Study in Portugal
Situated in south-western Europe, Portugal does not only boast idyllic beaches but is also a great country for completing your university studies with nearly 5000 study programmes to choose from.
The Portuguese Higher Education System
In 2016, approximately 350,000 students were enrolled at Portuguese universities. As usual in the European Higher Education Area, the degree-structure is three-tiered for the large part of subjects and study programmes, i.e. bachelor, master and doctoral degrees.
Portugal’s Higher Education System in International Comparison
This section highlights the overall performance of Portuguese universities at the institutional level per U-Multirank dimension. Overall, Portuguese universities perform clearly above average in the dimensions of Research and Knowledge Transfer.
National performance: Portugal
Fees & University Entrance Requirements
In general, the level of payable fees depends on whether you want to study at a public or in a private university, whereas public universities are cheaper. In addition, there is a difference between EU and non-EU students. Non-EU students mostly have to pay higher fees. The average tuition fee in public universities varies from 950 to 1,250 EUR annually for bachelor and master programmes. For Ph.D. courses, fees range between 2,500 EUR to 3,000 EUR per year. At private universities, annual fees range between 3,323 EUR and 3,872 EUR. You are also required to pay a small registration fee at most universities.
Entry requirements
If you are from an EU or EEA member state or Switzerland and your school-leaver’s certificate allows you to enroll at a domestic higher education institution, it will usually also enable you to study on a bachelor's programme in Portugal. If you are a third country national wish to study on a bachelor's programme you are required to provide a school- leaver’s certificate in Portuguese language, English, French or Spanish. If you want to study in a master's programme you need to hold a bachelor degree.
Scholarships in Portugal
A scholarship database can be found here.
Student Visa
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens are not required to obtain a visa but need to register with the local authorities within 90 days of their arrival. These authorities will furnish you with a student residence permit (Licença de Permanência), upon you providing proof of sufficient financial means for your stay in the country. Generally, all non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens must hold a student visa along with a with a residence permit. The visa has to be obtained before traveling to Portugal. Upon arrival in Portugal, you are able to apply for a residence permit.
Key highlights for students interested in studying in Portugal
Portugal’s higher education performance in U-Multirank
- In 2018, U-Multirank presents data on 29 Portuguese higher education institutions, universities as well as polytechnic institutes.
- Compared globally, Portuguese institutions are very strong in Regional Engagement. They publish much of their research with other universities in their region. Both BA and MA students often work in the institution’s region after graduation.
- The University of Coimbra (12) and Nova University Lisbon (11) have the highest number of top group positions of all Portuguese institutions.
- Among the top 25 universities in Regional Joint Publications and Interdisciplinary Publications are three Portuguese universities respectively, and one in Income from Continuous Professional Development.
What to study in Portugal?
Where to study in Portugal?
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