Universidad de Beira Interior

Portugal, located in southwestern Europe, is known for its rich history, stunning coastlines, and vibrant culture. The country boasts a blend of modern cities and picturesque towns, such as Lisbon, Porto, and Sintra, which showcase a mix of architectural styles. Portugal is famous for its delicious cuisine, including fresh seafood, pastries like pastéis de nata, and world-renowned wines, particularly Port wine. With its mild climate, Portugal attracts visitors with its beautiful beaches, such as the Algarve region, and offers opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking in the Douro Valley or surfing along the Atlantic coast.

Covilhã is a charming city nestled in the central part of Portugal, within the stunning Serra da Estrela mountain range. It is known for its historical significance as a center for wool and textile production. Today, Covilhã is a thriving university town with a vibrant arts and cultural scene. The city offers a unique blend of old and new, with its well-preserved historic center, picturesque streets, and modern amenities. Covilhã also serves as a gateway to the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, offering visitors breathtaking landscapes, outdoor activities, and the opportunity to experience Portugal's highest mountain. The Vodafone Ski Resort, the only ski resort in Portugal, is located only 20 km away from the city. The climate in Covilhã is Mediterranean, moderately cold in the winter and relatively warm in the summer.

Universidade de Beira Interior was founded in 1979 and has more than 7,000 students distributed across a multiplicity of graduation courses, awarding academic degrees in fields ranging from medicine to aeronautical engineering and mathematics.

The university campus is well integrated in the city urban network and it has unique characteristics based on Covilhã's industrial roots.

Courses in English

UBI offers a limited number of courses in English. To view these courses, click here, then click on "International Options", choose a department, and click on "Subjects in English."

Language Courses

UBI also offers Portuguese language courses at a variety of levels. To view these courses, click here, and choose "Non-Degree Courses."

Departments at UBI are:

• Communication, Philosophy and Politics (about 1 course in English per semester)

• Electromechanical Engineering (about 2-6 courses in English per semester)

• Psychology and Education (about 1-2 courses in English per semester)

• Management and Economics (about 3-5 courses in English per semester)

• Sociology (about 3-5 courses in English per semester)

The European academic structure varies from the North American system. Courses completed at a European exchange partner will not be transferred back to the U of L on a course-for-course basis. Rather, students will be required to successfully complete a certain number of ECTS (European Transfer Credit System) credits to earn U of L credit equivalency. Typically, a full course load is 30 ECTS, and 6 ECTS = 3 U of L credits.

You are eligible for this exchange if you are:

• A full-time student at the U of L
• In at least the 2nd year of your program
• In good academic standing, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher

Although it is not a requirement, due to the limited number of English courses offered, students may need to be fluent in Portuguese to complete enough courses to maintain full-time status.

Students are required to apply for a Schengen Type D study visa prior to leaving. Applications should be made at your nearest Portuguese Embassy or Consulate.

For detailed information about vaccination recommendations when visiting Slovenia, please visit the Government of Canada's website.

Campus Residences

• Cost: €105 - €230/month (2015)
• UBI has seven campus residence buildings available, with preference given to exchange students
• Applications may be submitted upon enrollment
• The majority of rooms are shared double rooms, but single rooms are available

Private Housing

• UBI provides a list of real estate agencies with housing for rent on their website

Arrival Information

Information on how to get to Covilhã from the Lisbon or Porto airport can be found here.

In Covilhã

The city has public transportation, several car rentals, taxis, one train station and one bus station. There are several connections daily by bus and train.

For more information about transportation in Covilhã click here.

In Europe

For those planning a lot of travel throughout Europe, it is recommended to buy a Eurail pass. The pass must be purchased before going to Portugal.

Students going on an exchange pay regular U of L tuition and fees. For up-to-date tuition information, visit the U of L's Financial Services website.

It is MANDATORY to obtain health insurance valid for the whole period of stay prior to arrival in Portugal. Students must present valid insurance after their arrival in Portugal. Students must cover the costs of private medical care and then apply for a refund of the payment from their insurance company. All students are advised to obtain accident insurance, which should be arranged with their own insurance agencies before arrival in Portugal.