Study in Portugal

Student cities in Portugal

Find out about some of Portugal’s most popular student cities, and discover the top universities in Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra.

Lisbon

Located on Portugal’s west coast, Lisbon (or Lisboa) is pretty much everything you could want from a European capital city: rich in culture, character and history, full of great food, wine, music and nightlife. Against an attractive backdrop of historic buildings, winding streets and vintage trams, Lisbon offers an eclectic selection of activities and experiences, from traditional public baths to lively cafés and even livelier nightclubs, all soundtracked by a mix of traditional fado music and new electronic bands. Don’t worry if your music tastes skew a little bit cheesier though, as Lisbon will host the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 2018, following Portugal’s first win in 2017.

The great scenery in Lisbon is made all the better due to the city’s hilly terrain, and although this makes walking and cycling more of an effort, the views (and the improved fitness levels) are most definitely worth it.

Two public universities in Lisbon are featured in the QS World University Rankings 2018– the University of Lisbon (joint 305^th) and the Universidade Nova de Lisboa (joint 361^st), as well as the private Universidade Catolica Portuguesa, Lisboa (651-700).

Other polytechnics and universities in Lisbon include the Technical University of Lisbon, Lisbon University Institute, Lusiada University, Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, Católica Lisbon Business and Economics, Nova School of Business and Economics and several others, both public and private.

Porto

Portugal’s second-largest city, Porto is also located on the west coast, over 300 kilometers north of the capital. It holds its own in terms of both history and hills, and, like Lisbon, combines deep historic foundations with vibrant and varied cuisine, music and nightlife. The colors of the city, as well as the narrow paths, stairways and streets, all combine with the modern atmosphere and efficient amenities to make Porto a fascinating destination for students and visitors alike.

Porto is home to the University of Porto (Portugal’s leading institution at joint 301^st in the world rankings), as well as the Instituto Politecnico de Porto and a number of private universities, including Lusiada University of Porto and Universidade Fernando Pessoa. The Universidade Catolica Portuguesa also has a campus here.

Coimbra

In between Lisbon and Porto, but further inland, Coimbra is the home of Portugal’s oldest university. Here again, you’ll find medieval streets and architecture, overlaid with the buzz and dash of modern life – and, in particular, the activities of a fun and lively student community. The University of Coimbra is a particularly popular choice among international students coming to study in Portugal. Other options in the city include the Instituto Politecnico de Coimbra, and several specialist institutes.

Applying to universities in Portugal

Undergraduate applications to study in Portugal are made through a centralized online system, called Candidatura Online, which allows applicants to choose up to six programs in order of preference. As well as submitting evidence of your secondary level qualifications, you are likely to need to sit an entrance examination in your home country; public universities use the national exam, while private universities have their own. If studying in Portuguese (as is likely) you’ll need to prove your proficiency in the language.

Prospective graduate-level students should apply directly to the universities in Portugal they wish to study at, submitting all the required documents, including proof of previous qualifications.

Student visas for Portugal 

Those from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who intend to study in Portugal for longer than three months must apply for a residence visa (visto para residencia) before entering the country. This can be applied for through your nearest Portuguese embassy or consulate, and requires:

• Passport valid for at least three months after the end of your course;
• A completed application form;
• Letter of acceptance from a Portuguese university;
• Academic transcript;
• Photocopy of key passport pages;
• Three passport-sized photos;
• Police record of good conduct;
• Copy of health insurance;
• Proof of sufficient funds – either a bank statement or grant/scholarship.

Your visa will cost a maximum of €170 (~US$205) and will take two or three months to be issued, so you should apply in good time. Students from within the EU should apply for an EU citizen residence card within four months of arriving in Portugal, and pay a small fee for this.

Tuition fees and living costs

Tuition fees vary as Portuguese universities set their own fees, and public institutions are likely to charge less than private universities. Tuition fees for bachelor’s and master’s degrees average around €950-1,250 per year (~US$1,140-1,500) while fees for doctorate programs are around €2,500-3,000 per year (~US$2,400-3,600).

Although the cost of living in Portugal has increased in recent years, it’s still a relatively affordable place to live. Accommodation will be your biggest monthly spend, and the cheapest option is to live in your university’s halls of residence, which is likely to cost between €165-230 (~US$200-280) a month, whereas renting an apartment in private accommodation could cost in the region of €400 (~US$480) each month.

To cover all your living expenses, you will need around €7,800-10,200 (~US$9,400-12,300) a year, but you may wish to budget more for life in large cities such as Lisbon. 

Students from the EU can work for up to 20 hours per week during semesters, and full-time during semester breaks. If you’re a non-EU student, you can also work, but will need authorization from the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF).