6 Best Portugal universities for international students

Portugal is a really interesting place to visit in Europe. It has lots of cool things to see and do, like old buildings in Lisbon, famous wine in Porto, and great places to go surfing in the Algarve. In this article from Lofty Scholars, I’m going to talk about the best Portugal universities for international students.

The higher education system in Portugal follows the European Bologna System, which is a set of standards. It’s also known for being one of the most affordable higher education systems in the European Union. Additionally, many universities in Portugal include internships at foreign companies as part of their courses. This helps students gain practical experience and use what they’ve learned in real-world situations, getting them ready for their future jobs.

Overview of Portugal Universities For International Students

1. University of Lisbon

The University of Lisbon is Portugal’s biggest university, and it’s known as one of the best ones for international students. It’s a public research school in Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city. It came together in 2013 when two other public universities, the old University of Lisbon (which existed from 1911 to 2013) and the Technical University of Lisbon (which was around from 1930 to 2013), merged. University education in Lisbon has been around since the 13th century.

In terms of rankings, the University of Lisbon is number one in Portugal and is ranked between 151 and 200 in the world, according to the 2017 Shanghai Ranking. It’s also highly regarded in Engineering/Technology and Computer Science, where it ranks between 51 and 75 globally. Additionally, in the fields of Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science, it’s ranked between 101 and 200, 151 and 200, and 151 and 200, respectively.

In the 2017 Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE), which is another ranking system, the University of Lisbon, the largest university in Portugal, is placed between 401 and 500 in the world. In the QS World University Rankings of 2018, it’s ranked 305th globally.

2. University of Porto

The University of Porto is a public research school in Porto, Portugal. It started on March 22, 1911. It’s the second biggest university in Portugal, with lots of students, and it’s famous for doing important research.

People often say it’s one of the best universities in Portugal, and it’s also ranked among the top 100 in Europe by the Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities.

In 2018, it was rated in the top 301-400 universities in the world by the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).

According to the QS World University Rankings for 2019, the University of Porto was the 328th best university in the world. QS also thinks it’s one of the top 51-100 schools in subjects like Architecture, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Sports Science.

3. University of Coimbra

The University of Coimbra in Portugal is a great choice for international students. It’s a public research university located in Coimbra, Portugal. This university has a very long history, starting way back in 1290 in Lisbon. It moved a few times but settled in Coimbra in 1537.

This university is one of the oldest in the world and the oldest in Portugal. It played a big role in spreading higher education in Portuguese-speaking countries. UNESCO even made it a World Heritage Site in 2013 because of its unique culture, traditions, architecture, and historical importance.

The University of Coimbra has eight faculties where you can get bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in almost all major subjects. It’s also one of the founding members of the Coimbra Group, which is a group of European research universities formed in 1985. This university is quite varied, with more than 20,000 students, including over 15% who come from other countries. It’s a very cosmopolitan place to study in Portugal.

4. University of Algarve

Next on my list of the best Portugal universities for international students is the University of Algarve. It’s a public college in the southernmost part of mainland Portugal, called the Algarve. They started it in 1979, and most of its buildings are in Faro, specifically in places called Gambelas and Penha. They also have another campus in Portimão.

This university has a lot of different programs for both undergraduate (which is like your first degree) and postgraduate (which comes after your first degree) students. They cover many subjects like science, social studies, engineering, history, and business.

The University of Algarve really cares about research and coming up with new ideas. They work with local and international groups to make sure they stay active and exciting. Students there get to use the latest facilities, learn from experienced teachers, and have chances to grow in their personal and professional lives.

5. NOVA University Lisbon

NOVA University Lisbon is a public university in Lisbon, Portugal, and it started in 1973. It’s the newest among the public universities in Lisbon, and that’s why it’s called the “New” (NOVA) University of Lisbon.

This university has more than 20,000 students, 1,800 teachers, and other staff members. They teach lots of different subjects in five faculties, three institutes, and one school.

NOVA University Lisbon is also home to 42 Research and Development Units (R&D Units). Fifteen of these are partnerships between NOVA and other institutions in Portugal. In 2013, the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FC&T) said that 75% of NOVA’s R&D Units were either “Exceptional,” “Excellent,” or “Very Good.”

NOVA University Lisbon is a big contributor to research in Portugal. They are responsible for about 10% of all the research papers from Portugal that are listed on the Web of Science. Since 2009, when the European Research Council (ERC) grants program started, NOVA’s researchers have received 10 of these grants, which makes NOVA one of the leading institutions in Portugal for this kind of research funding.

6. Catholic University Of Portugal

The Catholic University of Portugal is the last one on my list of the best universities in Portugal for students from other countries. This university is also known as Católica or UCP for short. It’s not run by the government; instead, it has a special status with the Catholic Church.

The main campus is in Lisbon, and they also have four other places where they teach: Braga, Porto, Viseu, and a partner school in Macau called the University of Saint Joseph.

In the 2021 Times Higher Education World University Ranking, it was named the best university in Portugal. They have more than 11,000 students, including 7,549 who are studying for advanced degrees. The current leader of UCP is Professor Isabel Capeloa Gil, who is the sixth person to hold that position.

The Catholic University of Portugal has 14 research centers within its faculties and institutes. These centers focus on various subjects, including arts and technology, education and psychology, philosophy, biotechnology and chemistry, health sciences, political science, business and economics, history, social sciences, communication and culture, law, theology, and religious studies.