1 : Universidade : University

2 : Instituto Politécnico : Polytechnic Institute

3 : Escola Superior : Higher School

4 : Instituto Superior : Higher Institute

5 : Faculdade : Faculty

6 : Academia : Academy

entry:6

exit:18

Basic First Stage : Ensino Básico - 1º Ciclo

Length of program:4

Age level from:6

Age level to:10

Basic Second Stage : Ensino Básico - 2º Ciclo

Length of program:2

Age level from:10

Age level to:12

Basic Third Stage : Ensino Básico - 3º Ciclo

Length of program:3

Age level from:12

Age level to:15

Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:Certificado/Diploma

Secondary : Ensino Secundário

Length of program:3

Age level from:15

Age level to:18

Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:Certificado de Nível Secundário de Educação / Diploma de Nível Secundário de Educação

Specialized Tech./Voc. : Ensino Secundário Profissional (Professional Secondary Schools)

Length of program:3

Age level from:15

Age level to:18

Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:Diploma de Nível Secundário de Educação, Certificado de Qualificação Profissional de Nível IV.

Basic education lasts for nine years and is divided into three stages of four, two and three years respectively. A Diploma/Certificate is awarded at the end of the third stage. Secondary education - public, private and cooperative - has been compulsory since 2009 and consists of a three-year cycle after completing the third cycle of basic education. Access is through the Diploma of Basic Education (Diploma do Ensino Básico). There are two types of courses: general courses and technical/vocational courses, providing instruction in technical, technological, and professional fields. Permeability between the courses is guaranteed. The teaching and practice of technical, technological or artistic courses are provided by vocational schools and special schools for education in Arts. Courses are sanctioned by the Diploma de Nível Secundário de Educação/ Certificado de Nível Secundário de Educação, which is one of the conditions for access to higher education. In order to develop personal and professional competencies, legislation has been passed to approve the stimulation of post-secondary technological specialized courses (CET). These courses qualify for the exercise of a profession (level V of NQF) and enable people to pursue studies at higher education level.

Higher education includes university and polytechnic education. University education is offered by public and private university institutions and polytechnic education is offered by public and private non-university institutions. The Portuguese Catholic University was instituted by decree of the Holy See and is recognized by the State of Portugal. Private higher education institutions must be subject to prior recognition by the Ministry of Education and Science and the Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education - A3ES (Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior). The two subsystems of higher education (university and polytechnic) are linked and it is possible to transfer from one to the other. It is also possible to transfer from a public institution to a private one and vice-versa.

Decree Law 36/2014 of 10 March (2014)

Description:Regulates the statute of the international student.

Decree Law 43/2014 of 18 March (2014)

Description:Regulates the short higher education courses.

Law 38/2007 of 16 August (2007)

Description:The assessment of higher education

Law 62/2007 of 10 September (2007)

Description:Juridical regime of higher education institutions

Decree Law 369/2007 of 5 November (2007)

Description:Creates the Higher Education Assessment and Accreditation Agency which assumes the responsibility for quality assurance of procedures at this level of education

Ministerial Order 401/2007 of 5 April amended by Ministerial Order 232-A/2013 of 22 July and Decree Law 113/2014 of 16 July (2007)

Description:Regulates the regime of transfer, change and readmission to higher education.

Decree-Law 74/2006 of 24 March amended by Decree-Law 107/2008 of 25 June, Decree-Law 230/2009 of 14 September and Decree-Law 115/2013 of 7 August (2006)

Description:Approves the juridical regime of higher education degrees and diplomas establishing the general principles of accreditation for higher education institutions an

Ministerial Order 30/2008 of 10 January (2006)

Description:Establishes the model for the Diploma Supplement to be used by all Portuguese Higher Education Institutions

Decree-Law 42/2005 of 22 February with changes introduced by Decree-Law 107/2008 of 25 June (2005)

Description:Regulates the principles for measures governing the creation of a European higher education area.

Law 37/2003 of 22 August on the Funding of Higher Education with changes introduced by Law 49/2005 of 30 August (2003)

Description:The funding of higher education

Decree-law 296-A/98 of 25 September amended by Decree-law 90/2008 of 30 May rectified by Rectification of Declaration 32-C/2008 of 16 June (1998)

Description:Access to public and private higher education institutions

Law 46/86 of 14 October amended by Law 115/97 of 19 September and by Law 49/2005 of 30 August (1986)

Description:Framework Law on the Education System.

Portuguese, English

Non-university level : Licenciado (1st Cycle) / Mestre (2nd Cycle)

Description:As from the publication of the law 49/2005, in the polytechnic education, the cycle of studies that leads to the degree of Licenciado with a normal length of six curricular semesters of students’ work, corresponds to 180 credits, and in certain cases namely those covered by internal legislation or by European legislation, the cycle of studies has a length of seven to eight curricular semesters of students’ work, corresponding to 240 credits. In the first cycle of studies of the polytechnic institutions, the degree of Licenciado is conferred to those that, after concluding all the curricular units that integrate the study programme of the licenciatura course, have obtained the established number of credits. The cycle of studies that leads to the degree of Mestre has a normal length of three to four curricular semesters of students’ work corresponding to 90 to 120 credits. In polytechnic education, the cycle of studies that leads to the Mestre degree must ensure predominantly that the student acquires a professional specialization.

University level first stage : Licenciado (1st Cycle)

Description:Since the publication of law 49/2005, in university education, the cycle of studies that leads to the degree of Licenciado has a nominal duration of six to eight curricular semesters, and corresponds to 180 / 240 credits. In the first cycle of university studies, the degree of Licenciado is conferred to those who, after concluding all the curricular units that integrate the study programme of the licenciatura course, have obtained the established number of credits.

University level second stage : Mestre (2nd Cycle)

Description:Since the publication of Law 49/2005, the cycle of studies that leads to the degree of Mestre has a nominal length of three to four curricular semesters, corresponding to 90 to 120 credits. In university education, the Mestre degree may also be conferred after an integrated cycle of studies, with 300 to 360 credits and a normal length of 10 to 12 curricular semesters, in cases where the access to the practice of a certain professional activity depends on the length of time established by legal EU standards or results from a stable practice consolidated in the European Union. In the second cycle of studies of the university, the degree of Mestre is conferred to those who, after concluding all the curricular units that integrate the study programme of the Mestrado course, have obtained the established number of credits and successfully defended in public their dissertation, their project work or their traineeship report.

University level third stage : Doutor (3rd Cycle)

Description:The Doutor (PhD) degree is only conferred by university institutions. The degree of Doutor (PhD) is conferred to those who, after concluding all the curricular units that integrate the study programme of the Doutoramento (doctorate programme), have successfully defended their thesis in public.

University level fourth stage : Agregação

Description:This is the highest qualification reserved to holders of the Doutor degree. It requires the capacity to undertake high level research and special pedagogical competence in a specific field. It is awarded after passing specific examinations.

Teachers at this level receive no formal professional training, but minimum qualifications are laid down for each category.
University: professor auxiliar (Doutor); professor associado (Doutor with at least 5 years); professor catedrático (Doutor with at least 5 years and with the Agregado degree).
Polytechnics: professor adjunto (Doutor or the title of Especialista); professor coordenador (Doutor with at least 5 years or the title of Especialista) and professor coordenador principal (Doutor with at least 5 years and with the Agregado degree or a legal equivalent qualification)

At present, distance higher education is provided by the Universidade Aberta.

Erasmus+

Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior - MCTES

Role:MCTES is the government body responsible for the definition, implementation and evaluation of national policies within Science and Education.

Street:Estrada das Laranjeiras, 197-205

City:Lisboa

PostCode:1649-018

Tel:+351(217) 231 000

Fax:+351(217) 271 457

www:https://www.portugal.gov.pt/pt/gc21/area-de-governo/ciencia-tecnologia-e-ensino-superior

Contacts:Manuel Heitor (Head), Job title : Minister

Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior - DGES

Role:This Directorate General is a central service of the direct state administration under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Science and it is responsible for the implementation and coordination of the policies regarding higher education, that is incumbent to the Ministry.

Street:Av. Duque D'Ávila, 137

City:Lisboa

PostCode:1069-016

Tel:+351(213) 126 000

Fax:+351(213) 126 001

www:http://www.dges.gov.pt/pt

Contacts:João Queiroz (Head), Job title : Director General

Agência Nacional ERASMUS+ Educação e Formação

Role:The Agency was created to ensure the management of the Erasmus + Programme in education and training.

Street:Praça de Alvalade, 12

City:Lisboa

PostCode:1749-070

Tel:+351(210) 101 900

Fax:+351(210) 101 910

www:https://erasmusmais.pt

Associação Portuguesa de Ensino Superior Privado - APESP

Role:An association of officially recognized non-state institutions of higher education, according to the Statute of Private Higher Education and of other applicable legislation.

Street:Av. da República, 47 - 1º Dto

City:Lisboa

PostCode:1050-188

Tel:+351(217) 994 860

Fax:+351(217) 994 869

www:http://www.apesp.pt

Contacts:João José Pires Duarte Redondo (Head), Job title : President

Conselho Coordenador dos Institutos Superiores Politécnicos - CCISP

Role:Body which represents all public higher polytechnic institutions.

Street:Av 5.º de Outubro, n.º 89 – 3.º andar

City:Lisboa

PostCode:1050-050

Tel:+351(217) 928 360

www:http://www.ccisp.pt

Contacts:Pedro Dominguinhos (Head), Job title : President

Conselho de Reitores das Universidades Portuguesas - CRUP

Role:Body representing all public universities.

Street:Avenida 5 de outubro, 89, 2º andar

City:Lisboa

PostCode:1050-050

Tel:+351(213) 602 950

Fax:+351(213) 640 011

www:http://www.crup.pt

Contacts:António Fontainhas Fernandes (Head), Job title : President

  Associação das Universidades de Língua Portuguesa - AULP

Role:The aim of this international association is the development of cooperation between universities and higher research institutions by means of promoting the interchange of researchers and students and the development of joint projects of scientific and technological research as well as the exchange of information.

Street:Avenida Santos Dumont, 67, 2°

City:Lisboa

Province:Portugal

PostCode:1050-203

Tel:+351(217) 816 360

Fax:+351(217) 816 369

www:http://aulp.org

Contacts:- Orlando Manuel José Fernandes da Mata (Head), Job title : President
- Cristina Montalvão Sarmento (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Secretary-General

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior - A3ES

Services provided and types of students dealt with:The A3ES defines and enforces the quality standards of the higher education system, assesses and accredits study cycles and higher education institutions, and promotes public disclosure of the assessment and accreditation results.

Recognition for institution:yes

Recognition for profession:no

Street:Praça de Alvalade, 6 - 5.º Frente

City:Lisboa

PostCode:1700-036

Tel:+351(213) 511 690

Fax:+351(213) 511 691

www:http://www.a3es.pt

Contacts:Alberto Amaral (Head), Job title : President

NARIC, Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior

Services provided and types of students dealt with:The Portuguese NARIC is the official information centre for providing information about recognition of foreign qualifications both for academic and professional purpose. The centre is also part of the ENIC network which is made up of the national information centres of the States belonging to the Council of Europe and UNESCO. It provides information to national and foreign students and graduates; higher education institutions; Ministries and other public authorities; professional organizations and employers; ENIC/NARIC centres; national and international organizations.

Recognition for institution:yes

Recognition for profession:yes

Street:Avenida Duque d'Avila, 137

City:Lisboa

PostCode:1069-016

Tel:+351(21) 312 6000

Fax:+351(21) 312 6020

www:http://www.naricportugal.pt

Contacts:Ana Mateus (Head), Job title : Head of the NARIC

Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior - DGES

Street:Av. Duque D'Ávila, 137

City:Lisboa

PostCode:1069-016

Tel:+351(213) 126 000

Fax:+351(213) 126 001

www:http://www.dges.gov.pt/pt

Camões - Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua, I. P.

Category of students:One of the main objectives of the institute is the promotion of economic, social and cultural development of Portuguese-speaking countries.

Grants:no

Loans:no

Street:Avenida da Liberdade, 270

City:Lisboa

PostCode:1250-149

Tel:+351(213) 109 100

Fax:+351(213) 143 987

www:http://www.instituto-camoes.pt

Contacts:Luis Faro Ramos (Head), Job title : President

Camões - Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua, I. P

Street:Avenida da Liberdade, 270

City:Lisboa

PostCode:1250-149

Tel:+351(213) 109 100

Fax:+351(213) 143 987

www:https://www.instituto-camoes.pt/

Agência Nacional ERASMUS+ Educação e Formação

Street:Praça de Alvalade, 12

City:Lisboa

PostCode:1749-070

Tel:+351(210) 101 900

Fax:+351(210) 101 910

www:https://erasmusmais.pt

Diploma de Nível Secundário de Educação

Requirement for:All programmes

Diploma de Especialização Tecnológica

Requirement for:Programmes in the same field of study. Minimum mark: 9.5

Special competitions organized for applicants over 23 who do not hold the Diploma de Ensino Secundário but who have to sit for a special examination (ad hoc exam); candidates already holding a medium / higher level qualification; candidates from other higher education systems.

National examinations of secondary school corresponding to the admission tests in accordance with the higher education course the student wishes to attend and obtain the minimum mark required (9.5 out of 20).

Each year, institutions (public and private) establish the number of places available for each course which has to be approved by the Ministry of Education and Science.

In addition to passing entrance and access tests, students must fulfil particular prerequisites for the chosen course. Universities publish their entrance requirements via an e-booklet available to applicants on the website of the Direção-Geral de Ensino Superior which is responsible for placing applicants on courses according to their preference. Vacancies allocated by public institutions are filled by means of a national competition organized by the Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior. Each private institute fills its places by means of a local competitive examination which they organize.

Diploma de Nível Secundário de Educação

Minimum mark:Minimum mark required

Requirement for:All programmes

Diploma de Especialização Tecnológica

Minimum mark:9,5

Requirement for:Programmes in the same field of study.

Special competitions organized for applicants over 23 who do not hold the Diploma de Ensino Secundário but who have to sit for a special examination (ad hoc exam); candidates already holding a medium / higher level qualification; candidates from other higher education systems.

Set for the national examinations of secondary school corresponding to the admission tests in accordance with the higher education course the student wishes to attend and obtain the minimum mark required (9.5 out of 20).

Each year, the institution (public and private) establishes the number of places available for each course which has to be approved by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

In addition to passing entrance and access tests, students must fulfil particular prerequisites for the chosen course. Universities publish their entrance requirements via an e-booklet available to applicants on the website of the Direção-Geral de Ensino Superior which is responsible for placing applicants on courses according to their preference. Vacancies allocated by public institutions are filled by means of a national competition organized by the Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior. Each private institute fills its places by means of a local competitive examination which they organize.

Admission Requirements:Foreign students must have a certified copy of a Secondary School Leaving Certificate. In order to enter university they must also pass an entrance examination. They must present the notice of approval and length of the programme (if necessary).

In Portugal the legislation concerning academic recognition of foreign qualifications is dealt with by two legal acts which have different approaches and whose responsibilities fall under the Higher Education Institutions and Directorate General for Higher Education.
The acts on the recognition of foreign higher education qualifications are:
- the Decree-Law nr. 283/83 dated 21 June which establishes a system of recognition/equivalence based on the scientific re-evaluation of work carried out with a view to obtaining the foreign degree and on assessment of the merit of the foreign higher degrees/diplomas. According to this decree only higher education institutions are incumbent to decide on awarding equivalence/recognition.
- the Decree-Law nr. 341/07 dated 12 October which sets up a new regime, based on the principle of mutual trust, for automatic recognition of foreign academic degrees of a level and nature and with objectives that are identical to the degrees of Licenciado, Mestre and Doutor awarded by Portuguese higher education institutions.

For Access to Non-University Post-Secondary Studies:The general conditions to accede to higher education institutions (non-university and university level studies) is the 12th year of schooling and national examinations.

For Access to University Level Studies:The general conditions to accede to higher education institutions (non-university and university level studies) is the 12th year of schooling and national examinations.

For Access to Advanced Studies/Research:Those who meet the following conditions may apply to advanced studies and research:
- Holders of the Licenciado degree or legal equivalent;
- Holders of the Mestre degree or legal equivalent;
- Holders of a foreign academic degree conferred following a 1st cycle of studies organized according to the principles of the Bologna Process by a State that has signed to the Process;
- Holders of an academic, scientific or professional curriculum vitae that is recognized as attesting the capacity to carry out this cycle of studies by the statutorily competent scientific body of the higher education institution to which they wish to be admitted.

For the Exercise of a Profession:Access to regulated professions is subject to professional recognition by the competent authorities according to Directive 2005/36/EC transposed by Law nº 9/2009 of 4 March and amended by Directive 55/2013/EU.

Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region (1997)

Is there social security:Yes

Is there social security:Yes

By Road:Unknown

By Rail:Unknown

By Air:Unknown

Available to Foreign Students:Unknown

Diploma de Nível Secundário de Educação

Description:Secondary school leaving certificate.

Diploma de Especialização Tecnológica

Description:Post-secondary diploma offered to the students who want to enter the labour market with a high level professional qualification. These courses that offer an alternative route to academic higher education last for 18 months.

Credential required for entry:Diploma de Nível Secundário de Educação

Type of institution where credential is offered:Universidade (University)
Instituto Politécnico (Polytechnic Institute)

Diploma de técnico superior profissional

Description:This diploma is conferred after successful completion of 120 ECTS - 4 semesters.

Entrance exam test at National level:no

Entrance exam test at Institution level:yes

Credential required for entry:Diploma de Nível Secundário de Educação
Diploma de Especialização Tecnológica

Type of institution where credential is offered:Instituto Politécnico (Polytechnic Institute)

Licenciado

Description:Degree conferred after studies lasting between 3 and four years (180-240 ECTS).

Entrance exam test at National level:yes

Credential required for entry:Diploma de Nível Secundário de Educação

Type of institution where credential is offered:Universidade (University)
Instituto Politécnico (Polytechnic Institute)

Mestre

Description:In the Bologna system, the Mestre degree confers between 90 to 120 ECTS and gives access to doctoral studies, providing that the institution admits the graduate. In exceptional circumstances, and subject to relevant requirement linked to the objectives of the degree and the conditions for awarding, a cycle of studies leading to a Mestre degree in a specialized field may be amount 60 credits resulting from a stable and a consolidated practice in that specific field at international level.

Credential required for entry:Licenciado

Type of institution where credential is offered:Universidade (University)
Instituto Politécnico (Polytechnic Institute)

Doutor

Description:Higher degree conferred to graduates who pass the prova de doutoramento. In the Bologna system, the degree of Doutor is conferred after following the doctoral programme and a minimal duration of three years.

Credential required for entry:Licenciado
Mestre

Type of institution where credential is offered:Universidade (University)

Agregação

Description:Highest degree, only open to holders of the Doutor degree and awarded after passing specific examinations.

Credential required for entry:Doutor

Type of institution where credential is offered:Universidade (University)

From:2019

To:2020

IAU from the website of the Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior, Lisboa, May 2020.