Independent agency that evaluates and accredits Portuguese higher education institutions and study programmes, auditing internal quality assurance systems.
See moreProcedure by which A3ES evaluates and validates study programmes, ensuring they meet quality standards and lead to recognised degrees.
See moreAgency managing the European Erasmus+ programme in Portugal for education and training, supporting mobility and international partnerships.
See moreAgency that promotes business innovation in Portugal, supporting collaborative projects between companies and research institutions.
See moreUniversity instructor who assists with teaching and laboratory activities, often at the beginning of an academic career.
See moreVisiting lecturer invited to teach temporarily at higher education institutions, bringing practical expertise.
See morePrinciple whereby higher education institutions have scientific, pedagogical, cultural and disciplinary autonomy to define curricula, teaching methods and internal regulations【22818911141255†L653-L668】.
See moreAssessment model that follows the student’s work throughout the semester via tests, assignments and participation rather than a single final exam.
See moreContinuous process of analysing and improving study programmes, involving quality indicators, learning outcomes and employability.
See moreGovernment scholarship programme supporting displaced students attending higher education institutions in low‑density regions.
See moreResearch grant aimed at candidates enrolled or eligible to enrol in a doctoral programme, intended to support the development of research projects leading to the doctoral degree.
See moreFinancial aid granted to higher education students with proven financial need to cover tuition and academic expenses.
See moreFinancial support awarded by institutions such as FCT to candidates or degree holders to carry out scientific research activities.
See moreGrant awarded to students with exceptional academic performance as recognition of merit; usually supplements regular study grants.
See moreFinancial support provided to students, teachers or staff participating in academic mobility within the Erasmus+ programme.
See moreScholarship granted by the Fulbright Commission funding study or research in the United States for Portuguese citizens and in Portugal for U.S. citizens.
See moreScholarship programme sponsored by Banco Santander aimed at supporting students and entrepreneurship projects in higher education institutions.
See morePublic institute responsible for promoting the Portuguese language, international cooperation and development aid.
See moreRepresentative body of Portuguese polytechnic institutes, coordinating joint initiatives and defending sector interests.
See moreCoordinating body composed of teachers and students that monitors the implementation and development of a study programme.
See moreProcess by which an institution recognises previous training and professional experience by awarding ECTS credits; regulated by each institution and involves the scientific council.
See moreCouncil bringing together rectors of public universities to discuss strategies and policies for university higher education.
See morePost‑secondary course at level 5 of the NQF, lasting 1–2 years, conferring a diploma and aimed at rapid labour market integration.
See moreShort-cycle higher education programme lasting two years (120 ECTS) with general and scientific training, mainly practical technical training and an internship; awards a professional higher technician diploma but not an academic degree.
See morePublic body responsible for producing and analysing education and science statistics in Portugal, supporting policy formulation and strategic planning.
See moreCentral service of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education responsible for designing, implementing and coordinating policies in the higher education sector.
See moreCertificate issued by a higher education institution proving ownership of a degree or diploma; course certificates and doctoral charters are optional.
See moreFaculty member responsible for pedagogical and administrative coordination of a study programme, ensuring curriculum quality and student support.
See moreAcademic research or applied project developed within a master’s programme, forming an essential component for obtaining the degree.
See moreProfessional responsible for teaching and student learning in higher education, including various professor ranks and invited lecturers.
See moreThird-cycle programme focused on preparing an original thesis; usually involves 180–240 ECTS credits (6–8 semesters) and leads to the Doctorate degree.
See moreTeaching method supported by digital technologies enabling access to online content and pedagogical activities.
See moreEuropean system quantifying students’ workload in credits, facilitating mobility and academic recognition; one academic year corresponds to 60 credits.
See moreTeaching mode where students and teachers interact via online platforms, providing temporal and geographical flexibility.
See moreComparison and alignment between national and foreign qualifications for academic or professional purposes.
See morePeriod of practical training in a professional context as part of the curriculum, allowing students to apply knowledge and develop skills.
See moreSpecial status granting academic flexibility to students who are high‑performance athletes, enabling them to balance training and studies.
See moreRegime defined in the Labour Code protecting workers enrolled in training courses lasting at least six months; allows adjustment of work schedules, leave for exams and a special holiday regime【801238809042159†L647-L672】.
See moreMode in which the student enrols part‑time; regulations define enrolment, change between full‑time and part‑time, tuition fees and registration limits, adjusting general rules【800015713322615†L651-L658】.
See moreStatus applied to students without Portuguese nationality who intend to enter higher education in Portugal; it lasts until the end of the study cycle, even if EU nationality is acquired【601642586300451†L684-L744】.
See moreSummative test held at the end of a semester or course to assess acquired knowledge; may determine the final grade.
See moreNational public agency that supports scientific research, technology and innovation; promotes knowledge creation and its dissemination in society.
See morePossibility for a student to be enrolled in more than one institution or programme in the same academic year; it is not prohibited but depends on available places and selection processes.
See moreFulbright Commission promoting educational exchange between Portugal and the United States, offering scholarships and support to researchers and students.
See moreMain European Union funding programme for research and innovation for 2021‑2027, supporting collaborative scientific projects.
See moreAnnual process where the student selects and enrols in curricular units of the study cycle; without enrolment, attendance at classes is not allowed.
See morePolytechnic institute located in the city of Guarda offering courses in technology, management, tourism and health.
See morePolytechnic institute in the Alentejo region with schools of technology and management, agrarian sciences, education and health in Beja.
See morePolytechnic institute in Trás‑os‑Montes with schools of agriculture, education, technology and health; known for English‑taught programmes.
See morePolytechnic institute in the Beira Baixa region with schools of arts, technology, education, management and health.
See morePolytechnic institute incorporating schools of engineering, education, health, technology and management in Coimbra.
See morePolytechnic institute with schools in Leiria and Caldas da Rainha, offering programmes in arts, technology, health and tourism.
See morePolytechnic network in the Lisbon region comprising several higher schools and offering technological and artistic training.
See morePolytechnic institute in the Alentejo region with schools of education, agrarian sciences, health and technology in Portalegre and Elvas.
See morePolytechnic institute in the Ribatejo region with schools focused on education, sport, agriculture and management.
See morePolytechnic institute in Setúbal district with schools of technology, education, business sciences and health.
See morePolytechnic institute with campuses in Tomar and Abrantes offering courses in engineering, management and arts.
See morePolytechnic institute comprising higher schools in several Minho towns, offering programmes in technology, business, education and sport.
See morePolytechnic institute of Viseu with schools of agrarian sciences, education, technology, management and health.
See moreYoung polytechnic institute based in Barcelos focusing on management, design, computing and technology.
See moreLargest Portuguese polytechnic institute, comprising schools of engineering, education, health and management in Porto.
See moreProfessional engaged in scientific research at universities, institutes or research centres; involved in projects and dissemination of results.
See moreEntry-level rank in the university research career; requires a doctoral degree and conducts projects under supervision.
See moreResearcher holding a doctoral degree who conducts independent scientific activities, may lead projects and supervise students.
See moreSenior research rank; coordinates projects, leads research teams and supervises doctoral candidates.
See moreLecturer typically teaching foreign languages or specific subjects, often originating from another country.
See moreFirst cycle of higher education conferring the Bachelor (Licenciado) degree; comprises 180–240 ECTS credits (6–8 semesters) and can be offered by universities or polytechnics.
See moreAct of registering at a higher education institution after acceptance; carried out only once and essential to obtain student status.
See moreSecond-cycle programme with 90–120 ECTS credits (3–4 semesters), comprising a specialization course and a dissertation, project or internship; awards the Master’s degree.
See moreLong integrated master’s programme taught in universities, totalling 300–360 ECTS credits (10–12 semesters); after 180 ECTS students receive the Bachelor degree and at completion they earn the Master’s degree.
See moreInternational collaboration programme between Portugal and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, focused on areas such as engineering and sustainable systems.
See morePossibility of transferring academic credits earned at another institution or country to the programme in which the student is enrolled.
See moreOnline course open to a large number of participants, offering free or low‑cost education via the internet.
See moreAct by which a student enrolls in a different institution/programme pair; institutions set conditions, deadlines and criteria, and quantitative limits apply.
See moreNational Academic Recognition Information Centre providing guidance on degree equivalence and education systems.
See moreCurriculum structure of a study programme indicating course units, credits, prerequisites and sequence.
See moreTime frame set for submitting applications to admission contests or scholarship programmes; dates are announced annually by DGES or FCT.
See moreSpecific requirements (physical abilities, exams or artistic tests) required for admission to certain programmes, set by higher education institutions.
See moreSituation where a student is prevented from enrolling because of excessive years spent in the same study cycle; rules vary by institution.
See moreIntergovernmental agreement that reformed European higher education by introducing study cycles (bachelor, master and doctorate) and the ECTS system.
See moreRank within the polytechnic teaching career requiring a master’s or doctoral degree and professional experience; responsible for teaching and technical supervision.
See moreMid-level university professor (associate professor) with scientific and pedagogical autonomy, involved in teaching, research and governance.
See moreEntry-level rank in the university teaching career; requires a doctoral degree and includes teaching and supervised research activities.
See moreHighest rank in the university teaching career (full professor), responsible for teaching, research and academic management.
See moreSenior rank in the polytechnic career; coordinates programmes and teaching teams and undertakes research and academic cooperation.
See morePolytechnic teaching rank granted to distinguished professionals allowed to teach specific subjects based on recognized expertise.
See moreMobility programme among Portuguese universities enabling students to study for a semester at another national institution.
See moreEuropean Union programme funding the mobility of students, teachers and staff, as well as cooperation projects between institutions.
See moreMobility programme of CCISP offering polytechnic students the opportunity to attend a semester at another institution in the sector.
See morePractical or applied work that replaces the dissertation in some master’s programmes, oriented towards solving specific problems.
See moreFee paid by students as a contribution toward the costs of higher education; the maximum tuition fee in public institutions for 2025‑2026 is €697.
See moreNational exams or assessment tests required for admission to higher education, depending on the desired programme.
See moreEight‑level framework enabling comparison of qualifications across European countries, promoting mobility and lifelong learning.
See moreFramework that classifies qualifications according to defined levels and facilitates national and international comparability; aligned with the European Qualifications Framework.
See moreFormal mechanism through which students can lodge complaints or contest decisions of higher education institutions.
See moreLegal procedure enabling the recognition in Portugal of academic degrees obtained abroad, determining equivalence and professional rights.
See moreStandard attendance mode in which the student enrolls for the maximum allowed credits per semester and pays full tuition fees.
See moreReturn of a student to the same institution/programme after an interruption, without requiring a new application to the national admission contest.
See moreHighest executive authority of a public university (rector), responsible for governance and institutional representation.
See moreSet of rules defining the national, local and institutional admission contests to higher education, including requirements and schedules.
See moreLaw establishing the legal framework for Portuguese universities and polytechnic institutes, regulating autonomy, governance and state oversight.
See moreSet of principles and rules defining the allocation of credits to course units, enabling credit accumulation and transfer.
See moreBilingual document issued alongside the diploma, describing the higher education system, institution details, completed studies and achieved results.
See moreOriginal research work produced by a doctoral candidate to obtain the Doctor degree; must be defended before a jury.
See moreTeaching and research method involving data collection directly in the natural or social environment, used in sciences such as geography and anthropology.
See morePossibility to enrol in standalone course units, with or without assessment; there is a 60‑credit cumulative limit and crediting is capped at 50% of the study cycle【427878340151775†L649-L676】.
See morePublic distance‑learning university specialising in e‑learning for students with diverse profiles.
See morePrivate university in Oeiras specialising in management, information technology, engineering and health sciences.
See morePrivate university with a campus in Lisbon; offers degrees in law, business sciences, communication and computer science.
See morePrivate Catholic‑inspired university with campuses in Lisbon, Porto, Braga and Viseu; offers programmes in social sciences, law, management, health and arts.
See morePublic university based in Covilhã; specialises in engineering, health sciences and humanities.
See morePublic university located in Funchal; conducts teaching and research in education, sciences and engineering.
See morePrivate university integrated into the University Institute of Maia; offers programmes in sport, communication, psychology and technology.
See morePublic university based in Aveiro; recognised for applied research and strong ties to industry.
See moreOne of Europe’s oldest universities, based in Coimbra, providing education in sciences, technology, humanities and arts.
See morePublic university in the Alentejo region founded in 1559; offers programmes in arts, sciences and technology.
See moreLargest public university in Portugal, located in Lisbon, offering programmes across many fields.
See morePublic university in Vila Real focusing on agrarian, environmental and veterinary sciences, as well as engineering and economics.
See morePublic university situated in Faro; develops education and research in marine sciences, tourism and technology.
See morePublic university located in Braga and Guimarães; known for excellence in engineering, social sciences and arts.
See morePublic university based in Porto, renowned for high‑quality teaching and research across numerous disciplines.
See morePublic island university with campuses in Ponta Delgada, Angra do Heroísmo and Horta; focuses on environmental, social and natural sciences.
See morePrivate university in Lisbon oriented towards business, sports, tourism and technology; part of an international higher education network.
See morePrivate university in Porto offering degrees in health sciences, engineering, social sciences and arts.
See morePrivate university with campuses in Lisbon, Porto and Vila Nova de Famalicão; teaches courses in architecture, law, management, engineering and arts.
See moreLargest private university in Portugal, based in Lisbon, offering a wide range of courses in humanities, social sciences, technologies and arts.
See morePublic university with campuses in Lisbon and Almada; focuses on innovation, interdisciplinarity and internationalization.
See morePrivate university in Porto teaching in law, economics, management, tourism and psychology.
See moreNumber of places offered by institutions in each programme; set annually according to government guidelines and published by DGES.
See moreMember of the rectoral team who assists the rector in managing a university and acts on their behalf when required.
See more