4 Best Public Universities in Porto for International Students

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Porto is one of the cities in Portugal you should look into if you want to study in a public university. Besides providing a path towards your academic goals, studying in Porto can give you valuable insights into its people and the local culture. You can also enjoy various activities here to make your studies abroad all worth it.

There are 12 universities you can find in Porto, and 4 of them are public universities. Having these many choices makes Porto a great place for international students.

In this article, you’ll find out the public universities in Porto, with some added information on programs, tuition, and how many international students you’ll be studying with. Let’s get started!

Rank University Location
1 University of Porto Porto, Portugal
2 Polytechnic Institute of Porto Porto, Portugal
3 Instituto Superior de Ciencias Empresariais e do Turismo Porto, Portugal
4 Nursing School of Porto Porto, Portugal

Public Universities in Porto

1. University of Porto

  • University of Porto Page
  • One of the largest universities in Portugal, the University of Porto is a highly acknowledged institution in the country that delivers more than 300 undergraduate and graduate programs. More than that, they also take pride in producing excellent scientific research. Students in the university are surrounded by great learning opportunities, as the university offers various activities for them.

    2. Polytechnic Institute of Porto

  • Polytechnic Institute of Porto Page
  • Polytechnic Institute of Porto was established in 1985 and is Portugal’s largest polytechnic university. It is also one of the country’s most popular colleges of choice for domestic and international students. The university’s programs focus on equipping students with employable skills and relevant work experience to prepare them for life after graduation.

    3. Instituto Superior de Ciencias Empresariais e do Turismo

  • Instituto Superior de Ciencias Empresariais e do Turismo Page
  • The Instituto Superior de Ciências Empresariais e do Turismo is located in Porto, Portugal, and was established over 30 years ago. This institution is well-known in the region for its programs in tourism. It has also produced talented alumni that have taken leadership roles in a variety of fields in Portugal.

    4. Nursing School of Porto

  • Nursing School of Porto Page
  • Nursing School of Porto, or Escola Superior de Enfermagem do Porto (ESEP) in Portuguese, is a nationally and internationally recognized higher institution that provides outstanding programs in the nursing field. ESEP is devoted to providing the highest standard of teaching and research. It has collaborated with several hospitals and clinics to offer its students the best training facilities and advanced technology. Furthermore, this specialized public university is committed to educating and training nursing students to become competent professionals responsible for the health and well-being of people and society.


    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Can International Students Study in Public Universities in Porto?

    Absolutely! International students in public universities in Porto can pursue different program levels, but the most popular ones are bachelor’s and master’s programs.

    As for tuition fees, note that these vary across specific disciplines and program levels, with some charging significantly more than others. Specifically, public universities in Porto charge up to 3,500 Euros for bachelor’s and 4,000 Euros for master’s studies.


    I hope this article can help you in your search for public universities in Porto. Feel free to check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad.