Higher Education in Portugal

The first medieval educational institutions were associated with Catholics. In 1290, first medieval university was founded.  Since 1920, Portuguese universities have been in existence. The oldest university, the University of Coimbra was founded in Lisbon, though now in Coimbra. In recent years higher education in Portugal has undergone reform in order to comply with the Bologna Process.

Structure of Higher Education in Portugal:

Grading System:

Types of Higher Educational Institutions:

Higher education in Portugal is provided by public universities, private universities, public and private university institutes, polytechnic institutes, and other higher education institutions. Higher Education in Portugal is divided into two sub-systems, university education and polytechnic education. The network of public Higher Education Institutions comprises 14 Universities, 20 Polytechnic Institutes and 6 institutions of military and police Higher Education. The network of private Higher Education Institutions comprises 36 Universities and 64 Polytechnic Institutes.

University: 

University in Portugal offers bachelors, masters and doctor degrees. These higher education institutions focus on theoretical education and research. 

Polytechnics: 

Polytechnic institutes in Portugal offer undergraduate and master degree programmes. They offer education and training in a specific field. 

Types of Degrees:

Bachelor’s Degree:

Both university and polytechnic institutions confer the degree of bachelor. In polytechnic education, the cycle of studies that leads to the degree of bachelor has 180 credits and a normal length of six curricular semesters of students’ work. In certain cases namely those covered by internal legislation or by European legislation, the cycle of studies can have up to 240 credits with a normal length of up to seven or eight curricular semesters of students’ work. In university education, the cycle of studies that leads to the degree of bachelor has from 180 to 240 credits and a normal length between six to eight curricular semesters of students’ work. 

Master’s Degree:

Both university and polytechnic institutions confer the degree of master. The cycle of studies that leads to the degree of master has from 90 to 120 credits and a normal length of between 1.5 to 2 years. In polytechnic education, the cycle of studies that leads to the master degree must ensure predominantly that the student acquires a professional specialization. In university education, the cycle of studies that leads to the master degree must ensure that the student acquires an academic specialization resorting to research, innovation or expansion of professional competences.

PhD / Doctorate Degree:

This degree is awarded by universities in Portugal after passing of a doctorate exam and public defense of a doctoral thesis. A title of doctor is given after the successful completion of this degree programme. Students must hold a degree of a master’s degree or its equivalent to gain admittance into the doctorate programme.