Data from the Directorate-General for Education and Science Statistics (DGEEC) and Pordata show that the number of international students at Portuguese universities rose from around 20,000 in 2015 to approximately 42,000 in 2024. This accounts for about one in every 10 higher education students.

Around 50% come from countries in the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), with Brazil having the highest percentage of higher education students seeking qualifications (over 70%), followed by Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe, Mozambique and East Timor.

Importance of shared language

Higor Cerqueira, founder and academic director of the Prepara Portugal Training Centre, highlighted the importance of a shared language for Brazilian students considering internationalising their careers, noting that "Portugal speaks, we speak the same language; when students in Brazil consider internationalising their careers, they find Portugal as a country that speaks the same language and the possibility of continuing their academic studies using Portuguese."

"Immediately afterwards, as Portugal is part of the European Union and follows the standard procedures for university enrolment, it is possible to obtain a residence permit for study purposes. Studying at a university in Portugal guarantees a qualification that is valid not only in Portugal but throughout Europe, thanks to the Bologna Process, something that does not happen in Brazil,” he added, highlighting the potential for career progression as an added incentive “to work in international markets and in various European countries.

Growing international presence

The study by the Centro de Formação Prepara Portugal thus highlights the growing importance of international presence in Portuguese higher education and reinforces the idea that immigration for study purposes is one of the main reasons for the increase in the country's foreign population.

Higor Cerqueira said that the figures consolidate Portugal’s position as an international academic destination and meet the needs of the labour market.

Cerqueira described the impact of this influx: "In a country marked by an ageing population and the exodus of young people abroad, the arrival of immigrants of working age who are interested in training emerges as a key factor in renewing the workforce and boosting the dynamism of various sectors of the economy."

Training offered

The institution offers training in fields related to management, technology and services, and is launching two further courses – ‘Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Applied to Business’ and ‘Barbering and Men’s Grooming’ – thereby expanding its training provision in areas of growing demand in the labour market, with a view to adapting training to new professional and technological requirements.

“Everyone is a student”

“Everyone is a student, whether they wish to pursue a more professional path, or another student following an academic path who can devote themselves to research and a PhD. Everyone is worthy of being celebrated on the 24th,” emphasised Higor Cerqueira, for whom integration is crucial in this context.

He concluded by stressing the significance of the immigrant community, stating, "Valuing this figure, this growth, is part of recognising the importance of the immigrant community’s contribution to Portugal.

Through Prepara Portugal, we have transformed the lives of so many other immigrants, like myself, and that is what we want to highlight here as we celebrate Student Day."