List of Public Sector Universities in Portugal: Courses, Admissions & Application Deadlines
Looking to study in Europe with low tuition fees, high-quality education, and a vibrant lifestyle?
Portugal’s public sector universities offer world-class higher education at an affordable cost — making them a top choice for international students from India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Brazil, and beyond.
In this complete 2025–2026 guide, you’ll discover:
- A full list of public universities in Portugal
- Popular Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs in English
- Current admission cycles and deadlines
- Tuition fees and scholarship opportunities
- Student visa process for non-EU students
- Cost of living and post-study work options
Perfect for students seeking affordable, globally recognized degrees in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, and Social Sciences.
🇵🇹 Why Study at a Public University in Portugal?
Portugal ranks among the most student-friendly countries in Europe because:
- Low Tuition Fees: €3,000–€8,000/year (vs. €15,000+ in the UK/US)
- Many Programs in English: No need to speak Portuguese (though learning helps!)
- High-Quality Education: Ranked by QS, Times Higher Education, and ARWU
- Safe & Welcoming Country: Low crime, warm climate, EU member
- Schengen Access: Travel freely across 27 European countries
- Post-Study Work Visa: Stay up to 12 months to find a job
- Affordable Cost of Living: Rent: €400–€700/month (Lisbon/Porto)
Did You Know? Portugal was ranked #1 in the EU for quality of life (Numbeo 2024).
List of Public Sector Universities in Portugal (2025 Intake)
There are 37 public universities and polytechnic institutes in Portugal. Below is a curated list of the top-ranked institutions offering English-taught programs for international students.
| Universities | City | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Universidade de Lisboa (ULisboa) | Lisbon | Law, Engineering, Computer Science, Environmental Sciences |
| Universidade do Porto (U.Porto) | Porto | Biotechnology, Data Science, Civil Engineering, Medicine |
| NOVA University Lisbon (NOVA) | Lisbon | MBA, Finance, Management, Public Health |
| University of Coimbra (UC) | Coimbra | Humanities, Law, Medicine, History |
| ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon | Lisbon | Psychology, Business, Social Sciences |
| Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics | Lisbon | MSc in Finance, International Management |
| University of Aveiro | Aveiro | Sustainable Technologies, Materials Science, AI |
| University of Minho (UMinho) | Braga/Gualtar | Engineering, Informatics, Design |
| University of Évora | Évora | Agriculture, Ecology, Archaeology |
| University of Algarve (UALG) | Faro | Marine Biology, Tourism, Environmental Science |
| University of Beira Interior (UBI) | Covilhã | Engineering, Health Sciences, Computer Science |
| University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) | Vila Real | Veterinary Medicine, Forestry, Agronomy |
| University of Madeira (UMa) | Funchal | Oceanography, Tourism, Information Systems |
Find Programs: https://www.studyinportugal.gov.pt
Programs Offered at Public Universities in Portugal
Bachelor’s Degrees (Licenciatura)
Duration: 3–4 years
Taught in: Portuguese (few in English)
Popular fields: Business, Architecture, Law, Engineering
Master’s Degrees (Mestrado)
Duration: 1.5–2 years
Taught in: English & Portuguese
Popular fields:
- MSc in Computer Science
- MSc in Data Science
- MSc in Renewable Energy
- MBA & Finance
- MSc in Public Health
- MA in European Studies
PhD Programs (Doutoramento)
Duration: 3–4 years
Fully funded scholarships available
Research areas: AI, Biotech, Sustainability, Urban Planning
Admission Cycles & Deadlines (2025–2026)
Most public universities in Portugal follow a national application system through Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior (DGES) or direct university portals.
Key Intakes:
- Fall Intake (September): Main intake – apply by March–July 2025
- Spring Intake (February): Limited programs – apply by October–November 2025
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Choose Your Program
Use these platforms:
- Study in Portugal
- DGES Portal
- University websites (e.g., fc.ul.pt )
Step 2: Prepare Required Documents
You’ll need:
- High school diploma (for Bachelor’s) or Bachelor’s degree (for Master’s/PhD)
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of English proficiency (IELTS 6.0+, TOEFL 80+, Duolingo 105+)
- CV (EU format)
- Motivation letter
- Two recommendation letters
- Copy of passport
- Proof of funds (€9,000–€12,000/year)
✅ No IELTS? Use a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate if your previous degree was taught in English.
Step 3: Submit Application
- Apply online via DGES or university portal
- Pay application fee (€50–€100)
- Wait 4–8 weeks for admission decision
Step 4: Accept Offer & Pay Deposit
- Confirm enrollment
- Pay first semester fee or deposit
💰 Tuition Fees & Scholarships
🏷️ Average Tuition Fees (Non-EU Students):
| Bachelor’s | €3,000 – €7,000 |
| Master’s | €3,500 – €8,000 |
| PhD | €3,000 – €5,000 (some fully funded) |
💡 Compare: UK (~€15,000), USA (~€25,000), Germany (free but competitive)
🎓 Scholarships for International Students
1. Government of Portugal Scholarships (DGES)
- For non-EU students
- Covers partial tuition + monthly stipend
- Apply through university admission portal
2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
- Fully funded programs across Europe
- Includes travel, accommodation, insurance
- Examples: EMJM in Renewable Energy, Data Science
3. University-Specific Scholarships
- NOVA SBE: Merit-based scholarships (up to 100% fee waiver)
- Católica Lisbon: International Student Grants
- University of Porto: U.Porto Excellence Fellowships
4. External Scholarships
- Chevening (UK) – can fund study in Portugal
- Fulbright (USA) – for Americans
- India’s ICCR – limited options
Student Visa for Portugal (Type D)
Once accepted, apply for a National Student Visa (Type D) at the Portuguese Embassy in your country.
Required Documents:
- University admission letter
- Proof of financial means (bank statement ≥ €9,000/year)
- Health insurance (min. €30,000 coverage)
- Return flight ticket
- Accommodation proof
- Visa application form
- Passport photos
Processing Time: 30–60 days
Good news: The admission letter and scholarship can meet the financial requirement.
Cost of Living in Portugal (2025)
| Expenses | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rent (shared apartment) | 200–400 (Lisbon/Porto) |
| Food & Groceries | 100–150 |
| Local Transport | 40–60 |
| Utilities | 60–100 |
| Health Insurance | 50–100 (if not covered) |
| Total | €450–€850/month |
Many students work part-time (up to 20 hrs/week) to cover expenses.
Can You Work While Studying?
Yes! As a student visa holder, you can:
- Work up to 20 hours/week during term
- Work full-time during holidays
- Earn €6–€10/hour (retail, tutoring, hospitality)
After graduation, you can apply for a 1-year residence permit for job search.
Need Help?
Applying to public universities in Portugal can be confusing — especially with documents, visas, and scholarships.
At Target Consultant, we help students from Pakistan, India, Nigeria, and beyond:
- Find the right program
- Prepare SOPs, CVs, and motivation letters
- Apply for visas
- Secure admission offers
Book a FREE 30-minute consultation and let us guide you step-by-step.
