Portugal
Portugal, the westernmost country in mainland Europe, is a desirable place to live. But the country offers more than just the prospect of a golden tan, with a wide range of higher education courses available
Higher education is divided into two main bodies:
The country has 16 public universities and seven of them are situated in the capital and hotbed of education, Lisbon. For a list of all institutions, visit Expatica - Universities and Polytechnics in Portugal .
The University of Porto, the Aveiro University, the New University of Lisbon and the University of Coimbra are all included in the top 400 of The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2011-2012 .
Most universities ask prospective students to sit an entrance examination; public universities use a national exam, whereas private institutions set their own. Universities will also require you to have minimum qualifications in order to apply, usually including an internationally recognised undergraduate degree. Entry requirements will differ depending on the institution and course, though, so check before you apply.
When applying to a higher education institution, it is worth contacting your chosen university's international office for advice on studying in Portugal. All the relevant application information should be available online. Entry exams are commonplace.
The majority of lectures will be conducted in Portuguese so it is essential that you have a solid understanding of the language before you apply.
European Union (EU) citizens are entitled to attend university in Portugal or any EU country (this means the 27 member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). The same conditions apply to all EU citizens whether a national of the country or not. This means that you are not required to pay higher course fees and that you are entitled to apply for any grants available to help with tuition fees.
Full time students enrolled in Bachelors and Masters programmes are charged on average €950-€1,250 per year. For PhD degrees, the average fee increases to €2,500 or €3,000 each year.
EU students are eligible to apply for grants in the same way as Portuguese students. Grants will be available from individual institutions and, to be eligible, students must apply to a course or university that is recognised by the Portuguese Ministry of Education.
To search for grants by Portuguese region, head to Europa - Ploteus .
Students attending UK universities can take part in the EU's leading educational exchange course Erasmus . The scheme offers work placements, study opportunities and language assistantships, which last from three months to one academic year in EU countries.
Financial support is also available to selected Masters and Doctoral students through the Erasmus Mundus initiative.
Your university must have a formal agreement with a partner university in Portugal. Check that your university is involved in the programme and offers the Erasmus scheme in your subject.
Speak to the Erasmus coordinator at your university about available opportunities.
As an EU citizen, you are permitted to live in any EU country while studying as long as you:
Some countries require you to register with the local authority after three months. Find out how to register at Europa - Rights, Conditions and Formalities .
The Portuguese government actively encourages entrepreneurship. Find out everything you need to know about working in this friendly and inviting country
Portugal has suffered as a result of the recent global economic downturn, as well as the Eurozone debt crisis with the European Union (EU). Unemployment currently stands at 15%, which is an all-time high, but skilled or qualified individuals can still find openings in the job market.
The country has a high demand for workers in telecommunication, administrative and commercial areas. There is also a need for doctors and nurses, as the government is working to improve the healthcare structure.
In addition, Portugal has a large tourism industry like its Iberian neighbour Spain. A summer of temporary work in the tourism industry may provide a launch pad into an entry-level graduate job and will certainly help improve your grasp of the language.
Search for jobs in Portugal at:
As Portugal is a tourist hotspot, proficiency in English is a highly sought-after skill.
As an English speaker, you may want to teach the language. You don't need to be fluent in Portuguese as soon as you arrive, as it's important to create an English-speaking atmosphere in the classroom. To find out more about teaching English in the country, see i-to-i - Teach in Portugal .
Internships and summer work placements for students can also be arranged by:
Voluntary work is a useful option for many people heading abroad. Not only will it put your language skills to the test and help you to understand more about Portuguese culture, it could help you create lasting contacts and enhance your CV.
The European Voluntary Service (EVS) , funded by the European Commission (EC), is a programme aimed at people aged 18 to 30 who want to volunteer abroad. It offers young people the chance to volunteer for up to 12 months in a number of European and non-European countries.
Opportunities can be anything from placements concerned with sport and culture to those focused on social care and the environment. For successful applicants, accommodation, travel, food and insurance are all covered by a European grant and you even receive a small allowance each month.
It is important to have a strong grasp of Portuguese before you consider working in the country.
There are over 230 million Portuguese speakers in the world and there are many websites around to help you learn the language. To test your skills and learn the basics, head to BBC Languages - Portuguese .
According to the EC, EU citizens have the right to:
For more information and to check what conditions and restrictions apply, see:
EU nationals may also be entitled to have various types of health and social security coverage transferred to the country in which they go to find work. For country-specific information on social security entitlements, see European Commission - Your Rights Country by Country .
Depending on your profession, your qualifications may be recognised in some countries. To find out more, visit Europa - Qualifications for Employment .