International students can benefit from a range of experiences while studying in Portugal; including a unique culture, excellent education, low tuition, and living costs. All students who intend to study, work, or live in Portugal are welcomed. Dive in as I show you how to get started on your study trip to the land of maritime territory.
Choosing a study place can be challenging, but it is a no-brainer when you know what you want to accomplish in the long term. In terms of education, Portugal is a fantastic destination to pursue a degree. Salt, gypsum, marble, uranium, gold, silver, tungsten, tin, zinc, copper, and iron ore are among the country’s natural resources. Portugal’s economy is one of the strongest in southwestern Europe, therefore studying there isn’t a bad choice.
Some of Portugal’s universities are ranked among the best in Europe, and the Bologna Process is used by its private, public universities, and polytechnics. Universities concentrate on research and give degrees in a variety of fields, whereas polytechnics offer vocational training. These sorts of institutions provide three types of degrees: Licenciado (bachelor’s), Mestre (master’s), and Doutor (doctoral) (doctorate).
Applying to study in Portugal is hassle-free. There are factors why you should have Portugal in your lists of study destinations. Take a look at some of the reasons.
Why Study in Portugal?
• Cheap tuition fee
Tuition fees in Portuguese universities are cheap, same with the living cost. On average, the living cost for a month is about 500 EUR depending on the student’s lifestyle. However, the living cost of students living in Lisbon may pay higher than students living in Coimbra, Portimao, Aveiro, and Leiria.
• Cultural assimilation
International students schooling in Portugal are intrigued with the great culture of the Portuguese. The country is hospitable to foreigners.
• Study and work
In case you plan to combine study and work in Portugal, no problems at all because the country allows international students to study and work.
• Quality education
The education system of Portugal is good. The country has adopted the Bologna process providing education in graduate, and undergraduate programs. Admission to Portuguese universities can be difficult, with all applicants required to take an entrance exam.
• Stable economy
It is a developed nation with a strong economy and good living standards. It is known for being peaceful and stable, with high ranks in democracy, social growth, and affluence, among many other desirable characteristics.
How to study in Portugal
1. Select a program
Choose a program of your choice. There are several programs offered across Portuguese universities and polytechnics.
2. Select a university
Check the lists of Portuguese universities that offer your chosen course. It is vital you check the entry requirements, tuition fee, and language requirements.
3. Provide the entry requirements
Gather all the entrance requirements and be ready to send your documents. The school may have a definite way on how to forward your documents. Ensure you adhere to the instruction.
Entrance requirements to study in Portugal
A completed application form
A certification/diploma
Transcripts of academic records
A motivational letter
university entrance exam (for bachelor’s degree)
Proof of payment of the application fee (50 EUR)
Proficiency test
4. Apply for admission
Applications to Portuguese universities for undergraduate study are made through the unified web portal Candidatura Online. Applicants may apply to up to six universities, ranking them in order of preference. Students should apply for graduate and postgraduate programs directly on the university’s website and may be needed to translate their documents into Portuguese if the school so requests.
5. Receive your admission letter
It may take between 20-30 days for the admission to be processed. Once the admission office is ready and your application approved, you will get an offer letter from the school signifying that you have been offered admission to study in your chosen school.
6. Apply for a student visa
Check the immigration laws of your country before applying for a Portuguese study visa. Most Non-EU nationals are required to obtain a student visa to study in Portugal.
Portugal Student Visa Requirements
Your valid passport (or travel document
Letter of Acceptance from your university
Receipt of tuition fee payment
Two recent passport photographs
Portugal student visa application form
Proof of sufficient funds to study in Portugal
Proof of accommodation
Criminal Records certificate
Proof of Schengen travel health insurance.
Can I study English in Portugal?
Portuguese is the country’s official language. The bulk of undergraduate degrees are taught in Portuguese, with postgraduate degrees being taught in English becoming more prevalent. If you want to study in Portuguese but it isn’t your first language, you’ll have to show that you can communicate in it. If your language abilities need to be improved, you can enroll in Portuguese language classes. Also, if English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate that your language skills meet the teaching standards. English language courses are available at some institutions to assist you in improving your English.
Language requirements
Most Portuguese universities exclusively offer courses in Portuguese at the bachelor’s level. For bachelor’s degree programs, a Portuguese proficiency test is frequently required. Most higher education schools will demand a B1/B2 level of competency. This requirement is less likely to apply to second and third-cycle programs (Master’s and PhDs), as these research-oriented programs are frequently tailored for overseas students and include English-language courses or teaching.
If English is not your first language, you may need to demonstrate your English skills. The following tests are often regarded as proof of your English proficiency:
TOEFL, IELTS, CAE/CPE, and PTE A
Cost of Studying in Portugal
Portugal’s currency is the Euro (€). Studying in Portugal is one of the cheapest in Europe. Portugal’s tertiary institutions are heavily funded. International students should expect to pay anywhere from 500 to 4000 euros. For Bachelor’s and Master’s programs, public universities normally charge less than 1,500 EUR per year; private colleges may charge up to 4,000 EUR per year.
Note that based on the bilateral agreement between their home university and the Portuguese university, exchange students may be excluded from paying the tuition fee.
Top Universities in Portugal
Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics
Nova School of Business & Economics
Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon
Polytechnic of Leiria
University of Lisbon
University of Porto
University of the Algarve
Cheap universities in Portugal for international students
1 University of Porto
Tuition fees range from EUR 450
2. University Institute of Lisbon
Tuition fees range from EUR 900
3. University of Coimbra
Tuition fees range from EUR 1050
4. University of Minho
Tuition fees range from EUR 1100
5. University of Lisbon
Scholarships for International Students in Portugal
In Portugal, there are numerous state and private scholarships available for international students. The majority of scholarships and fellowships are awarded to master’s students, however, some scholarships are also available to bachelor’s students. Some of the popular scholarship opportunities in Portugal are:
The Instituto Camoes
The Directorate-General of Higher Education (DGES)
The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)
Can international students work and study in Portugal?
You are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during semester breaks and vacations if you have a residence permit for studying in Portugal. You are not permitted to work if you are enrolled in a short course (up to three months) and have only a Schengen visa as is the case with the majority of European universities.
Foreign students from the EU/EEA are free to work without restrictions. Students from outside the EU/EEA, on the other hand, are permitted to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week on a part-time basis.
Stay back in Portugal after graduation.
Non-EU students who wish to extend their stay in Portugal after their student visa has expired must have a job offer. Before your student permit expires, you must exchange it for a new residence permit.
If a request is made more than 30 days after the approved period of stay has ended, it will be denied. The student permit must be transferred to a residence permit depending on your employment, which is normally valid for one year and can be renewed twice for a total of five years.
Entry and resident visas in Portugal are inextricably intertwined. This means that anyone wishing to work in Portugal must first apply for a work visa. Non-EU citizens must apply for a residence permit after their job contract or work permit is accepted.
Highlights
The period you spent as a student in Portugal does not contribute towards your permanent residency. To become a permanent resident, you must first secure a job offer as a highly qualified worker and then apply for a (temporary) work visa (Work Visa), which is valid for one year and can be renewed for up to five years. You can apply for permanent residency after working on a temporary residence permit for five years.
Conclusion
The Bologna Process is used in Portugal’s institutions to award Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees. International students who wish to study in Portugal may submit their documents without having them legalized or converted.
International students seeking a country with excellent academic opportunities, low tuition, a tranquil environment, and low living costs should consider this country. Portugal differentiates universities that are largely focused on research from polytechnics that are more focused on practice.
Before choosing a program and a university, you must consider the mode of teaching. Although the majority of courses are taught in Portuguese, there is an increasing number of English-taught courses, primarily at the Master’s level.