Author: Julia Bednarska-Leśniak
At public universities, fees are permitted only in the cases listed in Article 79 of the Law on Higher Education and Science (PSWiN). This is a “closed list,” which includes, among others, fees for: part-time studies, repeating classes in full-time studies due to unsatisfactory academic results, instruction in a foreign language, classes not included in the study program, and – outside of educational services in the strict sense – e.g., application fees or the use of student housing and cafeterias. A public university may not expand this list with its own regulations. The amount of fees may not exceed the costs necessary to run the studies (Art. 80(1) PSWiN). This is an important point of reference in any dispute over “grossly excessive” tuition or additional charges.
Before recruitment begins, the university must announce the list and amounts of fees after consulting the student government (Art. 80(2) PSWiN). The information should be published without delay in the university’s Public Information Bulletin (BIP) (Art. 80(5) PSWiN). In practice, this means that a prospective student knows the financial conditions before deciding to study. Often, the fee table is included directly in the education contract.
Until 2023, the rule was simple: no increases during the course of study (with narrow exceptions, e.g., for dormitories/cafeterias). However, the amendment of July 28, 2023 (Journal of Laws 2023, item 1672) changed Art. 80(3) PSWiN by introducing an indexation mechanism for fees. Now, until a student completes their studies, the university:
- may not introduce new fees,
- may increase previously set fees only once per academic year,
- by no more than the average annual consumer price index (CPI) for the previous calendar year, announced by the President of Statistics Poland (GUS), and
- by no more than a total of 30% of the current amount of those fees over the entire period of study.
These rules were confirmed in the government’s summary of changes for the 2023/2024 academic year: the possibility of indexation once a year, no more than inflation per GUS, and in total no more than 30%; transitional provisions were also indicated.
The amendment has been in force since September 6, 2023, and—crucially—applies to people admitted to the first year of studies starting from the 2023/2024 academic year. This follows from the transitional provision in Article 30 of the amending act (Journal of Laws 2023, item 1672). Those who began their studies earlier remain under the “old” rule—no indexation of fees during their course of study (with the earlier exceptions).
The indicator referred to by the law is the average annual CPI announced each year by GUS in the “Monitor Polski.” When planning an increase, the university may not exceed this indicator in a given academic year – and must ensure that, in total (across subsequent years), fees are not raised by more than 30%. For example: if the annual tuition is PLN 6,000, the cumulative cap on all indexations throughout the entire period of study is PLN 1,800 (30%). In a given year, the cap equals the CPI for the previous calendar year.
At non-public universities, the relationship between the student and the university is of a civil-law nature (a contract for educational services), but the boundaries are set by PSWiN (Art. 80 applies to all universities). This means that the possibility of indexation and its limits (inflation + 30% cumulative) also apply. At the same time, consumer-law rules still hold: unfair terms (e.g., unilateral price changes without a right to withdraw) expose the university to disputes and such provisions being invalid. Older PSRP guides give good examples of disputes over contractual penalties, flat-rate fees upon withdrawal, disproportionate costs—still useful checklists, though they must now be read in light of the new indexation limits.
How to defend your rights?
- University body: the law does not specify whether fees are set by the senate or the rector—this is decided by the statute. Regardless, the student government’s opinion is required before each determination (Art. 80(2) PSWiN).
- Transparency: the university is required to disclose fees in the BIP without delay (Art. 80(5)). Failure to publish, or publication after recruitment, may be grounds to challenge the effectiveness of changes.
- Cost justification: fee amounts must fit within necessary costs. If tuition rises faster than the costs of education, a student has grounds to intervene.
- When a change is inadmissible: for cohorts from before 2023/2024 – generally no indexation of tuition (transitional provision). For new cohorts – at most once per year and within the CPI, with a cumulative 30% limit.
- Courses of action: start by speaking with the dean’s office and student government, then with student rights ombudspersons at the university/PSRP; if necessary – file a complaint with the ministry responsible for higher education.
Key references:
- Arts. 79–80 of the Act of July 20, 2018 – Law on Higher Education and Science.
- Amendment to PSWiN – Act of July 28, 2023 (Journal of Laws 2023, item 1672).
- Announcements by the President of GUS on the average annual CPI – reference point for annual indexations.
Final note:
older guides (e.g., PSRP from 2021) are excellent introductions to the topic of fees, but the part on “no tuition changes during the course of study” is no longer up to date for cohorts admitted from 2023/2024. The current rules and limits follow from Art. 80(3) PSWiN after the 2023 amendment.