Amidst all the bureaucracy, travel expenses, tuition fees and visa arrangements, studying abroad can be a nerve-wracking decision. Luckily, Porto is a very friendly city for both international students and professionals alike, and we've compiled a full article with everything you need to know about studying in the city!
Applying to universities in Porto: The process
The application process for public universities based in Porto depends on the cycle of studies you are seeking to complete. Undergraduates must register on the DGES website (Higher Education Administration, in English) to be able to apply, listing 6 different public institutions in order of preference. On the other hand, graduates and postgraduates must apply directly on the website of their university of choice. In both cases, applicants will be asked for official translations of their school records and/or final exams (such as the SAT in the USA or the A-Levels in the UK), which must also be recognized at the Portuguese Embassy in your country of residence.
As for private universities in Porto, the entire application process is managed directly by the institution. This means you should contact the university beforehand and ask about the application requirements and any additional information that can be useful to candidates.
Plus, if you are not a part of the Erasmus program (non-EU Citizen/Resident) nor any other student transfer protocol and wish to apply for a Portuguese university, bear in mind you will need to complete admission exams. These take place every year between May and July and are used as a ranking for entry to the university. If you're not living in Portugal, you can request to take these exams at the Portuguese Embassy in your country of origin or reach out directly to the university you're seeking to attend and enquire about the admission exams and how to take them.
Finally, the application process for international students is usually split into three different stages (January-February, June-July and August-September), with minimum grade requirements changing for each one of them. Usually, vacancies get smaller and smaller with each passing deadline, so it will be technically easier to get in if you do it during the first stage. Furthermore, by applying during the first stage, you will have plenty of time (classes start in September) to sort out your visa and accommodation arrangements. On the other hand, if you already live in the country and are going to apply through the “local route” (after taking the admission exams), applications take place in July and August.
Be that as it may, different institutions can have different deadlines for their application process (especially in private universities), so always make sure to stay in touch with a representative of your preferred higher education institution so that you don't miss your opportunity. After applying, you will receive feedback from the university within one/two months of the deadline.
Documents needed for applying to a university in Porto
Should your course be taught in English, you will need a proficiency test like IELTS or TOEFL. If your degree is exclusively taught in Portuguese, as an international student, you might need a proficiency certificate as well. Other documents can include transcripts of academic records, motivation letters, proof of payment of application fee and portfolio. Documents are usually required to be presented in English (plus the original language).
Needless to say, your official passport will be needed, as well as a valid student visa (depending on nationality and length of stay)
Best universities in Porto
According to the famous and reputed Shanghai Ranking, the Universidade do Porto is ranked among the top 300 in the world!
The ranking highlighted the institution's work in Food Science (15th in the world), Veterinary Medicine (top 100), Biomedical Engineering (top 150), Chemical Engineering (top 150), Agricultural Sciences (top 150), Public Health (top 150), Pharmacy (top 150) and Ecology (top 200).
Although they didn't make the ranking, other well-rated institutions of higher education in Porto include Escola Superior de Enfermagem (Nursing), Instituto de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto/ISCAP (Accounting, International Commerce and Corporate Communication) and Universidade Católica Portuguesa (private).
Tuition fees in Porto
As one might expect, public universities are generally slightly cheaper than private ones for international students. Generally, both undergraduate and graduate courses range from 1,925€ to 6,000€ per year, depending on the degree and the university. However, if you're an EU citizen, you'll be paying the exact same public fees as Portuguese students, which are currently capped at 697€/year.
Needless to say, private universities' tuition fees can go much higher than that. Taking Universidade Católica as an example, annual tuition fees for lower-level degrees currently stand at 7,000€ for international students, though you also need to factor in hundreds upon hundreds of euros in application and registration fees, extra credits and other bureaucratic processes.
How to get a student visa to study in Porto
If you're an EU citizen (plus Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) you do not need to apply for a student visa in Portugal. In fact, if staying for less than 3 months, you don't have to worry about any bureaucratic requirements. However, should your cycle of studies in the country last longer than the aforementioned 3 months, it is mandatory to register your stay with local authorities. To get a registration certificate, students will need to apply at their local council within 30 days after completing three months of arriving in Portugal. This certificate costs 15€ and is valid for the student's entire stay in the country, being issued immediately upon request. To complete the application, candidates need to present a valid ID document, a written affidavit declaring that they are enrolled in an officially recognized school in the country, proof of financial subsistence and proof of health insurance (only if your country requires the same for Portuguese students).
On the other hand, if you come from outside the EU/EEA, you'll probably need a student visa. The only exception applies to citizens who are staying for less than 3 months and come from one of the 63 visa-exempt countries, such as the US, the UK, Canada or Japan. Nonetheless, students from countries that require a Schengen visa or are planning to stay longer than 90 days (regardless of nationality) will have to apply for a student visa. In order to do so, you will need to get a letter of acceptance from the university you wish to enroll in and get in touch with the Portuguese Embassy in your country of residence. After scheduling your interview at the embassy, you'll fill out the application form, submit all the required documentation in person and pay the 90€ visa fee. Once you get a positive response and the magic sticker on your passport (it might take up to 3 months – worst case scenario), you can take care of travel arrangements.
Keep in mind the student visa is only valid for 3 months, which is why you will also need to obtain a residence permit if you're staying longer than 90 days. After your visa expires, this permit will allow you to remain in the country legally. You'll have to book an appointment at a local SEF (Foreigners and Borders Service) facility and submit the proper form in person, along with two photos, your identification document (passport), proof of address (accommodation), proof of financial subsistence, student visa and criminal record. This permit is valid for 1 year (can be extended at least 30 days before expiring) and costs 155€ in total (83€ for the submission 72€ as processing fee).
Accommodation for students in Porto and cost of living
Unfortunately, recent times have seen rent and property prices skyrocket in Porto, as well as the cost of living. Although it certainly can't be compared to the likes of Paris, Berlin and Amsterdam, and the situation isn't as dire as the one you'll find in Lisbon, Portugal's second city is currently also going through a major housing crisis. As such, accommodation for students is scarce and expensive, with good deals getting increasingly harder to come by. This comes as no surprise since recent studies point out that private listings only make up about 7% of the number of students currently enrolled in Porto's universities.
For a humble bedroom in an apartment where all remaining areas are shared with other people, expect to pay upwards of 430€, although it is not at all rare to find landlords asking for 600€ /month. Average prices are also higher for furnished/equipped apartments and for listings that already include other living expenses, such as water, electricity or internet services.
While there have been efforts to build new student residencies as quickly as possible, public efforts are not able to tackle the high level of demand, while private enterprises are targeting higher-end local students and international applicants. Student Support Services (Serviço de Acção Social) usually run programs for accommodation within the compound of university residences. These rooms are much cheaper than what you'll find in the private market (between 160€/month for a private bedroom and 394€ for a double suite), but not all international students are eligible for this SASUP program.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
