Portugal
Offering a mild Mediterranean climate, beautiful coastline and cities packed with historical interest and cultural experiences, Portugal – the westernmost country in mainland Europe – is undoubtedly among the continent’s most attractive destinations. Aside from the many historic sites and areas of natural beauty, the government is also known for its contemporary culture and nightlife.
If you’re a rock and world music fan, in the main cities along the coast, you’ll find many festivals and events to suit your tastes. But if this isn’t your thing, fear not because the diverse student communities in Portugal’s major cities will always ensure something to get involved in. So, whether you’re a food lover, hiker, music fanatic, sight-seer or history buff, choosing to study in Portugal is a great option.
Read on for information about the top universities in Portugal, popular student cities and practical information to help you get started.
Universities in Portugal
Five universities in Portugal feature in the QS World University Rankings® 2018, the highest entry being the University of Porto, which is placed joint 301st in the world. With a long history of well-respected universities, Portugal’s higher education system was ranked the 35th best in the world in the first edition of the QS Higher Education System Strength Rankings.
As well as solid universities, Portugal is home to several well-reputed polytechnics. The main difference between the two is that the universities focus more on academic research. At the same time, the polytechnics are more focused on preparing students for a specific career path. Some subjects are only offered at universities or polytechnics, but there’s also a lot of overlap. For example, universities and polytechnics provide engineering, management and humanities degrees.
Since 2006, Portugal has adopted the Bologna Process throughout its universities and polytechnics, a European reform process which aims to establish a standard structure for higher education across Europe. Through this structure, Portuguese universities offer three levels of degrees. These are:
- Bachelor level or Licenciatura, which usually takes between three and four years to complete
- Master level or mestrado, which takes one or two years
- Doctorate level or duotoramento, which typically takes three years
Most courses – especially at the bachelor’s level – are taught in Portuguese. At the graduate level, it’s more common to find English-taught programs, but it’s still an asset to speak the national language. This is not a country where you can rely on everyone being able to speak English.
University of Porto
The University of Porto, ranked joint 301st in the QS World University Rankings® 2018, is a public university in Porto. Founded in 1911, it has a large community of over 31,000 students, including around 3,280 international students. The University of Porto has developed a robust research output with a recent expansion of research and development activity. Among the most recognised of the school’s research centres are the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, the Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology and the Research Institute of Computer Systems.
University of Lisbon
Ranked joint 305th in the world in 2018, the University of Lisbon is the largest in Portugal, home to over 47,000 students in 18 faculties. It was formed by the merger of the former Technical University of Lisbon (UTL) and the University of Lisbon (UL) in 2013, with the leading University in Lisbon initially founded in 1911. The university is currently ranked in the global top 100 of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017 for several subjects, including art and design, mining engineering and geography.
Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
The third highest-ranked Portuguese university is the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, which stands at joint 361st globally. Founded in 1973, the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, informally known as NOVA, has a student population of over 19,500.
NOVA benefits from specialised faculties emphasising STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and FAME (finance, accounting, management and economics) subjects. The university also offers the Lisbon MBA in partnership with Universidade Catolica Portuguesa.
University of Coimbra
The oldest of all universities in Portugal is the University of Coimbra, established in 1290. Ranked 401-410 in the QS World University Rankings and located in the city of Coimbra (the former national capital), with a student community of approximately 24,800, the university has a sizeable proportion of international students and teaches across eight faculties, covering STEM subjects as well as arts and humanities.
Other institutions in Portugal to consider include the Universidade Catolica Portuguesa, Lisboa (651-700 in the world), Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics and the Nova School of Business and Economics.
Student cities in Portugal
Find out about some of Portugal’s most famous student cities, and discover the top universities in Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra.
Lisbon
Located on Portugal’s west coast, Lisbon (or Lisboa) is pretty much everything you could want from a European capital city: rich in culture, character and history, great food, wine, music and nightlife. Against an attractive backdrop of historic buildings, winding streets and vintage trams, Lisbon offers an eclectic selection of activities and experiences, from traditional public baths to lively cafés and even more energetic nightclubs, all soundtracked by a mix of traditional fado music and new electronic bands. Don’t worry if your music tastes skew a bit cheesier, though, as Lisbon will host the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 2018, following Portugal’s first win in 2017.
The incredible scenery in Lisbon is made all the better due to the city’s hilly terrain. Although this makes walking and cycling more of an effort, the views (and the improved fitness levels) are most definitely worth it.
Two public universities in Lisbon are featured in the QS World University Rankings 2018– the University of Lisbon (joint 305th) and the Universidade Nova de Lisboa (joint 361st), as well as the private Universidade Catolica Portuguesa, Lisboa (651-700).
Other polytechnics and universities in Lisbon include the Technical University of Lisbon, Lisbon University Institute, Lusiada University, Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, Católica Lisbon Business and Economics, Nova School of Business and Economics and several others, both public and private.
Porto
Portugal’s second-largest city, Porto, is also located on the west coast, over 300 kilometres north of the capital. Like Lisbon, it holds its own in history and hills and combines deep historical foundations with vibrant and varied cuisine, music and nightlife. The colours of the city, as well as the narrow paths, stairways and streets, all combine with the modern atmosphere and efficient amenities to make Porto a fascinating destination for students and visitors alike.
Porto is home to the University of Porto (Portugal’s leading institution at joint 301st in the world rankings), as well as the Instituto Politecnico de Porto and several private universities, including the Lusiada University of Porto and Universidade Fernando Pessoa. The Universidade Catolica Portuguesa also has a campus here.
Coimbra
In between Lisbon and Porto, but further inland, Coimbra is the home of Portugal’s oldest university. Here again, you’ll find medieval streets and architecture overlaid with the buzz and dash of modern life – notably, the activities of a fun and lively student community. The University of Coimbra is a trendy choice among international students coming to study in Portugal. Other options in the city include the Instituto Politecnico de Coimbra and several specialist institutes.
Applying to universities in Portugal
Undergraduate applications to study in Portugal are made through a centralised online system called Candidatura Online, which allows applicants to choose up to six programs in order of preference. As well as submitting evidence of your secondary level qualifications, you will likely need to sit an entrance examination in your home country; public universities use the national exam, while private universities have their own. If studying in Portuguese (as is likely), you’ll need to prove your proficiency in the language.
Prospective graduate-level students should apply directly to the universities in Portugal they wish to study at, submitting all the required documents, including proof of previous qualifications.
Student visas for Portugal
Those from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who intend to study in Portugal for longer than three months must apply for a residence visa (visto para residencia) before entering the country. This can be used through your nearest Portuguese embassy or consulate and requires:
- Passport valid for at least three months after the end of your course;
- A completed application form;
- Letter of acceptance from a Portuguese university;
- Academic transcript;
- Photocopy of key passport pages;
- Three passport-sized photos;
- Police record of good conduct;
- Copy of health insurance;
- Proof of sufficient funds – either a bank statement or grant/scholarship.
Your visa will cost a maximum of €170 (~US$205) and will take two or three months to be issued, so you should apply soon. Students from within the EU should apply for an EU citizen residence card within four months of arriving in Portugal and pay a small fee.
Tuition fees and living costs
Tuition fees vary as Portuguese universities set their prices, and public institutions are likely to charge less than private universities. Tuition fees for bachelor’s and master’s degrees average around €950-1,250 per year (~US$1,140-1,500), while prices for doctorate programs are everywhere €2,500-3,000 per year (~US$2,400-3,600).
Although the cost of living in Portugal has increased in recent years, it’s still a relatively affordable place. Accommodation will be your most significant monthly spend. The cheapest option is to live in your university’s halls of residence, which is likely to cost between €165-230 (~US$200-280) a month, whereas renting an apartment in private accommodation could cost in the region of €400 (~US$480) each month.
To cover all your living expenses, you will need around €7,800-10,200 (~US$9,400-12,300) a year, but you may wish to budget more for life in large cities such as Lisbon.
EU students can work up to 20 hours per week and full-time during semester breaks. If you’re a non-EU student, you can also work but need authorisation from the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF).
How Can Atoz Serwis Portugal Help You?
- Guide the required documentation
- Advice on the funds that need to be shown
- Help in filling out the application forms
- Help in reviewing your documents for the visa application