Postgraduate Degree in Participatory Action Research in Health
General Objectives of the Course
The program aims to promote advanced training in Participatory Action Research in Health (PaPS) for health professionals and researchers, as well as graduates in the fields of health or social support, particularly nurses and community intervention project managers.The program will enable participants to:
• (re)design projects that actively involve target groups in their development, making them more participatory;
• (re)define process, outcome, and impact indicators, strengthening the objectivity of project evaluation;
• improve the dissemination of the results and impact of best practices.
By participating in the program, project managers will also have the opportunity to present and further develop their community intervention projects, reflecting critically on them while integrating action research approaches and/or collaborating with international teams in multicenter case studies.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Postgraduate Program is open to:
a) Holders of a bachelor's degree or legal equivalent in Nursing from a Portuguese higher education institution;
b) Holders of a foreign first-cycle degree in Nursing that complies with the Bologna Process;
c) Holders of a foreign degree recognized as equivalent to a Portuguese bachelor’s in Nursing by the School's Technical-Scientific Council;
d) Individuals with an academic, scientific, or professional curriculum in the scientific field of Nursing recognized by the School's Technical-Scientific Council as demonstrating the ability to complete the program.
In addition to the above, the following may also apply:
a) Holders of a bachelor's degree or legal equivalent in health and related areas from a Portuguese higher education institution;
b) Holders of a foreign first-cycle degree in health and related areas that complies with the Bologna Process;
c) Holders of a foreign degree recognized as equivalent to a Portuguese bachelor’s in health and related areas by the School's Technical-Scientific Council;
d) Individuals with an academic, scientific, or professional curriculum in health and related areas by the School's Technical-Scientific Council as demonstrating the ability to complete the program.
Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.
Professional Goals
Not applicable.Mode of Study
Full timeTeaching / Evaluation language(s)
PortugueseExamination Regulations, Assessment and Grading
Assessment is an integral component of the teaching and learning process. It aims to evaluate the students’ knowledge and competencies, as well as their critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and proficiency in written and oral communication. The rules governing attendance, assessment, and classification are set out in the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra (RAUC). The grade awarded for each course unit is expressed as a whole number on a 0–20-point scale. A minimum final grade of 10 is required to pass a course unit. The final classification of the programme corresponds to the weighted arithmetic mean of the grades obtained in the course units. The weighting assigned to each course unit is equal to its ECTS credit value.Learning Objectives and Intended Skills
The curriculum of this postgraduate program is organized according to the principles of meaningful learning and project-based learning. Teaching methodologies will vary depending on the learning objectives, competencies to be developed, and the content of each module.Participants from different countries will also have opportunities to share their experiences through an online platform, fostering collaborative learning and the co-creation of knowledge.
Further details are provided in the description of each Curricular Unit.
Course Coordinator(s)
Irma da Silva Brito
uc80087@uc.pt
Marília Maria Andrade Marques Conceição Neves
uc80084@uc.pt
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of prior learning is governed by the provisions set out in the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra (RAUC), Regulation No. 945/2025, and Article 45(1)(a) of the Legal Framework for Higher Education Degrees and Diplomas, approved by Decree-Law No. 74/2006 of 24 March, in its current wording.Qualification Requirements and Regulations
Decree-Law No. 74/2006, in its current wording.Graduation Requirements
Successfully complete the course study plan, obtaining a total of 30 ECTS in the following scientific areas:
[720] - Health - 30
Access to Further Studies
Not applicable.Study Programme
2026-2027
Course Type
Non Degree Course
Qualification Awarded: Diploma/Certificate
Duration: 1 Semester(s)
ECTS Credits: 30.0