International Students

Who Can Apply

An International Student, according to Law Number 62/2018 of August 6, is considered to be someone who does not have Portuguese nationality and who is excluded from the following situations:

a) nationals of a Member State of the European Union;

b) family members of Portuguese citizens or nationals of a Member State of the European Union, regardless of their nationality;

c) those who, not being nationals of a Member State of the European Union and not being covered by the previous paragraph, have legally resided in Portugal for more than two years, uninterruptedly, on January 1 of the year in which they intend to enter higher education, as well as their children who legally reside with them;

d) those who, on January 1 of the year in which they intend to enter higher education, are beneficiaries of a status of equality of rights and duties granted under an international treaty signed between the Portuguese State and the State of which they are nationals;

e) In the cases provided for in point c), the period of residence with a residence permit for study is only relevant during the period in which the student is attending secondary education in Portugal.

f) those who apply for admission to higher education through the special access and admission schemes regulated by Decree-Law No. 393-A/99, of October 2, amended by Law Number 272/2009, of October 1.

g) Foreign students attending a Portuguese higher education institution as part of an international mobility program to complete part of a study cycle at a foreign higher education institution with which the Portuguese institution has established an exchange agreement for that purpose.

Access Conditions

International students are eligible for the special admissions process if they cumulatively meet the following requirements:

a) Hold an academic qualification that grants access to higher education, understood as any diploma or certificate issued by a competent authority that attests to the successful completion of a study program and entitles them to apply for and be admitted to higher education in the country where it was awarded; or

b) Hold a Portuguese secondary education diploma or legally equivalent qualification;

c) Have a current level of knowledge of the Portuguese language;

d) Have taken a specific entrance exam, from among those required for admission to the study cycle under the general admission regime, or a similar exam, and obtained a score higher than 95 points on the scale (0 to 200), or equivalent.

e) For candidates from foreign education systems who do not fall under the situations foreseen in the previous paragraph, the verification of academic qualifications may be carried out based on documentary evidence, through the application of Article 20-A of Law Number 296-A/98, of September 25, as amended.

f) These qualifications must have been acquired in the year of application or in the four calendar years prior to the year of application, and candidates must obtain a grade of 95 points or higher on the Portuguese scale.

Knowledge of the Portuguese Language

ISPGAYA holds an interview session, where the applicant, in addition to demonstrating their knowledge orally, can present documentary exams regarding training in Portuguese that they hold.

Applicants Not Exempted from Exams

Assessment Exams

Applicants Exempted from Exams

Ranking Criteria

The application grade results from the application of the following formula:

NC = 0.35% * CES + 0.65% * PIE

CES – Classification of the secondary education course or legally equivalent qualification;
PIE - Classification of the specific admission exam

Fees