Portugal higher education sees record applications and new dual-degree programmes

By mid‑July, 51,480 candidates had applied for the first phase of Portugal's National Access Competition (CNAES), 1,885 more than the same period in 2025. The increase comes as the application window was extended to 18 days this year, up from 15, and technical problems with the digital grading of nearly 300,000 secondary‑school exams delayed the release of results. The Ministry of Education said no student would be harmed and postponed the first‑phase results to 17 July, with the first phase closing on 6 August. A special exam period is scheduled for 3‑8 September, and the second phase will run from 24 August to 22 September.

At the same time, the University of Minho launched Portugal’s first public‑sector dual‑degree bachelor programmes, combining fields such as Economics and Management, Physics and Chemistry, and Mathematics and Physics. The courses last four to five years and award two nationally and European‑recognised degrees. Vice‑rector for Education Cristina Dias said the initiative aims to boost graduate employability, noting that almost 55,000 applications have already been registered for the new offerings.