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Comment by xyzzyz | Hacker News Reader

For comparison:

Five Years (BS + MSc) University Expenses in Poland (University of Warsaw):

- Registration fee (for BS and MSc separately): 80 zł (~$25) * 2 = $50

- Hard copies of diplomas: 2 * 100 zł (~$30) = $60.

I am quite happy with the education I got there, and US companies seem to hold it pretty highly, based on how many people they hire out of my university.

Come to think of it, the diploma fee is not actually obligatory -- if you don't need the hard copy, you don't have to pay.

Oh, and there are fees for failing classes and having to repeat them, but there are also scholarships for doing well, so it cancels out.

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Are you saying that University of Warsaw charges no tuition fees?

Yep... That is what he said.

However please bear in mind that it it is free ONLY for the 38 million Polish citizens. Foreigners must pay something.

Ref: http://www.studyinpoland.pl/en/index.php/education-in-poland...

I still find that surprising. I actually am a Polish citizen (living in the UK) and I did not know that.

Or study in Scotland where tuition should be free for you too. Only English, Welsh and Northern Irish pay in Scotland (Northern Irish seem to have the option to take up an Irish passport then qualify for the free tuition too - I'm sure someone else on HN will explain the mechanics of that). But it's not simply free tuition - you have living expenses too and moving to another country can make these much higher than a resident who gets to stay with their parents or relatives to cut costs.

I'm not sure how useful it is in general for people to forum shop round countries for education, except for Americans where going domestic seems to be a recipe for permanent debt rather than improving life opportunities. Even expensive countries seem to be a way better option for Americans seeking to avoid the constant thread of bankruptcy.

Wow, today I learned tuition is free in Scotland. How's the average income?

Exactly. Well, it charges tuition for foreign students, however they were around $1000 for a term, so Bachelor degree would cost you $6000 in tuition fees.

Living in Warsaw (room, food and alcohol) would cost you $350-450 a month if you're willing to have flatmates, and $550-650 if you want to rent a whole apartment.

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