POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE OF LEIRIA
International Student Guide
Welcome to IPLeiria!
Polytechnic Institute of Leiria welcomes you!
We all know that living in another country is a huge challenge. Presume
leaving your comfort zone! Testing your adaptation levels to new
cultures, arms wide open to a unique and enriching experience!
We are sure you're going to live a period of your life filled with
emotions, unique and unforgettable moments! That your knowledge
and competencies will grow! That you'll have the opportunity to meet
new friends! That you'll dare to live new adventures!
We are sure it'll be worth!
Sharing experiences? No doubt! But don't forget the bureaucratic
procedures!
To better adapt to this new phase of your life, we have prepared this
guide which will help you clarify many doubts that you may have!
We are waiting for you!
Life is like a box of chocolates!
We never know what we’re going to get…
let us give you a glimpse!
(Forrest Gump)
A Prestigious Institution, in a Successful Region!
www.ipleiria.pt
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EXCHANGE PROGRAM
If you are interested in attending IPLeiria for an exchange program, you should contact your institution's
Advisory/International department.
This program consists of a study period and must be covered by an Inter-Institutional Agreement or a
Cooperation Protocol (see the list of partners in the website of IPLeiria: www.ipleiria.pt). Both enrolment
and tuition fees payment are made at your original institute, implying the exemption of these at IPLeiria. It
has a duration of 1 to 2 semesters and all the expenses must be assured by you, namely accommodation
and food.
1. School Schedule:
• 1st Semester: September - February
• 2nd Semester: February - July
2. Application dates:
• 1st Semester: until July 30
• 2nd Semester: until November 30
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3. Necessary documents for enrolment:
1st Step (application):
• Nomination by the sending institution
The nomination it’s a document or an e-mail, from the sending institution, which confirms that the student
was selected by your institution to carry out a study period at IPLeiria. Applications received without the
correspondent nomination will not be considered;
• Learning Agreement
It’s a form provided by the sending institution, which must be filled in by computer and properly signed and
stamped by the sending institution. All the courses taught at IPLeiria are available at
http://cursos.ipleiria.pt/Licenciaturas/Pages/default.aspx?lang=en-US. It is possible to combine subjects
from different courses. Information about the subjects must be given by the correspondent coordinator in
IPLeiria. All schools/departments have a Departmental Coordinator which is the contact person for
exchange students on all academic matters. They are assisted by the International Office in IPLeiria’s
headquarters and by extensions of this office in each School (see Info Sheet Contacts).
If this document isn’t filled in before the arrival to IPLeiria, the student may complete it after the arrival to
together with the Erasmus Coordinator.
Changes to the Learning Agreement can be made within one month after arrival, after permission of both
the sending and the receiving institution;
• Online Application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ILyFVB8mEyxWOg-gAlrXoI_bWengi2MHEw1Y4Ml58w/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=mail_form_link
Application online must be filled and printed before submitting. After the submission, application must be
signed and stamped by sending institution and sent by e-mail to the contact mentioned in the application
form;
• Scanned transcript of records of the previous semesters (if not in Portuguese or English, translated,
signed and stamped by the sending institution);
• 1 picture (jpeg format);
• Scanned Passport or ID document;
• Scanned of valid European health insurance card 1(if the student is a EU citizen; except from UK!) or a
certificate proving that the student is covered by a health insurance in your country (if outside the EU);
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It is strongly recommended that participants in transnational projects are in possession of a European Health Insurance Card. This is a free card
that give access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 28 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein,
Norway and Switzerland, under the same conditions and of the same costs (free in some countries) as people insured in their country.
More information on the card and on how to obtain it is available at the European Commission.
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• Proof of language proficiency
Scanned copy of a language certificate which proves the language level agreed in the Inter-Institutional
Agreement signed by partners institutions (according to the Common European Framework for Languages see http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/resources/european-language-levels-cefr ).
2nd Step (after acceptance confirmation by IPLeiria):
•
Acceptance letter - issued by IPLeiria proving that the student was accepted and which will be used for
visa's emission (only if required);
•
Learning Agreement approved by IPLeiria – After signed and stamped by the Departmental and
Institutional Coordinators, Learning Agreement is sent by e-mail to the sending institution;
•
Changes to the Learning Agreement – Changes to the previous Learning Agreement can be made
within one month after arrival, after permission of both institutions: the sending and the receiving..
3rd Step (when returning):
•
Confirmation letter - issued by IPLeiria with the respective mobility dates proving that the student
completed the mobility program. It's given to the student the day before leaving;
•
Transcript of records / Grade Certificate - issued by IPLeiria with the marks obtained which will
formalize the academic recognition at the origin institution. Every student is entitled to an official
Transcript of Records after having completed his studies in IPLeiria. IPLeiria’s International Office will
send the Transcript of Records directly to the International Office of the sending institution;
•
Final exchange report (provided for the effect) - must be filled in before the student returns their
home country.
Note: The requested documents must be submitted to the International Office of IPLeiria by your
Institution.
Contacts:
International Office
Polytechnic Institute of Leiria
Edifício Sede - Rua General Norton de Matos
Apartado 4133| 2411-901 Leiria | PORTUGAL
Email: naide.martins@ipleiria.pt | gmci@ipleiria.pt
Phone number: +351 244 860 448 | +351 244 830 010 | www.ipleiria.pt
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4. Portuguese Language Course:
IPLeiria organizes a Portuguese Language Course for Erasmus Students in each semester.
This course will be held on a b-learning modality to all students who are doing an international mobility at
IPLeiria. This course will have indoor classes and e-learning classes using a specific Web platform.
All the interested students will be informed about the registration procedure and specific information
about this course in the beginning of each semester.
5. Erasmus Buddy:
All exchange students can have an Erasmus Buddy, if they ask for it. The Buddy helps with practical matters
when settling in and as a contact during the exchange period. The Buddy works on a voluntary basis and he
will also meet the exchange students upon their arrival to IPLeiria.
6. Arrival and Orientation Program:
All new international students are required to arrive for the Orientation Week organized by the
International Office. There is an orientation week scheduled for the beginning of each semester. Usually
classes start right after the orientation week (it will be sent an e-mail for all international students with the
date of the orientation week and the program). The program of the orientation week is designed to give
students information and advice on various topics like:
• Presentation of the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria;
• Registration;
• Information about courses, language courses, meeting tutors;
• Enrollment for courses at faculties;
• Information about libraries and all IPLeiria’s facilities (including sports);
• Visit to IPLeiria’s Schools.
7. Possibilities for students with disabilities and special needs:
Students that need a special assistance, please contact the IPLeiria’s International Office. It is important
that the student or the sending institution contact the IPLeiria before your arrival and in time in order to do
the necessary arrangements.
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IPLEIRIA
Community
IPLeiria is a higher education public institution which initiated its activity in 1980 and it is present in Leiria
and the West region through its five higher schools, located in the cities of Leiria (School of Education and
Social Sciences, School of Technology and Management and School of Health), Caldas da Rainha (School of
Arts and Design) and Peniche (School of Tourism and Sea Technology).
In recent years, the number of students and teachers of the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria has increased
considerably. The institution currently has about 12,000 students, 980 teachers and 316 technical and
administrative staff distributed throughout the mentioned schools.
In an effort to always provide the best conditions for teaching and learning to its students, IPLeiria has been
investing in modern, well-equipped infrastructures, and it provides support services with excellent quality
at the base of social support (scholarships, canteens, restaurants, accommodation, medical services,
camping and leisure), psychological and psychopedagogical support and also access to extensive
documentary and bibliographical resources (libraries, B-on-Science Digital Library).
As for the developed R & D activities developed these are distributed throughout 13 research units and two
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delegations in the domain of Arts, Education, Social Sciences, Motricity, Mechanics, Computer Science,
Telecommunications, Economics, Management, Tourism, Health and Marine Resources. Noteworthy is the
Center for Fast and Sustained Product Development (CDRSP) which reputedly has developed research in
the areas of Mechanical and Textiles Engineering and was recently awarded with ‘Excellent’ by the
Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the Research Group in Tourism (GITUR) and the Research
Group in Marine Resources (GIRM).
How many courses does it offer?
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50 accredited Master Courses
63 Undergraduate degree Courses
12 Postgraduate Courses
33 Technological Specialization Courses
What areas of knowledge?
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The IPLeiria headquarters are located in Leiria and have
Campi Location
3 premises in different locations where classes are held:
Leiria, Caldas da Rainha and Peniche, spread over five
campuses. These five schools are located in the center
of Portugal, in the district region of Leiria, near the
coast midway between Lisbon and Porto.
The roads and the good access allow you to create a closer relationship with these large cities and their
airports, with fast connections to the entire world, namely the major European capitals.
Campus 1 - Leiria
The School of Education and Social Sciences (ESECS) and the Center for Languages and Chinese Cultures are
located in campus 1.
The School of Education and Social Sciences (ESECS) develops its formative activity in the areas of Social
Sciences and Humanities, Communication and Teacher Training. It is attended by about 1900 students.
It has three laboratories (Language Laboratory, Mathematics Laboratory and Natural Sciences Laboratory),
a multimedia studio, a sports pavilion, a sports field and a particularly pleasant surrounding green space.
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Outside the school, is the Centre for Languages and Chinese Culture. Opened in 2008, it is an initiative of
IPLeiria that had the support of the Macao Polytechnic Institute (IPM) and the Embassy of the People’s
Republic of China. This center was created following the work undertaken within the undergraduate degree
course in Translation and Interpretation of Portuguese / Chinese – Chinese / Portuguese, and had the
financial support of both entities.
Also operating on Campus 1 is the Resource Center for Digital Inclusion (CRID) which is an oriented unit that
provides support to people with special educational needs, particularly focused on information and
communication technology.
Campus 1 of IPLeiria also has a canteen, a restaurant and a bar.
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Campus 2 - Leiria
The School of Technology and Management (ESTG) and the School of Health Sciences (ESSlei) and the
largest library of the Institute, the José Saramago Library are located on campus 2.
The School of Technology and Management (ESTG) provides training in the domains of engineering and
technology and business sciences and para-legal studies, and is recognized for its strong connection to the
business world, not only in the region but also at national level.
The high number of partnerships with companies and institutions has allowed a strong increase in the area
of project development and service provision. Many classes are even taught in business context.
The School is attended by about 4500 students and consists of five buildings dedicated to pedagogical
activity, research, administrative and service provision. It also has a building with specific features
dedicated exclusively to the Automotive Engineering course.
ESTG has 48 laboratories in various fields of Engineering, Technology and Management.
School of Health Sciences (ESSLei) has been dedicated to the training of nurses, being attended by about
1000 students. The School is equipped with ten laboratories where the practical lessons of Nursing course
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are taught: five Laboratories of Nursing Practice, a Basic Physics Laboratory, a Kinesiotherapy Laboratory,
an Electrotherapy Laboratory, an Anatomy Laboratory, and a Laboratory for Bathing Care.
Its students begin, in the first year of training, clinical education in public health institutions, a practice that
is extended throughout the course.
The Library José Saramago is a modern infrastructure and an excellent study space, especially suitable for
the academic and scientific work. Endowed with the necessary equipment for its mission, it allows
literature research, physically or online, and the development of individual or group works, in reading
rooms, with a capacity for 570 people, or rooms specifically designed for that purpose.
On campus 2 there is a wide range of options of canteens and snack-bars that address the IPLeiria’s
concern in providing a diversified and balanced diet to its students: two canteens, a snack bar, four bars
and a restaurant.
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Campus 3 – Caldas da Rainha
The Campus 3 of IPLeiria is located in Caldas da Rainha, 60 kilometers south of Leiria, a thermal town with
a vast artistic heritage. Here we have the School of Arts and Design (ESAD.CR), with a prestigious history
related to training and creation in the domain of arts, theatre, ceramic, image, design, among others.
The quality of the creations and productions developed in several courses, as well as the participation of
students and teachers in national and international competitions has been recognized with numerous
awards.
Attended by about 1300 students, ESAD.CR favors teaching methodologies based on personal
development, creativity and execution of projects, stimulating the spirit of initiative.
Campus 3 is located in a privileged surroundings of pine forest and accessibility to the city center, on
pedestrian route, combining the unique conditions of contact with nature and the centrality convenient to
the study and academic experience.
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This campus offers a cozy library, a canteen and a bar and 9 workshops, a photography laboratory and a
Digital Prototyping laboratory.
In the city there are also two residences for students: a male residence (Mestre António Duarte) with 107
beds and a female residence (Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro) with 115 beds.
Campus 4 – Peniche
The School of Tourism and Sea Technology (ESTM) is located on Campus 4, in Peniche, a town surrounded
by the sea, 80 kilometers south of Leiria. The school facilities, near Cape Carvoeiro, are modern and from
there you can see the sea and in the background, the Berlenga island. Especially dedicated to training in the
domains of tourism / hotel business, marine biology, biotechnology and food engineering, the School has
about 1300 students. It is also equipped with laboratories and practical rooms, with excellent conditions,
allowing specialized training and dedicated to the research and insertion into the labor market. In Peniche
there is also a student residence with 45 beds.
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From scientific and educational infrastructures, it is possible to highlight several teaching laboratories
(aquaculture, biology, biotechnology, physics, microbiology, pathology, fisheries, chemical and food
technology) and three research laboratories.
Beyond the above mentioned structures, ESTM also has practical rooms of sensory analysis, animation,
hotel-school (with 48 beds), with a bar, kitchen, reception and restaurant, equipped with the most
advanced technological / technical equipment.
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Campus 5 - Leiria
The R&D facilities are located in campus 5: the Institute for Research, Development and Advanced Studies
(INDEA), the Training Centre for Technological and Specialization Courses (FOR.CET), the Centre for Transfer
and Knowledge Valuation (CTC) and the Distance Learning Unit (UED).
Those are units with very specific missions, which encompass the areas of research, postgraduate training,
post-secondary training, distance learning, knowledge transfer, among others.
On this campus there is also a bar.
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PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before arriving to Portugal
Students of European Union's countries:
It isn't necessary to have an entrance visa. However it is necessary obtain a residence license, if your stay is
superior to 90 days. For that you should present your ID card/ Passport, a declaration of financial support
and a medical assistance guarantee at the Immigration and Border Control Service.
Students coming from countries not belonging to the European Union:
Before leaving to Portugal you should take in to account that to study in this country a study visa is needed,
which can be obtained at the Portuguese Consulate or Embassy of your country.
Required documents:







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Application form – specific model
Valid travel document (more than 3 months after visa’s expiration)
Three passport style pictures
Criminal Record certificate
Medical certificate or health insurance
Proof of accommodation in Portugal
Proof of means of subsistence in Portugal
Application proof (issued by Polytechnic Institute of Leiria)
Note: Every student must previously obtain a study visa at the Portuguese Consulate or Embassy existent
in your country.
For the effect, the International Office of IPLeiria will issue an Acceptance Letter indicating that the student
was accepted to IPLeiria.
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When you arrive in Portugal
When you arrive in Portugal, you must take the following legal procedures into account:
1. Non-European students who enter Portugal through a non-controlled border must declare their
entry to the authorities within 3 days.
2. If you arrive in Portugal by air, you must declare your entry at the airport at the Customs Services.
3. Declaration of Entry must be delivered at the Immigration and Border Control Service on terms
stipulated by the law. The non-fulfillment of these determinations can incur in a fine.
Other steps to follow:

Submit your application at the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria;

Make a registration at the health center closer to your residence area;

Renew your study visa at the Immigration and Border Control Service.
Notes:
As soon as you are enrolled at the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, you have the right to a personal accidents
insurance.
European Union citizens must bring their European Health Insurance Card which ensures medical support
through the National Health Service.
Entrance in Portugal doesn't require any vaccination, unless the students come from a high risk
geographical area.
Accommodation
Accommodation in IPLeiria
IPLeiria has seven student residences in the cities of Leiria, Caldas da Rainha e Peniche. It also has a SchoolHotel and Pousadinha José Saramago, in a total of 740 beds.
Any student can take advantage of these residences, although they are destined, preferably, to the
scholarship students of IPLeiria's Social Action Services.
Contacts of IPLeiria's residences: sas@ipleiria.pt
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Student Residences
In the city of Leiria, there are three female and one male residences (385 beds), in Caldas da Rainha there is
one female and one male residences (222 beds) and in the city of Peniche we have a mixed male and
female residence (45 beds) and the Hotel School (48 beds).
The rooms of the student residence halls are equipped with beds, desks, wardrobes and cupboard. They
also have central heating and a computer room. All students are provided linen. The laundry is free of
charge and provided by the Student Support Service, and students can use the self-service area, for their
personal laundry (washing and drying). The residences also offer alternative spaces for studying and
socializing.
Students have free access to the internet through the wireless network.
POUSADINHA JOSÉ SARAMAGO
The Pousadinha José Saramago offers an alternative space to
the students’s residences, and it is mainly directed to
teachers and guests of IPLeiria.
The Pousadinha is located in a privileged area next to the
IPLeiria Headquarters, near the city centre.
More information:
http://www.ipleiria.pt/sas/alojamento/Paginas/default.aspx
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Accommodation in the city of Leiria:
Leiria also offers a variety of other residential options for students.
For more information:
“Casulo de memórias” (private student residence): geral@casulo.pt
http://www.casulo.pt/
Leiria’s Hostel (private): hostelleiria@gmail.com
http://www.hostelleiria.com/hotel-overview.html
Food
IPLeiria offers a number of food units, through its Student Support Services. The options are varied: five
canteens, nine bars, two restaurants and a snack bar.
Students have access to a meal service, at a very affordable price. In canteens complete meals are provided
at social prices (the complete meal includes: soup, main course, salad, bread, fruit or dessert and juice) and,
in the bars, there are also menus with subsidized prices. There is a permanent concern with the
diversification of meals, in the attempt to assure balanced diet menus and improve the level of student
satisfaction.
Price: Student pre-purchased meal: € 2.40 / Meal purchased on the day: € 2.90
For more information:
http://www.ipleiria.pt/sas/alimentacao/Paginas/default.aspx
In the city of Leiria it is also possible to find a number of restaurants and other meal options.
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Medical Services
IPLeiria Student Support Services are committed to provide the academic institute community with
conditions that ensure their physically and psychologically well-being, therefore they offer reduced costs,
support in specific areas such as diagnosis and prevention, as well as psycho pedagogical counseling.
Student Support Services place at the disposal of the entire academic community, consultations in General
Medicine, Obstetrics / Gynaecology, Dental Medicine, Sports Medicine, Occupational Medicine and
Ophthalmology.
The Medical Services are provided by a team of health professionals of recognized merit, which use the
latest equipment and technology in the respective areas of expertise.
Business Hours
Specialty
Day
Schedule
General Practice and Sports Medicine
Monday/ Thursday
14:30h / 17:00h
Gynecology / Obstetrics
Monday
14:00h / 17:00h
Dental Medicine
Tuesday/ Wednesday
09:00h / 12:00h
Ophthalmology
Wednesday
09:00h / 12:00h
Occupational Health
Thursday
14:30h / 17:00h
Location
Leiria
Caldas da Rainha
Av. Heróis de Angola, n.º
Campus 3
53 – 1.º Dt.º2400-154
Leiria
Rua Isidoro Inácio Alves de
Carvalho2504-917 Caldas da
Phone: 244 043 281
Rainha
Cellphone: 968 702 985
Phone: 262 839 666
Peniche
Campus 4
Santuário Nossa Senhora dos
Remédios2520-641 Peniche
Phone: 262 783 087
E-mail: s.medicos@ipleiria.pt
More information: http://www.ipleiria.pt/sas/servicosmedicos/Paginas/default.aspx
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Cost of Living
Portugal is one of the countries with relatively low cost of living when compared to some European Union
countries.
Take a glimpse at the average monthly cost of living for a student from the IPLeiria.:
On Campus
City
Accommodation
(IPLeiria’s Residences)
Food
Public Transportation
Leiria
146 €
200 €
15,25 € (monthly pass)
Caldas da Rainha
146 €
200 €
22 € (80 trips)
Peniche
146 €
200 €
14,95 € (monthly pass)
Outside Campus
City
Accommodation (Outside
Campus)
Food/ Shopping
Public
Transportation
between 150€ (rooms in
Leiria
particular houses) and 260€
(particular residence for
150€ – 300€
15,25€ (monthly
pass)
students)
Caldas da Rainha
between 120€ and 200€
150€ – 300€
Peniche
between 120€ and 200€
150€ – 300€
22 € (80 trips)
14,95€ (monthly
pass)
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Transportation
Portugal's privileged geographic situation makes it a point of entrance in Europe and a stopover point for
many foreign air companies. Portela's airport is located 4 km northeast to the center of Lisbon.
From Lisbon
From Lisbon you can arrive in Leiria, Caldas da Rainha or Peniche by car or by bus:
Car:
Lisbon - Leiria (approx. time: 1H30);
Lisbon - Caldas da Rainha (approx. time: 1h15)
Lisbon - Peniche (approx. time: 1h00)
For more information: http://maps.google.com
Bus:
From Portela´s airport, Lisbon, you can use one of the three options:
- Lisbon's metropolitan ( Metro Aeroporto Station - Sete Rios: Metro de Lisboa
- Direct bus to Sete Rios – o AEROBUS
- Taxi to the Bus Terminal of Sete Rios (Rede Nacional de Expressos) in Sete Rios.
Bus Terminal of Sete Rios:
Bus from Lisbon - Leiria (approx. time: 1h45)
Bus from Lisbon - Caldas da Rainha (approx. time: 1h15)
Bus from Lisbon - Peniche (approx. time: 1h30)
For more information: http://www.rede-expressos.pt/
From Porto
Porto's airport is located about 11 km to Porto's city center, in an important industrial and commercial zone
of the country.
From Porto you can arrive in Leiria, Caldas da Rainha or Peniche by car or by bus:
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Car:
Porto – Leiria (approx. time: 2h40);
Porto – Caldas da Rainha (approx. time: 3h00);
Porto – Peniche (approx. time: 3h40)
For more information: http://maps.google.com
Bus:
From Francisco Sá Carneiro's airport, Porto, you can use one of the three options:
- Porto's metropolitan (Metro Aeroporto Station - Bolhão: Linha E - violeta)
- Taxi to the Bus Terminal of Beira Leitoral - Garagem Atlântico (Rede Expresso)
Beira Litoral-Garagem Atlântico bus terminal:
Bus from Porto-Leiria (approx. time: 3h00)
Bus from Porto-Caldas da Rainha (approx. time: 3h30)
Bus from Porto-Peniche (approx. time: 4h30)
For more information: http://www.rede-expressos.pt/
General Information
Telecommunications
Phone
In public telephone booths you can use coins and special cards that are for sale in Telecom Portugal shops,
post offices and in some kiosks and tobacconists (each one properly identified).
Mobile phone
If you already have a mobile phone you can use roaming or buy a prepaid SIM card. You may also do a
contract with any of the operating companies.
SIM cards are available in major Portuguese mobile telecommunications operators:
TMN: http://www.tmn.pt/portal/site/tmn
Vodafone Portugal: http://www.vodafone.pt/
Optimus: http://www.optimus.pt/Main
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Banks
When opening a bank account, in any Portuguese bank, you must submit the following documents:
• Tax Identification Number (TIN) issued by the Portuguese Tax Offices;
• ID document (passport);
• Proof of residence;
• Proof of survival means or scholarship.
With the opening of a bank account, you will be entitled to a debit card that will allow handling the account
in agencies or ATM machines and also make payments and purchases.
Banks are opened on Monday through Friday, from 8:30 to 15:00 and closed on weekends and public
holidays.
National Holidays

January 1st – New year’s Day

March/April (optional) – Carnival

March/April – Good Friday and Easter Day

April 25th – Freedom Day

May 1st –Labour Day

June 10th – Portugal Day, Camões and
Portuguese Communities

August 15th – Day of the Assumption of
Blessed Virgin Mary

December 8th – Immaculate Conception

December 25th – Christmas Day
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ABOUT PORTUGAL
Portugal is a hospitable country with good
opportunities to live and study!
With around 10 million inhabitants, it's one of
the world's oldest nations, being independent
since 1143.
Fruit of all its history, Portugal is a country of
many singularities molded by Roman, Visigothic
and Suevian, Arabian, African influences as well
as a whole world that it aimed discover in the XV century.
It was in this unique period of it's history, when it "gave world to the world" that the Portuguese sailors
travelled through Africa's western and eastern
coasts setting sea routes to India, Brazil, China
and Japan, making Portuguese one of the most
spoken languages and the Portuguese people
the
most
open
to
new
cultures
and
civilizations.
Member of the European Union since 1986,
today Portugal is a modern country, gifted
with good infrastructures and good connections
to all the other European countries, offering itself as an ideal entrance door to Europe.
Simultaneously it keeps investing and adding value its wide artistic and archeological patrimony. With a rich
gastronomy and a thriving cultural life, Portugal is the testimony of its long history.
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Portugal, a meeting point for many faraway cultures keeps
its own identity as a hospitable country, pacific and
pleasant!
Welcome to Portugal!
Location
Located in the extreme southwest point of Europe, it is surrounded by an extensive coastline on the
Atlantic Ocean, limited at the north and east by Spain, and at west and south by the Atlantic Ocean. The
territory of Portugal includes the Azores and Madeira islands.
Climate
Portugal is one of the European countries with a warmer climate, with average daytime temperatures
between 5ºC and 15ºC in the winter and between 25ºC and 35ºC in the summer.
Summers are mild in the highlands of the north and in the coastal region of the far north and center.
Autumns and winters are typically windy, rainy and cool, being colder in the northern districts and central
provinces, where freezing temperatures occur during the colder months.
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The North records the highest rainfall and the lowest average and annual temperatures but it is in the
interior region that the larger temperature ranges take place. South of Tagus River, it is possible to feel the
Mediterranean influences, with very hot summers and short winters and little rainfall. Madeira Island has a
Mediterranean-type climate with mild and pleasant temperatures throughout the year, while the Azores
have a temperate maritime climate with abundant rainfall.
Language
The official language is Portuguese.
Religion
Portuguese
Constitution
emphasizes
freedom
of
expression, religion and conscience. Churches and religious
communities are separate and independent from the State.
For historical reasons, which exist since foundation of Portuguese nationality, the Catholic Church plays a
central role.
Currency
Portugal’s currency is the Euro.
From January 1st, 1999, Portugal, and another 10 State Member of the European Union (Belgium,
Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Finland and Ireland), adopted a single
currency – the Euro, which came into circulation on January 1st 2002 and whose symbol is €.
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ABOUT LEIRIA
Centuries of history and memory
LEIRIA
This region, where the sea is always present, is considered particularly interesting to live, study and work,
not only for the quality of the economical and material resources, but also for the richness and beauty of
natural and cultural, resources a characteristic of the region.
Leiria is the capital of the regional district, hosts the IPLeiria headquarters and three of its schools: the
School of Education and Social Sciences (ESECS), the School of Technology and Management (ESTG) and the
School of Health Sciences (ESSLei). It is a small city and where you can find the old and the new and a very
good cultural tradition, hand in hand with a safe environment and a very good quality of life guarded by its
beautiful castle, with leisure areas to walk and enjoy along the Lis river bank, cinemas and cultural spaces.
In the historical center, besides finding the traditional shops you can go to cafes and bars, terraces and
other places of interest. In the evening, which is always lively, especially in the Rodrigues Lobo Square
(Praça Rodrigues Lobo), you will find many IPLeiria students given that in the city, about 11,500 students
are studying and living there.
The region of Leiria and West is rich in historical and cultural heritage. There we can find two of the most
beautiful Portuguese monuments – the Batalha Monastery and Alcobaça Monastery – classified by UNESCO
as World Heritage. These two historical and artistic treasures, of Gothic-style, symbolize great moments in
the history of Portugal and therefore do not exempt a visit. The first, whose construction was ordered by
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King D. João I, in honor of the Portuguese victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota, in 1385, and the second, a
repository of the vast and centuries-old presence of Cistercian monks, where the tombs of D. Pedro and D.
Inês de Castro lie, who represents the most beautiful love story of Portuguese kings. The nearby castles of
Leiria, Ourém and Porto de Mós, medieval and haughty, carry out centuries of history and memory.
The Fatima Shrine, located 20 minutes away from Leiria, is a place of reference that annually receives over
five million pilgrims, being one of the most important Marian sanctuaries in the world.
There are many places of interest that you must visit and learn about!
West Region
Ride the wave!
The beauty of the sea and the nature are perhaps the most beautiful things we have in this coastal region.
A few miles from Leiria, along the coast, the beaches follow one another: more than a dozen. There are
many attractive places during the summer and not only, for sunbathing, strolling by the sea or ride a bicycle
on the bike path along the Atlantic Road, just in the middle of the pine forest. Nazaré is the most typical
beach, composed of narrow and winding streets among the white houses, and which go up to the very blue
sea with outstanding waves. For that reason Nazaré has developed a project called The North Canyon
Project to make the most of Nazaré sea potentialities, which are exclusive for being under the impact of the
Canyon of Nazaré, a geomorphological undersea characteristic that powers such remarkable waves. Then
there are many others: S. Pedro de Moel is a very beautiful and serene beach, where there is a perfect
symbiosis between the preservation of the natural environment and the harmony of the houses; further
north, you can find Pedrógão beach, known for its extensive sand pit that allows the realization of
numerous sports events in summer; S. Martinho do Porto, in the municipality of Alcobaça, has a
magnificent bay, and, further south, Foz do Arelho (Caldas da Rainha) or Supertubos (Peniche), with ideal
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conditions to practice various water sports such as fishing, diving, sailing, rowing, jet skiing, surfing,
windsurfing and bodyboarding.
If you enjoy camping with friends, you can find lots of suitable places in the region. Nazaré, for instance,
where IPLeiria has a leisure park.
There is also the Pinhal de Leiria, whose plantation was ordered by King D. Dinis, in the late thirteenth
century, a region’s natural reference, a place of leisure and pleasure, right near the coast.
Besides the beaches, we still have, in this region, the presence of the mountain, where we feel the purity of
the air and where you may feel compelled to walk, contemplate the landscape or even practice more
radical activities. In the Serras de Aire and Candeeiros, inhabited by protected species and dominated by
limestone, there is a world of things to do outdoors. And below us, towards the deep underground, some
of the most spectacular caves in Portugal, truly amazing geologically sculpted stone monuments. A visit not
to be missed!
CALDAS DA RAINHA
A little further south, there is Caldas da Rainha, a thermal town, artistic and cultural by excellence. There
the imagination speaks louder, in the School of Arts and Design (ESAD.CR). The School breathes creativity
and irreverence, characteristics of the artistic environments. Caldas da Rainha has also been one of the
major ceramic centers in the country, with factories that are considered authentic living museums. For
example, the pieces of the artist Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro stand out for their originality and scathing criticism
in relation to social and political customs of his time, with iconic symbols like the popular figure of “Zé
Povinho” and the cabbage dishes.
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Sought for its cultural and artistic events, with events that mark everyday life, the city of Caldas da Rainha
also has a strong commercial component, where it is pleasant to go shopping, sightseeing and to socialize.
The medieval town of Óbidos, built within walls, is a little paradise that is worth visiting, even if only to
drink a ginjinha, see the castle or visit the Chocolate Festival.
PENICHE
Peniche, the most western city in Europe, is situated on a peninsula whose western end is Cabo Carvoeiro.
Very close is the School of Tourism and Sea Technology (ESTM), from where you can admire the Berlenga
Island, a wonderful natural scenery, of calm and crystalline waters. Area of an outstanding natural beauty,
with rare and exotic geological formations, sculpted by the sea, Peniche is ideal for water sports, with
special emphasis on surfing. It is also a city full of life, close to the sea, with good food and fantastic
nightlife.
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WHAT TO DO?
During the whole year, the beaches, the castles and the fortresses present themselves in all their splendor.
During the day or night, you can practice a lot of sporting, cultural or even gastronomic activities. Always
with the hospitality which characterizes the Portuguese people. We are certain that, together with the
quality academic experience, we can surprise you with unique moments. Take a chance!
SUN AND BEACH
The question is: where to choose from? What beach to visit first?
Yes, there’ll be a lot of difficulty in choosing. Here are some suggestions… the rest is up to you.
Judging by the picture no one would say that this sea, of Nazaré’s beach, provided to the north-american
surfer Garrett McNamara to beat a record for surfing a giant wave of around 30 meters. Nazaré’s beach is
one of the many traditional Portuguese fishing villages, being then possible to find, in the sand, some
women wearing the traditional seven skirts costume, taking care of the fish that they dry in the sun, aligned
on stakes.
Peniche is internationally
known for its exceptional
conditions
for
surfing
practice. The beach of
Supertubos is considered
by many surfers as having
the best waves in Europe.
Stage
to
international
countless
events
related to surfing, due to
its
natural
which
create
conditions
perfect
waves, Peniche is also an excellent place of gastronomic shows.
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