University of Wisconsin–Madison
Back to Top

UW in Portugal

Old red-roofed buildings cover a hill along a river.
Students walking on a tree-lined, leaf-covered path along a river.
Brightly colored boats floating in a narrow waterway.

Portugal, Coimbra

The University of Wisconsin-Madison program in Coimbra, Portugal provides students the opportunity to attend the Portuguese Language and Culture program for international students at the Universidade de Coimbra as well as the option of directly enrolling in up to two regular Universidade de Coimbra courses.

Coimbra features many exquisite cathedrals, monasteries, parks, and gardens. The city is famous for its twisting streets, terraced houses, and fado music. With a population of approximately 100,000, Coimbra provides both an intimate and a stimulating environment in which to live and study. Coimbra is located in Portugal's Costa de Prata, "Silver Coast," which offers a variety of beautiful beaches, charming towns, unspoiled villages, monuments, temples, castles, palaces, and museums. Lisbon, Portugal's capital, is 125 miles south of Coimbra. It is a lively, international city with a population of about one and a half million, and offers a fascinating combination of the old and the new.

Learning Objectives

We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:

  • Strengthen language skills
  • Navigate new educational systems, as well as new learning and teaching styles
  • Observe Portuguese perspectives on academic disciplines

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

Request Information

Join our email list to receive program updates-including application notices, scholarship information, and more!

Eligibility

  • 2.5 cumulative GPA
  • Junior, Senior
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA in all Portuguese language courses
  • Language Prerequisite(s):
    Second Semester Portuguese
  • Open to UW-Madison degree seeking students and degree-seeking undergraduate students at a US college or university
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

UW Signature

Subjects

Portuguese language and culture. Advanced Portuguese language speakers can directly enroll in humanities and social science courses.

Classroom Language

Portuguese

Housing

Apartments, Residence Hall

Program Duration

Academic Year: Late September - Mid-June
Spring: Early February - Mid-June

Application Deadline(s)

Spring 2026-27 8/21/2026 Cost Details
Year 2027-28 2/5/2027 Cost Details
Fall 2027-28 2/5/2027 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

King Dinis founded the Universidade de Coimbra in 1285. After moving back and forth between Lisbon and Coimbra, the university settled permanently in Coimbra in 1537 in the Alcacoba Palace. Today, approximately 17,000 students take classes at the university's hill-top campus overlooking the Mondego River.  The University of Coimbra was recently inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage list.  Coimbra offers an outstanding example of an integrated university city with a specific urban typology as well as its own ceremonial and cultural traditions that have been kept alive through the ages.

The Portuguese Language and Culture program has three different levels: elementary, intermediate, and advanced. These courses are designed specifically for students learning Portuguese as a second language. Upon arrival, a placement test is given to determine the student's appropriate level placement. The elementary levels include courses in Portuguese language, conversation, and composition as well as a language laboratory. The intermediate levels add courses in Portuguese history, geography, and art to the language and composition and conversation courses. The advanced levels offer a language course, as well as courses in linguistics, Portuguese literature, contemporary Portugal, art history, and geography.

Students with advanced Portuguese language skills are encouraged to directly enroll in one or two regular Universdade de Coimbra courses with Portuguese students. Students are able to choose from courses in the Faculty of Letters. Regular university courses may start several weeks prior to the Portuguese Language and Culture program.

Affiliate Institution(s)

University of Coimbra

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents