Admission requirements

Students beginning their first year at a university must take an entrance test, Provas de ingresso. However, foreign students entering after the first year can usually avoid taking such a test, depending on the equivalence of diplomas, etc.
For information about the entrance exam and whether it is required, contact the following organization:
GCIES (Office of coordination for entry into higher education)
Av. Elias Garcia, 137
1093 Lisboa Codex
Tel: 00 351 1 764 855

Admission requirements vary from one university to another. Foreign students wishing to study in Portugal must send an application form, a CV; some universities require a recommendation letter and academic credentials. The files must be sent to the Admissions Office of the appropriate faculty. Decisions are usually made in about two months.

Language proficiency:
All courses are taught in Portuguese, with few exceptions, such as some modern literature courses at the University of Coimbra. The most important universities offer intense Portuguese courses so that students can attain a suitable level to attend classes.

Diploma equivalence:
There is no an established equivalence system for diplomas. The Science Council makes the decision in such cases in polytechnic schools, or the directors in universities. The diploma and grades certificates must accompany the requests.