KSAP

Overview

Krajowa Szkoła Administracji Publicznej (KSAP, the National School of Public Administration) is the Polish state school that trains future senior staff for the civil service. Each year it recruits a new cohort ("promocja") for its full-time programme. In 2026 KSAP recruited the 38th cohort, which starts in November 2026 and studies until April 2028, about 18 months.

Admission is by a three-stage competition run by KSAP itself: written tests, an assessment centre, and a qualifying interview.

Who can apply

• You must hold a master's degree (magister) or an equivalent qualification, confirmed by a diploma.

• You must know English, German or French at B2 level, which is tested during recruitment.

• KSAP states there is no upper age limit.

Teaching and recruitment are in Polish, and the video self-presentation must be recorded in Polish.

Levels or stages

Application

Applications are made online through KSAP's recruitment system. Along with the form you upload a scan of your master's diploma, pay the recruitment fee and submit a short video self-presentation (1.5 to 2 minutes, in Polish, MP4, up to 256 MB). For 2026 the video topic asked how candidates see their own development as a future public administration leader and what role KSAP plays in it.

Stage I: written tests

Stage I is held on one day, online or in person at KSAP, and has three parts:

Stage II: assessment centre

Stage II is held in person at KSAP. It is an integrated assessment that uses individual and group tasks, observation and analysis of documents to build a fuller picture of each candidate's skills.

Stage III: qualifying interview

The final stage is an in-person interview about your experience and motivation. It also checks how well you communicate in your chosen foreign language.

Important dates

For the 2026 recruitment (38th cohort):

Fees

For 2026 the recruitment fee is 150 PLN, paid as part of the online application.

How to apply

Register on KSAP's online recruitment system for the full-time programme within the application window, fill in the form, upload your diploma scan and video, and pay the fee. KSAP then invites eligible candidates to Stage I.

After the exam

Admitted candidates become KSAP students (słuchacze) and receive a monthly stipend, which for the 38th cohort is 4,900 PLN gross. The programme includes one seven-week internship abroad; KSAP arranges the placement and covers travel, accommodation and allowances.

Graduates must work in public administration for five years after finishing. The Prime Minister assigns graduates to posts, and they get priority for appointment in the civil service within the annual limits. The KSAP diploma lets a graduate apply for appointment as a civil servant (mianowanie) without taking the usual qualifying procedure, as long as the other legal requirements are met.

Preparation tips

• Read the source materials for the knowledge test as soon as they arrive, since you only get seven days with them.

• Practise timed logical reasoning and data-interpretation questions for the skills test.

• Work on your foreign language at B2 level in both reading and speaking, because it is tested in writing at Stage I and orally at the interview.

• Plan the video carefully: it must be in Polish and within the 1.5 to 2 minute limit.