Q1: Is the medium really English?
+Yes; entirely from Year 1. No Portuguese required at entry. The main reason many international students choose CMS over other Portuguese medical schools.

Portugal | A3ES accredited September 2020; EU Professional Qualifications Directive 2005/36/EC; WDOMS listed; NMC (India); verify at nmc.org.in before applying; ECFMG eligibility pathway available | English (full medium from Year 1); no Portuguese language requirement for entry; international students fully accommodat medium
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Católica Medical School; formally the Faculdade de Medicina of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa; is Portugal's newest and most distinctively structured medical faculty, established in 2018 as the latest academic unit of the UCP, a non-state public university founded in 1967 by decree of the Holy See. The medical school sits within the Sintra Campus at Estrada Octávio Pato, 2635-631 Rio de Mouro, roughly 25 kilometres from central Lisbon, in a purpose-rehabilitated building inaugurated in 2001 that spans approximately 10,000 square metres. The building was designed by architect Bartolomeu da Costa Cabral and was adapted specifically to house a medical school, with particular attention given to the creation of a dedicated anatomy laboratory and a bioethics institute. The entire surrounding area, access routes and parking facilities were also upgraded as part of the medical school's launch.
The school's founding was not a small institutional decision. It was a deliberate response to Portugal's growing shortage of medical professionals in a country with an ageing population and an increasing burden on public health infrastructure. The Universidade Católica Portuguesa, already recognised as one of Portugal's strongest private universities, brought its ethos of humanistic education and ethical formation into the medical sphere, creating a faculty that was built from the ground up with a specific educational philosophy rather than simply replicating existing models.
What makes Católica Medical School genuinely unusual; and worth understanding carefully before applying; is the medium of instruction. Unlike most Portuguese medical schools which teach exclusively in Portuguese, the Integrated Master in Medicine at Católica is taught in English. This is a significant structural decision: it means the programme is genuinely accessible to international students from day one, without requiring prior Portuguese language acquisition before starting the curriculum. For Indian students who have built their academic lives through an English medium, this removes one of the most significant practical barriers faced when considering medical education in continental Europe.
The programme itself is a six-year Integrated Master in Medicine (Mestrado Integrado em Medicina), carrying 360 ECTS credits across 12 semesters, and was formally accredited by the A3ES; the Portuguese national agency for the assessment and accreditation of higher education; in September 2020. The programme officially welcomed its first cohort in the 2021/2022 academic year, making the school relatively young but deliberately designed with a future orientation. The curriculum was built in collaboration with Maastricht University, one of Europe's leading problem-based learning institutions, and this partnership shapes the teaching methodology considerably: learning is structured around real clinical problems from early in the programme rather than through pure lecture-based delivery.
Clinical training is delivered through a partnership with Grupo Luz Saúde, one of Portugal's most significant private hospital networks. In the first and second years, students begin clinical skills development through simulations with trained actors. From the third year onwards, students rotate through real hospital environments; starting with Hospital da Luz Oeiras; before expanding in years four and five to Hospital da Luz Lisboa and the broader Grupo Luz Saúde network. The clinical training infrastructure also includes Health Centres under the Administração Regional de Saúde de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo, Hospital Beatriz Ângelo, and units of the União das Misericórdias Portuguesas. This means students encounter diverse patient populations across private, public, and community health settings, which is an important dimension of a well-rounded medical education.
In 2025, the A3ES authorised Católica Medical School to double its intake to 100 students per year for the 2025/2026 academic year. This milestone reflects the school's successful demonstration of clinical placement capacity, faculty depth, and infrastructure quality over its first four years of operation; all conditions the accreditation body had stipulated before approving expansion. The school's director, haematologist António de Almeida, confirmed the expansion as a deliberate goal that had been built into the institution's original design from the start.
The Universidade Católica Portuguesa carries strong overall ranking credentials. It is positioned in the top 781-790 in the QS World University Rankings and is consistently rated by the Times Higher Education ranking as the best university in Portugal. The medical school, being newly established, does not yet appear in subject-specific medical rankings independently, but the broader institutional standing of UCP and the school's accreditation credentials provide a strong foundation for recognition and professional standing. The degree carries full EU recognition under the Professional Qualifications Directive 2005/36/EC, meaning graduates are eligible to seek medical registration across all 27 EU member states without additional licensing examinations; a significant career advantage that few non-EU alternatives can match.
For Indian students, the practical picture is this: Católica Medical School offers an EU-regulated, English-medium medical degree at a private institution with strong hospital partnerships, an innovative curriculum, and a growing but carefully managed student cohort. NEET qualification remains mandatory for Indian students who intend to return to India and seek registration with the NMC. The tuition fees; approximately €22,250 per year for international students (10 monthly fees of €2,225) plus an annual registration fee of €1,650; are meaningfully higher than most public European medical schools, which reflects the institution's private, non-state-funded structure. The value proposition is the English medium, the EU degree, and the programme architecture; students choosing this school should weigh those factors carefully against the cost.
Rio de Mouro itself is a suburban parish within the municipality of Sintra, well connected by rail to Lisbon through the Sintra Line, with a journey of roughly 35-40 minutes to the capital. Sintra is one of Portugal's most storied and beautiful areas, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the surrounding region offers a high quality of life combined with access to all of Lisbon's cultural and professional resources. Living costs in the Sintra-Rio de Mouro area are moderate compared to central Lisbon, and student accommodation options are available both on campus and in surrounding neighbourhoods.
No hidden charges, no donation. The full picture of costs at Universidade Católica Portuguesa Faculdade de Medicina.
Tuition Fee
€2,225/month × 10 = €22,250/year + €1,650 registration + €400 one-time application fee; total annual cost approx. €23,900 (₹21.5 lakh/year)
Approx. €23,900/year (₹21.5 lakh/year)
Hostel Fee
living costs approx. €700–900/month
living costs approx. €700–900/month
Food & Meals
€200–350; subsidised canteen on campus
per month
Insurance
€200–400r; mandatory for student visa
per year
Donation
No Donation
No Hidden Fees
Total Estimated Cost
Approx. €200,000–220,000 / ₹1.8–2.0 crore
all 6 years cost
25–35%
Average FMGE first-attempt pass rates for students from many overseas medical universities. Students from structured programs consistently score higher.
Students returning to India need to clear the FMGE/NExT exam. Universidade Católica Portuguesa Faculdade de Medicina integrates exam-oriented coaching into the regular curriculum so students are prepared from day one.
A structured program that takes you from foundational sciences to clinical mastery.
Anatomy with cadaveric work. Ethics from Semester 1. Clinical simulation with trained actors begins Year 1; a defining feature of the CMS approach.
Molecular & Cell Biology, Human Anatomy I, Biochemistry, Medical Physiology I, Introduction to Clinical Medicine, Medical Ethics & Bioethics, Histology & Embryology.
Systems-based deepening of Year 1. Simulation continues. Neuroanatomy and molecular genetics introduced with clinical relevance.
Human Anatomy II (Neuroanatomy & Topographic), Physiology II, Microbiology & Immunology, Genetics & Molecular Medicine, Pathology I, Introduction to Pharmacology.
Transition year; first real patient contact through Grupo Luz Saúde units, particularly Hospital da Luz Oeiras. Semiology taught alongside structured physical examination.
General Pathology, Pharmacology I & II, Microbiology & Immunology II, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Semiology & Physical Examination, Evidence-Based Medicine, Research Methods, First Real Clinical Contact.
First full clinical year at Hospital da Luz Lisboa and Grupo Luz Saúde network. Supervised ward rounds, patient clerking, and case presentations across all major specialities.
Internal Medicine I, General Surgery I, Obstetrics & Gynaecology I, Paediatrics I, Psychiatry & Mental Health, Radiology & Medical Imaging.
Expanded rotations across Hospital Beatriz Ângelo, ARS Lisboa e Vale do Tejo, and União das Misericórdias Portuguesas units. Primary care alongside hospital specialities. Dissertation progresses.
Internal Medicine II, Surgery II, Family & Community Medicine, Neurology, ENT, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Orthopaedics & Trauma, Emergency Medicine.
Full-year internship at CMS-affiliated hospitals in Portugal. Not transferable to India; must be completed in Portugal before sitting NExT.
Internal Medicine, Surgery, O&G, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, Community Medicine, Elective.
Furnished hostel rooms with Wi-Fi, laundry, 24/7 security, and Indian mess on or near campus.
Indian restaurants and mess facilities serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian home-style food daily.
Strong Indian community with cultural events, festival celebrations, and peer support groups.
Students get hands-on clinical training in government and private hospitals affiliated with the university.
Practical information for students planning to study at Universidade Católica Portuguesa Faculdade de Medicina.
Prepare for all seasons. Thermal wear for winters, light clothing for summers. University provides heating in hostels.
Student visa processed with university invitation letter. Direct and connecting flights from major Indian cities.
Health insurance included in fees. Medical facility on campus plus city hospitals easily accessible.
Local SIM cards available. WhatsApp and video calls keep you connected with family back home.
Average monthly expenses of $150–$250 covering food, transport, and personal needs.
University library, online databases, and study groups. Seniors mentor juniors through academic challenges.
Our team guides you through every step — from application to arriving on campus.
Our Portugal specialist explains NOVA Medical School, the English-medium programme, the Lisbon lifestyle, total costs, and how it compares to Cyprus and Ireland.
Full NOVA application and Portuguese visa document package prepared, including Criminal Record Certificate arrangements
Our submissions are sent directly to NOVA Medical School. Offer letter typically within 10–14 working days.
Our team receives the offer, explains the terms, and manages the initial fee payment.
Full visa documentation prepared and submitted to the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate in India. Begin at least 2 months before departure.
Lisbon orientation, accommodation, transport, banking, SIM card, NOVA campus layout, and first-week logistics.
We advise on routing to Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS). Confirms arrival with local coordinator
Our local Portugal coordinator meets you, confirms accommodation check-in, and assists with NOVA registration
University registration, campus tour, and first-week orientation support provided by our Lisbon team.
We file your Residence Permit for Study at AIMA (Portuguese Immigration Service) within your first weeks. Managed through to issuance and renewed annually.
Admission Helpline — Contact our counsellors for step-by-step assistance.
“The faculty here is incredibly supportive. The clinical training during hospital rotations has given me real confidence in patient care.”
“Affordable fees without compromising on quality. The campus facilities and hostel life made my transition abroad very smooth.”
“English medium instruction and WHO-recognized curriculum were the deciding factors for me. No regrets so far — excellent experience overall.”
“The university helped with everything from visa to accommodation. Hospital exposure from year three has been invaluable for my FMGE prep.”
“Just cleared my licensing exam on the first attempt. The structured coaching and mock exams during final year were a game-changer.”
“Safe campus, good food options, and a strong Indian student community. The teaching methodology is very practical and hands-on.”
Yes; entirely from Year 1. No Portuguese required at entry. The main reason many international students choose CMS over other Portuguese medical schools.
Founded 2018; A3ES accredited September 2020; first cohort 2021/2022.
From 2025/2026, up to 100 students per year; double the previous intake of 50, following A3ES approval.
Hospital da Luz Lisboa, Hospital da Luz Oeiras, Hospital Beatriz Ângelo, ARS Lisboa e Vale do Tejo centres, and União das Misericórdias Portuguesas units. Simulation training begins Year 1.
€2,225/month × 10 instalments (€22,250/year) + €1,650 annual registration + €400 one-time application fee; approx. €23,900/year total.
Verify at nmc.org.in before applying. EU-recognised under Directive 2005/36/EC and WDOMS listed. NEET mandatory for Indian students seeking NMC pathway eligibility.
Yes; UCP offers merit and need-based scholarships annually, including the Professor Alexandre Castro Caldas Merit Award, Clinical Academic Centre Award, and Santander Merit Award. Applications typically open July to September.
No. The Estágio must be completed at CMS-affiliated hospitals in Portugal; not transferable. Indian graduates must finish in Portugal before sitting NExT.
Rio de Mouro, Sintra municipality. Sintra rail connects to central Lisbon in 35–40 minutes. Living costs lower than central Lisbon.
EU Directive 2005/36/EC recognition across all 27 member states. ECFMG eligibility for USMLE. GMC via PLAB or portfolio route. NMC-verified graduates sit NExT in India. English-medium degree also opens pathways in Commonwealth and international health systems.
Our expert counsellors will guide you through the complete admission process — from documents to airport pickup.