Is the Polish Matura enough for studying abroad?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions by Polish high school students planning to study in Europe. The short answer: yes, but it depends on the country and the university. The Polish Matura (świadectwo dojrzałości), the Polish secondary school leaving exam, is recognized in most European countries, but the way it’s converted varies dramatically.
In some countries (Netherlands, Germany), the Polish Matura is treated almost on par with its local equivalent. In others (UK, Ireland), it is considered insufficient and requires supplementation with SAT, AP, or IB. In the USA, it is accepted, but universities still require SAT/ACT regardless of the candidate’s educational system.
This article is a practical guide: how your Matura results translate into the requirements of foreign universities, when the Matura is enough, and when you need something more.
Polish Matura vs. other systems: a comparison
Before we move on to conversions, it’s worth understanding what the Polish Matura is compared to:
| System | Country | Scale | Duration | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polish Matura | Poland | 0–100% (PP and PR) | 1 session (May) | PP = basic level, PR = advanced level |
| IB Diploma | International | 1–45 points (6 subjects + bonus) | 2-year program | HL (Higher Level) and SL (Standard Level) |
| A-Levels | UK | A*–E (U = unclassified) | 2 years (AS + A2) | 3–4 subjects |
| Abitur | Germany | 1.0–4.0 (1.0 = best) | 2 years (Oberstufe) | Leistungskurse + Grundkurse |
| VWO | Netherlands | 1–10 (6 = pass) | 3 years (grades 4–6) | Highest Dutch level |
| Maturità | Italy | 60–100 points | 1 session | Esame di Stato |
| Leaving Certificate | Ireland | H1–H8 / O1–O8 | 2 years (5th–6th year) | Higher and Ordinary Level |
Key takeaway: the Polish Matura at the advanced level (PR) is treated as the equivalent of a higher level in most systems. The Matura at the basic level (PP) is considered too low by many universities – which is why it’s so important to take subjects at the advanced level.
Netherlands: how they convert the Polish Matura
The Netherlands has one of the clearest systems for recognizing foreign qualifications. Nuffic (the Dutch organization for internationalization in education) has published official guidelines:
The Polish Matura is recognized as the equivalent of the Dutch VWO diploma, provided that subject requirements are met. This means that a Polish Matura graduate can apply to a Dutch university without additional exams (no SAT, no IB).
But there’s a catch: the university may require specific subjects at the advanced level and minimum results.
Nuffic conversion: Polish Matura → VWO
| Matura PR Result (%) | Approximate VWO equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 90–100% | 9–10 (excellent) | Highest level |
| 80–89% | 8 (very good) | Competitive for selective programs |
| 70–79% | 7 (good) | Sufficient for most programs |
| 60–69% | 6 (sufficient) | Minimum for most universities |
| 50–59% | 5–6 (borderline) | May not be enough for selective programs |
| 30–49% | Below 5 | Does not meet requirements |
Example: Erasmus University Rotterdam requires Mathematics at VWO 7+. If you have advanced level Mathematics at 70%+, you meet this requirement.
When SAT helps in the Netherlands: Even if the Matura is recognized, a SAT score can strengthen your application, especially for selective programs (Erasmus, Leiden, Groningen) where there are more applicants than places.
Germany: anabin system and Matura recognition
Germany has the most formal system for recognizing foreign qualifications in Europe. The central database anabin (maintained by the KMK) classifies each foreign certificate as:
- H+ (Hochschulzugang direkt) – direct access to studies
- H+/- (Hochschulzugang bedingt) – conditional access (requires additional courses)
- H- (kein Hochschulzugang) – no access
How does the Polish Matura fare in anabin?
The Polish Matura is classified as H+, meaning it grants direct access to German universities. This is very good news: you don’t need to take the Studienkolleg (a one-year preparatory course), which is required for candidates from many other countries.
Condition: you must have passed the Matura at the appropriate level, with the required subjects. Specific requirements depend on the university and program.
Conversion: Polish Matura → Abitur
The German Abitur has a scale of 1.0–4.0 (1.0 = best, 4.0 = lowest passing grade). Universities use a “modified Bavarian formula” to convert foreign grades:
| Average Matura PR (%) | Approximate Abitur | Chances for popular programs |
|---|---|---|
| 95–100% | 1.0–1.2 | Medicine (NC ~1.0), law at top universities |
| 85–94% | 1.3–1.8 | Psychology, architecture, economics at top universities |
| 75–84% | 1.9–2.4 | Most programs without NC (Numerus Clausus) |
| 65–74% | 2.5–3.0 | Programs without NC, smaller universities |
| 50–64% | 3.1–3.5 | Limited options |
Bavarian formula (simplified):
Abitur Grade = 1 + 3 × (Nmax - Nd) / (Nmax - Nmin)Where Nmax = best grade in the system (100%), Nmin = minimum passing grade (30%), Nd = Your grade.
For Matura 80%: 1 + 3 × (100 - 80) / (100 - 30) = 1 + 3 × 20/70 = 1.86 → a good result, opens most programs.
When SAT helps in Germany: At universities such as TUM, the SAT is accepted as an alternative or supplement to the Matura. It can be beneficial if your average Matura score is not the highest, but you want to apply for selective programs.
United Kingdom: UCAS tariff points and why it’s not enough
The UK has the UCAS tariff points system, which converts various qualifications to a common point scale. But beware – not all universities use tariff points. Prestigious universities (Russell Group) look at specific grades in specific subjects, not the total points.
Polish Matura in the UCAS system
UCAS officially recognizes the Polish Matura and assigns tariff points:
| Matura PR Result (%) | UCAS tariff points (per subject) | A-Level equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 90–100% | 52–56 | A* |
| 80–89% | 39–51 | A |
| 70–79% | 26–38 | B |
| 60–69% | 13–25 | C |
| 50–59% | 6–12 | D |
| 30–49% | 0–5 | E / below |
But there’s a problem: most prestigious UK universities do not accept the Polish Matura as a standalone qualification. King’s College London, Edinburgh, or St Andrews require SAT + AP Exams from candidates without A-Levels or IB. The Polish Matura is treated as a “school transcript,” but not as a “university entrance qualification” at the A-Levels standard.
Therefore, if you plan to study in the UK, you need:
| Option | Requirements |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | 2-year IB program (school change) |
| A-Levels | Taking A-Levels at an international school |
| SAT + AP | SAT 1200–1500+ + 2–5 AP Exams |
| Foundation Year | A foundation year at a British university |
Full guide to studying in the UK with SAT: Studying in the UK with SAT.
Italy: CIMEA and the TOLC system
Italy has its own agency for recognizing qualifications, CIMEA (Centro Informazioni sulla Mobilità e le Equivalenze Accademiche). The Polish Matura is recognized in Italy as the equivalent of the diploma di maturità, granting direct access to universities.
However, for many programs (engineering, medicine, architecture), universities require taking the TOLC (Test Online CISIA), an Italian entrance exam. And this is where the SAT comes in: many universities accept the SAT as an alternative to TOLC.
Conversion: Polish Matura → Italian system
| Matura PR Result (%) | Italian system (60–100) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 90–100% | 90–100 | Competitive for DSU scholarships |
| 80–89% | 80–89 | Good standing |
| 70–79% | 70–79 | Sufficient |
| 60–69% | 60–69 | Minimum |
Italian public universities do not have strict cut-offs based on the Matura; the TOLC (or SAT) score is what counts. The Matura serves as a document confirming completion of secondary education.
Ireland: CAO points system
Ireland uses the CAO (Central Applications Office) with a points system. The Polish Matura is recognized, but the conversion is not straightforward.
The Irish Leaving Certificate has a scale of H1–H8 (Higher Level) and O1–O8 (Ordinary Level). Each grade gives a specific number of CAO points:
| LC Grade | CAO points | Approximate Matura PR equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| H1 (≥90%) | 100 | 90%+ PR |
| H2 (80–89%) | 88 | 80–89% PR |
| H3 (70–79%) | 77 | 70–79% PR |
| H4 (60–69%) | 66 | 60–69% PR |
| H5 (50–59%) | 56 | 50–59% PR |
| H6 (40–49%) | 46 | 40–49% PR |
The best 6 subjects count towards the total CAO points. Maximum: 625 points (6 × 100 + 25 for HL Mathematics).
In practice for Polish students: Trinity College Dublin and UCD accept the SAT as an alternative to the Leaving Certificate. If you have a strong SAT (1300+), you don’t need to worry about Matura conversion (SAT takes on the role of the entrance qualification).
USA: SAT is mandatory regardless of Matura
American universities treat the Polish Matura as confirmation of secondary school completion (high school diploma equivalent), but an SAT or ACT score is required separately, regardless of the educational system.
The Polish Matura does not give any “bonus points” in the US admissions process. Universities look at:
- GPA – converted from the Polish system (6 → 4.0, 5 → 3.7, 4 → 3.0, etc.)
- SAT/ACT – standardized test score
- Extracurriculars – extracurricular activities
- Essays – application essays
- Letters of recommendation – teacher recommendations
GPA conversion: Polish grade → 4.0 scale
| Polish grade | GPA (4.0 scale) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (excellent) | 4.0 | A |
| 5 (very good) | 3.7 | A- |
| 4+ (good+) | 3.3 | B+ |
| 4 (good) | 3.0 | B |
| 3+ (sufficient+) | 2.7 | C+ |
| 3 (sufficient) | 2.0 | C |
| 2 (passing) | 1.0 | D |
More about studying in the USA: Study in the USA for Free – A Complete Guide.
Practical guide: what to do with your Polish Matura?
Scenario 1: You want to study in the Netherlands, Germany, or Italy
Your Polish Matura is sufficient as an entrance qualification. You don’t need to take IB or A-Levels. But:
- Take advanced level subjects relevant to your chosen field of study (e.g., advanced Mathematics for engineering)
- Aim for 70%+ on advanced levels; this is equivalent to a “good” grade in the Dutch/German systems
- Consider the SAT as a supplement. At universities like Erasmus Rotterdam or TUM, the SAT can strengthen your application.
Scenario 2: You want to study in the UK or Ireland
The Polish Matura is not enough for prestigious universities. You need one of the alternatives:
- SAT + AP Exams → the best option if you don’t want to change schools. AP Guide
- IB Diploma → requires transferring to an IB school (list of IB schools in Poland on ibo.org)
- Foundation Year → a preparatory year at a British university. More expensive (tuition for an extra year), but a sure path.
Note on tuition fees in the UK: Since Brexit, Polish students (and all EU students) pay international rates in the UK, from 15,000 to 30,000+ GBP/year, not the domestic rate of ~9,250 GBP, which applies only to UK students.
Scenario 3: You want to study in the USA
You must take the SAT or ACT regardless of your Matura. The Polish Matura is your “transcript,” and the SAT is the required exam. More: The SAT Exam – A Complete Guide.
Scenario 4: You want to keep all options open
Take the Polish Matura with advanced levels + SAT + 2–3 AP Exams. This combination literally opens every door: Netherlands, Germany, Italy (SAT alone), UK, Ireland (SAT + AP), USA (SAT), Scandinavia (SAT), Spain (SAT).
Cost: approx. 550–670 EUR (SAT + 3 AP). Preparation time: 6–9 months. Result: access to every university in Europe and the USA.
FAQ
Is the Polish Matura recognized in Europe?
Yes – the Polish Matura (świadectwo dojrzałości) is officially recognized in all EU/EEA countries. However, the conversion method and additional requirements (SAT, AP, TOLC) vary depending on the country and university.
Do I need a certified translation of my Matura certificate?
Usually, yes. Universities require a certified translation into English (or the language of instruction). Cost: approx. 18–35 EUR for a certified translation.
How many advanced level subjects should I take for the Matura?
A minimum of 2–3, preferably related to your field of study. For engineering: advanced Mathematics + advanced Physics. For economics: advanced Mathematics + advanced Foreign Language. For humanities: advanced History + advanced Social Studies + advanced Foreign Language.
Is the basic level Matura (PP) recognized abroad?
The basic level Matura (PP) is recognized as confirmation of school completion, but at many universities, it does not meet subject requirements. Dutch universities require subjects at the advanced level (PR = VWO level). German universities also prefer advanced levels.
When is it worth taking the SAT in addition to the Matura?
Always, if you are considering studying in the UK, Ireland, USA, or at universities that accept the SAT (list: Universities in Europe accepting SAT). The SAT does not replace the Matura – it complements it and expands your options.
Summary
The Polish Matura is a solid qualification that opens doors to studies in most European countries, but not everywhere and not for everything. Key principles:
- Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Scandinavia: Advanced level Matura is sufficient. SAT is a bonus.
- UK, Ireland: Matura is not enough. You need SAT + AP or IB.
- USA: Matura is a transcript, SAT is mandatory.
- Take advanced levels: The basic level Matura (PP) is considered too low by most foreign universities.
- SAT + 3 AP is the “universal key” that literally opens every option in Europe and the USA for approx. 550 EUR.
Read more: Universities in Europe accepting SAT | AP Exams – A Guide | What SAT score for studies in Europe?
