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Open University brand identity

Open University

Lisbon, Portugal • Founded 1988

Updated Jun 2026 · Source: uab.pt

Overview

English Name: Open University
Acronyms: UAb
Founded: 1988
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Rankings:
SCImago 2026 #4694
Open University institutional setting
1 / 9

Open University is a public university located in Lisbon, Portugal. Founded in 1988, it operates as a higher-education provider.

At Open University, the institution teaches across multiple qualification levels, is organised into multiple faculties and runs a broad programme catalogue.

Open University is ranked #4694 globally and #31 within Portugal.

Location & Contact

Address, phone, email, and online links for Open University are listed below.

Address: Palácio Ceia Rua da Escola Politécnica, nº 141-147
Postal Code: 1269-001
Phone: 00 351) 300 007 733
Social Media:

Academic Details

The figures below cover Open University's scale, staffing levels, and academic standing.

Academic Year: October to July
Accrediting Agency: Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior (DGES); European Association of Distance Teaching Universities; European Distance Education Network; International Council for Distance Education; AULP; EUA
Admission Requirements: Secondary school certificate or recognized foreign equivalent. Students over 25 with no secondary education may gain admission through examination
Full-Time Academic Staff: 150

Degrees

Also Postgraduate Courses; Vocational Training Programmes; Teacher Training programmes; Portuguese Language and Culture Studies for foreigners

Other 38 programs
  • Administration
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Biological and Life Sciences
  • Business Computing
  • Comparative Literature
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Graphics
  • Computer Science
  • Cultural Studies
  • Distance Education
  • Education
  • Educational Administration
  • English
  • Environmental Studies
  • European Studies
  • Food Science
  • Foreign Languages Education
  • French
  • Gender Studies
  • German
  • Heritage Preservation
  • History
  • Information Management
  • Information Technology
  • International Studies
  • Library Science
  • Literature
  • Management
  • Mathematics
  • Mathematics Education
  • Mathematics and Computer Science
  • Medieval Studies
  • Pedagogy
  • Portuguese
  • Social Sciences
  • Statistics
  • Women's Studies

Faculties & Divisions

The faculties at Open University, and what each one teaches, are listed below.

Education and Distance Education (Department/Division) 10 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Curriculum
  • Distance Education
  • Education
  • Educational Administration
  • Educational Research
  • Educational Sciences
  • Educational Technology
  • Philosophy of Education
  • Special Education
  • Teacher Training
Graduate Studies (Department/Division) 31 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Art Education
  • Business Administration
  • Cinema and Television
  • Comparative Literature
  • Computer Science
  • Cultural Studies
  • Distance Education
  • Documentation Techniques
  • E-Business/Commerce
  • Education
  • Educational Administration
  • Educational and Student Counselling
  • Educational Technology
  • Environmental Management
  • Environmental Studies
  • European Studies
  • Food Science
  • Graphic Arts
  • Heritage Preservation
  • History
  • Information Management
  • Information Sciences
  • Library Science
  • Mathematics
  • Multimedia
  • Native Language
  • Pedagogy
  • Portuguese
  • Statistics
  • Western European Studies
  • Women's Studies
Humanities (Department/Division) 20 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • African American Studies
  • American Studies
  • Archaeology
  • Art History
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Canadian Studies
  • Comparative Literature
  • Cultural Studies
  • English Studies
  • French Studies
  • Germanic Studies
  • History
  • Literature
  • Modern Languages
  • Museum Studies
  • Native Language
  • Philosophy
  • Portuguese
  • Social Sciences
  • Writing
Sciences and Technology (Department/Division) 12 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Applied Mathematics
  • Biological and Life Sciences
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Earth Sciences
  • Environmental Studies
  • Materials Engineering
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Statistics
  • Technology
Social Sciences and Management (Department/Division) 11 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Asian Studies
  • Communication Studies
  • Documentation Techniques
  • E-Business/Commerce
  • European Studies
  • Heritage Preservation
  • History
  • Information Sciences
  • Management
  • Social Sciences
  • Social Work
Lifelong Learning (Unit) Faculty details available

Specialisations & Subjects

No specified subjects listed.

Programs Offered

All active programmes at Open University are listed by degree level.

45 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Portugal

Bachelor's Degree 12 programmes

Showing 10 of 12.

Master's Degree 22 programmes

Mestrado em Bioestatística e Biometria
Applied Mathematics & Statistics · Online

Holders of a degree or legal equivalent in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Information Systems and Technology, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Sciences or related fields. Foreign degrees in these...

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Mestrado em Cidadania Ambiental e Participação
Online

A BSc or equivalent degree; a foreign degree organised under Bologna principles; a foreign degree approved by the Scientific Council as meeting the licenciatura aims; or an academic curriculum approved by the Scientific...

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Mestrado em Ciências do Consumo Alimentar
Hybrid

A graduation or equivalent certificate; a foreign BA organised under Bologna principles; a foreign degree approved by the Scientific Council; or an academic, scientific, artistic or professional curriculum approved by th...

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Mestrado em Didática do Inglês
English Language Studies · Online

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Mestrado em Estatística, Matemática e Computação
Mathematics · Online

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 22.

Doctorate 11 programmes

Doutoramento em Educação a Distância e eLearning
Education & Teaching

Holders of a foreign higher degree or a curriculum recognised by the Scientific Council of the host university; digital skills for using, searching, organising and managing information; Portuguese for academic work; Engl...

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Doutoramento em Estudos Portugueses
Linguistics & Language Studies

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Doutoramento em Relações Interculturais

Master's degree holders in any field; bachelor's holders with a particularly relevant curriculum recognised by the Scientific Council; and holders of a school, scientific or professional curriculum recognised by the Coun...

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 11.

Scholarships in Portugal

Scholarships and grants accessible to students attending Open University or other universities in Portugal are below.

Bolsa de Estudo (Ação Social)
Instituto para o Ensino Superior · Government funded
Annual non-repayable state grant towards the costs of attending a higher-education course or a compulsory professional internship, awarded for a full academic year when the student's household lacks adequate financial resources.
Bolsa Fulbright para Doutoramento (FCT)
Fulbright Portugal · Government funded
Fulbright doctoral award supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), listed on the Fulbright Portugal grants page.
Bolsa Fulbright para Investigação
Fulbright Portugal · Other funded
Fulbright research award for study or research in the United States, with variants supported by FCT, the Azores Regional Government and FLAD, listed on the Fulbright Portugal grants page.
Bolsa Fulbright para Mestrado
Fulbright Portugal · Other funded
Fulbright award listed on the Fulbright Portugal grants page for master's study; terms are published on the award's own page.
Erasmus+ Higher Education Mobility
Instituto para o Ensino Superior · Other funded · Travel
EU Erasmus+ programme (2021-2027) supporting mobility, cooperation and projects for students, teaching staff and researchers of Portuguese higher-education institutions; managed in Portugal by IES.
Gulbenkian Merit Scholarships
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation · Foundation funded · Renewable · 2,000 EUR per year · Combined · Covers Travel
EUR 2,000 per academic year plus a one-time EUR 2,000 grant for an international mobility period such as Erasmus; renewable until completion of the master's degree under the regulations.

How to apply to Open University

What applying to Open University involves, in five steps.

  1. 1
    Browse the programme catalogue

    Open University's catalogue includes 45 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.

  2. 2
    Check eligibility for your chosen programme

    Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Open University's admissions process.

  3. 3
    Get your documents ready

    Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.

  4. 4
    Apply through the official channel

    Submit your completed application through Open University's official website at www.uab.pt. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.

  5. 5
    Reach out and track your application

    Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at 00 351) 300 007 733. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.

Frequently Asked Questions about Open University

Frequently asked questions about Open University.

How old is Open University?

The institution opened in 1988 (approximately 38 years ago).

Where is Open University located?

Open University is located in Lisbon, Portugal.

Is Open University a public or private institution?

Open University operates as a public institution.

Who recognises Open University?

The institution holds recognition from Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior (DGES); European Association of Distance Teaching Universities; European Distance Education Network; International Council for Distance Education; AULP; EUA.

Where can I learn more about Open University?

The institution's website is www.uab.pt.

Top-Ranked Universities in Portugal

The institutions topping Portugal's rankings give national context for Open University. Context matters because employer perception in Portugal often correlates with national rankings.

Faculties at nearby universities

The institutions below are geographically close to Open University.

Where Else to Study Linguistics & Language Studies

Below: other Portugal universities that offer Linguistics & Language Studies programmes.

Universities Compared with Open University

The institutions below are of a similar academic scale to Open University.

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