Portugal's higher education applications hit 30-year high with 60,391 in first phase

First-phase applications for Portugal’s 2026 higher education access contest reached 60,391, a 21.8% rise from 2025 and the highest in 30 years excluding pandemic years. The increase represents 10,796 extra students versus last year’s 49,595, despite disrupted national exam grading. Education authorities noted numbers may rise after re-evaluation results are released Friday. To ease access, institutions could offer single entrance-exam routes; 88% adopted this, benefiting interior schools. Results arrive August 23. A special exam period follows September 3–8 after grading failures.