Study Masters in Portugal: Tuition Fees and Living Costs for International Students

Portugal has many outstanding and interesting landmarks that make international students simply fall in love with this historic country once they come here for their study experience. For one thing, you enjoy incredible weather, beautiful landscapes and beaches, lovely cuisine and fine wines.

Another thing is, Portugal remains one of the cheapest countries in Europe in terms of living costs, and Portuguese universities offer a variety of high quality study programmes while charging affordable tuition fees.

Let’s explore Masters in Portugal

1. Tuition fees in Portugal for international students

Tuition costs in public universities

If you plan to study in Portugal, you should know that generally, public universities are relatively cheaper, and there are some private universities providing discounts of up to 100% of the lecture fees with regards to students’ evaluation marks. If you’re applying now, it’s important to know that public university students pay fees annually and at most private universities you will have to pay a portion of the total tuition fees monthly.

Most Portuguese universities charge a little more in terms of tuition fees to non-EU/EEA students.

Additionally, public universities have the autonomy to set their own level of tuition fees (propinas), which in some cases, tend to be quite higher than the minimum recommendation.

Average university tuition fees:

Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes cost between 950 and 1,250 EUR per academic year
PhD courses fees fall between approximately 2,500 – 3,000 EUR per academic year.
There is an exception which is Coimbra city, where tuition fees are smaller, around 700 EUR per academic year.

Tuition costs in private universities

Generally, the tuition fees in the private universities fall within 3,323 and 3,872 EUR per academic year for any degree level. Every student pays a registration fee of about 25 to 35 EUR.

Low tuition universities in Portugal

Here is a list of Portuguese universities with highly subsidized thus affordable tuition fees:

Catholic University of Portugal Porto’s average tuition fees – 700 EUR per academic year
Polytechnic Institute of Bragança’s average tuition fees – 1,050 EUR per academic year
Polytechnic Institute of Leiria’s average tuition fees – 1,150 EUR per academic year
Polytechnic of Tomar’s average tuition fees – 1,200-1,400 EUR per academic year

Tuition fees at highest-ranked universities

Take a look at the average tuition fees at the top rated Portuguese universities:

University of Aveiro’s average tuition fees – 5,000 EUR/year
University of Coimbra‘s average tuition fees -1,500 – 1,800 EUR/year
University of Lisbon’s average tuition fees – 2,500 EUR per academic year
University of Porto’s average tuition fees – 3,000 – 4,500 EUR per academic year

2. True costs of living for international students in Portugal

As we have already mentioned, living in Portugal is much easier since it is one of the low-cost countries in Europe. Of course, cost may vary depending on the region you live, but the average is between 500 and 800 EUR per month. These amounts will comfortable cover all your expenditures: food, accommodation, public transportation and other costs.

Lisbon by far has the highest living expenses, while smaller cities like Coimbra and Porto are affordable enough for you to manage with a budget of 600 – 900 EUR per month.

Accommodation costs

Accommodation costs in Portugal are certainly in line with the international average. If you choose to live in halls of residence, you reduce spending on housing drastically.

Below are some common housing options:

Students halls of residence: budget for anything between 165 and 300 EUR per month for a single room
Rent apartment: a one-bedroom apartment cost between 350 and 530 EUR monthly.
Homestay cost around 500 EUR per month, with breakfast provided

Food costs

Prices for food and drink are normally the same throughout Portugal. For your monthly food bills from local groceries, you would spend on average 200 EUR. Some of the low-cost supermarkets in Portugal are Continente/Modelo, Jumbo, Lidl and Pingo Doce.

Another excellent option for cheap food are university canteens, where you can get a decent meal for around 2-4 EUR. In a small restaurant, even in a city like Lisbon, you can get a delicious meal for 7 EUR. A dinner will be slightly cost more, but it is likely not going to exceed 15 EUR, including the drinks as well.

Portugal offers a wide variety of drinks from beer and sangria, considered cheap drinks, to port wines and other winery varieties depending on your taste.

Transportation costs

A one-way ticket for local transport cost about 1,5 EUR, with monthly fare for public transportation for students in Portugal costing just 36 EUR per month.

In many cities, the metro card costs around 25 EUR per month.
In other small cities in Portugal or depending on where you live,you can pretty much navigate your way around the city by foot or a free bicycle.
You can easily get around Portugal and tour splendid locations by train. Prices start from 25 EUR for a trip to any popular landmark within the country.

Enjoy Student discounts

In the 1st Sunday of every month, students gain free access to several museums in Lisbon.
In Porto, with just 14-20 EUR you can get an urban train weekly pass.

3. Scholarships for international students in Portugal

Portugal, like many EU countries, offers grants and multiple government-funded scholarships to both EU and non-EU students. To be eligible for a grant, you need to apply to a university that is duly recognised by the Portuguese Ministry of Education.

A great variety of scholarships is offered to students, with the majority going to Master students. You can also find some financial aid for the other degrees as well. Foundations and research institutions in Portugal also offer internship opportunities and practical experience.

Government together with some chambers or associations are also give different kinds of financial aid, covering the whole period of studies or subject to annual renewal. Generally, there are special financial aids for scientists with pre-specified topic of research and for women in science (irrespective of the domain).

Compare Bachelors in Portugal

Check out these institutions offering scholarships or various financing support:

DGES – they give scholarships, including merit-based scholarships and extend student loans facilities in both public and private universities
FCT – offers many financing opportunities to doctoral students.
Prémio Calouste Gulbenkian – they provide scholarships for graduate students who are pursuing research in Armenian studies and to students involved in research projects in the area of Portuguese language and culture
Instituto Camões – offers multiple scholarships for international students.

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