Welcome to Portugal!
Portugal has been one of the most important countries for sea explorations and trade. It’s not a case that Portuguese is listed among other selected languages on wearefreemovers. Due to their global explorations, Portuguese has been instilled in different parts of the world, despite the small size of the originating country. Thanks to this global widespread, Portugal is still able to conduct good foreign trades, especially with Brazil.
Right now the situation is different: the country is struggling economically and hence has one of the highest emigration rates in Europe. Despite that, Portugal is a nice country to live in: good weather, good food and good social life are some of the pros that their inhabitants can enjoy. Maybe the economic problems derive from a slow adoption of modern technologies in the country. However, this could not be a problem if you love a more traditional way of life.
Bullfighting is still a popular entertainment in Portugal. Nevertheless, the bull is not killed after the show, but rather retired to the countryside for the rest of its life. Tourism is an important business, with millions of visitors coming every year to enjoy the sun, the beaches and the laid-back life of the country. Football is a passion of many Portuguese people, with a cult-like following.
What are the best universities in Portugal for semester students?
Are you still undecided whether or not Portugal might be an appealing destination for you? On wearefreemovers you can find a selection of 9 academic institutions offering you the possibility of spending a semester or a full academic year in Portugal. Let’s check some statistics about them.
Here you can see the positions of the Portuguese institutions among the world’s best universities rankings.
| NAME | QS | THE | ARWU | CWUR | CWTS | Eduniversal palmes | U.S. News & World Report's Best Global Universities Rankings | Webometrics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOVA Information Management School | 428 | 351–400 | - | 520 | 549 | - | 406 | 961 |
| NOVA School of Business and Economics | - | 351–400 | - | 520 | 549 | 5 | 406 | 961 |
| University of Lisbon - Faculty of Sciences (Master level) | 357 | 501–600 | 151-200 | 206 | 121 | 3 | 197 | 170 |
| University of Lisbon - Faculty of Sciences (Undergraduate level) | 357 | 501–600 | 151-200 | 206 | 121 | 3 | 197 | 170 |
| University of Lisbon - School of Economics and Management | 357 | 501–600 | 151-200 | 206 | 121 | 3 | 197 | 170 |
| University of Porto - Faculty of Engineering | 357 | 401–500 | 301-400 | 318 | 153 | 4 | 271 | 147 |
| University of Coimbra | 431 | 601–800 | 501-600 | 408 | 395 | - | 402 | 282 |
| Catholic University of Portugal | 801-1000 | 351–400 | - | 1643 | - | 4 | - | - |
| ESE Coimbra | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| ISCTE University Institute of Lisbon | - | 601–800 | - | 1689 | - | 3 | 1158 | - |
| University of the Azores | - | - | - | 1969 | - | - | - | - |
That is a pretty populated table. Even without top players, Portugal seems like a good destination for free movers that want to do a funny, but at the same serious, study abroad semester. Particularly good are the positions of University of Lisbon and University of Porto in the ARWU and CWTS, which evaluate more research rather than reputation or other metrics, that means that the universities are vibrant research institutions!
Costs and fees
Portugal is a cheap country. Monthly costs of living for a single person are close to 550€. Keep in mind that, as a student, you could have access to various discounts which can include food, travel, and accommodation expenses.
When it comes to university’s fees, Portugal is definitely a good deal, with a median 1330€/semester for free mover students.
Which Portuguese cities are available for free movers?
Currently there are many cities that accept free movers in Portugal. Have you ever dreamt of studying in Lisbon or any other city in Portugal? Here you can find institutions divided by city:
