Incoming Students

Incoming

Students wishing to undertake an exchange/mobility period at IPCA must complete and submit the Online Application Form, together with the other mandatory documents, from 1st March to 30th April (for the 1st semester and for the whole academic year) or from 15th September to 31st October (for the 2nd semester).

Catalogue with the description of the Curricular Units can be found at https://ipca.pt/catalogo-unidades-curriculares/ .

Required Application documents

Online Application Form for Exchange Students
Learning Agreement for Studies (to be saved as LA_Student Name.pdf)
Transcript of Records (to be saved as ToR_HOME_Student Name.pdf)
ID Card/Passport (to be saved as ID_Student Name.pdf)
Scanned Photo (to be saved as Photo_Student Name.jpg)
Portfolio: only for students in the area of Industrial or Graphic Design (to be saved as Portfolio_Student Name.pdf)

In order for the application to be considered, students must be nominated by the Sending Institution first, by email to gri@ipca.pt

The nomination email must include the following information:

Student’s email

Field of studies

Student’s name

Level of studies

Mobility Period

Following the nomination’s validation, the Sending Institution and the student will receive an email with the application procedures.

The students’ acceptance will be sent by email to the home institution after proper analysis and validation by the respective Academic Coordinator.

All applications must be submitted online. Note that paper or email applications will not be considered.

Orientation Program

Foto de Grupo com os Alunos Internacionais do Programa de Orientação

Every semester, the International Office (GRI), organises an Orientation Programme, especially dedicated to exchange students, with the main goal of integrating students at IPCA. During this initiative, students may visit the Institute’s facilities and receive information related to all the issues inherent to their study period with us. During this event, students will meet the IRO’s team and all the other foreign students taking part in Exchange Programmes.

It is very important that all students coming to IPCA take part in this Orientation Programme so that they can obtain all the relevant information from the outset to facilitate their stay at IPCA and in Portugal.

Requirements and Language Courses

At IPCA most of the classes are taught in Portuguese and students should have enough linguistic knowledge to be able to keep up. The minimum recommended level of Portuguese is B1 and B2 for English.

Exams may be taken in a different language, depending on a previous arrangement between student and teacher. There is also the possibility of developing individual work or a project, as well as attending a seminar in a foreign language agreed on between the supervisor and the student.

The International Office (IRO) puts together, at the beginning of every semester, a Portuguese Language Course, with a total of 48 class hours. This course is aimed at all exchange students. The main goal of this course is to provide students with the basic tools of the Portuguese language, in order to facilitate the academic and social integration in Portugal.

In addition, the School of Hospitality and Tourism (ESHT) offers foreign languages courses, available both for national and international students, seeking with this initiative to face the ever so growing interest in multilingualism.

IPCA Buddy

It is a very well known fact that performing a mobility period is a great adventure and an opportunity for growth, both academically and personally. However, leaving the comfort zone and going to an unfamiliar country can often be a challenge.

The IPCA Buddy Program aims to assist students in order to make this transition and adaptation smoother. By joining the IPCA Buddy, you will have an IPCA student helping you build the bridge, not only with the institution, but also with the city and its everyday life.

If you are interested in joining the program, check this option on the Online Application Form.