Program integrating philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, and AI
First adaptation of the Oxford model in Poland
Interactive, discussion-based teaching
Active environment with chances to join ongoing projects
Białystok offers one of the lowest costs of living among Polish university cities. Your Erasmus+ grant goes further here.
| Expense | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Dormitory (double room) | ~140 EUR |
| Food | 145-210 EUR |
| Monthly bus pass (student) | ~11 EUR |
| Leisure (books, cinema, eating out) | ~80 EUR |
| TOTAL ESTIMATED | 380-450 EUR |
For comparison: Warsaw averages 600-800 EUR/month; Western European cities often exceed 1000 EUR.
We offer a diverse range of thought-provoking courses taught entirely in English. Whether you are curious about the philosophical challenges of artificial intelligence, fascinated by altered states of consciousness, or eager to explore global systems through political philosophy, there is something here to inspire you.
| Course Title | ECTS | Hrs | Semester | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contemporary Issues in the Philosophy of Mind | 4 | 30 | winter or summer | Dr hab. Piotr Kozak |
| Religion in the Contemporary World | 4 | 30 | summer | Prof. Zbigniew Kaźmierczak |
| Philosophy of Capitalism | 4 | 30 | winter or summer | Prof. Bartosz Kuźniarz |
| Contemporary Social Theory | 4 | 30 | winter or summer | Prof. Bartosz Kuźniarz |
| The Main Bioethical Issues | 4 | 30 | winter or summer | Dr Joanna Smakulska |
| Cognitive Processes in Everyday Life | 4 | 30 | winter or summer | Mgr Olgierd Borowiecki |
| Mind Extended with AI | 4 | 30 | winter or summer | Mgr Olgierd Borowiecki |
| Altered States of Consciousness | 4 | 30 | winter or summer | Mgr Olgierd Borowiecki |
Three steps stand between you and your semester in Białystok. Your home university nominates you, you register online, we finalize the paperwork together.
Create account, upload documents, submit application
Select courses with both coordinators
Registration links, required documents, ESI instructions, and step-by-step walkthrough available on the official University of Białystok website.
| Arrival | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Winter semester or full year | June 15 |
| Summer semester only | November 15 |
| Classes begin | October 1, 2025 |
| Winter break | Dec 23 - Jan 8 |
| Exam session | Feb 5 - Feb 17, 2026 |
| Retake session | Feb 18 - Feb 24, 2026 |
| Classes begin | February 25, 2026 |
| Spring break (Easter) | Apr 2 - Apr 7 |
| Exam session | Jun 20 - Jul 1, 2026 |
| Retake session | Jul 2 - Jul 8, 2026 |
Poland uses a 2-5 scale. Here is the conversion:
| Polish | Description | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Bardzo dobry (Excellent) | A |
| 4+ | Dobry plus (Very Good) | B |
| 4 | Dobry (Good) | C |
| 3+ | Dostateczny plus (Satisfactory) | D |
| 3 | Dostateczny (Sufficient) | E |
| 2 | Niedostateczny (Fail) | F |
The closest international airports are Warsaw Chopin Airport and Warsaw Modlin Airport, both approximately 200 km from Białystok.
From Warsaw: Direct trains run every 2-3 hours (journey time: ~2.5 hours). Bus connections are also available.
View larger map | Białystok is in northeastern Poland, near the Belarusian border
You can request a place in a student dormitory when applying in the IRK system. Places are not guaranteed but priority is given to international students.
Private accommodation is also available. Average rent for a room in a shared apartment is 200-300 EUR/month.
Białystok has an extensive bus network. Student tickets are half-price with a valid student ID.
Eduroam WiFi is available in all university buildings. Many students also buy a Polish SIM card with unlimited data (around 30-50 PLN/month). You need your passport to register a SIM card.
If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you are covered for public healthcare in Poland. We recommend additional travel insurance for complete coverage.
Every Erasmus student can request a Polish student mentor (buddy) who will help you during the first days: orientation, registration, finding your way around the city, buying a SIM card, and more.
To request a mentor, inform the International Cooperation Office: incoming@uwb.edu.pl
Erasmus Student Network (ESN) at the University of Białystok organizes events, trips, and integration activities throughout the year.
www.esn.pl | facebook.com/ESNUwB
The School of Polish Language and Culture (POLLANDO) offers courses for international students. Not required for Erasmus but a great opportunity to learn some Polish!
If you have academic ambitions, Erasmus can be more than attending classes. Here is how to maximize your experience:
Find out what laboratories and experiments are running at our faculty or neighboring departments. If you find something interesting, reach out and offer to help. Researchers are usually enthusiastic about motivated students.
If you contribute to data collection or analysis, negotiate co-authorship. This is something nobody tells you at official information sessions, but it can change your career trajectory.
Attend faculty seminars, guest lectures, and department events. Small faculty means easier access to professors and researchers.
Our Scientific Circle helps students prepare abstracts and presentations for academic conferences. A conference presentation on your CV distinguishes you from peers who only attended classes.
Do I need to speak Polish?
No. All our courses for Erasmus students are taught in English.
Will my grades transfer?
Yes. You will receive a Transcript of Records at the end of your stay, which your home university will convert according to their system.
What if I fail a course?
You have a retake session at the end of each semester. If needed, you can also make arrangements with your home university.
Can I extend my stay?
Yes, if you start in the winter semester, you can request an extension to the summer semester. Discuss this with both coordinators.
Can I change my Learning Agreement after arrival?
Yes. You have 30 days after arrival to make changes. Some courses may not run, times may conflict, or you may discover something more interesting.
Is the scholarship enough?
The Erasmus+ grant is designed as a contribution to costs, not full coverage. However, Białystok's low cost of living means your grant goes further here than in Western Europe. Budget approximately 400-500 EUR/month total.
Erasmus+ is more than an exchange program. It is a chance to see how studying works in another country, meet people who think differently, and return with a new perspective. Below you will find everything you need to start your adventure in Białystok.
Mgr Olgierd Borowiecki
Email: o.borowiecki@uwb.edu.pl
Faculty of Philosophy and Cognitive Science
Plac NZS 1, 15-420 Białystok
Mgr Klaudia Korzeniecka
Incoming Erasmus+ Students Coordinator
Email: klaudia.korzeniecka@uwb.edu.pl
Phone: +48 85 745 7051
Świerkowa 20B, 15-328 Białystok
"Białystok surprised me. The nature, the people, the food... I came for one semester and extended to a full year."
— Erasmus student from Spain
