How to Study in Lisbon for International Students
Lisbon, one of the beautiful cities in Portugal, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.
When it comes to the choices that are available, Lisbon currently has 21 universities, from which 5 universities are a part of the public sector and 16 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Lisbon you should definitely check out are University of Lisbon, NOVA University Lisbon, and ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon.
Being able to study in Lisbon as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Lisbon, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Lisbon
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Lisbon, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 1,650 Euros to 16,000 Euros, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 1,650 Euros and 11,900 Euros.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Lisbon
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Lisbon, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon | 5,500 Euros - 7,000 Euros | 3,000 Euros - 5,000 Euros |
| University of Lisbon | 3,000 Euros - 7,000 Euros | 3,500 Euros - 7,000 Euros |
| Politecnico de Lisboa | 1,650 Euros - 6,900 Euros | 1,650 Euros - 6,900 Euros |
| NOVA University Lisbon | 3,500 Euros - 7,000 Euros | 7,000 Euros - 11,900 Euros |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Lisbon
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| National Academy of Advanced Orchestral Studies | 8,750 Euros - 16,000 Euros | |
| Autonomous University of Lisbon | 5,816 Euros | 3,876 Euros |
| Instituto Politécnico da Lusofonia | 3,742 Euros - 4,802 Euros | 3,780 Euros - 4,025 Euros |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Lisbon, check out the Cheap Universities in Lisbon!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Lisbon for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Lisbon, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In Lisbon, Portuguese is the primary language of instruction and academic institutions here might require you to prove language proficiency by submitting your score in standardized tests, such as CEFR. When you take this test, note that you’ll need to get at least the minimum score your preferred university requires.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in Lisbon and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Politecnico de Lisboa
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in Lisbon
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Lisbon have online applications available on their websites, like University of Lisbon and NOVA University Lisbon. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Lisbon.
University of Lisbon
- Official Website
- Domestic Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic Master's Admissions Page
- International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- International Master's Admissions Page
NOVA University Lisbon
- Official Website
- Domestic Bachelor's Admissions Page
- International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic Master's Admissions Page
- International Master's Admissions Page
ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in Lisbon differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Lisbon.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in Lisbon
If you’re going to study in Lisbon, you will need to apply for a student visa in Portugal
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Portugal. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Long-term Visa (Type D).
To start your student visa application in Lisbon, you will need to present the following:
- Official form
- Passport or travel document with at least 3 months validity after the duration of stay
- 2 passport photos
- Valid travel insurance
- Proof of being in a regular situation if applying for a visa from a different country other than the country of origin
- Request for criminal record inquiry
- Criminal record certificate from the country of origin
- Proof of accommodation and means of subsistence
- Proof of acceptance to a university or accredited academic institution
- Proof of sufficient sources to attend the study program
- Admission or eligibility for admission certificate
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Portugal is 90 EUR.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Check the nearest Portugal embassy or consulate in your location.
- Schedule an appointment and interview at the embassy or consulate.
- Complete the application form and gather the requirements.
- Pay the visa application fee.
- Go to the embassy or consulate on your appointment and bring all necessary documents.
- Wait for visa processing.
- Receive the visa.
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Lisbon. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!