Choosing the Right Course to Study in Portugal

In Portugal, there are many higher education institutions and degree programmes to choose from, and finding that one institution and programme will prove significant in deciding your study abroad experience. Abide by the following steps of “Choosing the Right Course to Study in Portugal”:

Step 1: Know your Goals 

Students choose to study abroad in Portugal for some or the other reason. Some want to learn the official language of the country- Portuguese, some want to go for degree studies or want to carry out an independent research. The reasons vary. Therefore, one must first figure out their goals, and what they wish to do and why. 

Step 2: Search and Research 

Search and research about the higher education institution and the course you wish to pursue. Visit the official website of the Portuguese higher education institutions-university and polytechnics and know in detail about the duration, curse details, credits, admission requirements, dates and deadlines, student support services, etc. Make a list of institutions that fit your needs and goals. 

Get answers to the following questions: 
  • Does the institution offer the course you wish to do and what credentials are offered? What is the duration of the study? Are the programmes offered in English? What is the official medium of instruction in Portugal?
  • Is student accommodation the part of the study programme offered by the institution, if not, what are the other housing options available in Portugal?
  • What would be the cost of study and living in Portugal? Is it economically viable for me?
  • Is there any student financial support? What are the conditions ad requirements for loan/scholarship?

Step 3: Apply

Once you get the answers to all your questions of Step 2, start applying.  Apply to the accredited higher education institutions in Portugal. 

General Admission Requirements

Students must hold a secondary education completion certificate (Diploma de Ensino Secundario) and pass an entrance examination in order to gain admission into the higher education institutions. Students who did not finish their secondary education can also take admission into the state higher education institutions through an extraordinary examination procedure.

Specific Admission Requirements

Undergraduate Studies: Students who wish to study first cycle at the higher education institutions in Portugal must hold a secondary school leaving examination certificate, and also pass a university entrance examination. 

Master’s Degree Programme: Students who wish to study second cycle at the higher education institutions in Portugal must have a relevant bachelor's degree or its equivalent. 

Doctoral Studies: Students who wish to study third cycle at the university in Portugal must hold a master’s degree in related field or its equivalent.

Language Requirements

Portuguese Language Proficiency

The language of instruction at the universities and polytechnic institutes in Portugal is Portuguese. Hence, students must demonstrate their level of proficiency in Portuguese by submitting either a Portuguese proficiency certificate, or by submitting the result of the school exams if you had Portuguese as part of your curriculum and have studied it. 
Many of the higher education institutions in Portugal accept B1/B2 level of command.

CAPLE: Centre for Evaluation of Portuguese as a Foreign Language is a proficiency certificate in European Portuguese as a Second Language. This language examination is prepared by Faculty of Letters of the University of Lisbon, and has five levels of proficiency.

TELC: The European Language Certificates: This language tests offers Portuguese exam at Level B1.

Proficiency in English Language

Following English proficiency tests scores are accepted: 



To know more about the admission requirements and procedure, click here.

Step 4: Apply for Visa and Scholarships

In Portugal, the Government and higher education institutions offer scholarships to study in Portugal. Check your eligibility for the same and then apply accordingly before the deadline. To know about the scholarships available in Portugal, read the post “Scholarships to Study in Portugal”.
There are many types of visa being provided, depending upon the purpose of visit. Students may or may not require visa to study in Portugal. 
Apply for visa Portugal embassy in your country of residence. Read the post “Study Visa for Portugal” to know about visa conditions and application procedure.
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