British higher education analytics firm Quacquarelli Symonds has released the QS World University Rankings 2027. The ranking features 1,504 universities from more than 100 countries. Portugal is represented by 11 institutions, up from nine a year ago, and has been named Europe’s most improved higher education system, recording a 12% gain(PR Newswire)

Portugal’s universities ranked as follows:

• University of Lisbon — 237th
• University of Porto — 255th
• NOVA University Lisbon — 337th
• University of Coimbra — 342nd
• University of Aveiro — 425th
• University of Minho — 572nd
• Portuguese Catholic University — 791st
• ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon — 851st
• University of Beira Interior — 901st
• University of Algarve — 1001–1200
• University of Évora — 1201–1400

So, is that good or bad?

Making it into the world’s top 1,504 universities is already an achievement, considering there are tens of thousands of higher education institutions worldwide. The universities of Lisbon and Porto remain in the global top 260, placing them alongside well-established second-tier European universities such as Utrecht, Lund and Birmingham. For a country with a population of just 10 million, that is a strong result.

NOVA University Lisbon ranks 337th, while the University of Coimbra is 342nd. NOVA slipped slightly from 327th last year. Coimbra, the country’s oldest university, founded in 1290, may seem modestly placed for an institution of its reputation, but it has maintained a stable position. Both universities remain in the top quarter of the 1,504 institutions included in the rankings.

The University of Aveiro is ranked 425th. It is an unexpectedly strong technical university, particularly in engineering and telecommunications. For a relatively small city, that is an impressive achievement. The University of Minho is 572nd. While that is a mid-range result, simply maintaining a place in the rankings is a positive outcome.

Portuguese Catholic University ranks 791st, while ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon is 851st. Both institutions have improved their standing. In the 2026 rankings, ISCTE was placed in the 711–720 band and the Portuguese Catholic University in the 781–790 band. Their positions are now more precisely defined, which is a positive development. ISCTE is particularly strong in the social sciences and business.

The University of Beira Interior ranks 901st, the University of Algarve falls within the 1001–1200 band, and the University of Évora is placed in the 1201–1400 range. These are regional universities for which inclusion in a global ranking is itself a valuable marketing asset. Évora may be in the lowest band, but it remains among the world’s ranked universities.

The defining trend of the 2027 rankings is the rapid rise of China, the Middle East and South Korea, while the long-standing dominance of Western universities continues to weaken(QS Quacquarelli Symonds). Against this backdrop, Portugal has not only held its ground but strengthened its position.