How to generally recognize a foreign higher education degree or diploma whose level, objectives, and nature are identical to the Portuguese degrees of Bachelor, Master, and Doctor or to the Professional Higher Technical Diploma, and which has been awarded by an institution recognized or accredited by the competent authorities in the country of origin.

Which foreign degrees does this apply to?

• Check HERE if it applies to your Degree/Diploma.
• Verify the list of degrees issued by the Commission for the Recognition of Foreign Degrees and Diplomas HERE.

Which documents should you submit?

The applicant must provide an unequivocal document proving that the degree or diploma was awarded, namely:

• A copy of the Diploma or a document issued by the foreign higher education institution certifying that the degree or diploma has been awarded, authenticated by the competent authorities for this purpose.
• A simple copy of a document issued by the foreign higher education institution containing the registration number of the degree or diploma, if the institution maintains centralized records publicly accessible via a unique identifier.
• The Diploma or certificate issued by the foreign higher education institution, in its original version, proving the award of the degree or diploma for which recognition is requested.

Cost?

• The fee amount is listed in the Fees Table in force at IPSantarém. It is non-refundable, even in case of withdrawal.

How long does it take?

• Up to 30 days after the complete processing of the application and payment of the fee.
• You can check on the DGES website whether your diploma is eligible for automatic recognition.

This is the procedure that allows recognizing a foreign higher education degree or diploma as identical to a Portuguese academic degree or higher education diploma, through a case-by-case analysis of level, duration, and curricular content in a given field of study, branch of knowledge, or specialty.

Specific recognition is requested from an institution that awards the degree or diploma in the same field of study.

This recognition may be subject to passing knowledge assessment procedures.

Within the scope of specific recognition, for degrees awarded by foreign higher education institutions following a program with 300 to 360 credits and a normal duration of 10 to 12 semesters, which correspond in Portugal to:

1. a) In duration and curricular content, the integrated study cycle leading to a master’s degree, the master’s degree is recognized;
2. b) In curricular content, a study cycle leading to a bachelor’s degree, the master’s degree is recognized, provided that the holder of that academic degree has obtained approval for a scientific dissertation or a project work, originally and specially prepared for this purpose, or a professional internship with a final report, equivalent in duration to 30 credits.

Cost

The fee to be paid is listed in the Fees Table in force at IPSantarém. It is non-refundable, even in case of withdrawal.

Documents to submit:

The applicant must provide an unequivocal document proving that the degree or diploma was awarded, namely:

• Copy of the Diploma or a document issued by the foreign higher education institution certifying that the degree or diploma has been awarded, authenticated by the competent authorities;
• Simple copy of a document issued by the foreign higher education institution showing the registration number of the degree or diploma, in the case of institutions with centralized records publicly accessible via a unique identifier;
• The original Diploma or certificate issued by the foreign higher education institution proving that the degree or diploma has been awarded.

In addition to the documents mentioned above, specific documentation may be requested, namely:

• A document issued by the foreign higher education institution listing the curricular units in which the applicant was approved, which led to the award of the degree or diploma for which recognition is sought, as well as their syllabi, the duration of the studies leading to the degree, and the final grade.
• If it concerns a degree corresponding to the master’s level: a digital or scanned copy of the defended dissertation or project work, or of the internship report.
• If it concerns a degree corresponding to the doctoral level: a digital or scanned copy of the defended thesis, except when it has been replaced by other research works, artistic works, or achievements; in that case, the appropriate digital or scanned materials must be submitted to illustrate the research content and the rationale detailing the conception and elaboration process, the research capacity, and its context within the advancement of knowledge in the relevant field.

How long does it take?

The decision on a specific recognition request is issued within a maximum of 90 days from receipt of the fully documented application and payment.

If the initial request is not fully documented, the applicant is granted up to 30 days to supply the missing elements.

It allows recognizing, by comparability and on a case-by-case basis, a foreign higher education degree or diploma as having a level corresponding to a Portuguese academic degree or higher education diploma.

Level recognition is requested from an institution that awards the degree or diploma in the same field of study, and it may also be based on precedence when all of the following elements are met:

1. a) It was awarded by the same foreign higher education institution in the same country;
2. b) It bears the same title of the study cycle;
3. c) It carries the same designation of the foreign degree or diploma;
4. d) The program conferring the degree or diploma has an identical duration or the same number of credits.

Which documents should you submit?

The applicant must provide an unequivocal document proving that the degree or diploma was awarded, namely:

A copy of the Diploma or a document issued by the foreign higher education institution certifying that the degree or diploma has been awarded, authenticated by the competent authorities for that purpose.

A simple copy of a document issued by the foreign higher education institution showing the registration number of the degree or diploma, in cases where the institution maintains centralized records publicly accessible via a unique identifier.

The original Diploma or certificate issued by the foreign higher education institution proving that the degree or diploma has been awarded.

In addition to the documents mentioned above, specific documentation may also be requested, namely:

A document issued by the foreign higher education institution listing the curricular units in which the applicant was approved, which led to the award of the degree or diploma for which recognition is sought, including their syllabi, the duration of the studies leading to the degree, and the final grade.

If it concerns a degree corresponding to the master’s level: a digital or scanned copy of the defended dissertation, project work, or internship report.

If it concerns a degree corresponding to the doctoral level: a digital or scanned copy of the defended thesis, except if it has been replaced by other research works, artistic works, or achievements; in that case, submit appropriate digital or scanned materials that allow understanding the research content and the rationale detailing the conception and elaboration process, research capacity, and its context within the advancement of knowledge in the relevant field.

Cost?

The fee to be paid is listed in the Fees Table in force at IPSantarém. It is non-refundable, even in case of withdrawal.

How long does it take?

Up to 90 days after the complete processing of the application and payment of the fee.

For level recognition with precedence, up to 30 days after the application is fully documented and fee paid.