Portugal: Universidade Catolica Portuguesa (USAC)

‌Through UNI's partnership with USAC (University of Study Abroad Consortium), students are able to study abroad for a summer, semester, or academic year at the Universidade Catolica Portuguesa (UCP) in Lisbon. Having educated some of the world's top CEO's, political leaders, a Nobel Prize winner, world-renowned scientists and researchers, religious leaders, and social entrepreneurs, UCP is currently one of Portugal's top ranked private universities, and excelling as a leading research university.

Not only will UNI students be advised through the process by the UNI Study Abroad Center, but they will also receive help and support from USAC staff as well. They will also have the option to connect with up to 30 other students from around the US before the start of the semester who will also be participating in this program. UCP also values the importance of global education, meaning US students will be taking classes alongside local and international degree-seeking students, as well as other visiting study abroad students from around the world, creating a truly diverse and global learning environment.

Dates & Deadlines

Term: Summer and Fall 2025
App Deadline: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Program Dates: TBA

The application cycle for Spring 2025 is currently closed. Summer and Fall 2025 applications will open later this semester. Students can click the link below to schedule this meeting beginning in November.

Schedule First Steps Meeting

Interested in studying abroad in the summer of 2025 or later? Please fill out the waitlist form below and the study abroad center will notify you when applications for future terms open. You can also schedule an informational meeting with our office to learn more about the programs we offer and find one that works best for you!

Study Abroad Waitlist Schedule Info Meeting

Unsure where to begin? Visit our Application Process page to learn more!

Location

As the capital city of Portugal, Lisbon is one of the largest and oldest cities in the country. From exploring the interesting history, beautiful scenery, energetic nightlife, vibrant culinary scenes, or being immersed in the culture, there is always something to do here. It is also one of Europe's least expensive capital cities as well, offering exceptional food, public transport, and entertainment for less cost!

UCP also strives to strengthen society through science, education of its citizens, and developing forward-thinking entrepreneurs. Each year, they have nearly 13,000 degree seeking students enroll at their university, and welcome more than 2,000 international students from over 100 countries to their campuses!

Academics

Students typically take 4-5 courses for a semester at UCP, which equals out to be 12-15 credits. Since students will be taking classes on the main campus in Lisbon, they can select courses within the Faculty of Human Sciences and the Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics. Within these faculties, there are a wide range of academic options taught in English to choose from. Some of the area's of study offered are listed below:

Applied Languages
Business
Communication
Cultural and Global Studies
Philosophy
Politics
Economics
Psychology

Participant Info

Meet your Advisor:

Jamie is a full time study abroad advisor who will help you throughout the application process to Portugal, including documentation, finances, scholarships, and more. From your first steps meeting until you take off for your new adventure, Jamie will help you every step of the way.

Important information to review:

Study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be challenged by new experiences in new environments and cultures. UNI study abroad programs are designed to prioritize educational opportunities for students. Students are encouraged to embrace the adventure of exploring how housing, meals, and daily routines differ abroad.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Review and follow the travel recommendations of the U.S. State Department for travel to Portugal.

Immigration Information

Students going to Portugal for more than 90 days will need to apply for a student visa.

Your Study Abroad Advisor and USAC will help you through this process but it is the student's responsibility to stay on top of the visa application process and to review the latest updates related to their destination country.

Housing & Meals

Students will be housed in an off campus residence hall with 5-8 other USAC students. Each apartment contains a private bedroom and bathroom, and a shared kitchen and living space. Upon arrival, students will also be provided with a set of towels and sheets.

The apartment complex is located downtown Lisbon, and includes an on-site gym, 24/7 reception desk, multimedia room, regular cleaning services, on-site laundry, and wi-fi. There is also a two-step keycard required to enter the building, ensuring students safety.

Summer School

During the month of June, UCP also offers a summer school where students can take 1-2 courses within the faculty of Human Sciences.

Program Costs

Estimated Program Cost will vary

Costs for the USAC program to Portugal will vary depending on students preferences and necessities. Students will go over projected costs with a UNI study abroad advisor during their First Steps meeting.

USAC is a nonprofit, so they make it a priority to keep costs affordable to allow more students to gain an international experience. They also offer a wide variety of scholarships, grants, and discounts to students, as well as assistance to students who need help applying for financial aid.

UNI study abroad center also has many scholarship resources available for students. Visit our "Finances and Scholarships" page for more information.

Cost of Studying On Campus at UNI

Tuition & Fees	$4,864
Room & Board	$4,993
Books	$400
Personal Expenses	$902
Transportation	$395
Total	$11,544

Source: https://admissions.uni.edu/cost-aid

‌Eligibility Requirements to Study Abroad

The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to Study Abroad. Students must have a completed study abroad application, including supportive recommendation form(s). Additionally, students must meet all of the following in order to be eligible to Study Abroad:

Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher at the time of application and maintain this cumulative GPA prior to departure and throughout the study abroad process
If your cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, submit the following to the Study Abroad Center (103 East Bartlett):
- Letters of reference from two academic contacts (e.g. academic advisor and former or current professor) supporting your pursuit of study abroad. If you are attending a faculty-led study abroad program, one of the letters must be from a course leader. However, if the program has two course leaders, only one of the letters can be from one of the course leaders.

Must be over the age of 18 years old
Must meet the course prerequisites (participation in the program is dependent upon meeting these)
Must be in good standing with the University
UNI's partner institutions may require additional eligibility requirements to be met, these vary from institution to institution. Please consult with the Study Abroad Center staff to discuss these additional requirements, if applicable.
Applicants traveling to a region of a country or a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or 4 (Do Not Travel) will not be eligible.