In response to the changing environment of NCAA hockey, and player eligibility, TJHN is highlighting the importance of considering Europe for your college education and hockey playing options.
As college hockey continues to evolve in North America, it is also evolving and growing very quickly in Europe. Many players who have been tracking toward NCAA D-1 and D-3 are finding themselves taken off that track with the addition of Major Junior players in the recruiting pool.
As of Noveber 24, 2024 eleven Major Junior players have already committed to NCAA D-1 programs for next season. These commitments are pushing other committed players to decommit, while others are being pushed back a year or more in their intended enrollment date. Other players are preparing to be released as new roster limits are introduced in 2025.
Europe is now a legitimate quality option for education and college hockey goals. I will speak to Poland in particular since I have the best resources available to me there at this time.
Jagiellonian University Krakow Jagiellonian University – Jagiellonian University
Twelve percent of the student body is made up of international students. One of the oldest continuously operating University’s in the world. Known for its law school, tuition will average around $9000 for the entire 2025-2026 academic year. Time to complate a Bachelor degree is three years.
University of Bydgoszcz University of Bydgoszcz – Bydgoska Szkoła Wyższa
More than ten percent of the student body is made up of international students. One of the most modern infrastructures in Europe for education is a feature in Bydgoszcz. Known for its Engineering degrees, specifically for its Civil Engineering program, tuition will average around $9000 for the entire 2025-2026 academic year. Time to complete Bachelor degree is three years.
Gdansk University of Education and Sport International – AWFiS
Approximately ten percent of the student body is made up of international students. A unique offering not found in many North American universities, the study of sports and education combined followed up by a doctoral program Gdansk not only offers a great campus location, but the ability for student athletes to immerse themselves in the study of sport. Tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year will average around $6500. Time to complete a Bachelor degree is three years.
These three educational institutions are just a small sample of what is available to student athletes who are looking for new options to continue playing hockey while earning their degree.
There are more than twenty universities in Poland, and more than one hundred and fifty in Europe that offer degree paths in English while having the ability to play college hockey. The opportunities to play, learn and get scouted by European professional teams are only limited by a student athletes ability to think outside of what has been traditional in North America.
Other Universities I could mention are the University of Prague, Copenhagen University, University of Paris, Oxford University, University of Berlin, Barcelona University, and the University of Geneva. Not looking at Europe as an option today, is limiting your options to receive a great education while playing college hockey next season.
For more information on Poland and other college hockey opportunities, please visit European College Hockey Placement Service – College Hockey Without The NCAA Expense and book a no cost or obligation consultation.
