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
| University | Undergraduate English-taught options | Graduate English-taught options |
|---|
| University of Coimbra | Most bachelor’s programs are taught primarily in Portuguese. Selected undergraduate course units may be available in English; the article does not identify a fully English-taught bachelor’s degree. | Master’s in Energy for Sustainability; selected English-taught master’s and doctoral programs in engineering, sustainability, science, economics, international studies, and interdisciplinary research. |
| University of Lisbon | Selected bachelor’s programs and individual courses in English. Availability and teaching language vary by school; the article does not name specific undergraduate programs. | Selected master’s and doctoral options in economics, management, engineering, sustainability, education, science, and health. Programs may be fully or partially taught in English. |
| University of Porto | English-taught bachelor’s programs in Economics and Business Administration at the School of Economics and Management. | Selected master’s and doctoral options with English-language instruction or study arrangements. Language varies by program, specialization, and course unit; English availability does not necessarily mean the entire degree is taught in English. |
| Polytechnic University of Leiria (Politécnico de Leiria) | Bachelor’s in Games and Multimedia, taught in English. | Master’s options include Digital Games Development, Product Design Engineering, Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering – Building Construction, and Engineering for Direct Digital Manufacturing. Depending on the program, instruction is in English or both English and Portuguese. |
| Catholic University of Portugal (Universidade Católica Portuguesa) | International Undergraduate Program in Business Administration at Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics, taught exclusively in English. | Selected English-taught master’s and doctoral options in business, social sciences, communication, governance, and related fields. Availability varies by school and degree. |
| NOVA University of Lisbon | English-taught bachelor’s programs in Data Science, Information Management, and Information Systems at NOVA IMS; English-language tracks or study options in Economics and Management at NOVA SBE. | Master’s and doctoral options across business, economics, information management, social sciences, humanities, science, and technology, with teaching language varying by program. The article also identifies the English-taught joint master’s in Transition, Innovation and Sustainability Environments. |
| ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon | International Studies, listed as a new English-taught bachelor’s program for 2026/2027; Management, listed in Portuguese and English with an English-taught class available. | Selected English-taught master’s and doctoral options in international management, political economy, development studies, psychology, international studies, information science and technology, and sustainability. |
| European University of Lisbon (Universidade Europeia) | English-taught or bilingual options include Marketing and Advertising, Creative Technologies, Design Global, Games Development, Global Animation, Management, Psychology, Tourism, and Data Science and Management. Confirm the language of the specific degree or track. | English-language master’s options include Management, Design and Visual Culture, and Tourism Management; an English-taught Ph.D. in Digital Games Development is also listed. Confirm whether the selected master’s option is fully English-taught or bilingual. |
1. University of Coimbra
Founded in 1290, the University of Coimbra is one of Europe’s oldest universities and a major public research institution in Portugal. Its historic campus was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. The university comprises eight faculties covering areas such as humanities, law, medicine, science and technology, pharmacy, economics, psychology, education, and sports sciences.
The university offers selected English-taught master’s and doctoral programs, particularly in engineering, sustainability, science, economics, international studies, and interdisciplinary research. One example is the Master’s Degree in Energy for Sustainability, whose classes are taught in English. However, most undergraduate programs are delivered primarily in Portuguese, although individual undergraduate course units may be available in English.
Bachelor’s programs at Coimbra generally take three years and require 180 ECTS credits, while master’s programs commonly take two years. Many doctoral programs have a standard duration of three years, although the precise duration and language arrangements depend on the program. Applicants should therefore confirm the teaching language, admission requirements, and available English-language course units in the current course catalog.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Coimbra Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Syed Zeeshan Abid
Master’s in Planetary Geosciences | His joint master’s normally used English for all teaching. During an additional period in Coimbra caused by a visa issue, however, two courses were taught in Portuguese. | Portuguese was not normally required for the English-medium program, but it became academically relevant for those two Portuguese-taught courses; he managed them with translation tools and help from classmates and lecturers. He also learned basic Portuguese for life in Portugal. |
Agustín Andrés Stickar
Master’s in Planetary Geosciences | English was the official language of his courses and the main language he used with his cohort and classmates. | Portuguese was not academically necessary, but he learned the basics for everyday interactions outside the university. |
Sharveri Khapre
Master’s in Neurobiology and Medical Neuroscience | The language of instruction across her joint program, including the University of Coimbra, was English, so she reported no academic language difficulties. | Portuguese was not required academically. Day-to-day interactions could be difficult without it, and beginner Portuguese lessons helped with everyday life. |
2. University of Lisbon
The University of Lisbon, commonly known as ULisboa, is Portugal’s largest comprehensive university. The present institution was created in 2013 through the merger of the former University of Lisbon and the Technical University of Lisbon, whose modern histories date to 1911 and 1930, respectively. ULisboa is composed of numerous faculties and institutes covering disciplines ranging from arts and humanities to engineering, medicine, agriculture, economics, and social sciences.
ULisboa offers complete programs and individual courses taught in English. Its English-language portfolio includes selected bachelor’s programs as well as a broader range of master’s and doctoral options in fields such as economics, management, engineering, sustainability, education, science, and health. The university states that around 35% of its doctoral programs are taught fully or partially in English, while some additional programs may use English when international students are enrolled.
Bachelor’s programs normally take three to four years, while master’s programs generally require one and a half to two years. Doctoral programs commonly take three or four years. Since programs are administered by ULisboa’s individual schools, applicants should consult the relevant school and program page to confirm the teaching language, tuition fees, application schedule, and English-proficiency requirements.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Lisbon Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Amber Jamal
Master’s in Governance and Administration of Leisure and Sports | She reported that the programs in her joint master’s, including the University of Lisbon component, were conducted in English. | — |
Vishnupriya
Master’s in Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management | All subjects in her joint master’s, including her University of Lisbon studies, had classes conducted in English. | The local language was not academically necessary. The participating universities also organized introductory local-language courses. |
Alabi Oluwatosin
Master’s in Governance and Administration of Leisure and Sport | His program was taught in English across all study countries, including his period at the University of Lisbon. | He did not report a Portuguese-related academic barrier. |
Don Enrico Buebos-Esteve
Master’s in Brain and Data Science | English was the medium of instruction throughout his joint Brain and Data Science program, including the University of Lisbon component. | Portuguese was not identified as an academic requirement. |
3. University of Porto
Established in 1911, the University of Porto is one of Portugal’s largest public research universities. Its historical roots extend to educational institutions founded in Porto during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The university operates across several campuses and has 14 faculties offering programs in areas such as engineering, science, medicine, architecture, economics, humanities, law, psychology, and fine arts.
The University of Porto offers English-taught options at all three degree levels. Its School of Economics and Management offers bachelor’s programs in Economics and Business Administration taught in English. English-language or English-compatible master’s and doctoral options are also available across several faculties, although the teaching language can differ between programs, specializations, and individual course units.
Bachelor’s programs at the University of Porto generally take three or four years, while integrated master’s programs may take five or six years. Standalone master’s programs usually last between one and a half and two years, with most requiring two years. Doctoral programs normally take three or four years. Applicants should check the current course page carefully, as many programs are taught primarily in Portuguese even when certain classes, tracks, or research activities are available in English.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Porto Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Damilola Olorunshola
Master’s in African Studies | Her courses were taught in English throughout the joint program, including her study period at the University of Porto. | Portuguese was not required for coursework, but she learned enough for shops and conversations in everyday life in Porto. |
Ademola Toheeb Adeniji
Master’s in Surface, Electro, Radiation, and Photo-chemistry | His joint program was fully taught in English, including his University of Porto mobility. | Portuguese was not an academic barrier. Portuguese classes were part of his Portugal mobility, while he found everyday communication in Porto manageable in English. |
Lizlit C. Cabag
Master’s in Environmental Contamination and Toxicology | Lessons across her joint master’s, including her semester at the University of Porto, were mostly taught in English. | Local-language learning was useful outside class; she had access to language lessons and used basic local-language expressions to handle daily situations and immerse herself in the culture. |
Atiya Begum Rifat
Master’s in Environmental Contamination and Toxicology | Her joint master’s used English for academic instruction while she studied and undertook academic work connected with the University of Porto. | Portuguese was not academically necessary, but local-language differences created challenges outside the English-medium academic environment. |
4. 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.
5. 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.
What Current Students / Alumni of Catholic University of Portugal Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Grishma Mehta
Master’s in Sustainable Food Systems Engineering, Technology and Business | Her instruction throughout the joint master’s, including her study period at Universidade Católica Portuguesa, was entirely in English. | Portuguese was not academically required, but she found everyday life in Portugal more difficult where English was less widely spoken outside academic settings. She used basic local phrases and translation apps and wished she had started learning local languages earlier. |
6. 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.
What Current Students / Alumni of NOVA University of Lisbon Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Alexander Ryusandi Pratama
Master’s in Transition, Innovation and Sustainability Environments | English was the language of instruction throughout his joint master’s, including his semester at NOVA, so classroom learning remained in English. | Portuguese was not needed academically, but it helped with housing, health services, bureaucracy, internships, and other everyday situations. He took weekly Portuguese lessons and found the language useful when working with people who were less comfortable in English. |
Reinfrida Ostack Mwalongo
Master’s in Transition, Innovation and Sustainability | Her program at NOVA was fully taught in English, and she reported no major academic language problems. | Portuguese was not academically required, but she encountered Portuguese extensively in daily life and found learning it helpful for everyday interactions and integration. |
José Andrés Hernández Rech
Master’s in Transition, Innovation and Sustainability Environments | The language of instruction remained English throughout the entire joint program, including his study at NOVA. | Portuguese was not needed for his coursework. He learned basic Portuguese phrases for everyday situations and cultural immersion in Lisbon. |
7. 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.
What Current Students / Alumni of ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Federica Gatti
PhD in Telecommunications Engineering | All courses she attends are taught in English. English is also the primary language for her research activities and communication in the university-and-industry doctoral environment. | Portuguese is not academically necessary in her program; she said colleagues who do not speak Portuguese have not encountered academic difficulties. |
Daryl James Valdez
Master’s in Social Work with Children and Youth | His joint master’s was delivered in English, including classes, academic communication, and submitted work during the program that included ISCTE. | Portuguese was not needed academically. Language barriers were more noticeable when interacting with society outside the university, where he encountered people with little or no English. |
Idrees Hadi Khan
Master’s in Social Work with Children and Youth | The language of instruction remained English throughout his joint master’s, including at ISCTE, and professors and students used English for coursework and classroom discussion. | Portuguese was not academically required. Learning basic Portuguese greetings nevertheless helped him interact and connect with local people in everyday life. |
8. 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. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
