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Teaching

Teaching at FCUL is structured into cycles in accordance with the rules of the Bologna process.  FCUL offers courses in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd cycle, as well as other types of training courses that do not offer an academic degree.

Many courses are directed by various departments at FCUL and several are offered in conjunction with other schools from ULisbon or other Universities. 

 

Awarding Degree Programmes

Teaching at FCUL is organised according to the Bologna model and its current structure accompanies scientific, technical and entrepreneurial evolution. 

  • The study programme leading to a BSc degree (1st Cycle | BSc) has 180 to 240 credits and normally lasts between six to eight curricular semesters of student work.  The BSc degree is granted to those who pass all of the course units that are a part of the programme’s study plan and have obtained the defined number of credits
  • The study programme leading to an MSc degree (2nd Cycle | MSc) has 90 to 120 credits and normally lasts between three to four semesters of student work. It should ensure student expertise of an academic nature by resorting to research, innovation or the development of professional skills. The BSc degree is granted to those who pass all of the course units that are a part of the Master’s study plan and are approved in the public defence of their dissertation, the project work or internship report, and have obtained the defined number of credits
  • The study plan leading to a doctoral degree (3rd Cycle | PhD) comprises the elaboration of an original thesis especially elaborated for this purpose, and suiting the nature of the branch of knowledge or field of expertise. The cycle of studies leading to the doctoral degree should essentially aim at learning oriented towards the practice of high level R&D, and may eventually include, when the respective regulatory norms so foresee, the completion of curricular units aimed at training for research and/or the development of complementary competences, the whole of which is called a doctoral course (in which case, the conditions under which the attendance of such course is dispensed with should be established). The doctoral degree is conferred to those who are approved in the public defence of their thesis or its equivalent.

Within the national calls for access opened by FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology), the Faculty of Sciences also offers several doctoral programmes selected for funding.

The FCUL courses that confer a degree are organised into 9 thematic groups:

  • Engineering
  • Life and Healthcare Sciences
  • Earth Sciences
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Information and Communication Technologies
  • Physical Sciences
  • Chemical Sciences
  • Science, Culture and Teaching 

 

Non-Awarding Degree Programmes

Fostering scientific literacy – for the University students and society in general – is one of FCUL’s responsibilities and should be organised through simple formats capable of reaching people with specific needs or simply with the desire to know.  

Therefore, FCUL promotes a wide range of programmes that do not award a degree:

  • Non-Awarding Degree Postgraduate Programmes aimed at continuing education, furthering or acquiring techniques and knowledge in certain professional areas, or the opening of new scientific areas and the acquisition of practical or technical skills in specialised areas for students who concluded the 1st cycle. Every school year the general public and students at FCUL can apply in accordance with the Regulation (Order No. 8631/2020 of 08 September). Consult the list of non-awarding degree postgraduates courses
  • Minors that consist of 30 ECTS, chosen from a pre-established group of course units from the same area, allow students more flexibility in their studies and complements their academic degree. Every school year the general public and students at FCUL can apply in accordance with the Regulation. Please consult the List of Minors and their Regulation
  • Social Skills that are  mostly electives, allowing students at FCUL to build their own educational profile. In each school year, the list of available subjects is defined - information regarding school years prior to 2021/22 is also available
  • Certain course units that allow students to broaden and update their knowledge and attain multidisciplinary training. Every school year the general public and students at FCUL can apply in accordance with the Regulation (Order No. 6937/2020 of 06 July)