FAQ · Education 37

Korean I at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Lisbon, set for the first semester of 2024/2025, aims to teach basic expressions of Korean to foreigners who do not speak Korean as their mother tongue. Students build understanding and expression of basic Korean by learning the Korean alphabet. They also learn Korean grammar and the idiomatic expressions that a beginner is expected to understand. The objectives page places the course inside first-cycle Bologna degrees in Language Sciences, Asian Studies, General Studies, Portuguese Studies, and Languages, Literatures and Cultures.

The Directorate-General for Education says meals served in school canteens are meant to give pupils a balanced diet suited to their needs. The price of those meals is subsidised for every pupil, and the meal is free for pupils from the most economically disadvantaged households. The amount a pupil pays is set each year by a ministerial order. The same page points schools to circulars on menus and canteen food rules, and to a reference publication that recommends healthy eating practices in schools. It also lists a checklist for the food offer in schools and a computer tool for planning and assessing school meals.

A notice from the National Health Service, dated 2 May 2017, says pre-school, basic and secondary schools must report pupils whose recommended vaccination is not up to date under the National Vaccination Programme. The order behind that duty is Despacho 3668-A/2017, published in the Diário da República on 28 April 2017. Schools are to pass the names of those pupils to the coordinating health delegates of the health-centre group for the school's area. The aim stated in the notice is to promote suitable advice and explanation, and to raise awareness of the benefits of this public-health policy, through both education and health structures. The same notice recalls that the programme has been in force since 1965 and has brought a marked fall in illness and death from infectious diseases that vaccines can prevent. It describes vaccination as a way to eradicate or control infectious diseases, with the sharpest effect in childhood, and as the public-health measure generally judged to have the best cost-effectiveness.

Applications for University of Lisbon housing for the 2026/2027 academic year open on 27 August, according to the university's social-services notice. Students of that university who live away from their household can apply for a place in one of 15 student residences, which the notice describes as meant to support study, wellbeing, autonomy and joining the academic community. Eligible applicants are students enrolled in a first-cycle degree, a second-cycle master's degree, or an integrated master's degree at the University of Lisbon. Displaced students who hold a scholarship have priority in the allocation of places, under the regulation in force. After enrolling at the relevant school, the student registers as a social-services user and, from 27 August, fills in and submits the housing form. If the file meets the conditions, the student is contacted for a housing interview, and a residence is assigned during the process according to the applicable criteria and the places available.

Korean II at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Lisbon, in the second semester of 2024/2025, is built around everyday themes needed for living in Korea. Students are expected to practise speaking, listening, reading and writing through a range of thematic assignments. The course also aims to give them the basic linguistic means to communicate with Korean speakers. It is listed inside first-cycle Bologna degrees in Language Sciences, Asian Studies, General Studies, Portuguese Studies, and Languages, Literatures and Cultures.

The education system in Portugal is organized into preschool, school, and extracurricular education. Optional preschool is available for children between three and five years old, followed by twelve years of compulsory school attendance. School education includes nine years of basic education divided into three cycles and secondary education which offers academic or vocational pathways. Higher education is provided through universities and polytechnic institutions following the Bologna Process. To enter higher education, students generally need to complete the exames finais nacionais do ensino secundario.

Compulsory education was first introduced in Portugal during the monarchy in 1844 with a duration of three years. This period was later increased to five years during the First Republic, though it was never effectively enforced. With the founding of the 1933 political constitution, the Estado Novo established compulsory education at three years. The political constitution defined public education as aiming for the improvement of intellectual faculties and the formation of character. It also sought to promote professional value and all civic and moral virtues.

St. Julian's accommodates students from age three to age 18. The English Section includes Nursery at age three up to Year 13 at age 18. Within this section, the Primary Section covers Nursery and Reception through Year 6. The Secondary Section spans from Year 7 to Year 13. Additionally, the Bilingual Section runs from 1º Ano at age five to 9º Ano at age 15.

The Carlucci American International School of Lisbon is a not-for-profit private international school located in Linhó, Sintra. Founded in 1956, it is the oldest American school in the Iberian Peninsula and the only U.S. State Department sponsored school in Portugal. The institution offers both an American High School diploma and the International Baccalaureate diploma. Its diverse student body includes people from over 50 different nations. The school has received various honors, including the HP Award for Innovation in Education and MSA Program of Distinction awards.

The official language of the country is Portuguese. It serves as the primary language of instruction and is also used by the government. Additionally, Portuguese is the language used in newspapers, television, and radio. This ensures that the official language is central to both education and daily communication.

Portugal features two main systems of higher education consisting of universities and polytechnic institutes. The university system is the oldest and includes thirteen public universities, a public university institute, and a public open university alongside several private institutions. The polytechnic system began offering higher education in the 1980s and is composed of fifteen state-run institutes as well as public and private non-integrated institutions. State-run universities are governed by a Rector and are organized into various faculties and departments. In contrast, state-run polytechnic institutes are governed by a President and consist of groupings of superior schools and institutes.

The University of Coimbra is the oldest university in Portugal and one of the oldest in the world still in continuous operation. It was officially chartered by King Denis in 1290 and later recognized by Pope Nicholas IV. Originally located in Lisbon, the institution moved permanently to Coimbra in 1537. The university is organized into eight faculties that offer bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees. Because of its historic influence and unique culture, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.

The Carlucci American International School of Lisbon (CAISL) is a private international school located in Linhó, Sintra. It offers both an American High School diploma and the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. The student body is highly diverse, with 32% of students coming from over 50 different nations. This school is the oldest American school in the Iberian Peninsula and is the only one sponsored by the U.S. State Department in Portugal. It was originally founded in 1956 to serve the children of American engineers working in the country.

There are several types of academic funding and fellowships available in Portugal. For instance, the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian has provided scholarships for up to ten years. Other opportunities include fellowships from the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and the JNICT. These programs have supported various levels of study, including pre-doctoral masters and postdoctoral research. Such funding helps scholars pursue advanced scientific and academic careers.

Polytechnic education in Portugal is one of the two main subsystems of higher education, operating alongside the university subsystem. This binary system focuses on profession-oriented training, applied research, technological development, and regional innovation. Both public and private polytechnic institutions are part of the European Higher Education Area and follow the National Qualifications Framework. All degrees granted by these institutions are fully accredited and evaluated by the Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education. This subsystem was designed to democratize access to higher education and foster socio-economic development across different regions.

During the First Republic, literacy levels for children aged 7 to 14 rose modestly from 26% in 1911 to 33% in 1930. The subsequent Estado Novo regime saw much larger increases, with child literacy reaching 56% in 1940 and 97% by 1960. By 1940, the regime celebrated that the majority of the population could read and write for the first time in Portuguese history. A Plan for Popular Education was launched in 1952 to help eliminate illiteracy among school-aged children. Despite these advancements, Portugal still had the lowest literacy rate in Western Europe by the end of the Estado Novo in 1974.

In Portugal, higher education is divided into university and polytechnic subsystems. The university subsystem focuses on a strong theoretical basis and is highly research-oriented. In contrast, the polytechnic subsystem is intended to provide more practical and profession-oriented qualifications. Degrees in preschool education are only offered within the polytechnic system. Other fields like education can be found in both the university and polytechnic systems.

In Portugal, higher education is divided into the university system and the polytechnic system. While many fields like education are taught in both types of institutions, certain vocationally oriented degrees are unique to one system. Specifically, preschool and primary school teaching degrees are only offered by polytechnic institutions. These polytechnic institutions focus on providing more practical training and are profession-oriented. This differs from the university system, which has a strong theoretical basis and is highly research-oriented.

The National Library of Portugal was originally created in 1796 as the Royal Public Library of the Court. Its primary goal was to provide the general public with access to royal collections, including books, manuscripts, and paintings. Following the abolition of religious orders, the institution incorporated large collections from various monasteries and convents. After operating in the Chiado area for over 130 years, the library moved to a purpose-designed building in the Campo Grande area in 1969. This move was necessary to better conserve the growing and rich bibliographic collections.

Yes, the Póvoa de Varzim/Vila do Conde campus of Porto Polytechnic is located in this region. This campus originated from the Escola Superior de Estudos Industriais e de Gestão, which was founded in 1990 in the city center. It serves as the second campus for the institution after the one in Porto. Currently, the campus houses the School of Media and Design as well as the Superior School of Hospitality and Tourism.

Portuguese is offered as a foreign language course at most schools in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela. In these countries, it has become the second-most-studied foreign language after English. This is due to the proximity and trading relations between Portuguese-speaking Brazil and its respective Spanish-speaking nations. Because of the similarities between Spanish and Portuguese, a colloquial mix called Portuñol is often spoken by people traveling between these regions. People living in border areas like Paraguay and Uruguay frequently mix the two languages in daily conversation.

The core of Portugal's science and technology research output comes from a network of research and development units. These units belong to public universities and state-managed autonomous research institutions such as INETI, ITN, INRB, INSA, IPO, LNEC, and LIP. Research funding is mainly conducted under the authority of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education through the FCT. While public universities host the largest R&D units, private universities also have accredited research units. Additionally, polytechnical institutions have expanded their research facilities since the Bologna Process, though their activities remain smaller than state-run universities.

Portugal is a signatory of the Bologna process and belongs to the European Higher Education Area. The country is also an active member of the Socrates programme and the Erasmus programme exchange scheme. Additionally, there are specific partnerships like the MIT-Portugal programme which focuses on graduate education and research in areas such as bioengineering. Other initiatives include the CMU-Portugal programme which involves partnerships in information technology and communications. These programs involve various Portuguese universities, research institutions, and companies.

Portugal has contributed significantly to human rights law and helped champion the European Convention on Human Rights. The country also created a legal system for its colonies that left traces visible in international law. Research and development in this field is conducted mainly by state universities and autonomous state research institutes. Additionally, some non-state research institutes and private projects also operate within the country. Various active individuals in the field of Law and Justice include figures such as Paula Teixeira da Cruz and António Vitorino.

The Order of Engineers (OE) is the regulatory and licensing body for the engineering profession in Portugal. It is responsible for the accreditation of engineering degrees and engineering courses throughout the country. It is illegal to provide engineering services or sign engineering projects without being a member of the OE. While many professionals work in the field, only those with accredited degrees are exempt from the Order's licensing exams. The OE aims to support its members in scientific and professional areas while ensuring compliance with ethics and regulations.

The Carlucci American International School of Lisbon (CAISL) is a private international school located in Linhó, Sintra. This institution was awarded the MSA Program of Distinction in both Art and Music Programs in 2024. The school offers both an American High School diploma and the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. CAISL also maintains partnerships with institutions like the Gulbenkian Foundation to host cultural exhibitions. Its alumni have included various influential figures, such as Grammy Award-winning artists.

Helena Pato was a mathematics teacher and a prominent union leader in Portugal. She was also a communist opponent of the Estado Novo regime and a founder of the Women's Democratic Movement. During her life, she authored several books regarding her experiences and has also written books on education. Her background included being a political prisoner for six months due to her opposition to the regime. She studied at the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Lisbon starting in 1956.

Portugal's education system includes extracurricular education, which encompasses continuing education. Following democratisation in 1974, education became more widely accessible and underwent modernisation. However, Portugal lags behind most OECD countries on educational indicators, largely due to the older working-age generation. The adult population aged 16 to 65 records the fifth-lowest level of knowledge and skills in the OECD. Currently, fewer than two-thirds of the population have completed secondary or higher education.

Students entering higher education must sit for entrance exams through either the national or local competition. They must also fulfill specific prerequisites for their chosen course and pass with a minimum grade of 95 out of 200 in national exams. Enrollment is limited by a set number of available places known as the numerus clausus. Applicants choose six preferred institutions or courses in order of preference. Admission is based on exam scores and secondary school average marks. This means a student might be admitted to their third or sixth choice if they do not meet the marks for their first two choices.

Many German children in the Estoril area must travel to the main school in Lisbon due to limited space. This commute involves a one-hour drive for the students. Because of this travel, many children have to get up around two hours earlier. The Estoril branch is a small dependency located about 30 km outside of Lisbon. It serves students from kindergarten through third grade before they move to the Lisbon location.

Public university schools in Portugal have a long history dating back to the Middle Ages. They were originally founded by monarchs under the authority and supervision of the Catholic Church. For many centuries, the University of Coimbra was the only university in the country. This institution was founded in 1290 and eventually settled in Coimbra during the 16th century. Other higher learning institutions were established in Lisbon, Évora, and Porto over the following centuries.

During major disasters, students have played significant roles in providing relief to victims. For example, almost 6,000 students were involved in disaster relief efforts. Some student associations, such as the one at Instituto Superior Técnico, created commissions to coordinate these relief activities. Students have also provided medical support and participated in fundraising efforts. These contributions often include providing essential items like shelter, medicine, and food to those in need.

Portuguese is a globalized language spoken officially on five continents. It is a mandatory subject in the school curriculum in Uruguay and is taught or offered as an option in countries like Venezuela, South Africa, and Senegal. The language is also used as a lingua franca in various bordering and multilingual regions. According to Portugal's Minister of Foreign Affairs, the language was expected to be part of school curricula in 32 countries by 2020. Many large Portuguese-speaking immigrant communities also exist all over the world.

The University of Beira Interior features several campus areas known as Pólos. The Main Library is located within the Pólo I sector of the university. This specific area is housed in a renovated 17th-century textile factory. It also contains the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the Faculty of Sciences. Other units like the Teaching and Learning Resources Centre are also found in this sector.

Public higher education in Portugal charges tuition that each institution sets within a legal maximum. For the 2024/2025 year the annual fee for higher vocational courses and for first-cycle and practice-linked second-cycle programmes ran from 495 to 697 euros, and the undergraduate cap has stayed at 697 euros since 2021. Those capped amounts apply to Portuguese students, students from European Union countries and students from third countries with a bilateral agreement, while other international students may be charged a higher fee matching the real cost of the course. Students living away from home may receive a housing benefit of between 287 euros and 38 cents and 496 euros and 38 cents a month in the municipalities with the highest rents. Need-based grants use a reference fee of 697 euros for bachelor programmes in 2025/2026, and a national accommodation plan aims to keep student housing below ordinary market rates.

Applications to public higher education in Portugal go through the national access contest on the online platform of the Directorate-General for Higher Education. The first phase runs every year between July and August, and the contest has three phases in all. An applicant needs to have finished the twelfth year of Portuguese schooling or a foreign equivalent, to have sat the required national entrance exams in the application year or the four years before it, and to meet the grades and any course prerequisites. People covered by the international-student statute use a separate special contest instead of this national route. A place won in a later phase automatically cancels an earlier placement, even if enrolment has already been completed. Master's, doctoral and postgraduate applications are filed directly with each institution, and private institutions, including the Catholic University of Portugal, also take their own applications.

A foreign researcher is granted a residence permit in Portugal when they hold a residence visa and are admitted to an officially recognised research centre through an employment contract, a service contract, a scientific research grant or a hosting agreement. Someone who entered the country legally may still receive that permit without a residence visa if the other conditions are met. The application is made by appointment and handed in in person at an AIMA shop, where biometric data are collected. The usual papers are a valid passport, the visa unless an exemption applies, a criminal-record certificate, tax registration, and the contract, grant or hosting agreement. Researchers at an officially recognised centre do not have to prove means of subsistence, accommodation or social-security registration. The permit lasts two years and may be renewed for the same length, or it lasts only for the hosting agreement when that agreement is shorter, and the holder has a right to family reunification.