The access to the higher education system in Portugal operates under a numerus clausus regime, meaning that for each degree there is a limited number of vacancies. The National Call is managed by DGES (Direção Geral do Ensino Superior) and not by the universities.
To apply through the National Call, students must hold a High School degree (or legally equivalent) AND have a Portuguese Mathematics A Exam (or an equivalent), with a minimum grade of 9,5. The Mathematics A Exam is valid for two years (for those who took the exam before 2022) or 4 years (for those who took the exam from 2022 onward). From 2025/26 onward, in addition to the Mathematics A exam, candidates will have to present one of the following combinations:
Candidates with a non-Portuguese high school system (e.g., European Union candidates) will have to request an equivalence of their high school degree to the Portuguese high school diploma. In the case of Nova SBE’s bachelor degrees, the candidate will also need the Portuguese Mathematics A Exam (“19 Matemática A”) or an equivalent exam. For more information on equivalent exams, please see the DGES website. If the International Student regulation covers you, you won’t be able to apply through the National Call. In this case, you will need to apply through the special contest for International Students.
Application Grade:
Notes:
First year enrollment for the 2024/2025 academic year will take place online only during the following dates:
For Portuguese and European Union students, the tuition fees for 2024/2025 will be 697€/year. It is usually paid in one installment, two installments (September and December, respectively) or, as an alternative, in ten installments. The first installment needs to be paid until August 29, 2024 (for 1st phase students) or until September 18, 2024 (for 2nd phase students).
An additional 36.5€ fee is required to cover administrative costs and school insurance. This amount should be paid together with the first tuition installment.
The National Admission Contest offers several special contingents beside the general contingent, with a specific percentage of vacancies for the candidates that fulfil these requirements.
These are the special contingents available for the 1st phase of the National Admission Contest:
On the 2nd phase of the National Admission Contest, besides the general contingent, there is also a special contingent for candidates with special needs.
For more information, please contact DGES.
A – Diplomatic Mission from Portugal B – Public Employees in an Official Mission Abroad C – Officials of the Portuguese Armed Forces D - Applicants from African Portuguese Speaking Countries that Hold Scholarships E – Accredited Diplomatic Mission in Portugal F – Professional Sports Players G – East Timor nationals or their Children
As a Public University, the application process to the Bachelor's Degrees is managed by the Portuguese Ministry of Higher Education (DGES – Direção Geral do Ensino Superior). Please contact them directly for more information.