Nationality Requirements
- Is not a national of an European Union (EU) Member State;
- Is not a direct descendant, spouse (husband/wife) or partner of a national of a EU Member State;
- Has not been legally residing in Portugal continuously for more than two years on the 1st January of the year in which he or she intends to enter higher education (himself/herself, his or her spouse or any of the parents with whom he or she lawfully resides);
- Not be a beneficiary of the status of equal rights and duties conferred in accordance with international treaties between the Portuguese State and the State of which they are nationals.
Access Qualifications
- Be the holder of a secondary school qualification or equivalent. (The applicants can require a Certification of Equivalence at Direção Geral de Educação here);
- Having one of the follow options:
- Successful realization of the required entrance exams, considered equivalent to the corresponding Portuguese national exams (The required entrance exams are considered equivalent to the corresponding Portuguese national exams in accordance to the Deliberation No. 491/2023).
Or
- Having sat the entrance exams - Portuguese national exams - set for the BSc in Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience
02 Biology and Geology and 07 Physics and Chemistry |
OR |
02 Biology and Geology and 16 Mathematics |
Or
- Internal written exams, in English language and exams conducted in person, provide by Católica Medical School, with the Portuguese national exams subjects set for the BSc in Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience (subjects available on IAVE.pt)
Entrance Exams
- Exams from International Diplomas
Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma
Portuguese National Exams |
Equivalent Exams |
02 Biologia e Geologia |
Biology + Environmental Management |
07 Física e Química |
Chemistry AS level or Chemistry A level and Physics AS level or Physics A level |
16 Matemática |
Mathematics-Further or Mathematics AS level or Mathematics A level |
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma)
Portuguese National Exams |
Equivalent Exams |
02 Biologia e Geologia |
Biology SL/HL |
07 Física e Química
|
Chemistry SL/HL and Physics SL/HL |
16 Matemática
|
Further Mathematics or Mathematics or Mathematics Analysis and Aproaches - SL/HL or Mathematics Applications and Interpretations - SL/HL |
Baccalauréat Européen (BAC Europeu)
Portuguese National Exams |
Equivalent Exams |
02 Biologia e Geologia |
Biologie |
07 Física e Química
|
Chimie and Physique |
16 Matemática
|
Mathématiques - BAC ES or Mathématiques - BAC S or Mathématiques 3 or Mathématiques 5 |
Advanced Placement Exam (AP Exams)
Portuguese National Exams |
Equivalent Exams |
02 Biologia e Geologia |
AP Biology (AP Exam) or AP Biology (AP Exam) + Environmental Science (AP Exam) |
07 Física e Química |
AP Physics 1: Algebra Based (AP Exam) and AP Chemistry (AP Exam) |
16 Matemática |
AP Calculus AB (AP Exam) or AP Calculus BC (AP Exam) |
Brazil (National Examination of Secondary Education - ENEM)
Portuguese National Exams
|
Equivalent Exams
|
02 Biologia e Geologia |
Natural Sciences and their Technologies |
07 Física e Química |
Natural Sciences and their Technologies |
16 Matemática
|
Natural Sciences and their Technologies |
The minimum ENEM score is 475 points, which corresponds to 95 on the Portuguese scale.
The required entrance exams are considered equivalent to the corresponding Portuguese national exams in accordance to the Deliberation No. 677/2024.
A successful applicant must score a minimum of 95 (0 of 200) in each of the entrance exams, when translated to the Portuguese National grading system.
Note: The final exams are valid as entrance examinations in the year it is sat and in the two following years, according to the Deliberation No. 1233/2014 of the Comissão Nacional de Acesso ao Ensino Superior.
Prerequisites
- Of Selection
Minimum English level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), attested by one of the following certificates:
a) Cambridge English Exams - Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) - minimum score of 180;
b) International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic - minimum score of 7;
c) Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) - a minimum score of 94;
d) Aptis ESOL Advanced - British Council: minimum level C1 of CEFR;
e) Satisfaction test carried out at Católica Languages & Translation: minimum level C1 of CEFR;
f) Applicants who provide proof that they have English as their first language or have attended secondary school exclusively in English.
*
Note: You should pay attention to the recommendations for the validity of the exams.
Required Documentation for the Application
Applications must be submitted via an online platform.
At the end of the submission process, the applicant will receive payment information (ATM reference for applicants residing in Portugal or IBAN for applicants residing abroad). The application will only be completed once payment has been made. Incomplete applications or applications without associated payment will not be assessed.
Face-to-face appointments by appointment only (saude.sede@ucp.pt)
If the applicant is no longer in secondary education, the following documentation is required:
- Passport-type photo;
- Identification Document and Tax Identification Document;
- Certificate/diploma of foreign secondary education, legally equivalent to the Portuguese Diploma. Applicants will need to request an equivalence certificate at the Direção Geral de Educação here.
- Proof of completion of foreign final exams or final year subject exams of the respective foreign secondary education degree, equivalent to the subjects in Portuguese education and/or of the internal exams written at Católica Medical School;
- Proof of English Language Proficiency;
- Declaration, under oath, that the applicant is eligible as an "International Student";
- Proof of up-to-date tetanus and diphtheria vaccination.
Application Calendar:
1st phase of applications: June 2nd to July 22nd, 2025
Results: July 24, 2025
Enrollment: July 25 to 30, 2025
2nd application phase: July 23 to August 10, 2025
Results: August 11, 2025
Enrollment: August 12-13, 2025
Call for applications 2025/26
Classes will start on September 8th 2025
Welcome Day on 5th of September 2025
Vacancies
There are 3 vacancies for the International Regime , for the 2025/26 academic year.
Application Fee
The application fee for the BSc in Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience will be €175.00. This amount is not refundable.