Application Procedures for Incoming Students

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Application procedures

These procedures apply to students who have been selected and nominated by their home institution to carry out a period of studies at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Porto (FLUP).

Application forms and supporting documents are exclusively submitted online. Therefore, no documents have to be sent to the University of Porto (U.Porto). Students selected by their Home University have to register online in order to obtain their username and password to access the U.Porto's Application Form:

Ask for your user credentials via e-mail: Incoming Students - Online Application

You will receive an automatic email with your username and password, with which you should login to the same website above and create your application form.

Before filling it in, we advise you to read the Online Application Guide carefully.

In order to fill in the Application Form quickly and efficiently, we recommend students organise all the information required with their exchange coordinators, particularly with regard to filling in their Learning Agreement (see below), before accessing the online form. Once it has been completed and electronically submitted, the form has to be printed, signed by the student and competent Erasmus/exchange coordinators, stamped and uploaded at U.Porto's site.

Mandatory documents
All required documents should be scanned and uploaded in a single pdf file:
- Application Form, duly signed by the student and home university coordinator(s) and stamped (or digital/electronic signatures)
- Transcript of Records in Portuguese or English (official academic transcript), duly signed and stamped;
- Language certification for non-Portuguese speaking students: Portuguese B1 or English B2 (see Language Levels below). Please note that certification issued by the home university is accepted.
Optional documents
- Proof of Health insurance (European Health Insurance Card, PB4, private insurance, etc.), which can be provided upon arrival

Important: The submission of the online application form does not guarantee acceptance from the U.Porto. All applicants will be informed of their admission after the applications have been analysed by the International Office and departmental coordinators at FLUP, and an official Letter of Acceptance has been issued by U.Porto.

During this phase, if you have any questions, please contact the faculty's International Office by email: sri@letras.up.pt.

Learning Agreement

The Learning Agreement is a fundamental component of the application, as it is a proposal of studies during your exchange period at the U.Porto. Students must complete their Learning Agreements with a minimum of 20 ECTS credits to a maximum of 30 ECTS credits per semester.

a) Study Plans
A description of the undergraduate and master's courses offered and ECTS credits can be found at Programmes/Cycle of Studies, under the corresponding tabs. Please note that only students attending an equivalent postgraduate level at their home university can select subjects from the Master's degrees. Select the most appropriate degree and on the menu to the right of the page, click on 'Plano de Estudos/Study Plan' (information in English is available by clicking on the 'English' button at the top of the pages). Please note that each subject syllabus indicates the language of instruction for that particular subject.

b) Choosing subjects
Undergraduate exchange students are free to choose subjects from practically any of our undergraduate degrees, except for Communication Studies and subjects called 'Project', 'Seminar', ‘Dissertation’, etc. (see below). This selection should, however, be limited to a maximum of three degrees, to avoid potential timetable clashes. Postgraduate students can only select subjects from a maximum of two master's courses. Restrictions apply to final acceptance pending approval from the Course Director and availability. Students and coordinators should be aware that, given this freedom of choice, initial learning agreements may be subject to changes due to unforeseen circumstances, namely timetable clashes, at the start of each semester.

c) Subjects not open to exchange students
Please note that the subjects including the following titles are not open to exchange students in any of the Faculty's undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as they follow specific requirements for regular students:
- Dissertation / Thesis (in Master's and PhD degrees)
- Project
- Supervision Seminar
- Training Report
- Internship

d) Undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Communication Studies
Please note that only students proposing an exchange period under the specific Erasmus+/Cooperation agreements in Communication and Media studies can apply to these degrees.

e) Undergraduate degree in Information Science
The degree in Information Science is lectured jointly at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the Faculty of Engineering (location: Campus II: Asprela). The location and timetables are specified in each subject record.

Language Requirements

Please note that a large majority of the subjects at FLUP are taught ONLY in Portuguese, so applicants are required to have some preparation in the language before arrival (please see below Language Levels). Students should carefully analyse the study plans and take note of the language of instruction as specified on each subject syllabus under “Teaching Language”. A number of subjects are taught in English, most notably in language-related degrees (Languages, Literature and Culture, Languages and International Relations, etc.). There are also a number of subjects taught in French, Spanish and German (check list below and the subject record).

Non-speakers of Portuguese may also select subjects specified as “Suitable for English-speaking students”: this means that the subject is taught in Portuguese, but English may be used for assessment purposes (writing papers, taking exams, etc.) and lecturers provide tutorials in English, whenever possible. Please note that this does not mean that the subject is taught in English.

Subjects indicated as taught only in Portuguese are not open to non-speakers of Portuguese or Spanish (i.e., do not explicitly include the reference “Suitable for English-speaking students”).

Subjects taught in foreign languages

This is a list of subjects taught in foreign languages (English, Spanish, French and German), which is merely indicative for the academic year it refers to. This list does not substitute checking the specific subject programme online to confirm that the language of instruction has been maintained or changed by the lecturers.

Foreign Languages 2024-2025

Language Levels

• Non-native speakers of Portuguese, except for Spanish speakers: Students who will be taking courses in Portuguese (without the mention of "Suitable for English-speaking students") should ensure they have at least a B1 level of Portuguese (CEFR).
• Students of Portuguese/Spanish/Hispanic Studies: Knowledge of Portuguese/Spanish is certified by the Transcript of Records for students coming from Portuguese/Spanish/Hispanic Studies departments.
• English speakers: Students who are not studying or do not speak Portuguese must ensure they have at least a B2 level of knowledge of English, as it will be the main language of communication and assessment.
• Portuguese language preparation: It is recommended (not compulsory) that non-Portuguese speaking applicants take a Portuguese A1 language course before the beginning of their study abroad in Portugal as preparation for their stay, to facilitate procedures upon arrival and integration.

Transcript of Records

The Transcript of Records is a certificate where all courses taken are listed, alongside the corresponding ECTS credits, the national or local credits (if applicable), the grades obtained according to the national scale and, if possible, the ECTS grades awarded. This document, which is a pre-requisite of the ECTS rules passed by the European Commission, is part of your application. Therefore, we cannot officially accept your application if this document is not included.

The Transcript of Records must be issued in English by the home university’s academic office. Transcripts in Portuguese, Spanish, French and Italian can also be accepted, but all other languages must be translated or issued in English.

For more information on the ECTS system please visit the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).

Application Deadlines

The deadline for submitting the online application is:

• Applications for the 1st semester: 1st April to 21st May
• Applications for the academic year: 1st April to 21st May
• Applications for the 2nd semester: 1st September to 15th October

Academic Calendar

Please check the main dates of the academic calendar, including semester dates, examination periods, holidays and breaks.

Examination periods

Students should note that the examination periods are an integral part of the semester, and should thus plan their exchange to include the dates of the resit examinations, as they may require that additional opportunity for assessment.

There are two main examination periods per semester. Students who have taken regular exams in the first examination period and failed can take a resit exam. Students can also choose to take the resit exam only. This only applies to students who have met the class attendance requirements and have fulfilled the assessment components as specified on each subject programme.

Students may also take advantage of the resit exams to improve grades (if they have passed the regular exam). However, grade improvement exams require online pre-registration and payment of a fee.

Note: The students must introduce themselves to the teachers at the beginning of the classes and clarify all questions related to assessment.

International Student Guide

Students are strongly advised to consult information about the University of Porto and the International Student Guide before coming to Portugal, as they will find information about procedures, student life in Porto, transport, etc..

Study in Porto
This site provides a range of very useful information for students in Porto: https://studyinporto.pt/

Portuguese Language Courses

The Faculty of Arts and Humanities offers several Portuguese courses for foreigners, including Intensive courses (Initiation level) for mobility students, normally in September/October and February/March. There are also two semester courses, one in the 1st semester (October – February) and the other in the 2nd semester (February/March – June) with several levels, from Beginner to Advanced. Information is available at Portuguese Language Courses.

Erasmus Student Network - ESN-Porto

Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is a student organisation to support and develop student mobility. There are ESN offices in many European universities, as is the case at the University of Porto. Visit the ESN-Porto website, register and receive information about activities, events, excursions, etc., organised throughout the year for mobility students. ESN-Porto has also been developing a support network to help with the integration of mobility students. If you want to have a more personalized follow-up, you can request a Buddy (Tutor), by email (buddy@esnporto.org) or by consulting the ESN-Porto page for more information.

Accommodation

I. University Residence Halls
Accommodation in university residence halls is managed by the Social Services of the University of Porto (SASUP), which will respond to the students who check this accommodation option on their application form (only exchange students). Please note that there are a limited number of places for exchange students and this application does not guarantee getting a room in a residence hall. Students will receive an email from SASUP confirming the accommodation or not.

II. Private Residence Halls

Please find below several options in terms of private residence halls and private housing. Please note that the University of Porto is not responsible for these accommodation options, as they are run by private organisations.

To better determine these options, the following map shows the location of the student residence halls mentioned below:
MAP: Location of the private residence halls

a) LIVENSA LIVING PORTO
Livensa Living Porto offers studios and twin rooms with fully equipped kitchens and private bathrooms, with excellent facilities, a swimming pool and a gym, all included in the rates charged. An agreement with FLUP provides students with special conditions, namely regarding the security deposit and booking options. Upon application, the Livensa management will explain how students can benefit from the existing agreement. Two options are available:

i) LIVENSA BOAVISTA: Residence hall in the Boavista area, located at a 10-minute walking distance from FLUP. This is a recommended accommodation option, given the facilities and services included in the rates, and its proximity to the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.
ii) LIVENSA PORTO CAMPUS: Further away from FLUP, located in the Asprela Campus, to the north of the city. Transport options include the Metro and Bus. It is located near the Yellow metro line, which connects with the metro lines coming to Boavista/Casa da Música at Trindade Metro Station. It is 30 to 45 minutes away from FLUP by bus.
Contacts: Email: porto@livensaliving.com | Site (for both options): https://en.livensaliving.com/alojamiento-oporto

b) MISERICÓRDIA DO PORTO UNIVERSITY ACCOMMODATION
SCMP offers two Halls of Residence in the centre of Porto, called the Gallery House Residence and the Baron's House Residence:
Site: https://www.scmp.pt/pt-pt/houses-residencias-porto/houses_residencias_porto

c) VILAR OPORTO HOTEL
Vilar Oporto Hotel offers single and double rooms with private bathrooms. Daily meals can be included in the accommodation package (kitchen facilities are not available). It is located near the city centre and is a 10-minute walking distance from FLUP. It has been recently renovated and reopened to the public.
Email: info@casadevilar.pt | Site: http://casadevilar.pt/ | https://www.facebook.com/casadevilar/

d) PORTO ALTO STUDENT RESIDENCE
Each one of the Porto Alto 45 apartments includes study and leisure areas, as well as a kitchenette and private bathroom. It is located in the city centre, with several transport options to the Faculty.
Email: portoalto@portoalto.com | Site: https://www.portoalto.com/en/

e) LIV Student Oporto
LIV STUDENT has established two residence halls in Porto, offering students en-suite accommodation, common spaces, and services, both located near the Asprela Campus, to the north of the city. They are close to several public transport options.
Email:  living@livensaliving.com | Site: https://www.livensaliving.com/en/bookings/ 

f) U.HUB - XIOR STUDENT HOUSING
New private residence hall offers all-inclusive accommodation for students, located near the Asprela Campus, to the north of the city. It is close to several public transport options.
Email: info@xior.pt | Site: https://xior.pt/en/uhub_experience/

g) WORLD SPRU
This private residence hall offers accommodation for university students, teachers and researchers, offering fully furnished single and double rooms with kitchenette and private bathroom. Although not close to FLUP or the city centre, it is located next to the Campanhã Train and Metro Station, with direct connections to Boavista and the city centre (all metro lines and it is the main train station to the rest of the country).
Name: World SPRU - Sociedade Privada de Residências Universitárias
Email: porto@spru.pt | Site: http://www.spru.pt/index.php?Itemid=106

h) LAR UNIVERSITÁRIO S. JOSÉ DE CLUNY
The residence, run by a religious order (Comunidade de Nossa Senhora do Bom Conselho) offers fully furnished single and double rooms with private bathrooms. It is located near the city centre and FLUP.
Email: larcluny@gmail.com | Site: https://clunyportugal.com/ppsjc/lar-universitario-de-sjc/



III. PRIVATE ROOMS AND FLATS

Porto offers a wide range of private accommodation for students. These are some of the recommended sites for student accommodation (among many others):

• UNIPLACES in partnership with the Porto Academic Federation. It is a good option to look for accommodation because there is a 24-hour multilingual support team who work to mediate with the proprietors, issue accommodation certificates, essential for visa purposes, reduce bureaucracy, etc. See a full description of how it works here.
• ErasmusU is a global site dedicated to national and international students (not only Erasmus), with accommodation offers and useful tips on the cities and universities, as well as online support, flexible cancellation and mediation. It also offers forums and contacts with other students coming to the specific city.
• University Living is a global student housing marketplace. It helps students across the globe find suitable and secure accommodation near their university campuses.
• BUSCA QUARTO is a site dedicated to ads for rooms and flats to share specifically in Portugal.
• Accommodation recommendations from ENS Porto: https://esnporto.org/?q=acommodation
• ESN Housing: Accommodation suggestions from ESN-Porto.

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