Study in 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

The Portuguese education system

Higher education is divided into two main bodies:

• Universities - teaching is traditionally based on theory and research, with degrees such as medicine, law, natural sciences, economics and psychology taught there.
• Polytechnics - provide vocational training that lead into a profession. Nursing, healthcare, accounting and teaching degrees are only offered by polytechnic institutions.

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 .

Entry requirements

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.

Course fees

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.

Funding to study in Portugal

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 . 

Portuguese exchanges and placements

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.

Student visas

As an EU citizen, you are permitted to live in any EU country while studying as long as you:

• are studying for more than three months;
• are enrolled at an approved university/other institution;
• have sufficient income (from any source) to live without needing income support;
• have full health insurance cover.

Some countries require you to register with the local authority after three months. Find out how to register at Europa - Rights, Conditions and Formalities .