21 Best Universities In Lisbon For International Students 2025

Lisbon is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in Portugal. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 21 universities and colleges in Lisbon, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 21 universities in Lisbon, University of Lisbon and NOVA University Lisbon are the top-performing schools in Lisbon. This list covers both public and private institutions in Lisbon.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Lisbon. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Lisbon.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Lisbon?

Applying to the universities in Lisbon involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Lisbon to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Lisbon?

Tuition fees at Lisbon’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 1,650 Euros to 16,000 Euros , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 1,650 Euros to 11,900 Euros. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Lisbon!

As we cover the best universities in Lisbon for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Lisbon for International Students

The University of Lisbon is one of the most famous institutions in the country. This university was established in 2013 from the merger of two of the best and biggest universities in Lisbon, which were known as the former University of Lisbon and the Technical University of Lisbon. The main goal of this brilliant institution is to instill a high level of education in today’s youth so that they can contribute to the development of the country.

NOVA University Lisbon is the youngest public university in the city of Lisbon. It was founded in 1973 to provide graduate programs to both local and international students. The university’s program offerings have since expanded to other levels, most of which are internationally recognized as excellent and innovative. Through its alumni, research, and teaching, the university aims to contribute to the growth of its home city.

The University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE) is a famous and renowned institution in the area of Lisbon, Portugal. This university was established in 1972 and it is considered a tertiary educational institution that aims to grow and produce talented prospects that will develop and lead the country in the future. The scope of departments and programs in this university is very wide and students can choose from the courses, such as science, art, education, and anthropology.

The Catholic University of Portugal is a private research institution located in the heart of Lisbon. This university is special because it has campuses and headquarters in four different places, such as Lisbon, Braga, Porto, and Viseu. The aim of this university is to be spread throughout the world and develop its ideology and mentality in other countries that share the same system of belief.

Situated in the capital city of Lisbon, Politecnico de Lisboa (IPL) is an outstanding Portuguese university that provides higher education in various academic disciplines. The institute aims to offer numerous career-oriented study programs to generate countless individuals who will lead in different industry sectors. IPL equally attracts local and international students. This global university currently has long-term partnerships with foreign universities and leading companies to offer its students a more diverse and top-quality education. It is also devoted to strengthening its ties with other countries.

ISPA Institute of Applied Psychology was established in 1962 and is the first university to provide education and training in different branches of psychology. The university also offers degrees in biosciences and education where students experience both laboratory work and field work to obtain both strong theoretical knowledge and high-level skills in their chosen disciplines. It is also known for its commitment to research and translating the knowledge acquired into solutions to help the local community.

Established in 1985, Autonomous University of Lisbon is the oldest private university in Portugal. It is known for providing innovative undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of fields that impart an entrepreneurial perspective to its students. The university is also committed to discovering new knowledge through intensive research and disseminating it to the community to contribute to the region’s development. 

Lusiada University is a private academic institution for liberal arts with its main campus in Lisbon and two other branch campuses in Porto and Vila Nova de Famalicao. The university is committed to supporting the cognitive, productive, personal, and social development of its students and future leaders of society. Education at the university goes beyond technical instruction by incorporating practical and experiential learning with a focus on current issues for students to gain social awareness and employable skills.

Universidade Europeia is a young private university that aims to develop global professionals who are knowledgeable, skilled, and socially responsible. Its campus is located in Portugal’s capital city of Lisbon. The university offers a wide range of programs and is recognized as the best in the country for hospitality studies.

Instituto Portugues de Administracao de Marketing (IPAM) is a specialized higher education school that provides excellent programs fully dedicated to marketing. Its goal is to provide students with a practice-based learning approach, opportunities for training and internship in various public and private business sectors, and to gain core capabilities deemed necessary for their future careers. Moreover, IPAM students will also benefit from gaining numerous network connections as the institute has long-term partnerships and collaborations with multiple relevant Portuguese and international companies in different industry sectors.

Instituto Superior de Gestão is one of the country’s top universities for management education. The university offers multidisciplinary and innovative programs with strong connections with major entities in the business world. Students at the university undergo internships and other practical activities to develop a wide range of employable skills and gain first-hand experience in the day-to-day operations and challenges in the industry.

The ESEL Nursing School of Lisbon was founded in 2007 and is a health-oriented institute that focuses on providing programs in the fields of nursing and nursing management. This university was established based on the need of the region for another nursing and medical university from which young students could benefit.

The National Academy of Advanced Orchestral Studies (ANSO) is one of the three musical schools operated by AMEC/Metropolitana – an institution whose primary goal is to instruct classical music. ANSO offers several specialized undergraduate programs that will award a bachelor’s degree in music. The institute is known for its world-class education. Students from across the globe compete in its annual special admission contest. And only the most talented students who have demonstrated the specific skills and possess certain qualities the school is looking for are admitted.

The ISEC Lisboa – Higher Institute of Education and Sciences was established in 1991 with the goal of providing high-quality scientific and technical training to future professionals. This university is located in Lisbon, and it provides studies in the fields of arts, science, and management. The university welcomes international students and offers studies in both English and Portuguese.

Escola Superior de Saúde da Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa is a leading university for health sciences in Portugal. It offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs aimed at developing professionals who not only possess broad knowledge and skill but also genuine compassion and respect toward their fellow humans. Students and faculty at the university are also directly involved in conducting research to continue updating its courses based on the need of the industry and society. 

Instituto Politécnico da Lusofonia (IPLUSO) is a private polytechnic university whose mission is to serve society by providing outstanding education and training and conducting relevant scientific research that can be converted into solutions for various problems faced in society. The university is also known for its extension projects to help local industries flourish by introducing new technologies and knowledge. IPLUSO also participates in several mobility programs that allow its students and faculty to study, teach, and train overseas. 

Instituto Superior de Novas Profissoes (INP) is a well-established higher education school that provides top-quality programs, modern facilities, and exceptional teaching. The institute aims to cultivate individuals responsible for performing vital roles in resolving local issues and global challenges. The study programs currently offered include communication, tourism, and management. Aside from degree programs, the university also awards technical and short courses.

The Instituto Superior de Tecnologias Avançadas de Lisboa or ISTEC is a private university in Lisbon known to provide high-quality education in the fields of informatics and engineering. It offers programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as professional courses. ISTEC boasts an outstanding faculty, modern facilities, and a well-developed curriculum for each of its programs.

The Escola Superior de Atividades Imobiliáriass is a special and unique institution that provides programs for multiple levels of study. This university is located in Lisbon, Portugal, and was established in 1990. The main aim of this university is to train students to become specialists in the fields of real estate, business management, and other fields related to such.

The Sao Francisco das Misericórdias Higher School of Nursing is a health-specialized institution that mostly focuses on the field of nursing. It is strategically located in Lisbon, the largest city in Portugal, giving students the opportunity to get their education in a culturally-rich city. The university was founded in 1991 as a coeducational, practical, and theoretical university and continues to develop its curriculum and facilities.

João de Deus School of Education is a private academic institution for educational sciences dedicated to providing high-quality training to future educators and conducting intensive research to contribute to the cultural and educational development of the country. The university has 55 educational centers spread across Portugal offering educational programs to students of all ages. Students at the university attend different workshops, conferences, and study trips to broaden their perspectives and enhance their skill sets.