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Study abroad in Portugal
A nation embedded in history and culture, with one of the world's oldest universities, are amongst the reasons why many international students choose to study abroad in Portugal.
Country overview
Those who think of Portugal merely as a sun-drenched beach resort between Spain and the Atlantic – as some Europeans do – are missing the point. It’s true that it’s a great travel destination, in fact the 16th most visited country in the world, but it is also a nation steeped in history and culture and dates back, as an independent nation, to the 13th Century.
In addition, Portugal is a warm and welcoming country with an outward looking mentality, as evidenced by the fact that some of the world’s earliest and most successful explorers came from here. There were Portuguese captains in the 15th and 16th Century settling in places that few other Europeans had even heard of. Even now over 200 million people speak Portuguese – Brazil, Mozambique, Angola – and the presence of the former imperialists is felt in places as far flung as Macau, Goa and Indonesia.
Portuguese food is perhaps the world’s best kept secret, as is its wine, hospitality and the warmth of its welcome. Despite its small geographical size (it’s about the same size as the US state of Indiana), it’s an important partner in the European Union and is participating in the Bologna Process which is aiming to integrate all European Higher Education by 2010.
Education overview
Speaking of medieval history, Portugal boasts one of the world’s oldest universities, the University of Coimbra, which was founded in 1290. More than seven centuries on, there are 15 public universities including the University of Porto which is Portugal’s largest with 28,000 enrolled students, and several private universities.
The Portuguese higher education system is relatively uncomplicated, divided as it is into universities, polytechnics and higher education institutions, and there are public and private versions of each. The universities tend to offer theoretical and research-based courses such as medicine, law and economics, while both universities and polytechnics offer more practical courses such as engineering, education and humanities. Nursing and accountancy are among those only offered in polytechnics.
No institution can operate without the strict accreditation of the Ministry of Education. Importantly it is quite possible to change institutions between polytechnics and universities and public or private institutions, or vice versa. There are 15 polytechnics and a large number of higher education establishments and institutions.
In terms of qualifications you can opt for a 3-year Bachalerato (Bachelor’s Degree) at a polytechnic or a Licenciatura, which is a three to six year degree courses offered either at a university or at a combination of polytechnic and university. In universities not part of the Bologna process – some private universities have opted out – these are four to six year courses.
Portugal is not an Anglophone nation and English is not as widely spoken as in many other countries. It’s hard to say how what proportion of courses are taught in English although it is likely that the proportion is quite low. There are some foreign international schools, especially in Porto, Lisbon and the tourist base the Algarve. If your aim is to improve your Portuguese language skills then the country does have some well-established institutions that offer quite a high quality of education and will prepare you well for careers in the Portuguese-speaking world.
Pros and cons | |
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Flexibility between courses and universities
English not widely spoken (note this is a pro as well as a con!)
International student accommodation
Weather/Climate
In a 1990s British TV comedy show, The Fast Show, a TV weatherlady for an imaginary Mediterranean country put sun symbols all over her map and said, simply, “Scorchio!” all over the nation. This sums up Portugal’s summers as well as late springs and early autumn seasons. When the mid afternoon sun beats down in summer it is sometimes time to find an air-conditioned room to read in, although as a narrow coastal nation, the sea breezes make it seem very pleasant most of the year round. Winters are mild too, although it can get very cold in the north and west.
In geographical terms, three great rivers that start in the highlands of Spain, reach the coast in Portugal and divide the nation into three sections. The Minho River forms part of Portugal’s northern border with the Galicia region of Spain, while the Douro, Tejo and Alentejo Rivers split the mainland. The Azores and the Madeira Islands form part of Portugal’s Atlantic interests and have long been strategic bases both as access to the Mediterranean and for ships refuelling on long distance routes.
Transport
The international airports are Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Funchal (Madeira) and Ponta Delgada (Azores). Throughout the country there are a number of small airports with limited facilities. It is possible to travel from the international airports to many of these smaller ones but it is important to first check, as these services are variable.
Coaches exist on the national network of "Rodoviária Nacional" (RN), and competing private operators who run quick non-stop services on the more popular routes and often to destinations not covered by trains. The RN tends to be slower but its prices are lower. Many private operators offer more facilities on longer journeys such as toilet, video, air-conditioning and snacks and it is recommended that before a long trip you check what the coach facilities will be before boarding. You will find that in major tourist areas or cities there are excellent local excursions by coach. In almost all cases tickets are purchased in advance.
This excellent driving advice was taken from the website www.portugal-info.net/travel/transport.htm.
- Portugal drives on the right side of the road
- Except when otherwise indicated all vehicles approaching from the right have priority. The driver already on a roundabout normally has the right of way
- Safety-belts are compulsory front and back in all circumstances
- Drinking and driving is severely controlled and limited to a restriction of 0.5 g/l
- Unless otherwise indicated urban limit is 50 km/h
- Rural roads other than those zones indicated are limited to 90 km/h
- Motorways speed is limited to 120 km/h
Only Lisbon has a Metro system but one is under construction in Porto. Overland, the railway system is owned by the state and called "Caminhos de Ferro Portuguese (CP)". The system provides a very reasonably priced transport within the country. Major lines are fast, efficient and comfortable.
In Lisbon, passengers can use trains, buses, electric trams, underground, taxis and public elevators. Taxis are required by law to be painted cream. In urban areas they charge according to the taximeter. Outside these urban areas the charge is per kilometers and includes the cost of the return trip. Luggage over 30 kilos is charged at a fixed rate.
Cost*
Unlike it's neighbour, Portugal is one of the cheapest countries in Europe, and your Euro will go a long way.
| Item | Price (Euro) |
| small bottle of beer | .75 |
| mountain bike rental per day | 10.00 |
| can of soft drink | 0.60 |
| street snack (toasted sandwich) | 2.50 |
| litre of milk | .75 |
| one litre of table wine | 5.00 |
| single adult campsite with car | 8.00 |
| CD | 17.00 |
| sending 20g letter overseas | 1.80 |
*WorldGuide Index from Lonely Planet
Useful info
Dialing code: 351
Currency: Euro (€)
Time zone: GMT/UTC 0
Famous Portuguese People
Jose Mourinho – Chelsea Football manager
Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United footballer
Nelly Furtado – Singer (dual Portuguese/Canadian nationality)
Bartholomew Dias – 15th Century explorer and first crosser of Cape of God Hope
Vasco da Gama – 15th Century explorer who opened up sea routes to India
