Located in Southeast Europe, Portugal is an old nation-state famous for its mild Mediterranean weather. This, among many other things, has made it a popular destination not only for tourists but for students as well.
Portugal’s 69,000+ international students choose the country because of several things. For one, it’s rich in culture, with the capital of Lisbon being tagged as one of the safest in the world. Secondly, Portugal has a relatively low cost of living. International students in the country enjoy these things as they complete their studies. More importantly, Portugal is home to 50 universities, 7 of which are ranked in the world rankings.
The tuition fee at the University of Portugal is set up quite uniquely. For Bachelor’s students who are from EU countries, the tuition fee is set to be €697 per year for most universities. For Master’s and PhD students from the EU, the tuition fee varies by department and university and usually is from €1,000 to €3,000 per year. For international students not from the EU, the tuition fee varies quite a lot and is anywhere from €1,300 to €10,000 per year. There are also large reductions for students from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), often close to around 50% discount.
The universities in Portugal are affordable compared to other countries, and in this article, we will be looking at the cheapest universities in Portugal for international students.
Affordable Schools in Portugal for International Students
1. Polytechnic Institute of Guarda (IPG)
Set in Portugal’s highest‑altitude city, IPG combines a friendly campus with an outdoorsy lifestyle thanks to nearby Serra da Estrela. Programs span technology, health, education, and business, with maker spaces and practice‑oriented labs that suit students who prefer applied learning and small classes. The town’s affordability and compact size make it a practical base for international students.
IPG lists straightforward international fees: €1,300 per year for most bachelor’s courses and €1,500 per year for most master’s, making IPG one of the cheapest universities in Portugal for international students. Check the tuition pages above for precise amounts, payment calendars, and any field‑specific pricing.
2. University of Algarve
The University of Algarve, or UAlg, is a public educational institution located in Southern Portugal. It currently operates 2 campuses, one in Faro and another in Portimão. While UAlg only has a small student population, approximately a fifth of this (19%) comes from more than 70 countries across the globe. To date, it is ranked as one of the best in Portugal and the whole of Europe. It’s also listed as one of the top universities in the world, together with 11 other Portuguese universities.
This university in Portugal is noted for its Social Science courses, which are globally bracketed at 301-400. It’s also listed in the 501-600 category for Life Science, Physical Science, and Business & Economics. Its Health Science courses, on the other hand, are listed in the 601-650 division. The tuition fee here is affordable, and the university even allows international students to pay tuition in up to ten installments.
3. University of Évora
The University of Évora is Portugal’s second-oldest university. Founded in the year 1559, it was established by the future King Cardinal-Infante Dom Henrique. Through the Papal Bull, the university was granted a permit to teach several subjects, except Medicine, Civil Law, and some Canon Law.
Although it ran successfully for 2 centuries, it was pressured to close due to its Jesuit administration. As such, it ceased operations in the year 1779 before finally reopening in the year 1973.
With a tuition fee of €2,500 a year, the University of Evora is an affordable university in Portugal for international students. Today, the university is home to about 10,500 students, including 1,000 foreigners from over 70 countries. Its academic offerings have also grown in number, as the university currently offers programs in the Arts, Social Science, Science & Technology, Health & Human Development, and Nursing.
4. University of Minho
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from €2,250/year (undergraduate) | from €2,000/year (Master’s)
The University of Minho, which has 3 campuses in Braga and 1 in Guimarães, offers programs in the fields of Arts & Human Science, Architecture, Social Science, Education, Psychology, Engineering, Economics & Management, Law, Medicine, and Science. Founded in 1973, it is one of Portugal’s younger universities. In fact, it is named one of the world’s best institutions under the age of 50.
Despite being a new institution, it has steadily become one of the country’s best in terms of education and impact. This popularity has led to a mid-sized student population of 18,500+, including foreign students who make up 13% of the total.
The tuition fee for non-EU students is quite affordable at the University of Minho, with the bachelor’s tuition fee starting from €2,250 per year for subjects such as humanities and the Master’s tuition fee starting from €2,000 per year for subjects such as History and Sociology.
5. University of Porto
The University of Porto, one of the cheapest universities in Portugal for international students, started in 1836 as the Polytechnic Academy and Medical-Surgical School. It was finally granted university status in 1911, thus paving the way for the subsequent growth of the institution. Today, the University of Porto is the second-largest university in Portugal, with a population of 32,500+. It also has a significantly larger percentage of international students, which represents 18% of the total enrollment rate.
The numbers account for the university’s various degree offerings, which are currently organized into 15 schools. These are the Faculties of Architecture, Economics, Dental Medicine, Fine Arts, Engineering, Letters, Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, Nutrition, Psychology, Sport, Business, Biomedical Science, and Science.
The tuition fees at the University of Porto for non-EU nationals are typically between €3,500 to €8,000 per year, with those in Portuguese-speaking countries receiving up to a 45% reduction. As an example, the tuition fee for the Department of Engineering is €6,000/year for undergraduate students, from €4,000/year for Master’s, and from €2,750/year for doctoral students. The tuition fee varies by department, so do check with the courses page for the specific tuition fee. With the starting tuition fee of €3,500, the University of Porto is an affordable university that provides a quality education for international students.
6. University of Beira Interior
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from €5,000/year (undergraduate) | €1,500/year (graduate)
The University of Beira Interior or UBI is a public educational institution established in the year 1979. It is named after the region of Beira, which used to be one of the six provinces of Portugal. Located in Covilhã, this cheap university in Portugal has a sprawling international community despite having a low enrollment rate. Currently, 18% of its 7,100+ students come from abroad. This influx of foreigners is made possible by the university’s reputation, as it is currently touted as one of the best in Portugal. It’s also listed in the Young University rankings, as well as the Impact Rankings.
UBI’s highly-rated programs include Computer Science, Engineering & Technology, and Business & Economics, all of which are ranked 301-400 in the world. The Social Science and Life Science programs, on the other hand, are ranked 401-500 and 501-600, respectively. Last but not least are its Clinical Science degrees, which are categorized in the world’s 601+ bracket.
The tuition fee at the University of Beria Interior is quite simple and is a flat €5,000 per year for undergraduate and €1,500 per year for Master’s. The university offers a flexible payment system and offers up to 10 installments, making it even more financially feasible for international students.
7. University of Lisbon
The University of Lisbon is the largest educational institution in Portugal, as it stems from the merger of 2 universities in the year 2013. To date, it has more than 49,000 students, 15% of which are foreigners. This high demand is made possible by the university’s reputation, which is currently listed as the 28th best institution in the European Teaching Rankings.
With a history tracing back to 1290 as the Lisbon General Study, the university has evolved into a world-class institute with 400 degrees. These are divided into the faculties/schools of Fine Arts, Architecture, Law, Pharmacy, Science, Medicine, Dental Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Letters, Psychology, Human Motricity, Social Science, Education, Agronomy, Geography & Territorial Planning, Social & Political Science, Engineering, and Economy & Management.
The tuition fee for international students is set by the different departments of the University of Lisbon. For example, the tuition fee at the Department of Science is €7,000 per year for both the undergraduate and Master’s degree.
FAQS About Studying in Cheap Universities in Portugal
What Are the General Requirements to Study in Portugal?
The requirements needed for international students to study in Portugal will depend on their nationality and study program. However, the basic requirements include academic transcripts, a passport, a student visa, and language proficiency results.
Some universities and specific programs will request additional documents. Be sure to check with your preferred department for further details. Also, please expect some expenses to be incurred during the admissions process. Usually, you’ll need to pay for the application process, student visa, and other.
Do Universities in Portugal Offer English-taught Programs?
We hope that this article has provided you with insights that Portugal is an incredible country that offers relatively low costs of tuition. To learn more information on studying abroad, check out the Programs in Europe for International Students.
