Coimbra, August 25, 2025 — The first phase of the national higher education entrance exam was “far from typical,” with a “significant and alarming drop” in the number of successful applicants, emphasized the Coimbra Academic Association (AAC) today.
In a statement sent, the leadership of the oldest academic association in the country noted that the decrease in the number of students placed compared to 2024 is approximately 12.1%, and the number of unfilled vacancies “more than doubled” compared to the same period last year, amounting to 11,153, a 130.4% increase, it stated.
“The data provided by the Directorate-General for Higher Education ultimately reveal that the number of placed students (43,899) hasn’t been this low since 2016 (42,958 students), indicating a clear slowdown and stagnation in Portuguese higher education’s human capital,” argues the AAC.
The numbers, emphasized the Coimbra Academic Association, confirm “an unappealing, stagnant, and unaffordable higher education for Portuguese families.”
However, for the AAC, this “unfortunate outcome” of the first phase of the national higher education entrance is not a surprise.
“We have long warned of the severe deficiencies in student life, namely concerning social support, with average housing prices skyrocketing once again, accompanied by an obvious increase in the cost of living across various daily activities such as food and mobility, making it impossible to deny the inability to provide our students with the basic needs for their academic success,” observes the student association in the statement.
On the other hand, “the challenging socio-economic situation, coupled with an inadequate and impractical application process,” among other reasons, triggered “the alarming and negative scenario” now witnessed.
In light of the situation, the AAC appeals to the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, as well as all political-party actors and civil society, to reflect on what it considers to be a negative scenario for national higher education.
The AAC also urged the recipients of the appeal to seek concrete and effective solutions for the Portuguese educational system.
“It is time for every young person to have the right to study and a successful future in Portugal,” emphasized the Coimbra Academic Association.
