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For British families moving to Portugal, to continue your or your child’s education, there are two main possibilities. Firstly it is possible to study within the Portuguese system and the second option is to study at an international school, where it may be possible to follow either a UK or international curriculum.The best source of additional information on all aspects of education in Portugal is the European Commission PLOTEUS portal: www.europa.eu.int/ploteus. The PLOTEUS portal provides information about the educational system and learning opportunities as well as further contacts and background information about moving to Portugal. |
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Pre-School in Portugal |
Pre-school education ‘educação pré – escolar’, in its formative aspect, is complementary and/or supplementary to the family's educational role, with which close co-operation should be established. Its attendance is voluntary, recognising that in this specific age group - three to five - the most important role in the educational process rests on the family.
The pre-school education network is comprised of its own institutions, promoted by
central, regional or local power, or other entities, collective or individual. The State aids pre-school institutions, which are integrated into the public system, subsidising a part of their operational costs. |
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Education in Portugal |
Basic education ‘ensino Básica’ is universal, compulsory, free of charge, and lasts nine years. Mandatory education covers young people between the ages of six and fifteen years old. Basic education comprises three sequential cycles:
In the first cycle, lasting four years, teaching is the responsibility of a single teacher, who may be assisted in specific areas. The second cycle, lasting two years, functions on a multiple teacher basis, with one
teacher per subject or group of subjects. The curricular plan is based on a standardised curriculum, includes several subjects and a non-disciplinary area of study - cross-curricula area. The third cycle lasts three years. There is also one teacher per subject or group of subjects. With the third cycle, the compulsory schooling of nine years is completed. The curriculum comprises several subjects or groups of subjects as well as the cross-curricula
area.After completing compulsory education students may choose to enter secondary education ‘Ensino Secundario’ for courses included in the regular school system, or for vocational or artistic courses as an alternative to the regular system. |
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Higher Education in Portugal |
In Portugal, higher education receives private and/or public funding and consists of Universities and Institutions of Polytechnic studies ‘Institutos Politécnicos’. The difference is that the ‘ensino politécnico’ offers more vocationally based degree level courses. The academic year begins in October and normally consists of two terms per year. First-degree studies last between four and six years. Various postgraduate qualifications are available
lasting from two to six years in length. |
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International Schools in Portugal |
It is also possible to study in English at private International Schools in Portugal. A small number of schools follow a British curriculum. Others may teach in English and follow an international curriculum or offer the European Baccalaureate. For details contact the European Council for International Schools:
ECIS
21 Lavant Street
Petersfield
Hampshire
GU32 3EL
Tel: 01730 268244
Website: www.ecis.org/ |
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