The Portuguese higher education system is organised as a binary system that consists of the university and the polytechnic systems.

University education is taught at universities, university institutes, and other institutions within thi area.

Polytechnic education is taught at polytechnic universities, in polytechnic institutes and other institutions within polytechnic education. 

The Portuguese higher education system includes public higher education, made up of institutions belonging to the state and the foundations it has instituted, as well as private higher education, consisting of institutions belonging to private entities and cooperatives.

Higher education institutions are governed by the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MECI). The military and police higher education institutions are overseen by the MECI and the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Internal Administration (Home Office) respectively. In some respects, special systems apply.

The Portuguese higher education system boasts an institution that is focussed on distance learning (e-learning) - Universidade Aberta (Open University).

Established by the Holy See on 13 October 1967 and recognised by the Portuguese State on 15 July 1971, the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, one of various private higher education institutions, operates according to Portuguese law.

Higher education institutions by type, 2022/2023

Source: DGEEC. Estatísticas da Educação, 2022/23. Note: Higher education institution types according to Law No. 62/2007, 10 September.