The Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities acknowledged today that the number of applicants in the second phase of higher education admissions may be higher than in previous years.
In statements to Lusa, the president of the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities, Paulo Jorge Ferreira, explained that “the exam schedules for the 12th grade and the registration for the National Access Competition may have led to a significantly greater weight in the second phase than in previous years.”
According to data released today, 43,899 students were placed in the first phase of the National Access Competition to Higher Education, marking a 12.1% decrease compared to last year.
The Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities believes it’s still early to assess the impact of this decrease, as two more access phases will take place, which could attract more applicants. Nonetheless, Paulo Jorge Ferreira noted the need to examine the new model that places more emphasis on national exams and “the situation in secondary education this year and how it differs from previous years.”
One of the challenges mentioned relates to housing, with prices rising over recent years. However, the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities considered that it is necessary to wait for the subsequent phases and enrollments.
“If I am placed in an institution but due to housing problems, cannot find a room, what I do is not enroll, or not enroll immediately,” Paulo Jorge Ferreira explained. “I would wait to see how many of those placed actually enroll,” he added.
Regarding enrollments, the upcoming phases of the competition, and housing issues, Pedro Jorge Ferreira emphasized that “all this will need to be studied to find an explanation.”
This year, there were nine thousand fewer applicants for higher education, not reaching 50,000, and predictions of fewer students entering higher education were confirmed: In the first phase of the National Access Competition to Higher Education, 43,899 students were placed, representing a 12.1% decrease compared to last year.
On the other hand, the percentage of applicants who secured a spot increased, reaching an all-time high of 90.1% placed, four percentage points higher than in 2024.
