Portugal features an excellent climate and a diversity of landscapes from green mountains to miles of beaches dotted with royal castles where Portuguese kings spent their summers. Lisbon also has a rich and colorful seafaring heritage. Discover the old-fashioned charm of its cobblestone streets and quaint museums, and the lively nightlife of its clubs and restaurants.

Languages Spoken:

Portuguese

Education System

HIGHER EDUCATION OVERVIEW

There are two types of higher education institutions in Portugal: universities, which can be public or private, as well as many polytechnic institutes. Universities are more research-focused, offering degrees in fields such as medicine, law and sciences whereas polytechnic institutes issue more vocationally-oriented degrees such as nursing, bookkeeping or primary school teaching. Certain degrees in the fields of engineering, education or humanities are offered at both. Public universities tend to be the most selective of the three kinds of institutions.

Polytechnic and university institutions both offer licentiate (licenciaturas) and master's degrees (mestrados or mestrados integrados), in addition to doctorates (doutoramentos) at universities.

Admission to higher education is competitve in Portugal, and requires a high school degree plus scores on national entrance exams. Those over the age of 23 years old, regardless of whether they hold a secondary school credential, can apply for higher education by completing the Exame Extraordinário de Avaliação de Capacidade para Acesso ao Ensino Superior.

STUDYING IN PORTUGAL

Courses

Portuguese students are admitted to a determined major at the time they enter the university and must follow a specific curriculum for each year. As an ISEP participant, however, you will be able to take courses from different faculties and at different levels. Nevertheless, you should seek to take courses in one faculty if at all possible. Typically, the layout of Portuguese universities is decentralized, and faculties are located throughout the city. If you enroll in courses in different faculties, you may find that you have to cross town to go from one class to another. One word of caution: make sure that you have sufficient background for a course in which you register, especially if it is a required course for a third-, fourth- or fifth-year student.

Registration

Registration may take place during an on-campus orientation, though be sure to check with your host institution coordinator to be sure no preparation should be done ahead of time.

Course Load

An average course load at the Universidade Lusófona is five classes per term, spending around 25 hours per week in the classroom. The duration for terms is 15 weeks.

Exams & Grading

The university system has a strong theoretical basis and is highly research-oriented while the polytechnic system provides a more practical training and is profession-oriented. Grading is usually on a 20-point scale, with 20 being Excellent and zero considered failing. Ten is usually marked as the pass-fail point. Many classes follow a lecture style of teaching and are less discussion based. However, some lab courses offer a great amount of interaction with the professor.

Depending on the type of classes you take, you will generally have tests and papers with a final exam at the end of the course. Form and organization are important in presenting written work. Check with a Portuguese student about correct form so that your assignments will be properly presented.

Exams are typically given at the end of the semester and will include materials covered in class throughout the semester. It is important to keep up with your coursework, as it's difficult to "cram" a semester's worth of studying into the period before the exam. Exams may be oral or written, and the format will vary from class to class.

Transcripts

You will have to complete a transcript request to have your transcripts sent to ISEP for forwarding to your home institution. Check with your host institution coordinator for procedures.

Visa and Residency

General Information
Students must obtain a student visa prior to departing for Portugal. Students will apply for a Temporary Stay (Less than 1 year) - Study and Research visa. VIEW MORE INFORMATION. Students will apply through VFS Global. See VFS Global's Step-By-Step guide for applyinhg for a visa.

Requirements for student visas may vary by consulate. Please contact the nearest Portuguese consulate for information on what documentation you may require to enter Portugal. For a list of consulates and the jurisdictions they serve, see this page.

Required general documentation for the Temporary Stay visa can be found here.

Students will likely be required to attend an in-person appointment with the Portuguese consulate that serves their home university or state residency jurisdiction. Students should schedule a visa appointment with the consulate as soon as they receive their ISEP acceptance package for a date that is no more than 90 and no fewer than 30 days prior to their program's official arrival date. Students will book the in-person visa appointment online. Processing typically takes 60 days but can vary. Student will also likely be required to collect their passport from the consulate once the visa has been issued.

Many consulates require a criminal record check from the student's country of origin. For U.S. students, this is an FBI background check. U.S. students are strongly advised to submit an Electronic Departmental Order (eOD) for their FBI Identity History Summary. EOD's significantly decrease the processing time from 12+ weeks to a few business days.

Visa Application
Below is a list of documents typically required for a student visa application, obtained from the Embassy of Portugal’s website. Please be sure to double check for additional requirements and contact your local consulate for the most updated visa forms.Official E-visa application form. PDF copy found here.

Official E-visa application form. PDF copy found here.
Passport or other travel document, valid for an additional 3 months following the duration of the intended stay;
Two identical passport photographs, up-to-date and in good condition, allowing proper identification;
Transport document (return plane ticket)
Valid travel insurance covering necessary medical expenses, including emergency assistance and repatriation (this is your ISEP Insurance)
Form authorizing access to Portuguese criminal record by the Immigration and Border Services (SEF);
Criminal record from country of origin or country of residency for over one year (this is an FBI Background check for U.S. students)
Proof of means of subsistence, as stipulated by law (this is your ISEP Letter of Certification and a Bank Statement)
Document issued by the institution and document certifying Enrollment (this is your official acceptance letter from UCP)
$95.06 visa fee (amount subject to change), $40.14 VFS service fee, any additional premium corrier fees

You will also need to submit a postage paid return envelope for your passport and visa to be returned to you. It is advisable to use a mail service with a tracking feature.

A Note Regarding the Schengen Area
Portugal is a member of the Schengen area. Students should review the important regulations that dictate travel and visas within the Schengen area.

Culture

Cultural Adjustment
At first, you might be tempted to cling to other international students. While it is comforting to depend on other foreigners as friends, you will limit your Portuguese experience. Try to make a sincere effort to meet and get to know Portuguese people. You will find that people are genuinely warm.

One way to get to know Portuguese people is to arrange an intercambio in which you exchange one hour of Portuguese conversation for one hour of English conversation. Many students in Portuguese wish to improve their English and are eager to participate in such exchanges. Even if your Portuguese does not need the practice, it is a good way to meet and get to make a Portuguese friend.

Campus life also provides numerous opportunities to meet other people. Low-priced movies are shown on campus by different student groups. A variety of activities such as lectures, debates, sports activities, concerts and group outings are also often arranged for the students

Family
The Portuguese usually live at home until they get married, so many of your Portuguese friends will still be living at home. The Portuguese highly value family, which you will notice at large family gatherings and dinners. People generally don't move far from the town or city where they grow up and typically stay close to an extended family network throughout their whole life.

Gender roles
It is common now to see both husband and wife working during the day. However, it is a cultural norm that the woman is the dona da casa and usually undertakes all the duties of the house.

Some women may receive some appreciative whistles and comments from men. Usually, these signs of appreciation are harmless and are best ignored. Dressing more conservatively is a practical way of minimizing unsolicited comments.

Greetings
Typically, Portuguese friends, greet each other and say goodbye with a kiss on each cheek. A handshake is appropriate for professional introductions. It is important to establish eye contact to avoid suspicion and gain trust. Portuguese will often begin a conversation by asking about your wellbeing or relatives. It may be considered rude to go straight to the point of a conversation without first easing in to the topic.

Space and distance
The Portuguese are less conscious of personal space. They stand and speak closely. Oftentimes, people may place a hand on your back or around your waist while moving by and saying "com licença," or excuse me. This is not meant to be orderly.

Sports
Without a doubt, the most popular sport in Portugal is soccer (futebol). Each town has its own team and playing field, but the main rivals are Benfica (Lisbon), Sporting (Lisbon), and FC Porto. Soccer is a national obsession and to truly understand Portuguese culture one must cheer along for their favorite team. Other popular sports include sailing, tennis, and golf. Due to the moderate climate, the Portuguese are a very outdoor oriented people.

Time
Portuguese culture may not stress punctuality in the same way as other cultures may. However, you should be punctual for class and professional situations.

Religion and Values
Close to 95% of Portuguese people are Catholic, with about 50% of that group attending church services at least monthly. Portuguese value their family greatly, including their extended family in their tightly knit circles.

Daily Life

Cultural Adjustment
At first, you might be tempted to cling to other international students. While it is comforting to depend on other foreigners as friends, you will limit your Portuguese experience. Try to make a sincere effort to meet and get to know Portuguese people. You will find that people are genuinely warm.

One way to get to know Portuguese people is to arrange an intercambio in which you exchange one hour of Portuguese conversation for one hour of English conversation. Many students in Portuguese wish to improve their English and are eager to participate in such exchanges. Even if your Portuguese does not need the practice, it is a good way to meet and get to make a Portuguese friend.

Campus life also provides numerous opportunities to meet other people. Low-priced movies are shown on campus by different student groups. A variety of activities such as lectures, debates, sports activities, concerts and group outings are also often arranged for the students

Family
The Portuguese usually live at home until they get married, so many of your Portuguese friends will still be living at home. The Portuguese highly value family, which you will notice at large family gatherings and dinners. People generally don't move far from the town or city where they grow up and typically stay close to an extended family network throughout their whole life.

Gender roles
It is common now to see both husband and wife working during the day. However, it is a cultural norm that the woman is the dona da casa and usually undertakes all the duties of the house.

Some women may receive some appreciative whistles and comments from men. Usually, these signs of appreciation are harmless and are best ignored. Dressing more conservatively is a practical way of minimizing unsolicited comments.
Greetings
Typically, Portuguese friends, greet each other and say goodbye with a kiss on each cheek. A handshake is appropriate for professional introductions. It is important to establish eye contact to avoid suspicion and gain trust. Portuguese will often begin a conversation by asking about your wellbeing or relatives. It may be considered rude to go straight to the point of a conversation without first easing in to the topic.

Space and distance
The Portuguese are less conscious of personal space. They stand and speak closely. Oftentimes, people may place a hand on your back or around your waist while moving by and saying "com licença," or excuse me. This is not meant to be orderly.

Sports
Without a doubt, the most popular sport in Portugal is soccer. Each town has its own team and playing field, but the main rivals are Benfica (Lisbon), Sporting (Lisbon, and FC Porto. Soccer is a national obsession and to truly understand Portuguese culture one must cheer along for their favorite team. Other popular sports include sailing, tennis, and golf. Due to the moderate climate, the Portuguese are a very outdoor oriented people.

Time
Portuguese culture may not stress punctuality in the same way as other cultures may. However, you should be punctual for class and professional situations.

Religion and Values
Close to 95% of Portuguese people are Catholic, with about 50% of that group attending church services at least monthly. Portuguese value their family greatly, including their extended family in their tightly knit circles.

Health and Safety

Your health and safety is our number one priority. Please read and reference the Health and Safety section of the ISEP website for general information regarding health and safety abroad.

Detailed information about Portugal can be found here. Please pay special attention to the Safety and Security, Local Laws and Special Circumstances and Health sections.

Note: Information sourced on this page is provided by the U.S. Department of State. Non-U.S nationals should disregard the Embassies and Consulates and Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements sections.

Currency

Portugal operates with the Euro. Current exchange rates can be found here .

Banking
Banking hours are from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. The main Portuguese banks are Banco Espírito Santo, Caixa Geral de Depósitos, and Millennium-BCP. Most restaurants, hotels, and gas stations throughout Portugal accept major credit cards. ATM cards can be used for cash withdrawals in any of the thousands of ATMs available throughout Portugal provided that the logo on the back of the card matches the logo on the ATM machine. Traveler's checks in U.S. dollars should be exchanged in banks or exchange offices as they are not always widely accepted.