Comparison of knowledge and awareness of epilepsy between medical students of two universities in Poland

•Future physicians should have sufficient knowledge and awareness of the psychosocial aspects of epilepsy.•Nearly two hundred medical students from two universities in Poland filled a questionnaire about epilepsy and stigma.•Year of study correlates well with level of knowledge and awareness of stereotypes.•Students also completed short personality tests - personality did not have a strong impact on the results.•More emphasis should be put on basic information such as first aid during seizure.