Academic Calendar

Intakes & Application Timelines in Portugal

Plan your application strategy with our guide to Portugal's university intake periods, application deadlines, and critical timelines for international students.

Portugal Academic Calendar

2027-28

Annual Intake Periods

Phase 1 (ULisboa bachelor's) (4 January to 5 February 2027.)

Phase 2 (ULisboa bachelor's) (5 April to 21 May 2027.)

Start of classes (New students start in September.)

Next Key Date

University of Lisbon (ULisboa) bachelor's phase 1 for 2027-28 runs from 4 January to 5 February 2027.

Universities in Portugal take new international students once a year, for a September start, in 2 or 3 application phases.

Intake Periods

Intakes (start times) in Portugal

Public universities in Portugal start new international students in September.

Main Intake

September intake

September

Key Information

The main start for bachelor's and master's courses.
Last year's example: Instituto Superior Técnico (Técnico) welcomed new students on 1 to 4 September 2026. That 2026-27 start is over. The dates on this page are for September 2027 (school year 2027-28).

Application Period

ULisboa bachelor's for 2027-28 has two application rounds, called phase 1 and phase 2.

Phase 2 only has places left over from phase 1.

Tip

Apply in phase 1 (the first application round). You then have time for your visa, which can take up to 60 days.

Critical Timelines

Key Dates for a September 2027 Start

A simple timeline, using ULisboa's 2027-28 bachelor's calendar.

4 January to 5 February 2027

Apply in phase 1

Apply online and pay the application fee.

Key Tasks

• Upload your certificates and language proof.

By 5 March 2027

Results

ULisboa publishes phase 1 results.

Key Tasks

• Reserve your place by 19 March 2027.

After admission

Student visa

Allow up to 60 days for the decision.

Key Tasks

• Hand in your visa papers at the visa application centre: VFS Global (India) or Gerry's (Pakistan).

September 2027

Arrive and enrol

Enrol, then ask the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) for your residence permit (the card that lets you stay) within the 4 months your D4 visa lasts.

Key Tasks

• Bring your certificates with an apostille (an official stamp that shows the paper is real) for enrolment.

Dates Change by University

Each university and some of its departments set their own dates. Check your course page.

Academic Structure

The Academic Year

The academic year starts in September.

Semesters

Courses are measured in semesters. A bachelor's usually lasts 6 to 8 semesters.

Key Dates

Welcome days in 2026 (Técnico)

1 to 4 September 2026

Academic Structure

The degree system has three cycles: bachelor's (licenciatura), master's (mestrado) and doctorate (doutoramento).

Special Academic Periods & Considerations

Beyond the standard academic calendar, there are several special periods and features to be aware of

Registration in 2026 (Técnico)

Registration was 24 to 27 August 2026, for students admitted in the first three application rounds.

Welcome days in 2026 (Técnico)

Welcome days were 1 to 4 September 2026.

Tip

Check your university's calendar for registration and welcome days.

Application Planning

Timelines by Degree

Bachelor's and master's follow similar yearly cycles.

Application Process	Undergraduate Students	Graduate Students	International Students
When applications open	ULisboa phase 1: 4 January 2027	NOVA IMS master's: January 2027	Erasmus Mundus (joint master's courses run by several European universities): October to January, before the course year starts
Language proof	ULisboa: Portuguese at B1 (a middle level)	Técnico master's: TOEFL iBT more than 65 (out of 120) or IELTS more than 5 (out of 9)	English proof for courses taught in English