One of the most common questions when planning to study abroad is, “Why should I study in a country where there may be a language barrier?” This question often comes up for international students considering higher education abroad. Fortunately, as internationalization continues to grow in higher education, many countries, including Portugal, now offer English-taught programs designed for international students.
Portugal’s higher education system is also supported by national quality assurance and accreditation processes. The Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education evaluates and accredits higher education institutions and their study programs, helping ensure that recognized programs meet official academic standards.
This article lists Portuguese institutions that offer degree programs taught fully or partly in English. This information is especially useful for students who want to earn a degree in Portugal without studying primarily in Portuguese.
Top Universities for English-taught Programs in Portugal
1. Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (Politécnico de Leiria)
The Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, whose official English-language website now uses the name Polytechnic University of Leiria, is based in the city of Leiria. It can be a good option for students who prefer a smaller Portuguese city while still having access to internationally oriented academic programs.
At the bachelor’s level, its English-taught Games and Multimedia program is a six-semester, 180 ECTS program offered by the School of Technology and Management in Leiria. At the master’s level, current English or English-and-Portuguese options include programs such as Digital Games Development, Product Design Engineering, Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering – Building Construction, and Engineering for Direct Digital Manufacturing.
Because program languages and openings can change by academic year, students should use the official course pages to confirm whether a specific program is fully taught in English or delivered in both English and Portuguese before applying.
2. Catholic University of Portugal (Universidade Católica Portuguesa)
Internationalization has long been an important part of the Catholic University of Portugal. The university accepts students from many backgrounds and offers English-taught programs across different levels of study and academic areas.
One example is the International Undergraduate Program in Business Administration at Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics, which is taught exclusively in English. In the final year, students may choose from international options such as an exchange semester with a partner business school, two semesters abroad, an International Tri-School Program, or a double-degree pathway with Grenoble École de Management or the University of San Diego, depending on the partner route and study plan.
The university also offers English-taught options at the master’s and doctoral levels, including business, social sciences, communication, governance, and related fields. Students should check the relevant faculty or school page because program language, application periods, and partner routes vary by degree.
3. NOVA University of Lisbon (Universidade NOVA de Lisboa)
NOVA University of Lisbon offers a wide range of programs through its different schools, and students can use the official NOVA program catalog to check the language, structure, credits, and requirements of each degree.
At the bachelor’s level, NOVA Information Management School lists English-taught programs such as Data Science, Information Management, and Information Systems. NOVA School of Business and Economics also offers bachelor’s programs in Economics and Management with English-language study options, including an English track for students who want to complete their program in English.
At the graduate level, NOVA offers many master’s and doctoral programs across fields such as business, economics, information management, social sciences, humanities, science, and technology. Since available places and teaching languages vary by school and year, prospective students should confirm details directly in the current program catalog.
4. ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon (Instituto Universitário de Lisboa)
For many international students, Lisbon is an attractive place to study because it is Portugal’s capital and a major academic, cultural, and business center. The ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon is a strong option for students interested in areas such as management, social sciences, public policy, technology, and international studies.
At the undergraduate level, ISCTE lists Management as a Portuguese-and-English degree, with an English-taught class available, and it also lists International Studies as a new English-taught bachelor’s program for 2026/2027. This means the university now has more than one undergraduate English-language pathway, depending on how fully English-taught a student needs the program to be.
At the master’s and Ph.D. levels, ISCTE offers several English-taught options, including programs in areas such as international management, political economy, development studies, psychology, international studies, information science and technology, and sustainability. Admission rules vary by degree, applicant status, and school, so international students should review each program’s official requirements before applying.
5. European University of Lisbon (Universidade Europeia)
The European University of Lisbon, officially Universidade Europeia, offers bachelor’s, master’s, Ph.D., and postgraduate programs in Lisbon. Its academic model emphasizes experiential learning and links with the job market, making it relevant for students who want career-focused study options.
Current English-taught or bilingual bachelor’s listings include areas such as Marketing and Advertising, Creative Technologies, Design Global, Games Development, Global Animation, Management, Psychology, Tourism, and Data Science and Management. At the master’s level, English-language options include programs such as Management, Design and Visual Culture, and Tourism Management. At the doctoral level, Universidade Europeia also lists an English-taught Ph.D. in Digital Games Development.
Students interested in this university should check the official program page carefully because some degrees are fully taught in English, while others are bilingual or offered in more than one language.
We hope that this article on the best English-taught universities in Portugal was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!
