Portugal

Portugal was founded in 1143, being one of the oldest countries in Europe. Until the 5th October 1910, when the foundations of the Modern Portuguese Republic were laid, the Portuguese monarchy had developed a long history of discoveries and conquests in Africa, India and Brazil. In 1926, the parliamentary regime was replaced by a military dictatorship leading to the formation of the Estado Novo in 1933. Democracy was restored 41 years later, on the 25th April 1974, through a nearly bloodless coup, later nicknamed the Revolution of the Carnations, which are still a national symbol of freedom. In the following years, mostly as a consequence of the restoration of democracy, independence was granted to some of Portugal’s last colonies: São Tomé & Principe, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and Cape Verde.

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Portugal is a Parliamentary Republic. The President is directly elected by universal adult suffrage every 5 years. Executive power is exercised by the Council of Ministers. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Parliament. Since 1975 the party system is dominated by the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista) and Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata). Other political parties include: Bloco de Esquerda, Partido Comunista Português, CDS/Partido Popular.

Quick Facts

  • Capital: Lisbon
  • Official language: Portuguese
  • Government: constitutional republic
  • Area: 35,603 square miles/ 92,212 square kilometers
  • Population: 10.7 million
  • Currency: Euro
  • Calling code: +351
  • Major-Industries: Fishing, oil refinery, petrochemicals, cement, machinery, automotive and shipbuilding, electronics, plastics and ceramics, textile, leather industries, food and beverage industries.
  • Portuguese universities have existed since 1290, the oldest being the University of Coimbra
  • Five of Portugal’s universities are ranked within the top 700 in the 2014–15 QS World University Rankings
  • Highly Competitive fee structure
  • One of the cheapest in terms of living cost in whole of western Europe
  • Offers a genuine European Experience
  • The Way to Learn Portuguese
  • Experience Hospitality of Highest class
  • Great Climate and Breathtaking Landscapes
  • A combination of Old and New World Charm

The Portuguese Higher Education system has been undergoing a profound reform, in accordance with the European-wide strategy for the modernisation of Higher Education promoting the knowledge-based economy and society. A series of measures have been introduced in the last years for the accomplishment of what is known as the Bologna Process, namely with the aim to widen access to Higher Education, particularly for new publics, guaranteeing quality evaluation, modernising and internationalising Higher Education.

Higher Education is divided into three cycles of studies. Generic qualification descriptors were also defined for each of the cycles of studies, based on acquired competences, as well as the structure for the first and second cycles of study in terms of typical ECTS intervals.

Higher Education in Portugal is divided into two sub-systems, university education and polytechnic education.

The network of public Higher Education Institutions comprises 14 Universities, 20 Polytechnic Institutes and 6 institutions of military and police Higher Education.

The network of private Higher Education Institutions comprises 36 Universities and 64 Polytechnic Institutes

  • Bachelors
  • Masters
  • Doctoral degrees
  • Vocational Certifications
  • Colleges and universities have specific language requirements for admission, though these generally vary significantly from one course to another
  • English proficiency requirement – A score of 5.5-6.5 in the IELTS test.
  • For bachelor’s and masters programs an average tuition fee of approximately EUR 950 – 1250 per academic year is charged.
  • For (PhD Programs), the average tuition fee amounts to approximately EUR 2500 – 3000 per academic year.

Course fee varies from institutions to institutions and courses

  • • A budget of € 600 per month should cover basic expenses.
  • • *Cost of living varies depending on the accommodation taken and life style of the individual
  • 20 hours per week
  • 1 years stay back

Intake

  • Feb/September