Masters degree - Postgraduate in English in Portugal for international students

- Participation in the Erasmus+ program,
- Involvement in research projects: many universities have strong ties with various research centers, contributing to over 1% of the world's most highly cited scientific publications,
- Opportunity to complement your degree with an internship at a local company and attend interesting seminars led by international experts,
- Living in a Mediterranean climate — students can enjoy numerous outdoor activities,
- Exposure to numerous landmarks: Portugal is home to 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, both natural and man-made,
- Global prospects — Portugal has strong international relations with Portuguese-speaking communities around the world,
- Acquisition of new language skills in a natural environment,
- High quality of life, political stability, free press, excellent environmental performance, and low crime rates.

Higher education in Portugal is organized under a binary system, combining university and polytechnic education, and is offered by two types of institutions:

- Public institutions,

- Private institutions.

Private higher education institutions must receive prior recognition from the Ministry with higher education authority.

University education includes:

- Universities,
- University institutes,
- Various other university-level institutions.

Polytechnic education includes:

- Polytechnic institutes,
- Other polytechnic institutions.

Currently, Portugal has:

- 14 public universities,
- 36 private universities,
- 20 public polytechnic institutes,
- 64 private polytechnic institutes.

To obtain a general education, students can apply to universities in Portugal, while those seeking more practical training can apply to polytechnic institutions. Most courses are taught in Portuguese, but there is a growing number of programs offered in English, especially at the master's level.

Universities offer degrees in areas such as:

- Medicine,
- Law,
- Natural Sciences,
- Economics,
- Psychology.

Polytechnic institutions provide career-focused professional training in areas such as:

- Nursing,
- Education,
- Accounting,
- Healthcare.

Master’s degrees in Portugal are offered in both university and polytechnic systems across various fields, including:

- Engineering,
- Technology,
- Management,
- Education,
- Sports,
- Humanities.

Master’s degrees in Portugal are offered at universities and polytechnic institutes. A master's degree at a polytechnic institute focuses on providing students with professional specialization, while a master's degree at universities is more research-oriented and focused on innovation. At both types of institutions, students must obtain 90-120 ECTS credits over 3-4 semesters (1-2 years), although some specialized programs, such as medicine and law, may require a longer period of study. In addition to earning the necessary credits for graduation, all master's students must publicly defend their thesis, project, or internship report to complete their certification.

For Russian students, a master’s degree in Portugal offers more academically oriented programs at universities, while polytechnic institutes provide applied and professional courses. Polytechnic institutes may charge lower fees, but the main difference between the two types of institutions in Portugal lies in specialization, not quality. The choice of institution will depend more on the availability of programs in a specific field.

Most popular study options in Portugal:
- Master of International Business,
- Master of Finance,
- Master of Information Science,
- Master of General Engineering.

The initial approval of programs at Portuguese higher education institutions is handled by an independent body, the Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES). Official recognition is then granted by the Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES), part of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Higher Education. This ensures government oversight of the quality of institutions and programs and allows for impartial monitoring.

University-level education in Portugal is primarily conducted in Portuguese, while master's programs are more commonly offered in English. Some courses may require relevant language proficiency tests in English.

There are two common ways to pursue a master's degree in Portugal:

1. Most courses are second-cycle master's programs. These start after completing a bachelor's degree, take 1-2 years (3-4 semesters), and are worth 90-120 ECTS credits. The academic year runs from September to July.
2. For professional subjects such as medicine and law, a longer integrated master's program (mestrado integrado) is offered. This long-cycle qualification lasts up to 6 years (10-12 semesters, including the bachelor component) and awards 300-360 ECTS credits. The program includes lectures, thesis preparation, and discussion.

Master’s degrees for international students in Portugal are organized around consecutive blocks of coursework and usually conclude with an independent project, which could be a research dissertation or equivalent practical work. In some cases, an oral exam or defense of the dissertation/project may be required at the end of the program, distinguishing the Portuguese master’s degree from some other systems.

Portugal is particularly known for offering master’s degrees in high-demand fields such as:
- Biotechnology,
- Medicine,
- Social Sciences,
- Arts.

Each year, Portugal welcomes more and more international students, and as a result, its universities are offering English-language degrees in most disciplines, including:
- Civil Engineering,
- Finance and Economics,
- Microbiology,
- Music Education,
- Journalism,
- Physics,
- Languages and Business Relations,
- Robotics and Intelligent Systems,
- Psychology,
- Graphic Design,
- Engineering.

A master’s degree in Portugal allows international graduates to stay in the country and seek employment. To do so, they need to obtain a work permit. Applications from graduates of Portuguese universities are generally viewed positively, as the country aims to benefit from its own education system and retain the economic contributions of its graduates.

Additionally, students can stay in the country and apply for a PhD at Portuguese universities.

A master’s degree in Portugal for international students is available by obtaining a student visa and a residence permit for the duration of the studies. Applicants must apply for a visa at the Portuguese embassy or diplomatic mission in their home country and obtain it before traveling to the university. The processing time for documents is typically 1-3 months. Upon arrival, students must register with the local branch of the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) to apply for a residence permit.

There are two types of visas applicable to non-EU students who wish to study in Portugal:

• Visa C — a short-term visa for programs lasting less than 90 days,
• Visa D — a long-term visa for programs lasting more than 90 days.

Documents required for visa application:

• Application form,
• Visa application statement,
• International passport and national passport,
• Admission letter from a Portuguese higher education institution,
• Proof of financial resources for living expenses,
• Criminal record certificate,
• Valid health insurance,
• Copy of travel itinerary to Portugal,
• Proof of accommodation (campus or private),
• Payment of the consular fee.

Master's programs in English typically start at €3,000 per year. The cost largely depends on the type of institution and the chosen course, with fees reaching up to €10,000 per year.

To apply to graduate programs in Portugal, you must:

• Submit an application to the selected higher education institution,
• Provide proof of enrollment in the course.

The application for a Master's degree in Portugal is submitted directly to the selected universities. You need to check all the necessary documents and translate them into Portuguese or English if required by the university. It is also worth finding out in advance what the language requirements are and whether you need to prove English/Portuguese language skills before enrolling in a degree program.

It is better to apply to more than one university to increase your chances of admission. There are 3 application sessions and university courses beginning either in the fall or spring. The general deadlines are as follows:

• The first application deadline is April-May,
• The second application deadline is June-July,
• The third application deadline is August-September.

They may vary by institution and degree courses at the same university may have different application deadlines.

The basic application package includes:

• Completed application form,
• Undergraduate Diploma,
• Transcripts of academic records,
• TOEFL/IELTS certificate (if the course is in English),
• Letter of Motivation,
• Proof of payment of registration fee,
• Portfolio (for some degrees).

After the admission, students will need:

• Official confirmation of enrollment in the university,
• Registration of health insurance,
• Applying for a Portuguese student visa (for those coming from outside the EU),
• Applying for a residence permit (upon arrival),
• Applying for a scholarship (all international students are eligible, regardless of country of residence).