🇵🇹 University of Porto — Tuition, Scholarships & Visa Pathway for International Students
Real tuition figures, real scholarships, and the honest visa pathway after graduation — not marketing copy.
Quick Facts
| Location | Porto, Portugal |
|---|---|
| Global Ranking | QS World Ranking: #255 (2027 rankings), a decline from #237 the prior year — Portugal's #2 research-heavy university, founded 1911 |
| International Students | Roughly 13-20% of the 31,000+ student body is international, representing 100+ nationalities, drawn particularly to the Faculty of Engineering (FEUP) and Faculty of Sciences |
| English Requirement | Varies by programme; most English-taught programmes require IELTS 6.0-6.5+ |
Tuition for International Students (2026)
International Student Statute (ISS) tuition runs roughly €3,500-16,500/year depending on faculty and study cycle — comparable to or below Lisbon, and regulated by the Portuguese government. EU students pay a flat €697/year regardless of programme, one of the cheapest rates anywhere in Europe. A genuinely distinctive detail: students from Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) nations — Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor — can qualify for tuition reductions of up to 45%, a real, substantial discount most comparison guides don't mention.
Real Scholarships — Not Just a List of Names
University of Porto Merit Scholarships
Covers tuition fees and provides living allowances for top-performing international students.
What Porto Is Actually Strongest In
Beyond the overall ranking, Porto's subject-specific strength is where the real differentiation lies: its engineering programmes sit inside the world's top 150 for civil and chemical engineering specifically, and pharmacy sits inside the world's top 70 — both genuinely elite positions that the university's overall #255 ranking doesn't fully convey. Applicants choosing between Porto and a higher-overall-ranked university should weigh subject-specific rankings for their actual field, not just the institutional headline number.
Visa & Post-Study Work Pathway
Yes — non-EU graduates of Portuguese universities can apply for a job-seeker residence permit to search for qualifying work after graduation, then convert to a standard Portuguese work visa once employed. Porto's Faculty of Engineering (FEUP) graduates specifically have strong regional employer recognition.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Porto good for international students?
University of Porto is a well-regarded university in Portugal. QS World Ranking: ~#237-301 (2026) — Portugal's #2 research-heavy university, founded 1911. A long institutional history (founded 1911) speaks to stability, but it won't tell you about today's tuition, scholarships, or post-study work rights — check those directly before applying.
What tuition does Porto charge international students?
€3,000–7,000/year for non-EU students at most Master's programmes — comparable to Lisbon, regulated by the Portuguese government
What IELTS score do I need for Porto?
Varies by programme; most English-taught programmes require IELTS 6.0-6.5+
Can I work in Portugal after graduating from Porto?
Yes — non-EU graduates of Portuguese universities can apply for a job-seeker residence permit to search for qualifying work after graduation, then convert to a standard Portuguese work visa once employed. Porto's Faculty of Engineering (FEUP) graduates specifically have strong regional employer recognition.
See the full Portugal university landscape and visa pathway.
🇵🇹 Study in Portugal Guide 🔗 Official Porto WebsiteMethodology
Tuition, ranking and scholarship figures are compiled from each university's official admissions/scholarship pages and the QS World University Rankings 2026, cross-checked in July 2026. Figures are ranges and change annually — always confirm exact costs on the university's official site before applying or paying any fees.
Limitations
- Tuition varies significantly by specific programme/faculty — the ranges shown are indicative, not a quote for any specific course.
- Scholarship values and eligibility criteria change annually and by nationality — always verify current terms directly with the university.
- This page does not constitute admissions or immigration advice.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute admissions or immigration advice. Page last reviewed July 2, 2026.
VisaCalc is not affiliated with University of Porto and does not represent the university. All figures are independently compiled for informational purposes. Always confirm tuition, scholarships and admission requirements directly on the official Porto website before applying or paying any fees.