Studying in Portugal: All you need to know in 2024

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything there is to know about studying in Portugal as an international student.

Ellie

8 minute read

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16 Aug 2024

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Studying

Portugal is one of the most scenic, cultural and vibrant countries in Western Europe, but did you know it has an excellent education system, too? Portugal is home to over 100 higher education institutions. It’s also one of the world's most popular study exchange destinations. Students flock to Portugal to make the most of the culture, the sunshine and the scenery as they complete their studies in one of the many excellent institutions. Let’s dive into all you need to know about what it’s like to study in Portugal.

Portugal has become an increasingly popular choice for international students looking for high-quality education in a welcoming community. Portuguese universities are known for their excellent academic programs, various course offerings and supportive learning methods.

Portuguese tuition fees are also incredibly affordable. The average cost of public universities is about €1,250 a year for bachelor's and master's students and €2,500 to €3,000 per year for PhD students. Even private universities in Portugal are cheaper than the norm, with average fees of around €3,500 to €3,900 for all courses.

Studying in Portugal will also immerse you in Portugal’s blend of culture, history and tradition, which will help you broaden your horizons outside of your studies. Portugal always has something new to discover and explore, from their delicious food to their stunning cliffs and beaches.

The academic year in Portugal typically has two semesters, running from September to January and February to July.

The Portuguese higher education system can be divided into three stages: undergraduate (known as licenciatura), postgraduate, and doctoral. An undergraduate degree typically requires between 180 to 240 ECTs and takes 3 to 4 years to complete. A postgraduate degree typically requires between 90 to 120 ECTs and takes 1 to 2 years to complete. Doctoral or Ph.D.s vary in terms of credit and duration depending on your field of study.

Lecturers in Portuguese universities can be pretty traditional and use traditional teaching methods. But as with any international university, there’s a variety of teaching methods used and plenty of different types of lecturers using them.

What teaching methods are used in universities in Portugal?

Universities in Portugal use plenty of teaching methods with their students. Each university and each course will vary a lot in their practices, but the most common teaching methods in Portugal are:

• Lectures: These big classes allow professors and students to go over the main topics of the course broadly. These classes will often have a lot of students in attendance, and the focus is on individual learning and attention to presentation. Lecture attendance doesn’t usually count towards your grade, but your attendance will encourage better learning.

• Seminars and tutorials: These smaller and more interactive classes are an opportunity to delve further into a topic and share ideas and opinions with your classmates and teacher. These classes are often mandatory attendance and can even count towards your grade. You may have to occasionally present your work or collaborate on a group project during these classes.

• Exams: Exams are the most common way to evaluate whether you’ve understood and remembered what you learned. Most Portuguese universities will use exams to determine the majority of a student’s final grade. Of course, the use of exams will vary depending on the course and the university, but you should expect to take some exams during your studies in Portugal.

• Continuous assessment: This can take place in many formats, including essays, labs or group projects. Continuous assessment is how your professors check your performance throughout the year. Continuous assessment is commonly used in Portuguese universities, though whether it counts towards your grade will vary by university and academic discipline.

• Practicals: If you’re studying in areas like science or engineering, you may have practical classes or labs to demonstrate your practical knowledge. These classes will often be a big contribution to your final grade, and attendance is usually mandatory.

• Project-based learning: This teaching method is seen across many disciplines in Portuguese universities. Whether you work on a project alone or in a group, project-based learning is how you demonstrate your theoretical knowledge in practice and apply what you’ve learned. These projects often contribute to a large part of your final grade.

Yes, you can study in Portugal in English, but most courses provided in English are at a postgraduate level. Unfortunately, very few Portuguese universities will offer undergraduate degrees in English. Recent years have seen significant investment in technology and scientific research by the Portuguese government, which has led to more masters courses being offered in English. So yes, you can study in Portugal in English, but it might be tricky to find a bachelor's degree that is taught entirely in English.

Portugal is a dream student destination for over 40,000 international students who’ve been tempted by the affordable, laid-back lifestyle that Portugal has to offer. Of course, as a student, you’ll want to enjoy your life between classes and exams. Thankfully, Portugal has some of the best places to de-stress from your study worries.

Portugal’s universities are usually within reach of either a coastline or a mountain. If you’re outdoorsy, you’ll find lots of joy in exploring Portugal’s nature, and you’ll often find clubs at university doing just that. Joining clubs or expat groups in your area is a great way to meet like-minded people and make new friends in Portugal.

In terms of nightlife, cities like Porto and Lisbon (where most Portuguese universities are) have an excellent selection of bars, clubs and pubs. As a student, you’ll be delighted with how many affordable, student-friendly bars there are. After a night of partying or socialising, you’ll even be able to get home safely and cheaply using public transport in Lisbon and Porto, as they provide night buses.

As a student, finding affordable accommodation in Portugal is essential to keep your cost of living low. Typically, students in Portugal will rent a room in a shared house, a private studio or student halls. As most universities in Portugal are close to the cities of Porto and Lisbon, this is where the majority of international students live in Portugal. Having so many students living in close proximity makes the rental market for students in Portugal quite competitive. Starting your search for student accommodation in Portugal early is the key to finding a nice, affordable place to live near campus.

In terms of the cost of rent, the average rental prices for students in Portugal are:

• For student halls: €400 per month
• For a private room in a shared house: €500 per month
• For a studio: €800 per month

Each type of student accommodation in Portugal has its advantages and disadvantages. Renting in student halls will typically mean you’ll be living close to campus for a reasonable price, but you’ll have to share cooking, bathroom and other facilities with a lot of other students. Renting a private room in a shared house means you’ll have to share your facilities with fewer people, and you’ll have more privacy and less mess. However, private rooms are typically closer to the city than the university campus, so you’ll be travelling more. Renting a studio is the most private option for most students. You’ll have your own space entirely. On the other hand, it’s expensive, there’s no one to share bills and chores with, and it’s usually far from campus.

The cost of living in Portugal generally is very affordable, but even more so for students. The biggest factor that’ll impact your cost of living in Portugal is where you decide to study. Renting in cities like Porto and Lisbon will cost more than in smaller towns and regional areas. As a student in Portugal, your monthly cost of living will probably look something like this:

Of course, this is a pretty conservative budget that includes student discounts (on the monthly gym pass and the free public transport pass). But overall, the cost of living in Portugal is very affordable, and your monthly budget can be manageable while studying.

Tuition fees in Portugal are where you’ll spend the most of your money. Each higher education institution will charge different tuition fees. The amount you’ll pay in tuition fees will vary depending on your university, your academic discipline and your citizenship.

As an EU/EEA citizen, you’ll typically pay between €750 and €1,500 per year for public universities. EU/EEA citizens typically pay between €3,000 and €4,000 per year for private universities, though some can cost up to about €12,000 annually.

As a non-EU/EEA citizen, you’ll typically pay between €3,000 and €5,000 a year for public universities. The tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens at private universities in Portugal will vary greatly, with a range of €4,000 to €12,000 per academic year, depending on the institution.

Before you start to apply to study in Portugal, here’re some tips to help you secure a place at a Portuguese university.

1. Do your research

You’ll need to do a lot of research before moving to Portugal to study. Firstly, research what universities are offering your desired course. After you’ve found your university options, take a closer look at the teaching styles, the university’s reputation, and the opportunities you’ll have after graduation. University websites will provide a lot of information to encourage you to study there, but remember to check out websites like QS University Rankings to see how they fare.

You should also research which neighbourhoods best suit you before you move for university. If you’re studying in Lisbon, you’ll find that some Lisbon neighbourhoods are perfectly suited to student living but can be a little pricey. On the other hand, Porto neighbourhoods are more affordable while still making space for student living.

2. Gather your documents

To apply for university in Portugal, you’ll need to prepare a lot of documentation, regardless of whether or not you require a student visa.

Some of the documents required for your university application include:

• Academic transcripts: Evidence of your previous academic performance. You may need to get these files translated and converted to comply with the university’s entry requirements.
• Proof of language proficiency: Depending on the language of your course, you’ll need to prove your language proficiency in either English or Portuguese. Most universities will accept a TOEFL, PTE or IELTS qualification for English, though you may still have to complete an English language exam. For Portuguese, you may need to provide a CAPLE or CEPLE-BRAS qualification to prove your proficiency.
• A valid passport: Most universities will require an up-to-date passport during the application process.
• Personal statement or motivation letter: One common document requirement for international students is a letter of motivation or a personal statement to explain what motivated you to apply for that course. -Letter of recommendation: A letter of recommendation may be required in your university application. This can be from a previous teacher or employer who can vouch for your skills, qualifications and interests.

3. Know your deadlines

One way to guarantee you won’t get a place in your desired course is to miss the application deadline. University applications for international students in Portugal will vary according to each university and each course, but generally speaking, there’ll be 3 application opportunities throughout the year.

The 1st application deadline typically falls between April and May, the 2nd is between June and July, and the 3rd and final is usually between August and September.

4. Work on your skills

As an international student, you’ll see that certain courses can be quite selective about who they accept as a student. To make your university application stand out, working on some essential skills you know you’ll need throughout your studies is a good idea.

Portuguese language skills, in particular, will be a huge help in your application and your life in Portugal. If you learn some Portuguese, not only will you have an edge in your application, but you’ll also find it very useful in your day-to-day life in Portugal.

Now that you’ve got all the information about what it’s like to study in Portugal as an international, it’s time to start your application process! Remember, starting early with your application process and your accommodation search before you move to Portugal is essential. Best of luck with your Portuguese studies!