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Why study in Portugal?

Portugal, famed for its historic towns, world-renowned cuisines, breathtaking scenery, and some of the world’s most pristine beaches, is also home to several prestigious universities. Every year, thousands of international students come to Portugal for higher education.

Portugal, the westernmost country in continental Europe, is a dynamic site of history and culture.

It has a mild Mediterranean climate, blistering hot in the summer, and gentle sea wind.

As a student, you will have the opportunity to learn one of the most frequently spoken languages in the world.

Because the majority of courses are in Portuguese, proficiency in the language is required.

Fluency will also help you adjust to your new circumstances, and language skills usually seem excellent on a CV.

About Portugal

Portugal is a republic in southern Europe, surrounded by Spain to the east and north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west.

The country of Portugal is named after Porto, the country’s second-biggest city, and has authority over the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores.

Portugal is a peaceful, globalized nation that is a member of the European Union and ranks high on the HDI, or Human Development Index. It is also a member of the United Nations, the Latin Union, NATO, and the Organization of Ibero-American States.

Portugal’s territory includes the Iberian Peninsula (most Portuguese refer to as the continent) and two archipelagos in the Atlantic Ocean: Madeira and the Azores.

Mainland Portugal divide by its largest river, the Tagus, which flows from Spain and disgorges Lisbon’s Tagus Estuary before escaping into the Atlantic.

The northern terrain is hilly in the interior, with various plateaus interrupted by river valleys. The southern scenery, which includes the Algarve and Alentejo areas, is marked by rolling plains.

Portugal is operating as a democratic republic since its present constitution in 1976, with Lisbon as the capital and largest city.

The Assembly of the Republic, the President of the Republic, the Government, and the Prime Minister are Portugal’s four key governmental entities.

Like the United States and Europe, Portugal has several political parties from which voters can nominate and vote for candidates.

The two significant parties are the Social Democratic Party and the Socialist Party. The Ecologist Party and the Portuguese Communist Party consistently receive around 10 percent of the vote in each election.

Climate

Portugal has Mediterranean, Steppe, and semi-arid climates, with some of Europe’s hottest temperatures.

Summertime temperatures in the Guadiana basin near the Spanish border can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius).

Snow does occur regularly in Portugal’s northern and central areas between October and May, with winter temperatures averaging 25 degrees F, or -9 C.

Currency

As a member of the European Union, Portugal’s principal currency is the euro. Its central bank, the Banco de Portugal, is an essential component of the European System of Central Banks.

The majority of Portugal’s financial and business enterprises contemplate in the metropolitan districts of Porto and Lisbon.

Higher Education in Portugal

Portugal provides polytechnic and university-level education through private and state universities, university institutions, and polytechnic institutes.

The government-run universities accept students under a competitive system known as numerus clausus, or “enrollment limits.”

Before they may lawfully apply to colleges, students must complete tests that test them on specified subjects and achieve minimal grades.

Many undergraduate and graduate degree programs at public universities have more demanding and stringent admission standards than those expected at polytechnics or private institutions.

Even though the Portuguese higher education system is converged on research, polytechnics offer students the chance to get degrees in professional fields such as psychology, law, economics, medicine, and natural sciences.

Both polytechnic colleges and universities provide degrees that combine educational, technical, engineering, and liberal arts fields.

All private and public higher education institutions in Portugal curb operating unless approved by the Ministerio da Ciê ncia, Tecnologia, e Ensino Superior (Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education).

Overseas students wanting to pursue a Portuguese university must possess the equivalent of a Diploma de Ensino Secundá RI, which is equal to a high school diploma in the United States, as well as documents demonstrating admission exam test scores.

Because Portugal is a member of the European Union and follows the Bologna Process, students get bachelor’s (Licenciatura), Master’s (mestrado), and doctorate (Doutoramento) degrees equal to those granted in the United States and most of Europe.

Why study in Portugal?

If you’re hunting for an intriguing and dynamic study abroad destination, Portugal is indeed the place for you.

It is a sophisticated and welcoming country with a lively environment attracting students from all over the world.

Portugal is host to many prestigious universities. Portugal has accepted the Bologna process, and Portuguese institutions provide three cycles of degrees in conformity with the system.

The following are some of the benefits of studying in Portugal:

Global Recognition

Higher education institutes in Portugal are well-known across the world. Universities in Portugal have existed since 1290.

The Institution of Coimbra is the oldest university in Coimbra, with academic programs in Philosophy, Law, and Sociology that are among the greatest in the world.

Portuuugal’sUniversities with solid track records and reputations may be found all around the country.

A few of them are:  

  • The Universidade NOVA de Lisboa was named one of the world’s top 50 universities under 50 years old by QS,

  • The Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP) boasts a world-class Masters in Management,

  • The University of Porto’s Faculty of Architectural (FAUP) has been a prominent European architecture school for decades.

Affordability

Portugal is inexpensive in comparison to the rest of Western Europe.

In smaller student cities, you can get by on less than $1000.

Tuition and expenses are very affordable, particularly for English-taught degrees.

Room sharing is also widespread at several colleges, making your study abroad stay in Portugal even more economical.

Another useful feature? Student discounts. Students may save up to 50% on admission to museums and historic places with a student ID.

Quality Education

Education has played an essential part in Portuguese history.

Several higher education institutions in Portugal provide a comprehensive range of courses in a variety of subjects.

Porto features a well-known and respected architectural school.

The Ph.D. programs of the Centre for Social Studies (CES) at Coimbra and Lisbon are well-known.

Evora, in Alentejo, has a long history with social sciences, as does Lisbon, which has a history with both engineering and social sciences.

Learn Portuguese

Even though Portugal is one of the few European nations where people attempt to understand you on the street, whether you speak to them in English, Spanish, or even Russian, you will acquire some basic Portuguese if you study in Portugal.

If you study Portuguese, you will be speaking the world’s sixth most spoken language, which will be a fantastic asset to your CV once you graduate.

Not only it’s lovely, but its similarities to Spanish and Italian will allow you to grasp the other two languages. Most bachelor’s degrees are taught in Portuguese, whereas most Master’s programs teach in English. Learning the language can also assist you in adjusting to studying in a new location and learning about the unique culture and customs.

The exquisite Portuguese cuisine

If you study in Portugal, you will never go hungry unless you are a vegan. Portugal’s food is among the greatest in Europe and the globe, yet it is also one of the most off-the-beaten-path.

The majority of our recipes prepare using meat, fish, or eggs.

But even if you aren’t vegan, the cuisine here is delicious.

The dishes are hot and heavy, but sharing dinners and Portuguese tapas are becoming popular, so you don’t have to leave the restaurant feeling like you’ve been stuffed full by your grandmother.

Traditional Portuguese sweets are typically sweet, based on various mixes of egg, sugar, and cinnamon.

Beautiful Weather

It’s just perfect. It has a Mediterranean climate with long, scorching summers and short, wet winters. Consider it spring and summer, with the occasional need for a raincoat and a sweater.

Consider studying in Portugal if you want to feel like you’re in a temperate Shangri-La.

Career Prospects

Everything you’ve heard about the devastating financial crisis and skyrocketing jobless numbers is accurate.

But the fact is that if you study in Portugal, you will have access to possibilities that you would not have had otherwise.

While you finish your degree, there are hundreds of start-ups and small businesses that would love to have you on their team.

Whatever language you speak, it is a language that will be valuable to these firms as they attempt to expand globally.

Suppose you achieve good marks, network hard, and learn Portuguese after your degree. In that case, doors will open for you both in the local start-up scene and more prominent multinational firms in some of the new world’s monster economies, such as Brazil and Angola.

Relaxed and Contemporary Lifestyle

Portugal is a secure, cost-effective, and stable country.

It is a contemporary and active country with a diverse population and a good level of living.

Cost of Study in Portugal

PortugueseUniversities are among the most affordable in Europe.

In most circumstances, state institutions in Portugal are less expensive than private institutions.

A Master’s degree at a public university in Portugal will cost you roughly 1,200 to 1,400 euros per year, while a Ph.D. study will cost you about 3,500 to 4,000 euros per year. Tuition fees for Portugal degrees at private universities vary depending on the university, program, and region.

Scholarships

Even if the students are not from the EU, international students can study in Portugal thoroughly or partially supported scholarships.

International students may be eligible for scholarships depending on their financial needs and academic performance.

Scholarships might enable you to study for free in Portugal.

Scholarships offer for overseas students to study at the University of Portugal.

Scholarships for overseas students to study in Portugal provides by the government, institutions, and other providing institutions.

Scholarships and education loans, and grants are among the most popular methods for overseas students to pay for their studies in Portugal.

Student Visa

Portugal is a member of the Schengen Area, a collection of 26 European nations that have abolished border restrictions between themselves.

It implies that many European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) individuals, including Swiss nationals, require an identity card to visit Portugal.

As an EU citizen, you have the right to study in any EU nation as long as you:

  • are enrolled at an accredited university/other institution for more least three months have enough money (from any source) to live without needing income support
  • have complete health insurance coverage

Non-EU students, on the other hand, will need to seek a student visa if they want to stay in Portugal for more than three months.

A valid passport, a completed application, one passport photograph, a university acceptance letter, a copy of a trip schedule and an aircraft ticket, evidence of health insurance, and bank statements or other proof of the student’s financial position are all required to begin the visa application process.

Language requirements

Most undergraduate programs teach in Portuguese, so you’ll need to be fluent in the language if you want to study at this level.

If Portuguese is not your first language, you may be required to demonstrate it as part of your application.

At the Master’s level, a growing number of courses teach in English; however, Portuguese knowledge is advantageous.

Check institutional websites and contact institutions directly to see if your desired subject teaches in English.

If this is the case, and English is not your first language, you may be required to submit proof of proficiency.

Work while studying

Overseas Students from countries other than the EU/EEA can work part-time while studying in Portugal.

During the holidays and the summer, they permit to work up to 40 hours a week and more. To work in Portugal while studying on a student visa or with a resident permit for Portugal, you must first obtain permission from the SEF.

A part-time job in Portugal is convenient and beneficial for many students.

The work atmosphere is quite relaxed, and students give adequate time for their academics and time for extracurricular activities.

In Conclusion

Include Portugal on your checklist of study abroad destinations if you want a quality education, the chance to learn a language rich in history and culture, the opportunity to visit a beautiful country, fantastic friends, exquisite cuisines, and a fair cost of living.

Amit Kumar

FreeEducator.com blog is managed by Amit Kumar. He and his team come from the Oxford, Stanford and Harvard. At FreeEducator, we strive to create the best admission platform so that international students can go to the best universities - regardless of financial circumstances. By applying with us, international students get unlimited support and unbiased advice to secure the best college offers overseas.

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