Douglas Olsen
Education in Portugal is compulsory and free in public schools from ages 6 to 18. After this, students can continue their studies at university or apply for a job. University-age citizens in Portugal are considered to be 20 years old, and over 35% of them attend higher education institutions. The country's higher education system is fully integrated into the European Higher Education Area, and its universities are among the most affordable and prestigious in the EU.
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What You'll Learn
School is mandatory from ages 6 to 18
In Portugal, school is mandatory from ages 6 to 18. The education system in Portugal is divided into pre-school education, basic education, and upper secondary education. Preschool education starts from age three, primary education begins at age six and lasts until 15, and upper secondary education prepares students for higher education or vocational training. The school year typically starts in September and ends in June, with three holiday breaks: Christmas (2 weeks), Carnival (3 days), and Easter (2 weeks).
Public education is the most popular and best-implemented system in Portugal, with an enrollment rate of close to 100% of all children of school age. It is free and accessible to all residents, with a solid 80% of students attending public schools. Children must attend the closest public school to their home, and public schools do not charge fees. However, international families need to provide various documents to enrol children aged three years and above. Private school fees can range from €500 to €800 per month, and these schools are usually independent and teach in Portuguese.
The Portuguese school system is similar to other EU systems in terms of structure and quality, following the Bologna Process for higher education. It emphasises inclusivity and support for diverse student needs, integrating cultural and linguistic education. Students typically complete their basic education by age 18, after which they can proceed to university or apply for jobs. University education in Portugal is always paid, with tuition fees ranging from €1,000 to €1,500 for nationals and up to €3,000 for non-EE/EEA citizens.
Portuguese universities offer bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, with a focus on internationalisation and partnerships with global institutions. They are highly regarded, with six universities ranked among the top 500 in the world. The country's oldest universities, such as the University of Coimbra, were founded in the 13th century, and today, Portugal's universities are known for their excellence in fields like medicine, engineering, nursing, and architecture.
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University entrance exams are in Portuguese
In Portugal, education is free and compulsory until the age of 18, after which students can proceed to university or apply for a job. The Portuguese educational system is open, meaning that students can choose any kind of course in any domain or area after finishing their basic studies. However, university entrance exams are typically in Portuguese, and foreign students must have a good level of Portuguese proficiency.
At the end of the 11th grade, students in Portugal take national exams in two specific subjects. Then, at the end of the 12th grade, they take an exam in the Portuguese language, the results of which are considered for university entrance. The average of the grades obtained in all subjects, including Physical Education, forms part of the application grade for university entrance. The other part is based on the grade of the specific exams requested by the university, which are related to the course the student is applying for. The average of both averages is the final application grade for university, which falls on a scale of 0-20.
Foreign students must also pass an entrance examination organised by their chosen university. Some universities also require foreign students to translate their documentation into Portuguese. Additionally, foreign students must have a certificate to prove they have completed secondary education, which should be equivalent to the Portuguese secondary education diploma. This certificate should be stamped by the Portuguese embassy or consulate in the student's home country.
Portuguese universities offer courses in Portuguese, and foreign students are expected to have a good command of the language. While some universities arrange language courses, others require foreign students to have completed Portuguese as a foreign language in secondary school. It is important to note that undergraduate courses in Portugal have been adapted from a five-to-six-year system to a three-year system.
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Students can apply for jobs at 18
In Portugal, education is compulsory and free in public schools between the ages of 6 and 18. After turning 18, students can either continue their studies at university or apply for jobs.
The Portuguese education system is divided into pre-school education, basic education, and upper secondary education. Preschool education starts from age three, primary education begins at age six and lasts until 15, and upper secondary education prepares students for higher education or vocational training. The school year in Portugal usually starts in September and ends in June, with a long holiday period between July and August.
Students can apply to universities through a national online process, where they are admitted based on their grades. The average of grades obtained in all subjects, including Physical Education, represents part of the application grade to enter university. The other part is based on the grade of the specific exams that the university requests, which are related to the course the student is applying for.
There are two main types of higher education institutions in Portugal: classical universities, which focus more on research and scientific investigation, and polytechnic institutions, which provide more practical training. Universities in Portugal offer bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, with tuition fees ranging from €1,000 to €1,500 for nationals and up to €3,000 for non-EE/EEA citizens.
Students who are 18 years old and have completed their secondary education can choose to enter the workforce instead of pursuing higher education. They can explore job opportunities and apply for positions that align with their interests and qualifications. It is important to note that the minimum working age in Portugal is 16 years old, with some restrictions for younger teenagers.
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Universities are either classical or polytechnic
In Portugal, school is compulsory until the age of 18, at which point students can either apply for jobs or go to university. Universities in Portugal are either classical or polytechnic.
The Portuguese university system has existed since 1290 and is highly research-oriented. Classical universities have a strong theoretical basis and focus on academic research. The oldest university in Portugal, the University of Coimbra, was established in 1636. Classical universities offer degrees in fields such as medicine, law, pharmaceutical sciences, natural sciences, economics, psychology, and veterinary medicine.
Polytechnic institutions, on the other hand, provide more practical training and are profession-oriented. Polytechnics are more focused on preparing students for specific career paths. While they do not award doctorate degrees, polytechnics have established their own research and development units since the Bologna Process in 2006. Some subjects are only offered at either universities or polytechnics, but there is also significant overlap. For example, both university and polytechnic institutions offer degrees in engineering, management, and humanities subjects.
The two systems of higher education in Portugal are linked, and it is possible to transfer between them with extraordinary effort. The specific exams required to enter university in Portugal correspond to the knowledge domain of the chosen course. The average of grades obtained across all subjects, including physical education, represents part of the application grade to enter university. The other part is based on the grades of the specific exams requested by the university, which are related to the course the student is applying for.
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Students can enter university at 20
In Portugal, education is free and compulsory until the age of 18, which means that students usually complete their secondary education before moving on to university or applying for jobs. However, there is no minimum age requirement to enrol in university, and students can enter university at 20 or older.
The Portuguese educational system is open, allowing students to choose any course in any domain after completing their basic studies. This flexibility extends to the university admissions process, where students are not restricted by the domain they chose during their secondary education. Instead, they are required to take specific exams corresponding to the knowledge domain of their chosen course.
Although there is no minimum age requirement for university entrance, the majority of students in Portugal enrol in higher education immediately after completing their secondary education. This is because education is mandatory from ages 6 to 18, and students typically complete their secondary education at 18. However, some students may choose to take a gap year or work before starting university, which could lead them to enter university at 20 or older.
Portugal has a high enrolment rate in basic education, with nearly 100% of children of school age receiving an education. The country also has a high literacy rate, with 99.44% literacy among those aged 15 to 24. This demonstrates that most students in Portugal are receiving an education and are able to enter university by the age of 20 or earlier.
While there is no minimum age requirement for university entrance, students under the age of 18 may face additional challenges when applying to university. This is because the admissions process considers both grades and specific exam results, and younger students may have completed fewer grades or exams. However, mature applicants over the age of 23 are given a unique admission process, recognising that they may have different educational backgrounds or experiences.
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Frequently asked questions
Students in Portugal can start university at age 18, after completing mandatory education, which includes basic and secondary education.
Children in Portugal must attend school from ages 6 to 18.
Higher education in Portugal is not free, with tuition fees ranging from €1,000 to €1,500 per month for nationals and students with equal status, and around €3,000 per month for non-EE/EEA citizens.
