Universidade Fernando Pessoa (Porto)

The Universidade Fernando Pessoa in Porto is a private institution, founded in 1996, with campuses in Porto and Ponte de Lima. Medicine is among its newest programmes: the first cohort of the Mestrado Integrado em Medicina began in September 2023. For prospective students from abroad, the programme is of interest primarily because the early years are taught in English. At this point, however, a closer look is warranted — English is used only in the first part of the degree.

A Bilingual Model – English at the Start, Portuguese in the Clinic

The university describes its model as follows: the pre-clinical phase covering the first three years is taught in English, while the clinical training in the later years is conducted in Portuguese, with select clinical units running bilingually. This is not a minor detail — it is the decisive factor for planning purposes. Anyone who enrols in Porto is effectively committing to bringing their Portuguese to a level sufficient for taking patient histories, attending ward rounds, and sitting oral examinations within three years. Unlike in countries where the local language is needed only for patient contact, here the entire second half of the degree depends on it.

For practical training, the university points to its own teaching hospital located in the Porto and Gondomar area, which is intended to provide early exposure to clinical practice.

A Young Programme with a History

The introduction of the programme was controversial in Portugal. The Portuguese Medical Association had spoken out against the project and even called for the withdrawal of its accreditation; however, the accreditation agency A3ES upheld its decision, and the programme remains accredited. That said, it is a young programme with small cohorts that has yet to complete its first full training cycle. There are simply no graduate testimonials, examination statistics, or reliable data on career outcomes available as yet.

What This Means for Your Decision

Porto is not a destination to choose lightly. The language question, the cost of a private university, and the limited number of places make it an option for applicants who are deliberately choosing Portugal and are prepared to learn the language seriously. Those seeking a predictable, long-established structure will be better served by the well-regarded state faculties in Central and Eastern Europe. Medschool Experts contextualises such differences during the consultation process, rather than recommending universities indiscriminately.

Admission

For Medicine, the university requires the standard Portuguese entrance examinations in Biology and Geology as well as Physics and Chemistry or Mathematics A; for certain applicant groups, the university administers its own entrance tests, including in Biology and Physics and Chemistry. Importantly: Portuguese international student status does not apply to nationals of EU member states. As a German applicant, you will therefore not be admitted through the international quota but through the regular admission route, and you will need to provide proof of your university entrance qualification accordingly. Clarify this point in writing with the admissions office before applying.

Deadlines

The application process runs in several phases across spring and summer, with separate time windows for the different admission routes and fixed examination dates in between. The calendar is published anew each year.

Costs

Fernando Pessoa is a private university, and students bear the full cost of tuition themselves. When the programme was introduced, Portuguese media reported a monthly tuition fee (propina) of €1,500, which amounts to a six-figure sum over the entire degree; higher rates were announced for applicants outside the standard admission route. As fee schedules are updated regularly, only the university's current fee list is binding. In addition, there are living costs in Porto, where rents have risen considerably in recent years.

Structure, Language, and Degree

The programme is structured as an integrated Master's in Medicine and spans twelve semesters; the university awards 360 ECTS for its completion. After the first 180 ECTS, students receive an intermediate qualification in the basic medical sciences; the full cycle concludes with the Mestrado Integrado em Medicina. The language of instruction is English in the first three years and Portuguese during the clinical phase, with select clinical units delivered bilingually. Practical training takes place at the university's own teaching hospital and at partner institutions. The programme is accredited by the Portuguese agency A3ES.

Recognition in Germany

Portugal is an EU member state. Medical degrees are subject to Directive 2005/36/EC, which provides for automatic recognition within the EU; the application process for a licence to practise medicine with the relevant regional authority and the requirement to demonstrate German language proficiency through the specialist language examination remain unaffected. A candid note is in order: because the programme is young and no cohort has yet graduated, there is currently no established recognition precedent in Germany for this specific degree. Obtain written confirmation of its recognisability before applying.

Porto as a Place to Study

Porto is the second-largest city in Portugal — compact, hilly, and situated on the Atlantic coast — with a mild climate and a student culture that has grown up around its universities. Day-to-day life remains affordable by Western European standards, but the era of cheap rents is over: the housing market in Porto has tightened considerably due to tourism and population growth, particularly for furnished rooms in the city centre. Begin your housing search early and do not base your budget on prices quoted in older accounts.

Language, Community, and Getting There

Fernando Pessoa does not have the established German-speaking student community found at the well-known faculties in Central and Eastern Europe — the Medicine cohorts are simply too young and too small for that. This makes it all the more important to start learning Portuguese from day one — not only for the clinical environment but for everyday life off campus as well. Getting there is straightforward: Porto Airport has direct flights from several German cities and is connected to the city centre by metro.

Is the Medicine programme in Porto fully taught in English?

No. The university teaches the first three years in English and the clinical phase in Portuguese, with select clinical units delivered bilingually. You will therefore need to bring your Portuguese to a clinically functional level within the first years of the programme. This is the most important factor to consider when choosing this location.

Is the Universidade Fernando Pessoa a state or private university?

It is a private university, founded in 1996, with campuses in Porto and Ponte de Lima. This means full tuition fees throughout the entire duration of the programme, with no state subsidy for the place of study.

How expensive is the programme?

When the programme was introduced, Portuguese media reported a monthly tuition fee (propina) of €1,500, with higher rates cited for non-standard admission routes. Over six years, this amounts to a six-figure sum. As fees are subject to change, only the university's current fee schedule is binding.

Will the degree be recognised in Germany?

Portugal is an EU member state, and medical degrees are subject to automatic recognition under Directive 2005/36/EC; the application process for a licence to practise medicine and the specialist language examination remain required. Because the programme only launched in 2023 and no cohort has yet graduated, there is currently no established recognition precedent. Obtain written confirmation before applying.

How large are the cohorts?

The programme launched with a very small number of places and remains small in scale; place numbers are published each year in the application calendar. Small cohorts mean close supervision, but also limited choice of study groups and little accumulated knowledge from students in higher years.