Portugal : Postgraduate study

How does the higher education system work?

Higher education includes universities and polytechnics administered by public, private and cooperative institutions.

Universities award first degrees, Masters degrees and Doctorates. Polytechnics award first degrees and Masters degrees.

Lisbon has the greatest concentration of public and private higher education establishments (about a third of the national total), and a large number of research and development institutions.

What courses are available?

Levels of study available are:

• first degrees: Bacharel (three years of study) and Licenciado (four to six years of study);
• postgraduate courses: Mestre (four semesters, advanced degree in a scientific area through practical research);
• Doctoral studies: Doutre (several years of personal study for a thesis);
• postdoctoral programmes: Agregação (reserved for Doutre, the highest level of study).

Where can I study?

A complete list of all higher education establishments is available from Direcção – Geral do Ensino Superior and Guia do Estudante (both in Portuguese) or via Universities Worldwide.

University ranking lists are available from Webometrics.

What are the entry requirements for postgraduate study?

Most universities operate an entrance examination and also stipulate entrance criteria (such as minimum qualifications). Foreign students must meet the same criteria as those set for Portuguese students.

Places at public universities are allocated by passing a national examination, whereas private institutions set their own.

Although it may not be specified, it will usually be necessary to have a good knowledge of Portuguese since courses will be almost exclusively delivered in the language.

When do I apply?

As in the UK, there is no official closing date for postgraduate courses, but it is advisable to apply as early as possible.

How do I apply?

For postgraduate study, contact the university you are interested in attending. Each university has its own admissions system for postgraduate programmes, and you will have to apply separately for each university. All universities have their own official application form, which you will need to complete fully.

Check with each institution to find out about their application procedure. Some universities deal with applications centrally, while others deal with applications within individual faculties or departments. Some have application forms available on their website, and some are accept forms submitted electronically.

Most universities in Portugal, as in the UK, have an international office where you will find information about the procedures to follow for applying to and attending your chosen university. This information is usually available in English both online and by requesting a prospectus.

How much will it cost?

Both public and private institutions charge tuition fees. In public institutions, fees are payable annually and are related to the minimum wage. In private institutions, fees are payable monthly and are generally significantly higher.

Details of fees and the costs of living can be found on university websites. You can request more information from the international office of the university you are interested in attending.

Are any scholarships available?

• EU students are eligible to apply for grants and exemptions in the same way as Portuguese students. These are usually administered by facilities within the public institution universities and further information should be available.
• For private study, the state provides a fundo de Apoio ao Estudante (student support fund). Grants are allocated through a competitive examination.
• To be eligible for a grant, students must be applying for a course/establishment recognised by the Portuguese Ministry of Education.
• The Camões Institute offers grants to students attending either summer, or longer annual, courses in Portuguese language and culture, or for research in these areas.
• Search for funding opportunities at Ploteus

Are there any exchange programmes?

UK students on undergraduate degree programmes or postgraduate Masters and some PhD programmes may be interested in spending time studying in Portugal through the Erasmus programme. This programme is open to all subject areas, but check with your institution's Erasmus coordinator first (usually based in the international office) to see which countries they have links with and in what subject areas.

Will my qualification be recognised in the UK?

The ENIC-NARIC network provides information on how to compare academic qualifications. Their office in Portugal is based within the Portuguese Ministry of Education.

See Study Abroad Links for general information about studying outside the UK.