University of Porto
Universidade do Porto
Portugal's second-largest university and home of the Porto School of Architecture, with 712 international places.
- Students
- 35,800
- 21,400 undergraduates
- International
- 14%
- of students
- Tuition
- €3,500
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1911
About U.Porto
The University of Porto was founded by decree on 22 March 1911, in the early days of the Portuguese Republic, building on older institutions such as the Nautical Academy (1762). It is Portugal's second-largest university, with more than 35,800 registered students, 14% of them international, spread across 14 faculties and a business school in three main university centres in Porto.
U.Porto is research-heavy: its 45 research units produced around 31,000 Web of Science-indexed documents between 2020 and 2024, 24% of Portugal's citable output, and 93% of the units were rated Excellent or Very Good by the national science foundation. Its best-known faculties include Engineering (FEUP), Medicine and ICBAS, Economics and Management (FEP), and Architecture, whose Porto School produced Pritzker Prize winners Álvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura.
Portuguese and EU students enter through the national access competition and pay about 697 euros a year. Non-EU students apply to a dedicated Special Call for International Students, with 712 places for 2026/27 and fees of 3,500 to 16,500 euros a year, reduced by up to 45% for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries. Most teaching is in Portuguese, so it suits students ready to learn the language, in a lively and affordable city.
Why students choose U.Porto
U.Porto reserved 712 places for international students in 2026/27 across almost all bachelor's and integrated master's degrees.
Economics and Business Administration are offered in English at the School of Economics and Management (FEP).
Citizens of Portuguese-speaking (CPLP) countries, including Brazil and Angola, can get up to 45% off international fees.
The Faculty of Architecture trained Pritzker laureates Álvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura.
Admissions
2027/28 entry (autumn 2027)
Selectivity
U.Porto does not publish an overall admission rate. Portuguese and EU students are ranked through the national access competition; international students compete for a set number of places per programme (for example 37 in Electrical and Computer Engineering, 12 in Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine and 10 at ICBAS for 2026/27).
Typical entry requirements
| Portuguese secondary diploma | National Competition for Access to Higher Education |
|---|---|
| Foreign secondary diploma (non-EU international students) | A certificate from your country's competent authority proving access to higher education there, plus the faculty's requirements and course prerequisites |
| English language | International applicants must speak Portuguese at independent-user level (B1/B2); those without documentation may take an oral test via video call. Economics and Business Administration at FEP are also offered in English. |
Deadlines
- Special Call for International Students, 1st phase (2026/27 intake, for reference) Non-binding Passed6 February 2026
Past cycle. Applications 2 January to 6 February 2026; final results 13 March; registration 16 to 20 March 2026.
- Special Call for International Students, 2nd phase (2026/27 intake, for reference) Non-binding Passed2 April 2026
Past cycle. Applications 9 February to 2 April 2026; final results 22 May 2026.
- Special Call for International Students, 3rd phase (2026/27 intake, for reference) Non-binding Passed22 July 2026
Past cycle. Applications 2 June to 22 July 2026; final results 4 September 2026.
The 2027/28 calendar had not been published by 29 September 2026. For 2026/27 there were three phases between January and July 2026; several faculties set their own dates, so check the faculty website.
How to apply
Non-EU international students apply online to the academic services of the chosen faculty in the Special Call for International Students; some faculties (FEUP, FMUP, FCUP, FADEUP, FEP and ICBAS) run their own calendars. Portuguese and EU students apply through the national access competition.
What admissions looks for
- A qualification that gives access to higher education in your country, documented as the faculty requires.
- Portuguese at independent-user level (or English for the English-taught FEP degrees).
- The specific prerequisites of the chosen course, where they apply.
Tips for applying to U.Porto
- 1 Apply in the first phase (January to February), when all places are still open.
- 2 Check whether your faculty (e.g. FEUP, FEP, FMUP) has its own calendar before relying on the general one.
- 3 If you are from a CPLP country such as Brazil, check the fee reduction of up to 45%.
- 4 Get a Portuguese certificate early to avoid the oral test, or consider the English-taught Economics and Business Administration degrees.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
U.Porto's Social Services (SASUP) support more than 5,500 scholarship holders and run about 1,000 beds in university residences. International students from Portuguese-speaking countries can get up to 45% off their fee.
- More than 5,500
- SASUP scholarship holders
- Up to 45%
- CPLP fee reduction
- 712
- Places for international students (2026/27)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Architecture (FAUP)
The Porto School of Architecture trained Pritzker winners Álvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura; 35 international places in 2026/27.
Electrical and Computer Engineering (FEUP)
The integrated programme with the most international places (37) in 2026/27.
Economics and Business Administration in English (FEP)
English-taught bachelor's degrees at the School of Economics and Management.
Medicine (FMUP and ICBAS)
Two medical schools, with 12 and 10 international places respectively in 2026/27.
Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (FCUP)
A newer science degree with 9 international places in 2026/27.
Research
- About 31,000 Web of Science-indexed documents in 2020-2024, 24% of Portugal's citable output, 58% with international collaboration.
- 93% of U.Porto's 45 research units were rated Excellent or Very Good by the Foundation for Science and Technology.
- More than 640 active patents and 116 spin-offs, supported by the UPTEC science and technology park.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Engineering (FEUP)
- Faculty of Medicine (FMUP)
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS)
- School of Economics and Management (FEP)
- Faculty of Architecture (FAUP)
- Faculty of Sciences (FCUP)
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Arts and Humanities
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences
- Faculty of Sport
- Porto Business School
Student life
U.Porto's faculties are spread across Porto in three main university centres, including the historic Rectorate on Praça Gomes Teixeira in the city centre. SASUP runs 10 halls of residence (about 1,000 beds), canteens serving over 450,000 meals a year and medical and psychological support, while the CDUP sports centre has more than 11,300 members. International student associations and cultural groups help newcomers settle in. More than 2,700 incoming mobility students a year give campuses an international mix.
- 10 university halls of residence with about 1,000 beds.
- More than 11,300 participants in CDUP-UP sport, and 159 medals in national university championships.
- More than 2,700 incoming mobility students each year.
- International student associations and cultural groups.
Housing. SASUP runs 10 halls of residence with about 1,000 beds, so most students rent privately.
Location
Porto is Portugal's second city, on the Douro river near the Atlantic coast, known for its historic centre and port wine. U.Porto's faculties are spread across the city, so students live in and around the centre, with metro and bus links between the university centres. Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport connects Porto with much of Europe.
Nearest airport: Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, Porto (OPO)
Notable alumni
- ÁS Álvaro SizaPritzker Prize-winning architect; graduated from the School of Fine Arts (now FAUP) in 1955
- ES Eduardo Souto de MouraPritzker Prize-winning architect; studied architecture at the School of Fine Arts
- RR Rui RioEconomist, Mayor of Porto 2002 to 2013 and PSD party leader; economics graduate
- MV Marcelo VianaMathematician in dynamical systems; undergraduate studies at Porto
- MM Maria Manuel MotaMalaria researcher; biology degree (1992) and immunology master's (1994)
- BA Belmiro de AzevedoEntrepreneur behind the Sonae group; chemical engineering graduate
Frequently asked questions
How much does the University of Porto cost for international students?
Between 3,500 and 16,500 euros a year depending on the course, with up to 45% off for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries. Portuguese and EU students pay about 697 euros.
Do I need Portuguese to study at the University of Porto?
Yes, for most degrees: international applicants need Portuguese at independent-user level and may be tested orally by video call. Economics and Business Administration at FEP are offered in English.
When can international students apply to U.Porto?
For 2026/27 there were three phases: 2 January to 6 February, 9 February to 2 April, and 2 June to 22 July 2026. The 2027/28 dates were not yet published in September 2026.
How many places are there for international students?
712 places for 2026/27, across almost all bachelor's and integrated master's degrees.
Can EU students use the international student call?
No. EU citizens, dual nationals with Portuguese nationality and long-term residents apply through the national access competition and pay the home fee.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to U.Porto in the QS World University Rankings 2027.