The creation of the Department of Portuguese Studies (DEP) coincides with the foundation of the College itself (NOVA FCSH) and its degree in Portuguese Studies was among the first offered by all Portuguese universities.

His specialized activity in teaching and researching Portuguese language and Portuguese-speaking literature and cultures combines the purposes of humanistic training that focuses on the knowledge of language, literature and culture, and vocational preparation and scientific research.

Its faculty is now fully composed of PhD professors, with specializations that encompass all epochs of Portuguese literature and culture, including traditional literature, Brazilian literature and African literature in Portuguese, languages and classical cultures, as well as literature theory, comparative literature, textual criticism and the history of the book.