One of the most common questions we receive is:
“Why can I only study for 12 weeks as an international, non-EU student?”
The answer is simple and relates to regulatory authorisation.
In Portugal, institutions must obtain specific government approval before they can sponsor international students for long-term student visas (D-type visas).
This authorisation involves several regulatory steps, including:
Institutional accreditation processes
Compliance with national education regulations
Administrative and immigration registration procedures
Recognition within the national education framework
At present, EuroPolytech Academy delivers British-accredited qualifications. However, because we operate in Portugal, we must also comply with the Portuguese National Qualifications Framework (QNQ) and related national regulatory requirements. Although our OTHM qualifications are mapped to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), each EU country maintains its own national accreditation and licensing system for institutions that wish to sponsor international students for long-term study.
At this stage, EuroPolytech Academy does not yet hold the specific Portuguese authorisation required to sponsor international student visas for long-term programmes. This situation is purely regulatory and does not affect the quality or international recognition of the qualifications we offer, nor their ability to support academic progression to universities in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Europe, or elsewhere in the world.
For this reason, international students can currently enrol only in short-term training programmes compatible with a short-stay study or training visa (C-type visa). However, Portuguese and EU students are able to study a full-year programme with us without restrictions.
It is important to understand that this limitation does not relate to the quality or recognition of the qualifications, but rather to institutional regulatory licensing.
Is EuroPolytech Working Toward Sponsoring International Student Visas?
Yes. EuroPolytech Academy is actively working toward expanding its regulatory capacity so that in the future it will be able to host international students for longer academic programmes.
This process takes time because educational institutions must demonstrate:
Academic delivery capacity
Institutional governance and compliance
Programme quality assurance
Regulatory alignment with Portuguese authorities
Our long-term objective is to enable international students to pursue full diploma pathways and academic progression programmes in Portugal.
Academic Progression: From Short Courses to Higher Qualifications
Although international students currently attend short-term SkillCamp programmes, our academic structure follows the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). This means students can progress academically through levels such as:
Level 3 – Foundation Level
Level 4 – First year equivalent of undergraduate study
Level 5 – Higher diploma level
Level 6 – Bachelor-level qualification
Level 7 – Master-level qualification
These qualifications are awarded through UK-regulated awarding bodies and are internationally recognised for academic progression. However, it is important to note that academic progression does not automatically grant immigration status, as visa matters are entirely controlled by national immigration authorities.
Why Some International Students Still Choose EuroPolytech as valuable short-term study option in Portugal?
Despite the short duration, many students are attracted to EuroPolytech because it offers something rare in Portugal: British-accredited education delivered fully in English inside Portugal. For many international learners, this provides an opportunity to:
Gain international certification
Experience studying in Europe
Develop practical career skills
Expand professional networks
Looking Ahead
EuroPolytech Academy continues to grow and develop its programmes, partnerships, and institutional capacity.
Our goal is to become a leading international vocational education provider in Portugal, offering flexible and globally recognised learning opportunities.
As the institution expands its regulatory approvals, future pathways for longer academic programmes may become available.
Until then, our SkillCamp programmes remain the primary pathway for international students wishing to study in Portugal fully in English.
Portugal remains an excellent place to learn, grow, and experience European culture. However, understanding the regulatory landscape of education and visas is essential for making informed decisions.
At EuroPolytech Academy, we are committed to transparency, quality education, and supporting students in building meaningful professional skills.
If you are interested in joining one of our programmes, you can explore available courses or apply through our official website.
