Learning the local language
Start learning the language before you come to Portugal, this is the best way to engage with the local culture.
Campuses
Lisbon campus
Forward College’s first year takes place in Lisbon — one of Europe’s safest, sunniest, and most welcoming cities. Set by the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon combines the energy of a European capital with an accessible, affordable pace of life, making it an ideal environment for students making the transition from high school to university.
Our Learning Centres
Forward College students attend classes across two learning centres in the heart of Lisbon: Soriano in Bairro Alto and Flores in Chiado, eight minutes apart on foot.
Soriano
Located in the famous neighbourhood of Bairro Alto, students attend some of their academic classes at Soriano, situated within the Interpress – Bairro Alto Creative Hub. Originally a printing facility where Lisbon’s newspapers were produced, the space now hosts numerous creative companies and provides an exclusive 150m² area for our students.
The Co-Working Space
Next to your living residence, you will find a large and private space open to the Forward cohorts, in which individual study, group learning, and conferences take place. The space is designed with flexible furniture to encourage and ignite creativity and collaboration.
Our campuses
Student clubs and social events
Forward College students can create and lead their own clubs based on shared interests. If approved, they receive a budget and take responsibility for organising activities.
Previous cohorts have created clubs such as:
- Surfing
- Photography
- Running
- Reading
Activities and social spaces
Students can take part in activities both on and off campus:
- Parque Florestal de Monsanto, located near the residence, offers space for sports and outdoor activities
- The co-working space next to the residence is used for student gatherings and events
Events throughout the year
A variety of social events are organised on campus, including:
- Winter Holiday celebration
- Charity Ball
.
Cost of Living in Lisbon
Let’s take a look at some of the costs you may have in your first year studying at Forward’s Lisbon campus.
| Activities | Costs per week | Cost per month | Cost per academic year (52 weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student home | From €190 to €260 | From €750 to €1040 | From €9,880 to €13,520 |
| Private health insurance | €6.25 | €25 | €325 |
| Public transportation pass | €7.50 | €30 | €390 |
| Groceries | From €37 to €50 | From €150 to €200 | From €1950 to €2600 |
| Mobile Phone Plan | €2.5 | €10 | €130 |
| Leisure activities and daily expenses** | From €25 to €37 | From €100 to €150 | From €1,300 to €1,950 |
*includes gym, nightlife, cinema and other types of entertainment.
| Activity | Costs |
|---|---|
| Meal in a average restaurant | €15.00 |
| Coffee | €0.70 – €1.00 |
| Take away in a bakery (lunch menus, sandwiches…) | €3 – €7.00 |
| Cinema ticket | €7.80 |
| Nightclub entry | €10 – €15.00 |
| Single metro ticket | €1.85 |
10 tips from our students before joining the Lisbon campus
The following tips come from current Forward College students and are designed to help new arrivals prepare for life in Lisbon.
Visit the Erasmus website
Visit the Erasmus website to gain access to the Erasmus card and access events throughout the year.
Best places near the Learning Centre
Estátua A Verdade de Eça de Queirós: this spot is right in front of the Learning Centre. Here our students can spend time enjoying the sun between classes.
Fábrica Coffee Roasters: rumour is you can have the best coffees from all over the world here. And let’s face it, students love to have a good cup of coffee while they study. Handily located right next to the Learning Centre.
Marie Blanchère: a French boulangerie located only two short mins from our Learning Centre, great for lunch and for snacking between classes.
Park Bar: a beautiful rooftop just only minutes away from our campus, perfect for a happy hour (or two) after classes.
Prepare for winter
Pack a few jumpers for winter but try mostly to pack items that you can layer throughout the year, days are generally hot with fresher nights.
Organise your parties
Do all the fun stuff in the first term so you have more time to study in the second and third term.
Cord and adaptor
Pack an extension cord and adaptor.
Discover the beaches around Lisbon
One of the best ways for our students to make the most of living in Lisbon is to take a trip to a nearby beach. Some of the most beautiful beaches that Portugal has to offer are just one hour or less away from our Lisbon Learning Centre. Here’s our top three:
1. Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo, Sesimbra
2. Praia das Azenhas do Mar, Sintra
3.Praia de Galapos, Setúbal
Go to the Asian grocery
Go to the Asian grocery shops in Martim Moniz, there you will find cheaper condiments of any kind.
Take the essentials
Only take the essentials as you will be moving to Paris the year after.
Enjoy the experience
Most of all, don’t stress too much. It can seem like a lot of work the first couple of months when you arrive at Forward but make sure you enjoy it while you are here and make the most of this incredible opportunity.
FAQ
The Forward College Lisbon campus is based in central Lisbon, with learning spaces in Bairro Alto and Chiado.
Students in Lisbon live and study in an international environment, with access to cultural activities, outdoor spaces, and a vibrant student community.
Students live in a dedicated residence in Benfica, with easy access to the learning centre and the city centre.
Year 1 students adapt to university life, build independence, and develop their first international experience.
The residence is approximately 30 minutes from the learning centre by metro.
Forward College students in Lisbon have access to facilities across both their learning centres and their residence.
At the learning centres in Chiado and Bairro Alto, students have access to study rooms, a kitchen, a terrace, a meditation room, and a library. The Soriano space, set within a creative hub in Bairro Alto, also offers a dedicated 150m² area exclusively for Forward students.
At the Xior Student Housing residence in Benfica, students have access to individual rooms with private bathrooms, a shared kitchen, a gym, study rooms, a private garden, a media room, a lounge, and on-site laundry facilities.
Adjacent to the residence, students also have access to a private co-working space designed for individual study, group work, and events — with flexible furniture to encourage collaboration and creativity.
For sports and leisure, the Parque Florestal de Monsanto is a five-minute walk from the residence, offering a vast green space with activities including tennis and hiking. The city centre, beaches, and other areas of Lisbon are all directly accessible by metro.
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