Portugal has a binary higher-education system: universities and polytechnic institutes. Both can award recognised higher-education qualifications, but they traditionally have different emphases. Universities are generally more academic/research-oriented, while polytechnics are generally more professionally and practically oriented. Portugal also offers unusually accessible routes for adults returning to education, short higher-education courses, and a national public distance-learning university.

How Portuguese higher education is organised

  • Licenciatura — first-cycle degree, usually 180 ECTS / three years, though some programmes differ.
  • Mestrado — master’s degree. Some regulated professions may follow integrated/special arrangements.
  • Doutoramento — doctoral study.
  • CTeSP — Curso Técnico Superior Profissional, a short-cycle higher professional technical programme offered by polytechnics; normally 120 ECTS over four semesters and strongly linked to practical/professional training.

Use the DGES course index to search recognised courses and institutions. This is much safer than relying on an unofficial list of universities that may become outdated.

Universities and polytechnics: where to find them all

Portugal has public and private universities and polytechnics across the mainland and islands. Well-known public universities include the Universities of Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, Minho, Aveiro, Évora, Algarve, Beira Interior, Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Madeira and the Azores, while the public polytechnic network includes institutions in Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, Leiria, Setúbal, Viseu, Bragança and many other cities.

Rather than treating that as a complete static directory, use DGES:

How much does university cost?

One of Portugal’s attractions is that public higher education can be comparatively inexpensive. For the standard public first-cycle and certain integrated-master programmes covered by the national cap, DGES lists a maximum annual tuition fee of €697 for 2025/26. Always check the institution’s current fee table for the academic year in which you enrol.

Do not assume every course costs €697. Standalone master’s degrees, doctorates, special programmes and private institutions can set different fees. International-student fees can also be substantially higher than domestic/EU fees. In addition, budget for application/enrolment fees, books/materials, accommodation, transport and living costs.

See DGES — propinas (tuition) and each institution’s own current fee schedule.

EU, Portuguese and international applicants

The admission route depends on your previous education and status. Portuguese/EU applicants commonly use the national higher-education access system, while many non-EU applicants use the estudante internacional route run by the institution. Do not assume that simply living in Portugal automatically places you in one category: nationality, residence history and other statutory conditions can matter.

If your school or university qualification was obtained abroad, recognition/equivalence may be needed. See our internal guides on Recognition of foreign qualifications and Regulated professions in Portugal before assuming an academic degree automatically authorises professional practice.

Remote and distance higher education

Portugal has a dedicated public distance-learning university: Universidade Aberta (UAb). It offers distance/online higher education and can be particularly useful for working adults, people living in the interior or islands, parents, and residents who cannot attend a campus every day.

Other Portuguese institutions also offer online, blended or post-graduate programmes. Check whether a course is fully remote or merely includes some online classes, and whether examinations or practical components require attendance.

Adult education: you do not have to be 18

Portugal has several routes back into education. Adults aged over 23 who do not hold the normal higher-education access qualification may be able to apply through the institution-specific Maiores de 23 route, normally involving assessment of the applicant’s knowledge, experience and ability to undertake the programme.

For adults who need a school-level qualification, vocational retraining or recognition of prior learning rather than a university degree, start with Qualifica. Portugal’s adult-learning system includes:

  • Centros Qualifica — guidance and qualification centres for adults.
  • RVCC — recognition, validation and certification of competences acquired through life and work experience.
  • EFA courses — Education and Training Courses for Adults.
  • Formações Modulares Certificadas — shorter certified modular training.

See ANQEP — adult education and training and the Qualifica portal for current local options.

Learning Portuguese alongside your studies

If language is the barrier, do not postpone researching education altogether. Universities, municipalities, IEFP-linked programmes and private schools may offer Portuguese courses at different levels. Our forthcoming Learning Portuguese in Portugal, Survival Portuguese for newcomers and Portuguese courses, teachers and learning resources guides (#95–97) cover these options separately.

Scholarships and student support

DGES administers information on higher-education study grants and other support. Eligibility depends on the scheme, household circumstances and status. Start with DGES — bolsas de estudo, then check the social-action services (Serviços de Ação Social) of your chosen institution for accommodation, meals and local support.

Before enrolling

  • Confirm the institution and course through DGES.
  • Check the exact admission route for your nationality/status and previous qualification.
  • Verify the teaching language; an English course title does not guarantee all teaching is in English.
  • Check the full annual tuition and fees for your applicant category.
  • Ask whether attendance, labs, placements or exams require you to be physically present.
  • For regulated careers, check professional recognition separately.
  • Compare housing costs as well as tuition: a low-fee course in an expensive city can still cost more overall.

Useful links

Last verified: 2 October 2026. Tuition, admissions, international-student status and course availability can change by academic year and institution. Always verify the current rules with DGES and the institution before applying or paying fees.