UWM's Foundation Year, also called the International Gateway to Science and Medicine Program, is a preparation option before Medicine. It is for applicants who need stronger science and English foundations before the main medical application.

Pre-Med program overview

Best fit

Applicants who want a greener campus city, are comfortable with a subject-ranking Medicine model, or want Veterinary Medicine in English at an EAEVE-accredited Polish faculty.

Course outcome

The listed outcome is a Preparation before Medicine admission after 9 months on the latest public Foundation Year page. This is preparation before degree admission, not the final medical, dental or pharmacy degree.

Recognition note

A preparatory course is not a professional license. Recognition and licensing depend on the later degree program and the country where you want to work.

Watch out for

Medicine admission can look simple because it is grade-ranked, but some diplomas trigger the Knowledge Competency Exam. The Foundation Year page needs intake confirmation because the latest public copy still references October 2025. Veterinary Medicine has a separate faculty, separate admissions contact and a different Biology-Chemistry interview model.

City fit

Olsztyn is smaller than Warsaw, Krakow or Gdansk, but UWM's Kortowo campus is a strong student-life advantage. UWM describes Kortowo as a 230-hectare campus surrounded by forests and four lakes, with the University Library, sports facilities, canteens and dormitories nearby. The School of Medicine says English Division students are mainly accommodated in two campus dormitories near the library and conference center, with other Zak Foundation dorms also available.

Pre-Med admissions at UWM Olsztyn

For 2026/2027, UWM lists Medicine in English as a 6-year, 12-semester full-time program starting in October 2026, with a 100-place admission limit and tuition of 63,000 PLN per year. Recruitment runs in rounds: the first phase closes on 12 May 2026, later phases continue through September if places remain. Medicine admission is mainly a ranking of three subjects: Biology is compulsory, and candidates choose two subjects from Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics or English. If the grades cannot be converted to UWM's scale, the candidate must pass an English-language Knowledge Competency Exam in Medical Terminology from Biology and either Chemistry or Physics. UWM also publishes conversion rules for EB, IB, MCAT, UCAT, GAMSAT and NEET results. UWM School of Medicine publishes a Foundation Year / International Gateway to Science and Medicine Program for applicants who need stronger English and science preparation before Medicine. The public page describes a 9-month course with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy, Histology and Physiology, plus Polish language and academic support. As of May 2026, the public page still references the course starting in October 2025, so applicants should ask UWM for the next intake date before planning around it. UWM's Veterinary Medicine in English is listed for 2026/2027 as an 11-semester, full-time program with tuition of 22,000 PLN per semester. Candidates with foreign diplomas register from 20 April to 24 June 2026 in the first round, with a second short round from 27 August to 1 September 2026 if places remain. For foreign-diploma candidates, admission is based on an online interview in Biology and Chemistry.

Check intake

Confirm the year

The latest public page still references October 2025. Ask UWM for the next Foundation Year start date before applying.

IELTS 5.5

Prepare English proof

UWM lists IELTS 5.5 or an equivalent English certificate for the Foundation Year documents.

Documents

Submit school records

Prepare passport, high-school diploma and proof that the diploma gives access to university-level study.

After course

Apply to Medicine

UWM links later MD eligibility to English level, a good MSAT result and good standing with the university.

Documents

UWM IRK application form and proof of paid recruitment fee.
High-school diploma or secondary-school leaving certificate proving access to higher education.
Apostille or legalization where required, plus sworn English or Polish translation if the document is not in English or Polish.
Subject-grade certificate or supplement if the diploma does not show all subject results.
Official grading scale if the diploma scale is not clear.
English certificate for Medicine where required: UWM lists IELTS 5.5, TOEFL equivalents or Pearson PTE Academic 59.
Criminal record certificates for Medicine applicants, including child-contact information where available.
Passport copy and any NAWA recognition statement where the certificate category requires it.

Application timing

Timelines depend on the university, applicant category and intake. Check the official admission page for the target year before booking an exam.

Pre-Med course fit

UWM School of Medicine publishes a Foundation Year / International Gateway to Science and Medicine Program for applicants who need stronger English and science preparation before Medicine. The public page describes a 9-month course with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy, Histology and Physiology, plus Polish language and academic support. As of May 2026, the public page still references the course starting in October 2025, so applicants should ask UWM for the next intake date before planning around it.

Science

Biology

Biology is one of the most common medical-admission subjects and should be prepared from the official syllabus.

Science

Chemistry

Chemistry is common for Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy. Veterinary and Pre-Med programs can differ by university.

Language

English

English may be tested directly or checked through certificates and diagnostic exams depending on applicant background.

Tuition and budget

Published tuition for this program: Confirm with UWM. Use the official university page for the final intake-year amount, payment split, bank details and refund rules.

For living costs in Olsztyn, use roughly EUR 600-950 / month before travel, visa, document translation and setup costs.

Cost item	Planning figure	Notes
Tuition	Confirm with UWM	Use the official university page for final intake-year amount and payment schedule.
Living costs in Olsztyn	EUR 600-950 / month	Varies by housing, lifestyle, exchange rates and how early accommodation is booked.
Application and exam fees	Confirm with UWM	UWM's public Foundation Year page does not clearly publish a current 2026/2027 fee. Applicants should confirm the next intake and fee directly with the School of Medicine.
Document costs	Variable	Budget for translation, legalization, recognition documents, travel, insurance and first housing deposits.

Pre-Med curriculum and next steps

The public Foundation Year page lists Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy, Histology, Physiology, Polish language, academic support and cultural activities. UWM says students may be eligible for later MD admission if they meet English, MSAT and good-standing requirements.

Science foundations

Expect early work in Biology, Chemistry and basic medical or health-science subjects.

Core program modules

The middle years move into program-specific subjects, labs, seminars and practical training.

Clinical or practical work

Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine each add practical training in different settings.

Licensing check

Before applying, verify recognition in the country where you want to work after graduation.

How Medimentor helps

Use Medimentor to build Biology, Chemistry, Physics and medical-English foundations before UWM Medicine. Treat this as preparation, not a medical degree and not an admission promise.

Exam prep

Practise the Biology, Chemistry and English topics that are most common in Poland admissions.

English terminology

Review medical and science vocabulary so the exam language is less of a barrier.

Application planning

Keep documents, deadlines, fees and university choices visible while you prepare.

Start preparing

FAQ

Does UWM offer a Pre-Med or Foundation Year?

Yes. UWM School of Medicine publishes a Foundation Year / International Gateway to Science and Medicine Program for applicants preparing for Medicine.

Is the UWM Foundation Year a medical degree?

No. It is not a medical degree. It is preparation before Medicine admission, and later admission still depends on UWM rules and results.

What does the UWM Foundation Year cover?

The public page lists Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy, Histology, Physiology, Polish language and academic support.

Is the next UWM Foundation Year date confirmed?

Not clearly on the public page. As of May 2026, the public copy still references October 2025, so applicants should confirm the next intake directly with UWM.

Can Medimentor help before UWM Pre-Med?

Yes. Medimentor can help with Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English terminology, flashcards and study planning. It does not guarantee admission.