Admission Requirements in Portugal

Portugal has become an increasingly attractive destination for international students looking for a European degree, a welcoming environment and a wide range of university and polytechnic programmes. Students can choose from fields such as engineering, business, computer science, medicine, tourism, social sciences and the humanities, with programmes available in Portuguese and, increasingly, English.

However, admission requirements in Portugal are not identical across all institutions. Universities and polytechnics establish their own application procedures, deadlines and programme-specific conditions. The requirements can also differ depending on whether a student is applying for a bachelor's, master's or PhD programme and whether they are considered an international student.

Understanding these requirements before preparing an application can help international students avoid missing documents, unsuitable qualifications or important examination requirements.

General Admission Requirements in Portugal

Portugal's higher education system includes both universities and polytechnic institutions. Both can award bachelor's and master's degrees, while doctoral degrees are awarded by universities. A typical bachelor's degree is 180 ECTS, although some programmes can require up to 240 ECTS. Master's programmes generally range from 90 to 120 ECTS.

For international students, the basic academic requirement is usually an educational qualification that provides access to higher education in the country where it was awarded. For bachelor's admission, this normally means a recognised secondary-school qualification. Master's applicants generally need a bachelor's degree or equivalent, while PhD applicants need an appropriate advanced degree.

Common application documents may include:

Valid passport or national identification document
Secondary-school certificate and transcripts
Bachelor's degree and transcripts for master's applications
Master's degree and academic records for doctoral applications
Proof of language proficiency
Curriculum vitae
Motivation letter
Recommendation letters, where required
Passport-size photographs
Portfolio for selected programmes
Proof of entrance examinations or other academic assessments

Because Portuguese institutions can set their own admission procedures, students should always verify the exact document list with their chosen university or polytechnic.

Admission Requirements for Bachelor's Degrees

International students applying for a bachelor's degree or an integrated master's programme generally need a secondary-school qualification that gives them access to higher education in their home country.

Portugal's Directorate-General for Education and Science Statistics (DGES) states that the international-student route for bachelor's and integrated master's admission requires a qualification that gives access to higher education, or a Portuguese secondary-school diploma or equivalent.

Secondary-school qualification

Your school-leaving certificate should demonstrate that you completed the required level of secondary education. The university may also examine the subjects you studied and your grades.

For example, an applicant to an engineering programme may need appropriate mathematics and science preparation, while a business programme may place greater emphasis on mathematics, economics or related subjects.

Students with foreign secondary education may need to establish equivalence with the Portuguese secondary qualification. DGES also allows certain recognised foreign final examinations to substitute for Portuguese entrance examinations when they are considered equivalent to the relevant Portuguese admission exams.

Entrance examinations

Entrance examinations can be an important part of undergraduate admission. Requirements depend on the institution and programme.

For the Portuguese general access system in 2026, institutions can specify between one and three entrance examinations for a particular programme and institution, with minimum marks established for those examinations.

International students applying through the special international-student competition should check the specific university's requirements because the process is organised by each institution.

Admission Requirements for Master's Degrees

Applicants to master's programmes normally need a bachelor's degree or an equivalent higher-education qualification.

DGES recognises several routes for master's admission. Applicants may hold a Portuguese bachelor's degree, a foreign degree obtained through a Bologna first-cycle programme, or another foreign higher-education qualification recognised by the institution as satisfying the objectives of a bachelor's degree. In certain cases, a student's academic, scientific or professional curriculum may also be considered sufficient.

Relevant academic background

Although possessing a bachelor's degree is the general foundation, universities can require applicants to have studied particular subjects or earned a certain number of credits in a related discipline.

For example, a master's in computer science may expect prior study in programming and mathematics, while a master's in finance may require an academic background in economics, accounting, business or quantitative subjects.

Some programmes may also evaluate:

Undergraduate grades
Relevant coursework
Professional experience
Research experience
Motivation
Interview performance
Portfolio or other evidence of ability

This makes it important to read the programme-specific admission notice rather than assuming that any bachelor's degree automatically qualifies an applicant.

Admission Requirements for PhD Programmes

Doctoral admission is more research-oriented and usually requires an advanced academic background.

Applicants generally need a master's degree or an equivalent qualification relevant to the proposed research area. Universities and doctoral schools can establish their own selection procedures, so requirements may vary significantly.

A PhD application may request:

Master's degree certificate
Academic transcripts
Research proposal
Academic CV
Motivation or research statement
Recommendation letters
Evidence of research experience
Publications, where relevant
Interview
Proof of language proficiency
Details of the proposed research area or supervisor

Applicants should investigate potential doctoral supervisors and research groups before submitting an application. Demonstrating a clear connection between previous academic work and the proposed research can make an application more convincing.

Language Requirements in Portugal

Language requirements depend heavily on the programme's teaching language.

Many traditional undergraduate programmes in Portugal are taught in Portuguese, while universities and polytechnics also offer an increasing number of programmes taught in English, particularly at master's level.

For Portuguese-taught programmes, international students may need to demonstrate Portuguese proficiency or satisfy a language requirement established by the institution. English-taught programmes can require proof of English proficiency through an accepted language certificate or another form of evidence.

There is no single English-language score that applies to every Portuguese university. Institutions may specify their own accepted tests and minimum scores.

Students should therefore check whether the programme accepts qualifications such as IELTS, TOEFL or other recognised certificates and whether a particular score is required.

Even when a degree is completely taught in English, learning basic Portuguese can be valuable for daily life, internships, part-time opportunities and integration into the local community.

Recognition of Foreign Qualifications

Qualification recognition is an important consideration for international applicants.

A foreign secondary-school qualification may need to be considered equivalent to the Portuguese secondary qualification, particularly where undergraduate admission depends on Portuguese academic or examination requirements. DGES states that foreign secondary education must be equivalent to Portuguese secondary education when used for the relevant access route.

For master's admission, the institution's competent academic body can assess whether a foreign higher-education qualification meets the objectives of a Portuguese bachelor's degree.

Documents may also need official certification, legalisation or translation depending on the applicant's country and the university's rules. Students should resolve these requirements early because obtaining properly certified documents can take considerable time.

Application Process for International Students

The application process is generally straightforward once the programme requirements are clear.

1. Select your programme

Compare universities, polytechnics, course content, teaching language, tuition fees, location and career opportunities.

2. Check eligibility

Confirm that your secondary or higher-education qualification meets the academic requirements and that you have the necessary subject preparation.

3. Check examinations

Find out whether the programme requires entrance examinations, aptitude tests, interviews or other assessments.

4. Prepare documents

Collect certificates, transcripts, passport documents, language evidence, CVs and other requested materials. Arrange official translations or certifications if necessary.

5. Submit your application

International-student applications are submitted directly to the university or polytechnic offering the programme. DGES explicitly notes that institutions have different application procedures, deadlines and document requirements.

6. Complete the selection process

Attend interviews or take entrance examinations if required.

7. Wait for the admission decision

Once admitted, students can proceed with enrolment and, where applicable, the residence visa process.

Entrance Exams and Pre-Requisites

Some Portuguese programmes have additional requirements beyond academic qualifications.

DGES describes pre-requisites as physical, functional or vocational conditions that may be particularly relevant to certain courses. Institutions decide whether a programme requires them and determine their content.

For example, selected programmes in areas such as physical education, sport or music can require aptitude or fitness assessments.

Students should therefore check both the academic entry requirements and any programme-specific pre-requisites before applying.

How to Improve Your Chances of Admission

International students can make their applications stronger by taking a structured approach:

Choose programmes that match your previous academic background.
Maintain strong grades in relevant subjects.
Prepare early for entrance examinations.
Meet language requirements before the application deadline.
Write a specific and convincing motivation letter.
Keep your CV focused on relevant academic and professional experience.
Prepare official translations well in advance.
Check whether your foreign qualifications require equivalence.
Submit every requested document in the required format.
Apply to more than one suitable programme when possible.

Most importantly, do not rely on general admission rules alone. Portuguese institutions have considerable responsibility for setting programme-level requirements, so the official university admission page should always be treated as the final reference.

FAQ About Admission Requirements in Portugal

Can international students study in Portugal after high school?

Yes. Students with a secondary-school qualification that provides access to higher education in their country can apply for bachelor's or integrated master's programmes, subject to the institution's specific requirements.

Do I need an entrance exam to study in Portugal?

Not necessarily. Requirements vary by institution and programme. Some courses require specific entrance examinations, while others may use alternative admission procedures.

What degree do I need for a master's in Portugal?

Applicants generally need a bachelor's degree or equivalent. A foreign higher-education qualification may also be accepted if the institution recognises it as satisfying the objectives of a Portuguese bachelor's degree.

Can I study in Portugal without speaking Portuguese?

Yes, if you choose a programme taught in English and meet its language requirements. However, Portuguese proficiency can be useful for everyday communication and professional opportunities.

Are foreign qualifications accepted in Portugal?

Yes, but the relevant institution may need to assess or recognise the qualification. For secondary education, equivalence can be particularly important when Portuguese admission examinations or their foreign equivalents are involved.

Are admission requirements the same at every Portuguese university?

No. Universities and polytechnics can establish different application procedures, deadlines, documents and programme-specific requirements.

Conclusion

Understanding the admission requirements in Portugal is the first step toward building a successful application. While international students generally need a recognised previous qualification, the exact requirements depend on the degree level, institution, programme and teaching language.

Bachelor's applicants should pay particular attention to secondary-school equivalence, relevant subjects and possible entrance examinations. Master's applicants need an appropriate bachelor's qualification and should check programme-specific academic requirements. PhD candidates should be prepared to demonstrate both advanced academic preparation and research potential.