We believe that the most important tool you can receive to ensure your success in today's local and global society is a higher education from a reputable university. Education lessens the challenges you will face in life. The more knowledge you gain, the more opportunities for individuals to advance their careers and personal growth will become available.
Higher education in Portugal is aligned with that of the rest of Europe, with Portuguese Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorates being equivalent across the continent. Portugal, like the rest of the world, distinguishes between research-oriented universities and more practice-oriented polytechnics. The majority of courses are taught in Portuguese, but an increasing number of courses are taught in English, particularly at the Master's level.
Here are the top 8 Universities of 2022 in Portugal, Based on The World University Ranking.
1. Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Catholic University of Portugal
The Universidade Católica Portuguesa, established by Holy See decree in 1967, is a Higher Education Institution based on the core values of humanism, with an international vocation, with the goal of promoting qualified education and integral formation, reference knowledge and research, and innovation at the service of the common good.
2. Universidade NOVA de Lisboa / Nova Univerity of Lisboa
The Universidade NOVA de Lisboa was established on August 11, 1973, and is the youngest of Lisbon's three state universities. Integrated within a framework of higher education expansion and diversification, the University adopted a new model within the Portuguese system that emphasized interdisciplinary approaches and technological developments while also safeguarding offerings in traditional academic domains such as medicine, sciences, and humanities.
3. Universidade De Porto / University of Porto
The University of Porto, founded in 1911, is a model institution for higher education and scientific research in Portugal. The University of Porto combines high-quality education focused on individual vocations and talents as well as market needs with the claim of being Portugal's greatest scientific birthplace. It is committed to transforming the talent and innovation of its 14 faculties, one business school, and more than 50 research centers into social assets. The University of Porto has the richest academic community in Portugal, attracting the country's top students, a highly qualified scientific and teaching staff, and an increasing number of international students, teachers, and researchers. Its fully equipped campus, which is embedded within the city, ensures an optimal academic, scientific, social, and cultural experience.
4. Universidade De Lisboa (Ulisboa) / University of Lisboa
Universidade de Lisboa (ULisboa) is Portugal's largest and most prestigious university, as well as one of Europe's leading research institutions. ULisboa was founded in July 2013, following the merger of the former Universidade Técnica de Lisboa and Universidade de Lisboa. It is the heir to a university tradition that dates back seven centuries.
5. Universidade Beira Interior (UBI) / University Beira Interior
Nowadays, UBI is a national and international reference institution, in the spheres of education, research, innovation and entrepreneurship. More and more concerned about quality, UBI has invested in the creation of well-equipped laboratories, in the expansion of its facilities, in the involvement in research projects of national and international scope, and in a qualified teaching staff. Two of the hallmarks of this University are the provision of laboratories in all teaching areas and teacher-student proximity education. With approximately 7000 students, this institution has now more than 29 undergraduate or master courses, about 40 2nd cycle/master courses and about 25 3rd cycle/doctorate courses, distributed by its five faculties: Faculty of Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Arts and Letters and Faculty of Health Sciences. Currently, in terms of human resources, UBI has more than 600 teachers and 270 employees throughout its five faculties and services.
6. Universidade de Coimbra / University of Coimbra
By signing “Scientiae Thesaurus Mirabilis”, King Denis created the oldest university of the country and one of the oldest in the world. Dated from 1290, the document originated the General Study, recognized in the same year by Pope Nicholas IV. A century after the birth of the nation, the University of Coimbra germinated. It started operating in Lisbon but, in 1308, it was transferred to Coimbra, alternating between the two cities until 1537, when it settled in the city of river Mondego. Initially confined to the Royal Palace, the University spread throughout the city of Coimbra, while modifying its landscape and making it the University City. It later enlarged with the creation of a second Campus, dedicated to Engineering and Technology, and with a third Campus devoted to Health Sciences. To study at the University of Coimbra is to pursue the intellectual history of the country in the school that graduated some of the most distinguished personalities of national culture, science and politics.
7. ISCTE De Lisbon / University Institute of Lisbon
The ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon was founded in 1972 as one of Portugal’s first modern universities, with the central aim of studying labor and social dynamics in a rapidly changing world. Since its establishment, the university has expanded its disciplinary reach into four schools: ISCTE Business School, the School of Sociology and Public Policy, the School of Technology and Architecture and the School of Social Sciences and Humanities.
8. University of Algarve / University of Algarve
The University of Algarve is a unique institution. First of all, as it is the only Portuguese university created by the Law of the Assembly of the Republic, having received unanimous approval from Parliament. The Academy is recognized for the quality of its teaching in several fields, namely in the areas of Health Sciences and Technologies; Economy, Management and Tourism; Social and Education Sciences; and Exact and Natural Sciences, also standing out at the international level in various rankings.
These are the Top 8 Universities in Portugal, as Portugal offers residence by investment, which entitles you to the same benefits as a Portuguese resident, including access to educational facilities throughout the country. To learn more about Portugal Residency by Investment, click here.