The special competition for access to higher education covers students who cumulatively:

Do not have Portuguese nationality, except:

• Nationals of an EU Member State;
  • Those who are not national of an EU Member State, legally resident in Portugal for more than two years consecutively, by August 31st of the year when they wish to apply to higher education, as well as the children living with them, and the residence time for study is not relevant for this purpose;
  • Those who require the access to higher education through special schemes.
• Are holders of:
  • Qualification giving access to higher education, that is, any diploma or certificate issued by a competent authority attesting the passing of an educational program that gives them the right to apply for admission to higher education in the country where it was conferred;
  • or the Diploma of Portuguese secondary school or legally equivalent degree.

The application to higher education, through special competitions for access, is held annually, with the higher education institution (HEI) desired by the student, the courses for which the institution intends to carry the competition for access to higher education.

The application can be submitted for access and admission to higher private or public, with the exception of the Open University and military higher schools or police.

Intended for attending courses of study leading to the degree of undergraduate and integrated study cycles leading to the degree of master.

Under the special competition for access to higher education, the institutions are able to prepare and develop actions related to the access and enrollment in their courses, under the terms established by law, establishing, inter alia, that the vacancies for each of their institution/course pairs and the respective criteria for ranking and tie-breaking.

The deadline for applications is fixed annually by the HEI and published on its website, not less than three months prior to the date of start.