In recent years, thousands of students from all over the world have decided to study in Portugal, and it’s not hard to see why. While tuition fees can often be daunting, university in Portugal offers you the chance to experience a new country while obtaining a degree to improve your career prospects. It can also be the most convenient option if your family has moved to Portugal, for example under the Golden Visa Scheme. Take a look at our guide to higher education in Portugal to learn more!
The Higher Education System
In Portugal there are both traditional universities and polytechnics; at universities, the emphasis is on research and theoretical studies whereas your education at a polytechnic will be more focused on training for a specific profession, such as nursing and teaching. It is possible to transfer between the two types of institutions. There are public and private universities (125 in total) and the largest university is located in Porto and has around 28,000 students.
It is also possible to do a degree remotely, for example with the Open University, if you are a mature student wanting to improve your qualifications or complete a degree alongside a job.
The Quality of Education at Portuguese Universities
The higher education system in Portugal is globally recognised and highly competitive, but don’t let that put you off! Successful applicants receive an excellent standard of teaching and get so many new skills that will make them more employable in their future careers. Ranked the 35th best university system in the world, Portugal’s universities certainly offer prestigious degrees that are well-respected worldwide!
There are many international students in Portugal, with over 50,000 making the decision to study here every year – this is partially due to the high quality of tuition but also due to the lower cost of living. The fees are often much lower than those in other European countries.
Applying to a Portuguese University
The best way to choose a university is by going on open days; these help you to get to know the institution and also the location, as it is really important that you feel comfortable living there (independently) for several years. Online events are particularly helpful for international applicants, as it can be difficult to arrange a trip to see the university. Factors to consider include:
- Is the university campus or city based?
- Does the university teach in English or Portuguese?
- What are the graduate prospects like?
- How long is the course you want to apply for and what qualifications do you need?
Once you’ve made a decision, it’s time to move on to the application process. Although in the UK you can only make five university applications, you can apply separately for universities abroad, so they give you some extra options.
For undergraduate degrees, applications can be made via the Candidatura Online portal, where you can choose up to six universities. Universities award places for each course based on applicants’ grade point averages. Universities often convert any foreign qualifications, such as A-Levels and the international Baccalaureate so you are unlikely to need to sit any further academic exams. However, some courses taught in Portuguese will require you to sit a Portuguese-proficiency exam to determine your level.
You can usually submit applications for graduate courses directly via the university. Although Portuguese knowledge is still valuable, postgraduate degrees are likely to be more research-focused and more of the teaching will be in English.
Should you have any questions regarding the process of moving to Portugal or studying there, either as a parent or a prospective student, don’t hesitate to contact us at RHJ Law for expert advice and support!
