This page contains information about:
- understanding British qualifications and comparing them to the Portuguese system
- comparing British and Portuguese classifications
- equivalences
- translation of certificates
Q
What are British qualifications called?
A
To help you understand the information contained in the institutions' websites, the following information may be useful:
- GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) is comparable to year 9
- A level (Advanced level) is comparable to year 12
- BA Hon, BSc Hon, BEng Hon (Bachelor with Honours) is comparable to a licentiate degree
- MA (Master) is comparable to a mestrado.
If you need to contact the institutions you should consider the following:
- If you hold a Bacharelato degree you should say 'I have completed a 3 year Higher Education course (Bacharelato)'
- If you hold a Licenciatura degree, you should say 'I have completed a Licentiate Degree course'
- If you hold a Pós-graduação you should say 'I have completed a postgraduate course'
- If you hold a Mestrado you should say 'I have completed a Master degree course'
Q
Is there a comparative system between UK and Portuguese classifications?
A
The table below is not official but it will help you establish a comparison between classifications in the UK and in Portugal.
Classification of BA or BSc Honours degrees in the UK (pass mark: 40%) and corresponding classifications of a Licentiate degree course in Portugal:
The following table is not official and is only valid for guidance purposes
| UK marks – pass mark 40% |
Percentage |
Portuguese marks |
| First Class |
70-100 |
Muito Bom/Excelente |
| Second Class first division (2:1) |
60-69 |
Bom |
| Second Class second division (2:2) |
50-59 |
Suficiente Mais |
| Third class (3) |
40-49 |
Suficiente/Aprovado |
| Pass |
35-39 |
Aprovado a um nível inferior ao da licenciatura (sem Honours) |
| Fail |
0-34 |
Reprovado |
Higher Education institutions normally require a minimum classification of 2.1 at honours level as a general entry requirement for master degrees. However, this criteria may vary amongst institutions.
Every time you refer to the classification you obtained in your degree, or to the grade obtained in each individual subject, you should write your grade in the Portuguese system, for instance, 15/20. It is also advisable to include the information that higher education in Portugal awards marks on a scale of 0 (zero) to 20, and that the pass mark is 10.
Q
What is the equivalence granted to UK qualifications in Portugal?
In Portugal, universities are the competent authorities to grant equivalences to higher education qualifications obtained abroad.You should obtain the necessary information about procedures from the universities in Portugal which offer courses identical or similar to the UK qualification you will be studying. You should also contact the Portuguese professional associations (ordens) and similar entities and ask about recognition of UK qualifications.
We also advise you to contact NARIC – National Academic Recognition Information Centres about the equivalence of British academic qualifications in Portugal:
Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior
Direcção Geral do Ensino Superior
NARIC - National Academic Recognition Information Centres
Avenida Duque de Ávila, 137
1069-016 LISBOA
T 21 312 6000
www.naricportugal.pt/naric
Find out more about the Bologna Process.
Q
Does the British Council translate academic qualifications?
A
We do not translate or authenticate qualification documents. For more information, see our Portugal/UK equivalencies page.
Q
When should I send the certified translations of my qualifications to the institutions?
R
They are normally sent together with the application form.
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