Admissions

Portugal University Admissions Guide

International students apply to each university in Portugal directly, in a separate application round for international students. Dates vary by university. At the University of Lisbon (ULisboa), phase 1 for September 2027 runs from 4 January to 5 February 2027. Money is in euro (EUR).

Portugal University Applications

Language Proficiency: Example: language certificate.pdf
Documents: Example: motivation letter

Example application screen

Admissions Journey

Your Path to a University in Portugal

The main steps, from choosing a course to enrolling.

Choose courses

Check the language, fee and dates for each course.

Choose courses

Check the language, fee and dates for each course.

Check you qualify

Your last certificate must let you enter higher education at home.

Check you qualify

Your last certificate must let you enter higher education at home.

Prepare papers

Certificates, transcripts, language proof and passport.

Prepare papers

Certificates, transcripts, language proof and passport.

Apply and pay

Apply on the university platform and pay the fee.

Apply and pay

Apply on the university platform and pay the fee.

Get results

Pay the fee that keeps your place by the date given.

Get results

Pay the fee that keeps your place by the date given.

Visa and enrolment

Apply for your student residence visa (type D4), then enrol with papers that have an apostille.

Visa and enrolment

Apply for your student residence visa (type D4), then enrol with papers that have an apostille.

Key Application Deadlines

September 2027 Start (ULisboa bachelor's)

Phase 1: 4 January to 5 February 2027.
Phase 2: 5 April to 21 May 2027.

Master's

NOVA Information Management School (NOVA IMS) opens applications for 2027-28 in January 2027.
Erasmus Mundus (a master's course run by several universities, with scholarships): October to January for most courses.

Leave time for your visa after admission. The embassy has up to 60 days to decide.

Key Components

Comprehensive Admissions Guide

Explore every aspect of the Portugal university application process through our detailed guides on eligibility, documents, and submission procedures.

Eligibility

Who can apply.

Application Tips

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Even qualified applicants can face rejection due to application errors. Be aware of these common mistakes to increase your chances.

No apostille when you enrol

Your certificates need an apostille (an official stamp that shows a paper is real), or a stamp from the Portuguese embassy, by the time you enrol.

Wrong language

Most bachelor's courses at University of Lisbon (ULisboa) and University of Porto (U.Porto) ask for Portuguese. Check the language of your course first.

Unpaid application fee

Universities only check your application after you pay the fee.

Missing the fee that keeps your place

After you are admitted, pay the fee that keeps your place by the date the university gives you. At Instituto Superior Técnico (Técnico) it is EUR 2,000, and it counts as your first two tuition payments.