Programmes

Polytechnic Institute of Leiria

From MPU to IPL

 

1. Who are eligible to join the Bachelor of Social Sciences in Sino-Lusophone Trade Relations exchange programme?

   Only second-year students reading Bachelor of Social Sciences in Sino-Lusophone Trade Relations (the “Degree Programme”) of the Macao Polytechnic University (MPU) are eligible to participate in this exchange programme.

2. I am eligible. Do I need to apply for this exchange programme?

   No. This exchange programme is part of the Degree Programme, and all eligible students are obliged to take part in it and continue their second year of study at IPL.

   However, if you do not want to participate in it for any reason (e.g. health problems), you must communicate with the Degree Programme's coordinator.

3. What is the duration of this exchange programme?

   This is a one-year exchange programme. Eligible students will spend their second year of study at IPL, where they will attend the School of Education and Social Sciences.

4. Do I need a VISA to enter Portugal?

   It depends on which passport you are travelling with.

   If you are holding a passport of the Macao Special Administrative Region, or the People’s Republic of China, you must apply for the VISA before entering Portugal.

   The VISA applications should be submitted and paid to the Portuguese Consulate in Macao and Hong Kong, whose office is situated in Macao. Kindly approach the SAO staff for more guidance on submitting such applications.

   Note: Students are responsible for preparing their own travel documents, identification cards, and other required documents to support their applications for the VISA.

5. What are the likely items of expenditure for the exchange students in Portugal? How much are they approximately?

   Tuition fee:	No additional tuition fee payable to IPL (Exchange students pay only the MPU’s tuition fees for the academic year in which they are studying at IPL. Please see the MPU’s Tuition Fees)
   Accommodation:	Students enrolled in the programme from the 2022/2023 academic year should pay the accommodation fees of the exchange period. Accommodation will be arranged by the host institution in Portugal. The accommodation fee is charged according to the standard rate of a non-single room corresponding to the academic year of the Macao Polytechnic University, which is subject to adjustments made by MPU. Details
   VISA Renewal Fee	The renewal fee is approximately EUR160.00~200.00. IPL will provide guidance to those exchange students who need to renew their VISA in Portugal.
   Taxpayer Request Fee:	Some exchange students must pay the taxpayer request fee of approximately EUR7.00~20.00.
   Transportation Fee:	IPL will provide the exchange students with free transportation (a) from the international airport in Lisbon to the student hostel when they first arrive in Portugal on the day as designated by IPL for the exchange programme; and (b) from the hostel to the airport when they depart for Macao at the end of the programme. Bus passes to travel in Leiria (http://mobilis.pt/en/home/), or to other places in Portugal (http://www.rede-expressos.pt/en), are available for sale. All registered students in Portugal can enjoy the concessionary bus fares. Alternatively, the exchange students may choose to travel by train within Portugal and to other places in Europe. (https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/)
   Living Expenses:	Exchange students are responsible for their living expenses including meals, transportation, laundry, etc. Exchange students are responsible for their meal expenses. For reference, the minimum price of a set lunch at a typical restaurant in Leiria is above EUR 7.00. Alternatively, exchange students may have their discounted meals in the IPL's student canteens.
   Health Care and Insurance:	Each exchange student must take out an international health insurance with at least one-year validity, against the risk of accidents and for the expenses of medical consultation and hospitalization. IPL has also insured all of its students against personal injuries sustained by them during classes or school activities, and they need to pay EUR 1.80 for the above insurance. There is a campus clinic offering medical consultation at reduced costs to its students. General practitioners and specialists are available to provide medical advice on such fields as gynecology or obstetrics, dentistry, sports injuries, occupational diseases, ophthalmology, and psycho pedagogical counseling. https://www.ipleiria.pt/en/live/student-services/health-services/. Only pharmacies sell medicines in Portugal. Some medicines can be bought only upon the presentation of a prescription while others can be purchased without one. It is recommended that exchange students carry with them an enough amount of the medications which they take on a regular basis, if any, for the duration of stay in Portugal. Written enquiries can be emailed to IPL International Office.

   Notes: (1) The above fees are only for reference and subject to change. In the event of discrepancy, the fees published by IPL or the relevant authorities will prevail. (2) Applicable to those students admitted in or before the academic year 2020/2021.

6. When should I arrive in Portugal?

   You should arrive in Portugal at least one week before your first class begins. This is to ensure that you have enough time to complete all the formalities, such as the student registration and the opening of a bank account, and to familiarize yourself with the new environment.

7. What documents should I bring with me?

   • Your passport (with a minimum validity period of one year) together with a VISA, if necessary;
   • Your resident / citizen identity card (with a minimum validity period of one year);
   • Six (6) recently taken and coloured passport photographs of you against a white background;
   • Your international health insurance card and the corresponding insurance policy;
   • Your updated vaccination record;
   • A copy of the agreement between MPU and IPL on this exchange programme.
   • The acceptance letter issued by IPL
   Note: Exchange students must bring along the originals of the above items to Portugal, and are advised to carry with them at least two copies of each items no. 1 and 2.