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Study in Portugal: Tuition Fees & Scholarships

Higher education institutions in Portugal independently choose how much they want to charge both national and international students, and there is no cap on tuition (propinas) for Portuguese universities and polytechnics. The Portuguese Ministry of Education establishes a minimum amount that is dictated by the national minimum wage (the minimum cost of tuition is 1.3 times the minimum wage).

Feb 14, 2014

Higher education institutions in Portugal independently choose how much they want to charge both national and international students, and there is no cap on tuition (propinas) for Portuguese universities and polytechnics. The Portuguese Ministry of Education establishes a minimum amount that is dictated by the national minimum wage (the minimum cost of tuition is 1.3 times the minimum wage). However, universities rarely charge students the minimum amount.

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Cost of Studying at a Public University in Portugal

Average costs of studying at a public university in Portugal are:

  • Bachelor's and Masters - €1,250 per year
  • PhDs - €2,500 - 3,000 per year

Students enrolled in a part-time program at a public university in Portugal should expect to pay about 70% of the fees a full-time student would pay. Exchange students may be exempt from paying tuition fees depending on the bilateral agreement between their home university and Portuguese university.

Cost of Studying at a Private University in Portugal

Average tuition fees for private universities in Portugal are slightly higher than public universities and average between €3500 to €3900 per year for all study levels.

Higher fees usually apply for non-EU/EEA program students; but some private Portuguese universities offer a discount of up to 100% of the lecture fees depending on a student's final grades. It is also worth considering that most public higher education institutions in Portugal charge tuition annually, whereas most private institutions charge tuition month-to-month.

Scholarships for International Students in Portugal

There are a many public and private scholarships for international students in Portugal. Furthermore, some private scholarships are available to students planning to study specifically in Lisbon.

Public funding for EU and non-EU students alike is available through support from three key institutions:

Scholarships and grants are typically made available to master’s students, but some funding is also made available for bachelor’s students. Contact your institution to inquire about any further funding options that may be available to you!

Overview of Portugal

Over 50,000 international students choose Portugal as their study abroad destination every year. Click here to learn why.

Education System

The higher education in Portugal follows the traditional three-cycle format, split into undergraduate (Bachelor’s), graduate (Master’s) and postgraduate (Doctorate) certifications. Take a minute to learn more.

Student Visas

The student visa requirements for studying Portugal depend on your nationality. The rules differ for EU/EEA nationals and non-EU/EEA nationals. Read here to learn more about what you might need.

Housing & Living Costs

Compared to many other European nations, students who choose Portugal as their study abroad destination can look forward to a more budget-friendly experience overall.

Language & Culture

With about 260 million speakers worldwide, Portuguese is the sixth most spoken language in the world. Find out more about what the country offers in terms of language, culture, and more!

Application Process

All countries have specific admissions requirements for students to gain acceptance into a university. Learn more about the ins and outs of admission to programs in Portugal, and what you need to apply.

Programs

Interested in studying in Portugal? Use our search engine to find and compare top programs in Portugal today!

Keystone Team

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The Keystone Team is comprised of experienced educators and advisors dedicated to providing valuable resources and advice to students all over the world.