Poland Banach NAWA Scholarship – How to Get a Fully Funded Master’s Degree in Poland for Free
Poland Is Offering Fully Funded Master’s Degrees to Students from Developing Countries and the Deadline Is Already This Month
There is a scholarship that most Nigerian students have never heard of and many would not think to look for. It is funded by the Polish government. It covers a complete master’s degree. It includes tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, health insurance, and Polish language training. And the deadline for the May 2026 call has recently been released.
The Banach Scholarship Programme, administered by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA), is designed specifically to bring talented students from developing and middle-income countries to study in Poland. It is not a token gesture. It is a fully funded, multi-year commitment that takes a student from admission through graduation with their costs covered.
If you have been searching for an alternative to the UK, Germany, or the US, if you want a fully funded master’s degree at a European university, and if you have never considered Poland before, this guide will change that.
Why Poland Is a Smarter Choice Than Most Nigerian Students Realise
Let us address the obvious question first: why Poland?
Poland is a member of the European Union. It has a growing economy, strong academic institutions, and an increasingly international higher education environment. Polish universities have been investing in English-taught programmes specifically to attract international students. The country is safe, the cities are vibrant, and the cost of living is significantly lower than Western European cities like London, Paris, or Amsterdam.
A master’s degree from a Polish university in an English-taught programme is a European university degree. It carries EU academic recognition. It is accepted by graduate admissions committees, employers, and professional bodies around the world. And under the Banach Scholarship, you get it for free.
For Nigerian students who want European education without the extreme competition of UK or German scholarships, Poland represents a genuine strategic opportunity.
What the Banach Scholarship Covers
The Banach Programme is comprehensive. Here is the full package:
- Full tuition fees at the Polish university for the duration of your master’s programme
- Monthly stipend to cover living costs in Poland. The amount is calculated based on Polish living standards and covers basic student expenses
- Accommodation in a student dormitory or a housing allowance
- Health insurance for the duration of your scholarship
- Polish language course to help you integrate into Polish academic and social life, because even if your programme is in English, basic Polish improves your experience considerably
- Travel allowance to help cover the cost of your move to Poland
For a master’s programme that runs two years, this represents a substantial total investment in your education and your future.
Who Can Apply: The Target Countries for the Banach Scholarship
The Banach Scholarship targets students from countries that fall into specific development categories in the OECD framework. The eligible country list includes a significant number of African, Asian, and Latin American nations.
African countries typically included in Banach eligibility: Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe among others.
Nigeria is included in the Banach eligible country list, which means Nigerian students can apply directly for this scholarship.
Important verification step: NAWA updates the eligible country list for each call. Before applying, visit the official NAWA website at nawa.gov.pl and check the Banach Programme page to confirm that Nigeria is on the current eligible list for the May 2026 call.
Academic Requirements for the Banach Scholarship
Educational Level
You must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognised university. The scholarship is for master’s degree study, so a completed first degree is the minimum academic requirement.
Academic Performance
Strong academic performance in your undergraduate studies is expected. There is no published minimum GPA for the Banach Programme, but as with any competitive scholarship, applicants with first class or second class upper undergraduate results are more competitive.
Language
For English-taught programmes, you need to demonstrate English proficiency. IELTS, TOEFL, or a medium of instruction letter from your Nigerian university confirming your degree was taught in English are the typical options. For Polish-taught programmes, Polish language proficiency is required, though the scholarship’s included Polish language course supports students transitioning into this.
Which Polish Universities and Programmes Are Available
Polish universities that participate in the Banach Programme include major public research universities. Notable institutions with English-taught master’s programmes include:
University of Warsaw: Poland’s flagship research university with programmes in social sciences, humanities, economics, law, and natural sciences.
AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków: One of Poland’s leading technical universities with strong engineering, computer science, and materials science programmes.
Wrocław University of Technology: Strong in engineering and technology with a growing English-taught programme portfolio.
Poznań University of Technology: Engineering and technical sciences with international orientation.
Warsaw University of Technology: Another leading technical institution with wide engineering programme options.
Jagiellonian University in Kraków: One of Europe’s oldest universities, founded in 1364, with excellent humanities, social sciences, and medicine faculties.
For Nigerian students in engineering, computer science, economics, international relations, or environmental science, there are multiple well-ranked options with English-taught programmes.
The May 2026 Application Deadline: What This Means for You
The Banach Scholarship has recently released its 2026 application call with a May 2026 deadline. This is important because it means the window is short.
The Polish academic year typically begins in October. That means the application process for October 2026 entry is happening right now, in May 2026. If you want to start a fully funded master’s programme in Poland in October 2026, you need to apply before the May deadline closes.
There are two stages to the application process. Understanding both is critical.
Stage One: Apply to a Polish University and Get Accepted
Before or simultaneously with your Banach application, you must apply for admission to a master’s programme at a participating Polish university. You need a conditional or unconditional admission offer from the university as part of your Banach application.
This means you need to research Polish universities and their application processes now. Most Polish universities have online application portals and international student offices that assist with applications. Contact the international admissions office of your target university immediately.
Stage Two: Apply for the Banach Scholarship Through NAWA
Once you have your university application in process or your admission letter in hand, complete the Banach Scholarship application through the NAWA online system. The application includes your academic documents, a motivation letter, your university admission or application evidence, and language proficiency documentation.
How to Write a Winning Banach Scholarship Motivation Letter
The motivation letter is where your Banach application succeeds or fails. Here is what works.
First, explain why you chose Poland specifically. Not Europe generally. Poland specifically. What about Polish academic tradition, Polish industry, Polish research, Polish culture, or Polish society is genuinely relevant to your academic or professional goals? Research this. Find something real.
Second, explain why your chosen programme at your chosen university fits your goals. Name specific modules, faculty members, research groups, or university resources that align with what you want to learn. Show that you did your homework.
Third, explain what you will do with this degree when you return home. How will a master’s from Poland advance your career, your research, or your contribution to Nigeria? Make it specific. Make it credible.
Fourth, address your English or Polish language ability honestly. If your English proficiency is strong, say so and provide evidence. If you are working to improve it, acknowledge the steps you are taking.
Practical Life in Poland as a Banach Scholar
Poland is a country that surprises international students positively. Cities like Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, and Poznań are modern, safe, well-connected by public transport, and home to large international student communities.
The cost of living in Poland is notably lower than in Western Europe. A student in Kraków can eat, travel, and manage their basic costs on a budget that would not be viable in London or Amsterdam. The Banach stipend, while not large in absolute terms, covers these costs comfortably in most Polish cities.
Polish people are generally welcoming to international students, particularly from Africa, as Poland’s own history of migration and international solidarity creates a general openness to people from other parts of the world.
Winter in Poland is cold, genuinely cold. Stock that up as a cultural fact before you go, not a deterrent.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Banach NAWA Scholarship
Can Nigerians apply for the Banach Scholarship?
Yes. Nigeria is on the Banach eligible country list. Confirm on the current NAWA call at nawa.gov.pl before applying.
Is it possible to study in English in Poland?
Yes. Most major Polish universities offer a growing number of master’s programmes fully taught in English, particularly in engineering, business, computer science, and social sciences.
Is Poland in the Schengen Area?
Yes. As an EU and Schengen member, studying in Poland gives you freedom of movement across the Schengen zone, which covers most of Europe. This makes travel within Europe significantly easier during your studies.
Does the Banach Scholarship lead to permanent residency in Poland?
The scholarship is for academic study, not immigration. After completing your degree, your right to remain in Poland depends on immigration rules and any employment or further study arrangements. Completing a Polish degree does open pathways to explore work opportunities in Poland or other EU countries.
How competitive is the Banach Scholarship?
The Banach Programme has lower competition than Chevening, DAAD, or Commonwealth because Poland is less well known as a study destination among Nigerian students. Fewer applicants per available place means a well-prepared Nigerian applicant has a genuinely competitive chance.
Europe Is Bigger Than the UK and Germany and Poland Has Been Waiting for Nigerian Students to Notice
The Banach Scholarship is not the first scholarship you think of when you search for European study opportunities from Nigeria. And that is precisely why it is worth applying for. The students who discover it, prepare properly, and apply honestly are competing in a smaller pool for a genuinely valuable prize.
A fully funded master’s degree at a European university. In a safe, vibrant, affordable country. With Polish language skills, a European alumni network, and a credential that opens doors globally.
The May 2026 deadline is close. Go to nawa.gov.pl, confirm Nigeria’s eligibility, find your programme, and apply.
