This is a list of higher education institutions in Portugal recognized by Portuguese authorities and qualified to award academic degrees, organized by subsystem. All these institutions are part of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and the European Research Area (ERA). Below this is also a reference to the list of defunct civil institutions.
Law No. 46/86 of October 14 establishes the general organization of the educational system. Portugal’s higher education system distinguishes between civil, military, and police institutions. The three types are based on different laws. Within the system, there are two distinct subsystems — the university subsystem and the polytechnic subsystem. University subsystem institutions are more oriented toward scientific research and can offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in various academic areas, while polytechnic institutions generally focus more on applied sciences and can offer professional technical degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctorates.
Civil Institutions University Subsystem
Law No. 62/2007 of September 10 establishes the organization of the university subsystem. The official names are those contained in their respective Statutes published in the Official Gazette or, in their absence, in other legal documents.
| Institution | Main Campus | Region | Nature | Founded | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universidade Aberta | Lisbon | Estremadura | University | 1988 | Public (distance learning) |
| University of the Azores | Ponta Delgada | Azores | University | 1976 | Public |
| University of Algarve | Faro | Algarve | University | 1976 | Public |
| University of Aveiro | Aveiro | Beira Litoral | University | 1973 | Public |
| University of Beira Interior | Covilhã | Beira Baixa | University | 1986 | Public |
| University of Coimbra | Coimbra | Beira Litoral | University | 1290 | Public |
| University of Évora | Évora | Alto Alentejo | University | 1973 | Public |
| University of Lisbon | Lisbon | Estremadura | University | 1911 | Public |
| University of Madeira | Funchal | Madeira | University | 1988 | Public |
| University of Minho | Braga | Minho | University | 1973 | Public |
| NOVA University Lisbon | Lisbon | Estremadura | University | 1973 | Public |
| University of Porto | Porto | Douro Litoral | University | 1911 | Public |
| University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro | Vila Real | Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro | University | 1986 | Public |
| ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon | Lisbon | Estremadura | University Institute | 1972 | Public |
| Miguel Torga Higher Institute | Coimbra | Beira Litoral | Other university institutions | 1936 | Public (Intermunicipal Community) |
| Autonomous University of Lisbon Luís de Camões | Lisbon | Estremadura | University | 1985 | Private |
| Portuguese Catholic University | Lisbon | Estremadura | University | 1967 | Private, Catholic |
| University of Maia | Maia | Douro Litoral | University | 1990 | Private |
| European University | Lisbon | Estremadura | University | 2013 | Private |
| Fernando Pessoa University | Porto | Douro Litoral | University | 1996 | Private |
| Lusíada University | Lisbon | Estremadura | University | 1986 | Private |
| Lusíada University – North | Porto | Douro Litoral | University | 2015 | Private |
| Lusófona University of Humanities and Technologies | Lisbon | Estremadura | University | 1987 | Private |
| Lusófona University of Porto | Porto | Douro Litoral | University | 2005 | Private |
| Portucalense University Infante D. Henrique | Porto | Douro Litoral | University | 1986 | Private |
| Atlântica – University Institute | Oeiras | Estremadura | University Institute | 1996 | Private |
| University Institute of Health Sciences | Paredes | Douro Litoral | University Institute | 1982 | Private |
| Egas Moniz University Institute | Almada | Estremadura | University Institute | 1987 | Private |
| ISPA – University Institute of Psychological, Social and Life Sciences | Lisbon | Estremadura | University Institute | 1962 | Private |
| Porto School of Arts | Porto | Douro Litoral | Other university institutions | 1986 | Private |
| Gallaecia Higher School | Vila Nova de Cerveira | Minho | Other university institutions | 1995 | Private |
| Vasco da Gama University School | Coimbra | Beira Litoral | Other university institutions | 2001 | Private |
| Higher Institute of Intercultural and Transdisciplinary Studies – Almada | Almada | Estremadura | Other university institutions | – | Private |
| Higher Institute of Intercultural and Transdisciplinary Studies – Viseu | Viseu | Beira Alta | Other university institutions | – | Private |
| Higher Institute of Management | Lisbon | Estremadura | Other university institutions | 1978 | Private |
| Manuel Teixeira Gomes Higher Institute | Portimão | Algarve | Other university institutions | 2004 | Private |
| Porto Higher Institute of Social Service | Matosinhos | Douro Litoral | Other university institutions | 1956 | Private |
Polytechnic Subsystem
Law No. 62/2007 of September 10 establishes the organization of the polytechnic subsystem. The official names are those contained in their respective Statutes published in the Official Gazette or, in their absence, in other legal documents.
Polytechnic Institutes Not Integrated into Universities
Polytechnic institutions that have the legal nature of “Polytechnic Institute” may adopt the English designation “Polytechnic University,” together with their Portuguese designation which is always mandatory, as part of improving their European integration and internationalization.
| Institution | Main Campus | Region | Founded | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polytechnic Institute of Beja | Beja | Baixo Alentejo | 1979 | Public |
| Polytechnic Institute of Bragança | Bragança | Trás-os-Montes | 1983 | Public |
| Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco | Castelo Branco | Beira Baixa | 1982 | Public |
| Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave | Barcelos | Minho | 1994 | Public |
| Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra | Coimbra | Beira Litoral | 1979 | Public |
| Polytechnic Institute of Guarda | Guarda | Beira Alta | 1980 | Public |
| Polytechnic Institute of Leiria | Leiria | Beira Litoral | 1987 | Public |
| Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon | Lisbon | Estremadura | 1985 | Public |
| Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre | Portalegre | Alto Alentejo | 1980 | Public |
| Polytechnic Institute of Porto | Porto | Douro Litoral | 1985 | Public |
| Polytechnic Institute of Santarém | Santarém | Ribatejo | 1979 | Public |
| Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal | Setúbal | Estremadura | 1979 | Public |
| Polytechnic Institute of Tomar | Tomar | Ribatejo | 1996 | Public |
| Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo | Viana do Castelo | Minho | 1980 | Public |
| Polytechnic Institute of Viseu | Viseu | Beira Alta | 1979 | Public |
| CESPU – Northern Health Polytechnic Institute | Paredes | Douro Litoral | 1999 | Private |
| Polytechnic Institute of Lusophony | Lisbon | Estremadura | 2019 | Private |
| Polytechnic Institute of Maia | Maia | Douro Litoral | 2015 | Private |
| Jean Piaget Northern Polytechnic Institute | Vila Nova de Gaia | Douro Litoral | 2021 | Private |
| Jean Piaget Southern Polytechnic Institute | Almada | Estremadura | 2019 | Private |
| Gaya Higher Polytechnic Institute | Vila Nova de Gaia | Douro Litoral | 1990 | Private |
| ISLA – Polytechnic Institute of Management and Technology | Vila Nova de Gaia | Douro Litoral | 1989 | Private |
Polytechnic Units Not Integrated into Universities
| Institution | Main Campus | Region | Founded | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing School of Coimbra | Coimbra | Beira Litoral | – | Public |
| Nursing School of Lisbon | Lisbon | Estremadura | 1901 | Public |
| Nursing School of Porto | Porto | Douro Litoral | 1991 | Public |
| Estoril Higher School of Hospitality and Tourism | Cascais | Estremadura | – | Public |
| Infante D. Henrique Nautical School | Oeiras | Estremadura | – | Public |
| National Superior Orchestra Academy | Lisbon | Estremadura | 1993 | Private |
| School of Arts and Design | Matosinhos | Douro Litoral | 1989 | Private |
| Higher School of Real Estate Activities | Lisbon | Estremadura | 1990 | Private |
| Fafe School of Education | Fafe | Minho | 1988 | Private |
| João de Deus School of Education | Lisbon | Estremadura | 1988 | Private |
| Paula Frassinetti School of Education | Porto | Douro Litoral | 1963 | Private, Catholic |
| Maria Ulrich School of Early Childhood Educators | Lisbon | Estremadura | 1954 | Private |
| Portuguese Red Cross Nursing School – Alto Tâmega | Chaves | Trás-os-Montes | 1993 | Private |
| S. Francisco das Misericórdias Nursing School | Lisbon | Estremadura | 1950 | Private |
| São José de Cluny Nursing School | Funchal | Madeira | 1940 | Private, Catholic |
| Atlantic Business School | Vila Nova de Gaia | Douro Litoral | 1990 | Private |
| Atlantic Health School | Oeiras | Estremadura | 2001 | Private |
| Fernando Pessoa Foundation Health School | Porto | Douro Litoral | 2020 | Private |
| Alcoitão Health School | Cascais | Estremadura | 1966 | Private |
| Portuguese Red Cross Health School – Lisbon | Lisbon | Estremadura | 1917 | Private |
| Santa Maria Health School | Porto | Douro Litoral | 1991 | Private |
| Egas Moniz Health School | Almada | Estremadura | – | Private |
| Jean Piaget Health School of Vila Nova de Gaia | Vila Nova de Gaia | Douro Litoral | – | Private |
| Jean Piaget Health School of Viseu | Viseu | Beira Alta | – | Private |
| Portuguese Red Cross Northern Health School | Oliveira de Azeméis | Beira Litoral | – | Private |
| Fafe School of Technologies | Fafe | Minho | 1993 | Private |
| ISAVE – Higher Institute of Health | Póvoa de Lanhoso | Douro Litoral | 1999 | Private |
| ISCE – Higher Institute of Lisbon and Tagus Valley | Odivelas | Estremadura | 1984 | Private |
| ISEC Lisbon – Higher Institute of Education and Sciences | Lisbon | Estremadura | – | Private |
| ISLA – Higher Institute of Management and Administration of Santarém | Santarém | Ribatejo | 2013 | Private |
| Portuguese Institute of Marketing Administration of Lisbon | Lisbon | Estremadura | – | Private |
| Portuguese Institute of Marketing Administration of Porto | Porto | Douro Litoral | 1990 | Private |
| Higher Institute of Administration and Management | Porto | Douro Litoral | 2007 | Private |
| Higher Institute of Administration and Languages | Funchal | Madeira | 1984 | Private |
| Higher Institute of Educational Sciences of Douro | Penafiel | Douro Litoral | 2015 | Private |
| Higher Institute of Business and Tourism Sciences | Porto | Douro Litoral | 2009 | Private |
| Higher Institute of Information and Administration Sciences | Aveiro | Beira Litoral | 1990 | Private |
| D. Dinis Higher Institute | Marinha Grande | Beira Litoral | 2005 | Private |
| Higher Institute of Entre Douro e Vouga | Santa Maria da Feira | Douro Litoral | 2009 | Private |
| Higher Institute of Paços de Brandão | Santa Maria da Feira | Douro Litoral | 1990 | Private |
| Higher Institute of Advanced Technologies of Lisbon | Lisbon | Estremadura | 2009 | Private |
| Higher Institute of Advanced Technologies of Porto | Porto | Douro Litoral | 2021 | Private |
Polytechnic Units Integrated into Universities
| Institution | Host University | Campus(es) | Region | Founded | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School of Education and Communication | University of Algarve | Faro | Algarve | 1979 | Public |
| School of Management, Hospitality and Tourism | University of Algarve | Faro and Portimão | Algarve | 1988 | Public |
| School of Health | University of Algarve | Faro | Algarve | 2003 | Public |
| Higher Institute of Engineering | University of Algarve | Faro | Algarve | – | Public |
| São João de Deus Nursing School | University of Évora | Évora | Alto Alentejo | – | Public |
| School of Health | University of the Azores | Ponta Delgada and Angra do Heroísmo | Azores | 2015 | Public |
| School of Technologies | University of the Azores | Ponta Delgada and Angra do Heroísmo | Azores | 2015 | Public |
| Aveiro School of Health | University of Aveiro | Aveiro | Beira Litoral | – | Public |
| School of Design, Management and Production Technologies of Aveiro-North | University of Aveiro | Oliveira de Azeméis | Beira Litoral | 2004 | Public |
| Águeda School of Technology and Management | University of Aveiro | Águeda | Beira Litoral | 1977 | Public |
| Higher Institute of Accounting and Administration of Aveiro | University of Aveiro | Aveiro | Beira Litoral | 1965 | Public |
| School of Health | Fernando Pessoa University | Porto | Douro Litoral | – | Private |
| School of Health | University of Madeira | Funchal | Madeira | 2015 | Public |
| School of Technology and Management | University of Madeira | Funchal | Madeira | 2015 | Public |
| School of Nursing | University of Minho | Braga | Minho | 1912 | Public |
| School of Health | University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro | Vila Real | Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro | 1973 | Public |
| Polytechnic School of Health (Lisbon) | Portuguese Catholic University | Lisbon | Estremadura | 2015 | Private |
| Polytechnic School of Health (Porto) | Portuguese Catholic University | Porto | Douro Litoral | 2015 | Private |
| Fernando Pessoa University (Ponte de Lima unit – polytechnic education) | Fernando Pessoa University | Ponte de Lima | Minho | 1996 | Private |