THE PORTUGUESE EDUCATION SYSTEM

Age Master 2 years Degree 3/4 years Doctorate 2 to 4 years Secondary School 10 th to 12 th Grade Higher Education Basic School (Compulsory ) University Polythecnic Institutes Master 2 to 4 years Degree 2 years 3 rd Cycle – 7 th to 9 th Grade 2nd Cycle – 5 th to 6 th Grade 1st Cycle – 1 st to 4 th Grade Pre-School – Optional* *A single teacher, who may be assisted in specialized areas as Music, Sports and Technologies Adult Education General Courses Vocational Courses Secondary Schools Professional Schools Portuguese Educational System Chart National Exams to access University

Teacher education Training of pre-school and primary school teachers Educators and teachers for basic and secondary schools obtain the adequate qualification through higher education courses (which awards them a degree) structured on the basis of professional performance needs according to the corresponding level of educational training. The educational training of educators and teachers for 1st, 2 nd cycles is performed during the 3 years of their graduation. To be teachers they need to have a master on education.

Training of secondary school teachers The educational training of teachers for secondary school is offered by university institutions. The professional qualification of teachers for secondary schools can be obtained through a normal degree which guarantees them scientific education in the adequate field of study complemented by adequate pedagogical training. The professional qualifications of teachers of vocational and artistic subjects can be obtained through a degree that are specially oriented towards the specific fields of study and completed by adequate pedagogical training. These pedagogical courses can only be attended by educators and teachers of basic and secondary schools with 5 year practice in regular or special education.

Those who choose a specific teaching course must have a master in order to be qualified to teach. 4 th year they prepare their final course thesis and on the 5 th year (last one) they must do the pedagogical practice at school under supervision of a school teacher and university teacher. One must attend monitor’s classes and prepare some material to teach these classes. If someone wants to teach but his degree is not specific for teaching purposes, one can apply for a teacher’s training but it will be done in two different years. The 1 st year it will be for attending classes at university to learn pedagogical and methodological subjects and the 2 nd year it will be at school under the same kind of supervision, the difference here is that you have your one classes to teach