Universities in Portugal That Offer Scholarships To International Students

Are you an international student who wishes to study in Europe but not in any of the most preferred countries like the United Kingdom, France or Germany, then you should consider Portugal.

Why? You might ask, well the reasons are simple and straightforward, Portugal is a great study destination because the universities are of global standards while still quite affordable, you don’t need proof of English proficiency to study in the country and the cost of living is reasonable in comparison to other European countries.

The tuition is cheap unlike what is charged in places like USA and Canada, however, it may still be difficult for students from struggling backgrounds to afford it, and it is for this reason that top universities in Portugal offer scholarships to students from other countries in Europe, Asia and Africa etc.

Some of the students who intend to pursue their studies in Portugal often wonder if there are universities in the country that offer financial, to answer their thoughts, Booklab24 has curated a list of higher institutions that offer partial or fully funded scholarships for international students.

Requirements

To be selected, there are certain requirements an applicant must fulfil such as having excellent grades in their previous academic program as this will increase your chances of earning the aid. In addition, you are expected to submit a well-written statement of purpose that vividly states the reasons for applying for your preferred course and you should be able to demonstrate financial need. Ensure that you also highlight your academic prowess, leadership roles, social work, community service and achievements.

Top 6 Universities that Award Scholarships in Portugal

1. University of Porto scholarships

The University of Porto is one of the leading institutions in Portugal that offers both partial and fully funded scholarships to international students at all levels of study in the institution.

All Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate students are eligibile to apply for the scholarship which is provided every year. These financial aids come in the form of academic scholarships, SASUP scholarships, merit scholarships and other forms of funding and support.

2. University of Lisbon scholarships

The University of Lisbon provides scholarships to outstanding doctorate students to help them complete scientific and technological research projects. It is renowned or attaching great importance to promoting scientific research and innocation.

It offers partial aid through the PhD scholarship program which was launched in 2015 with the aim of helping students integrate into the corporate world. This scholarship covers part of the tuition fees for PhD studies and it is renewable for three years.

3. University of Coimbra scholarships

The University of Coimbra scholarship scheme supports international students with both partial and full funding. It is open to applicants from over 100 countries and applicable to those pursuing Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree programs at UoC.

The aim of the University of Coimbra’s scholarship is to improve the students living conditions and learning experience, regardless of their course of study. The institution awards merit-based scholarships to students based on their academic performance. The better your grades, the higher your chances of receiving a scholarship.

In fact, if a student score 160 or more in the entrance examination, the person will receive between 1000 and 2000 euros. This amount will cover part of the tuition fees for the duration of the program, from the first to the final year.

Also, if you score 180 or more and can prove that you are financially unable to pay the tuition fees, you will get full waiver. It is called the “Scholarship for Extraordinary Achievement”. If you enroll in a Master’s degree program, you can apply for a scholarship worth 2,000 euros via the Scholarship for Promoting Academic Studies and Achievements of the Master’s Program.

4. Carnegie Mellon University PhD Scholarships

At the Carnegie Mellon University in Portugal, you can get full tuition fee waiver if you are selected for the PhD Scholarships. Every year, 12 Postgraduate degree students get to enjoy this scholarship funded in partnership with Fundaço para a Ciáncia e Tecnologia (FCT). Only international students enrolled in a doctorate program at Carnegie Mellon University are eligible to apply and be recipients. You are free to apply for the scholarship if you have completed your master’s degree and can demonstrate excellent academic performance.

Carnegie grants aim to promote information and communication technology (ICT), and is for that reason it gives preference to individuals studying computer science, electrical and computer engineering, software engineering, robotics, language technology, engineering and public policy, and human-computer interaction.

Applicants are usually evaluated based on the quality of their application. Also, asides studying at Carnegie Mellon, you will also be hosted by the University of Portugal for 12 months and learn from the research team at the university’s Pittsburgh campus.

5. University of Aveiro International scholarships

The University of Aveiro offers scholarships worth €1000 per month to international students pursuing Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees at the institution. Every year, it sets up the scholarship program for those who qualify but cannot afford to pay the tuition fees. The financial aid covers part of the tuition fees and to be eligible, candidates must score at least 14 in the entrance exam and be admitted at the university.

6. Minho University Scholarships

Minho University makes fully funded scholarships available to international students at all levels of study at the institution. This is arguably one of the best scholarship programs for foreigners in Portugal.

It is funded by the European Social Fund and the Portuguese State within the framework of POPH. This scholarship is only available to international students from the European Union and has different categories.

There is a category for low-income students who cannot afford the tuition fees. There are also merit-based awards for academically outstanding international students. You should also know that there are scholarships available exclusively for international students enrolled in doctorate programs at Minho University.