Recruitment Portugal

SCHOOLS IN PORTUGAL

Portugal has free state run and fee paying private nursery schools for pre primary education for children aged from 3 to 5.

Basic education starts when a child reaches the age of six and is for period of nine years which is divided into three stages of four, two and three years respectively. The first stage covers the Portuguese language, environmental studies, maths and English. Stage two covers the same subjects as those in an English primary school with the addition of Portuguese language. The third and final stage has the same subjects with the introduction of some vocational topics. A diploma is awarded when the third stage is successfully completed which gives the student access to secondary education which is compulsory runs for a further three years. The two types of courses offered are general and vocational which provide instruction in technical, technological and professional fields.

Higher education is provided by private or public polytechnics or universities. The oldest University of Coimbra was founded in 1290 and the largest one is in Porto with about 28,000 students. There are thirteen public universities and several private higher education institutions must be authorised by the Ministry of Education.

A government decree in 1998 meant that polytechnics could offer a two stage curriculum of three and two year' study which both conferred the equivalent of a bachelor's degree. The universities offer a single degree spanning four or five years, depending on the course. This is about to be changed with a new system of three years for a bachelor's degree and two years for a master's degree which can be obtained at a polytechnic but will be regulated and supervised by a university. Doctorates can only be undertaken at a university.