cracow University of Technology
801-1000
AGH University of Science and Technology
More about Krakow
With three universities placing in the QS World University Rankings this year, Krakow earns its best score in the student view indicator, based on the responses of 85,000 students worldwide, ranking 78th in the world. It also scores well for desirability, placing 95th in the world. Hardly surprising taking into account the city’s stunning architecture and rich cultural history.
Number of universities ranked by QS
3
Highest-ranked institution
Jagiellonian University (ranked joint 326th)
Population
769,000
Average international fees (at ranked unis)
US$4,000
Desirability rank
95th
Employer Activity rank
111th
Affordability rank
110th
Student View rank
78th
To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.
Why study in Krakow?
Booming café culture
Home to many an artisanal coffee shop, students in Krakow are buzzing on caffeine while taking in the views of the city.
Interesting history
Krakow is a city with a rich history. Visit Krakow’s Old Town, one of the first ever urban UNESCO World Heritage sites, to experience the city’s history firsthand.
The green parks
Parks seem to be everywhere you go in Krakow. From the famous , packed full of winding paths, fir trees and greenery, to the vast expanse of Blona Common.
Near other European cities
If you fancy a weekend trip to explore more of Europe there are several popular cities just a train ride away, such as Budapest and Vienna.
Cost of studying in Krakow
Krakow ranks 110th this year in the affordability ranking. Despite having the highest tuition fees of Polish student cities, Krakow’s international tuition fees are much lower than in other European cities, such as London, Stockholm and Amsterdam.
International students living in Krakow can expect to pay around US$7,200 per year on average for tuition fees.
Numbeo estimates that a single person living in Krakow will need around £434 per month for living expenses, plus an additional £528 for accommodation in the city centre.
Life and culture in Krakow
Often called the prettiest of Poland’s cities, Krakow is situated on the Vistula river in the Lesser Poland area and dates back to the seventh century.
Emerging from World War II as the only major Polish city to not suffer serious damage, Krakow is uniquely steeped in history, with incredible architecture everywhere you look. The city’s Old Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.
If you’re looking to explore this stunning city, visit the Wawel Royal Castle – an iconic landmark which was home to three dynasties of Poland's monarchs. Or take a walk inside St. Mary’s Basilica, known for its impressive altarpiece and awe-inspiring stained-glass windows.
You can even combine historical sightseeing with some retail therapy by visiting the Cloth Hall, the world’s oldest shopping centre, dating back over 700 years. Wherever you choose to go, you will be surrounded by galleries, cafes, museums and restaurants.
Careers in Krakow
Krakow has a strong economy and graduate jobs available in a range of fields. This year the city ranks a modest 111th in the employer reputation indicator.
There are often roles available in the services sector, as this makes up a large proportion of Krakow’s economy. Other industries looking to hire skilled graduates include engineering, sales, IT and accounting and finance.
If you’re an EU citizen, you’ll be able to work in Poland for three months without a visa. After these three months have passed, you’ll need a temporary residence permit which lasts for three years.
Non-EU workers will need an employment offer from a Polish company in order to gain a work visa.
This article was originally published in July 2019 . It was last updated in July 2021
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As Content Editor for TopUniversities.com and TopMBA.com, Chloe creates and publishes a wide range of articles for universities and business schools across the world. Chloe has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Reading and grew up in Leicestershire, UK.
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