ѿapp

Image
Old buildings with colorful trams, architecture, Lisbon, Portugal.
Return to Search Results

Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Portugal

ѿappundergraduate and graduate students can study at Universidade Católica Portuguesa in sunny Lisbon, Portugal, for a semester or academic year. Courses are offered in English and several other languages.

My Logo

Location

Lisbon, Portugal

My Logo

Term

Fall, Spring, Academic Year

My Logo

Housing

Apartments, Dormitory

Program Highlights

With 290 days of sunshine per year and a low cost of living, Portugal is an ideal place for a semester abroad! KSU students have the opportunity to enroll in English-taught courses at Universidade Católica Portuguesa’s (UCP) Faculty of Human Sciences for a fall, spring, or academic year program. While 51% of the courses must be enrolled in the Faculty of Human Sciences, KSU students are also permitted to select from additional liberal arts courses at the Palma de Cima campus in Lisbon.
 

Program Contact Information

Molly Papay

Assistant Director, Education Abroad

Email: mpapay1@kent.edu

Office Phone: 330-672-3067

Important Dates

Application Deadlines

  • Spring 2025: October 15, 2024
  • Fall 2025: May 1, 2025
  • Academic Year 2025-2026: May 1, 2025
  • Spring 2026: October 15, 2025

Program Dates

Program dates vary each year based upon the host institution's academic calendar, but the following are general guidelines:

  • Academic year: Early September - Late June
  • Fall: Early September - Late December
  • Spring: Early February - Late June
Application Process

Students will be required to complete two applications:

  • an internal ѿappEducation Abroad application,
  • and a partner university application.

These quick steps will help walk you through the process.

1. Start an Education Abroad Application

When you click the "Apply Now" button (located towards the top and bottom of this page), you will be brought to the Education Abroad application system where you can view program costs and start an application. Be sure to submit your application before the deadline!

2. Wait for Acceptance

Once you have submitted your application, it will be reviewed by an Education Abroad Advisor. Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis. Please note that acceptance to the program by ѿappUniversity does not serve as final approval. The host institution or program provider grants final approval for each applicant.

3. Complete the Host University Application

Once your Education Abroad application has been accepted, you will be nominated to the host university. You will complete the host university’s application and wait for official acceptance to the program. 

Academics

Eligibility

  • Full-time degree-seeking student at Kent State
  • Any major
  • Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.5 or higher

Academic Programs

KSU students will enroll in  English-taught courses by UCP faculty members with deep expertise in social communication, cultural communication, photography, digital media production, organizational communication, marketing, public relations, advertising, journalism, and more.

While the majority (51%) of courses students enroll in at UCP must be offered through the Faculty of Human Sciences, students can elect to take courses from other departments as well. Find through the Faculty of Human Sciences and .

Portuguese language courses are offered each semester for an additional charge of 250€. 

Transferring Credits

Transfer Credits

With this program, students enroll in courses at a partner (host) institution. You will need to transfer the credits you earn abroad back to ѿappUniversity.

Upon successful completion of the program, the host institution will issue you an official transcript, which will be needed for the credit transfer process.

You must earn passing grades on the courses you take abroad for the credits to transfer. 

Prior to departure, students will meet with their academic advisor to complete a Transfer Course Planning (TCP) Form, which will outline the courses you plan to take while abroad and how the courses will transfer to ѿappUniversity. 

Some courses have already been pre-approved for transfer to ѿappand can be viewed on the Transfer Credit Guide. Please note that this is only a guide and is NOT a comprehensive list of courses available at each partner institution.

Credit Approval

Prior to departure, it is your responsibility to meet with your academic advisor to discuss the courses you plan to take while abroad.

If a course needs to be evaluated for transfer, you are responsible for working with your education abroad advisor to obtain the syllabus and have it reviewed by ѿappfaculty. 

Location & Transportation

Lisbon, Portugal

As the capital city of Portugal, Lisbon (population 504,000) is a vibrant and charismatic hub for urban and coastal life. It is a hilly location, which gives breathtaking views of colorful buildings set against the background of the body of water where the River Tagus meets the Atlantic Ocean. Lisbon is best known for its year-round mild temperatures and distinct architecture. You can find a mixture of buildings that are hundreds of years old alongside buildings modeling modern culture. The native language is Portuguese, but Lisbon is a multicultural city where English and many other languages are spoken.

Campus Information

UCP’s campus spans more than 9 acres in Lisbon, Portugal, and is composed of three buildings that house academic spaces as well as student services, such as dining facilities, computer labs, a library, a chapel, and more. .

Transportation

Airports

Students can travel to and from Lisbon using the Humberto Delgado Airport, informally known as Lisbon Airport. The airport is 12 minutes from the university by car or 30 minutes by public transportation.

Local Transit

As the capital city, there are many public transportation options available to students in Lisbon including metro, trams, and buses. There are also train services for farther travel.

Housing & Meals

Accommodations

The majority of students who study at UCP will live in apartments throughout Lisbon that are reserved on their own. The International Relations Office at UCP will provide a list of suggestions for websites and platforms to find accommodations. There is only one residence hall on campus and is available for female students only; you can learn more about the .

Meals

UCP does not offer meal plans, but there are many dining options near campus and throughout Lisbon.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

There is a financial aid counselor specifically for Education Abroad. You can schedule an appointment with them on KSU Advising (Group Name: Education Abroad) or email finaideducationabroad@kent.edu

It is possible to use your federal financial aid to go on ѿappUniversity-approved education abroad programs. You can learn more on the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center website.

It is also possible to use most ѿappscholarships for education abroad costs. You can find education abroad scholarships on ScholarshipUniverse.

Health & Safety

Pre-Departure Orientation

Prior to your study abroad experience, you will participate in a mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Office of Global Education. During this orientation, you will be provided with information including but not limited to:

  • international travel procedures;
  • in-country resources;
  • health and safety resources and information;
  • culture shock and resources to help prepare for living abroad.

All students are encouraged to register with the prior to departure.

You can also review a wide variety of resources we’ve pulled together for you on our “Before You Go” page.

Country Profile

You can learn more about your destination(s), including travel advisories, through the .

In addition, we encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel page for for traveling to your destination(s).

If vaccinations or medications are needed according to the CDC, you should make arrangements for appointments with your healthcare provider or the DeWeese Health Center as soon as possible. Appointment openings at the DeWeese Health Center are limited and vaccines may need to be ordered, which takes time. Please note that not all immunizations are available at the DeWeese Health Center. 

Visa Information

A visa is a document required by many countries, in addition to your passport, that allows you to enter the country for a certain purpose (whether that’s to stay, transit, or exit). Essentially, it is the country's government giving you legal permission to enter their country to travel, study, work, etc.

Please note, it is solely the responsibility of the student to: 

  • determine the entry, transit, and stay requirements for the country or countries to which they will travel,
  • and to apply for any necessary visas, stay permits, or any other immigration requirements of the host nation(s).

It is also the responsibility of the student to:

  • verify the correct documentation required to apply for the required visa(s), 
  • apply for the visa(s) early enough to ensure there is enough processing time,
  • and pay any fees associated with obtaining the visa(s).

ѿappUniversity's Office of Global Education is available to provide general guidance regarding student visa requirements and procedures; however, each student who travels abroad is expected to manage their own legal obligations regarding international travel.

It is strongly recommended by the Office of Global Education that you carefully review the appropriate consulate or embassy website for the nation(s) you plan to visit in order to determine current entry/study/exit visa requirements.

Fact Sheet

Your host, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, has prepared an overview document for you to download and keep as a handy reference.

Download Fact Sheet

Costs and Funding

cost affordability icon

Costs for the program will differ for every student. You can use our Cost Calculator to get an estimate of what you might expect for your program. 

We also encourage you to meet with your Education Abroad Advisor and the Financial Aid Counselor for Education Abroad to see how your aid may apply to an international program by emailing finaideducationabroad@kent.edu

 

Matthew standing beside a sign that reads Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Matthew M.

“Being able to study abroad in Portugal was an academically eye-opening and cultural experience. Aside from being exposed to different pedagogical styles and administrative practices, I was able to enjoy living in the multicultural metropolis that is Lisbon, Portugal. Right on the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon provides residents with unequivocal public transportation that can be used to go to the beach, class, or one of the beautiful historic districts in the city (all in the same day!). This opportunity will benefit me in the future as I seek a career working outside of the US interacting with people of different cultures and upbringings.” 

Your Journey is Just Beginning