Portugal is fast gaining a reputation as one of the most diverse and exciting destinations for young people to receive their education. Many international students from around the globe are flocking to the southern European haven to receive a high-quality education in a beautiful setting. There are many reasons for this increase in interest in attending college in Portugal, including the reputation of the education system in Portugal and the Portuguese quality of life. The education system in Portugal is among the most respected in Europe, with over 50,000 international students deciding to call it home. There are several options for international students to attend school through English, so worrying about a language barrier is not an issue for a student with their eyes set on this Iberian destination.

The Portuguese education system 

The Portuguese education system is divided into two separate types of study. The first of these is the higher institutes of research, and the other is polytechnic institutes for non-academic higher learning. Both of these institutions are run on both a private and public basis, so students have multiple options when it comes to deciding the right style of education for them. 

The academic institutions of higher learning in Portugal focus heavily on writing and research. The kind of assignments students can expect to be assigned by their teacher is usually of a research papers writing nature. Students who struggle with this kind of work should not shy away from the university system. There is plenty of paper writing help available online to help students, even when they are studying abroad. Even the Portuguese universities with the best level of education will encourage their students to seek a variety of writing resources to help improve the quality of their work. 

If writing research papers is truly not your forte, it might be worth considering applying to a polytechnic college. These schools offer students more vocational educations and are also open to international students. When it comes to polytechnic schools, your choice of destination should be based on the quality of lessons for your specific trade. However, for the purely academic institutions, there are rankings that display the best universities in Portugal.

Best universities in Portugal: 

1. University of Lisbon 

Located in the capital city of Portugal, Lisbon, the University of Lisbon is the country’s largest higher education institute. Home to over 48,000 students across a wide variety of departments, and in many subjects is ranked as a global Top 100 school.

 2. University of Porto

The University of Porto is located in the second largest city of Portugal, named Porto. Porto has a strong reputation for being a young and dynamic city that’s great for students. The university performs very well on global rankings and is often ranked the best in the country. Home to over 31,000 students, the University of Porto is world-renowned for its research in scientific fields.

 3. University of Coimbra

The University of Coimbra is the oldest institute of higher learning in Portugal, having been founded in 1290. The college is located in what was once the nation’s capital city, Coimbra, and is home to roughly 25,000 students.

4. University of Minho 

The University of Minho is located in the small Portuguese city of Braga, making it perfect for those who prefer to study away from all the chaos of big city life. The university ranks among the top in Portugal and is currently the alma mater of roughly 20,000 students.

 5. University of Nova de Lisboa 

Also located in the capital city of Lisbon is the University of Nova de Lisboa. It ranks in the top three higher education institutes in the country and is also attended by roughly 20,000 students. Being a newer institution, this university benefits from having improved facilities for technical subjects and the sciences, and as a result, is the preferred choice for students looking to explore STEM fields. 

These universities are five of the best institutions in Portugal and make a great starting point for international students looking to explore what higher education Portugal has to offer!