Student life in Portugal

With luxury student accommodation in a range of locations across Europe, there isn’t much the Collegiate team doesn’t know about studying abroad. One country we have recently opened some fantastic new sites in is Portugal, for reasons you are about to discover.

If you have been lucky enough to have been accepted to universities in or near cities such as Lisbon, Coimbra or Porto, then the chances are that you are on the hunt for the perfect home-away-from-home. If you are one of those people, then be sure to explore fantastic locations such as Collegiate Marquês de Pombal located in the heart of Lisbon or our exciting new residences coming soon to Portugal’s other major cities.

 Why Study in Portugal

Before settling on your new home, you’re going to want to find out what student life in the local area is actually like. The transition from high school to university is a big one and hopefully this guide will help to make this crucial period as smooth as possible.

Whether you grew up in or near one of Portugal’s big cities, the countryside or abroad, we hope this article gives you some great insight into what life as a student in Portugal will be like and how you can take full advantage of all it has to offer.

Universities In Portugal

One of the best things about being a student in Portugal is the selection of fantastic universities you have to choose from. For a relatively small country in comparison with some of Europe’s other nations, our institutions speak for themselves and allow you to study a wide selection of courses under almost unrivalled tutelage.

The most notable universities in the country include, but are not limited to:

• Universidade Nova de Lisboa
• University of Porto
• University of Lisbon
• University of Coimbra
• Universidade Catolica Portuguesa
• Catolica Lisbon School of Business & Economics
• Nova School of Business & Economics

According to the latest QS World University Rankings for 2018, the best of the bunch is the University of Porto but all of these universities have their merits and the University of Coimbra shouldn’t be ignored, with a 5 star student rating.

All of the institutions above will look great on your CV and having such a university on your record will be a great string to your bow when the time comes to start applying for jobs.

Culture & Lifestyle

Student life in Portugal is an attractive prospect to many, due to its relaxed ethos. This doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty of hard work ahead academically speaking, but the lifestyle is very chilled especially in the hot summer months, giving you plenty of time to enjoy some of the great Collegiate facilities, head out with your friends or discover the best beaches in the country!

The Portuguese weather is the best on the continent meaning there is plenty of afternoon relaxation to consider and you can combine this with exploring some of Portugal’s rich history which dates back to well before the medieval times.  Coimbra in particular was the capital of the country as far back as the 13^th Century so should you decide upon this region, there will be plenty for the curious student to discover.

The food here in Portugal is also a huge win for many students coming from abroad. Our dishes are as tantalising as you would expect for a Mediterranean country which borders Spain and has thousands of miles of coastline; splendid for any seafood lovers or anyone interested in Tapas style menus with a Portuguese twist.

Gateway To Africa 

Studying here in Portugal also allows you to sample cultures from all across the globe and most notably, Africa. With the south coast of the country ever so close to a range of fascinating African nations such as Tunisia, Morocco and many more, some courses will even allow you to explore these via your studies.

The Portuguese affiliation with Brazil and Angola are two in particular that many students look to take advantage of and really spread their wings during their degree course.

A photo around every corner 

Put simply, Portugal is stunning. The combination of climate and culture will make your Instagram grid one your friends back home will envy. Don’t believe us? Check out Collegiate’s very own Portuguese Instagram page.

Live in the best student accommodation 

And to round it all off, you can now live in some of the best student accommodation in Portugal with Collegiate. Our brand-new residence in Lisbon, Collegiate Marquês de Pombal, is available for students now and we also have exciting new accommodation coming to some other amazing Portuguese locations from next year. If you’re coming to study in Lisbon, make sure you check out the range of student accommodation options available at Collegiate Marquês de Pombal and secure your room today as we’re filling up fast!

We hope that this guide to student life in Portugal has whet your appetite. If you are looking to study somewhere that has a great vibe, culture, food, weather and awesome people at the heart of its culture then Portugal should be firmly at the top of your list.

If you have any questions at all about student life in Lisbon or any of the Collegiate properties across Europe, then you can contact us by heading here or calling +351 213 500 070.