Many may not be aware of the university structures that are within various countries, such as Portugal. To understand these educational stances is to understand the youth and the opportunities that exist for those in such areas. Here is information about higher education in Portugal.

The Accessibility of Higher Education in Portugal

Historically, Portugal was not known as having easily accessible education. From the 1950s to 1970s, a dictator ran Portugal who took away freedom of education, expression, health and security. Literacy rates and job security were at an all-time low. The country was known for providing agricultural resources, but the dictator took away any factory or industrial jobs to minimize competition, strikes and those gaining knowledge of the poor work conditions and decisions he was making. With the lack of education and accessibility for jobs, the citizens were not able to protest against or understand the immense poverty or deprivation they were facing.

The fight to create a better system in Portugal is not new. Back in 2005, the country witnessed legal movements aimed at making higher education more accessible to young people. It first created the new credit system, which created more opportunities for students to study abroad and hold clearer records on their diplomas, according to the Universidade Católica Portuguesa.

When it comes to studying abroad, there are diverse ways that students can achieve that. There are different programs they can join like Erasmus+ and the Almeida Garrett program. These programs allow students to look at different internships, schooling opportunities or work studies to experience life abroad. Since Portugal is a part of the EU, studying abroad is relatively easy as options are more accessible.

Improving Accessibility

Flash forward to 2009-2010, the Universidade Católica Portuguesa described how it implemented a new system to clarify expectations on knowledge, credits and hours students must have in their undergraduate and graduate degrees. This created that much-needed organized system, which helps to guide students by setting clear expectations and goals.

Knowing these new laws, it is also important to know the different types of universities they apply to. Higher education in Portugal has both private and public entities. Public structures are less expensive, while private structures are more expensive, often involving smaller schools. Both hold their pros and cons, but fit different students’ wants and needs.

Higher education in Portugal includes both universities and polytechnics. Attending a university gives someone more research and educational opportunities, a way for students to learn more about their major and concentration. Polytechnics are a space for students to learn more about their focused career. It is often more practical, helping students focus on working toward a specific job.

Poverty in Portugal

Poverty has existed in Portugal for many reasons, including the country being late to industrialization and having wars and inadequate infrastructure affecting its economy. Initiatives like the Child Guarantee National Action Plan are addressing poverty among children and helping them access the same opportunities as those who are not impoverished.

Portugal’s economy has grown, which has resulted in more jobs, higher wages for those with higher education and a large market for recent graduates. According to the Human Development Index, Portugal is now a highly developed country, ranking high in many aspects and 40th overall. Education plays a crucial role in people understanding their rights, gaining equal pay, shifting and creating gender norms and making a life for oneself. From 1990 to 2023, the HDI states, “expected years of schooling changed by 5.6 years and mean years of schooling changed by 4.4 years.” This overall plays a role in the HDI, helping to make Portugal’s change as pivotal as it was, preventing it from falling into poverty while working towards an outstanding economy.

Looking Ahead

All of this being said, improvements are still needed in Portugal’s higher education system. However, focusing on that discredits what Portugal has accomplished so far, which has resulted in it moving in a positive direction.

– Daniella Johnson

Daniella is based in the USA and focuses on World News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr