Courses / Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Master’s degree in Teaching Geography (7-12)

Study Programme undergoing changes following the publication of Decree-Law no. 9-A/2025, of 14th February

General Objectives of the Course

To form highly qualified teachers, able to perform teaching duties with scientific rigor and professional expertise, providing them with:
1) knowledge and expertise within their area of teaching, as well as a general educational and didactics background which will allow an understanding of the processes of teaching and learning, and the knowledge of methodological trends and educational materials
2) ability to transfer knowledge and skills from the area of teaching to specific school contexts, in accordance with didactic and pedagogical principles.
3) awareness of the social, ethical and civic dimension of the teaching function in general and of their particular discipline, critical thinking and ability to reflect which will enable them to intervene in an informed way in school and in society
4) communicative competence in various relevant situations
5) awareness of the changes in scientific, pedagogical and didactic areas and the need for ongoing professional development in these areas.

Admission Requirements

1 - According to Decree-Law No. 79/2014, of May 14, in its current wording, candidates who meet the following conditions cumulatively may apply for access to the study cycle leading to the master's degree:

a) Hold a bachelor's degree or one of the qualifications referred to in paragraphs a) to c) of paragraph 1 of article 17 of Decree-Law No. 74/2006;

b) Have obtained, in this bachelor's degree or in other higher education study cycles, 120 credits (ECTS) in the scientific area of Geography;

c) Have oral and written proficiency in the Portuguese language and mastery of the essential rules of logical and critical argumentation.

2 - Those who meet the requirements of paragraphs a) and c) of point 1, but not paragraph b), may also apply if they have obtained 75% of the necessary credits (90 ECTS) in the teaching areas.

3 - Those who meet the requirements of paragraphs b) and c) of point 1, but not paragraph a), may also apply if they have a school, scientific or professional curriculum recognized as attesting the capacity to carry out this study cycle by the Scientific Council of FLUC and have obtained at least 75% of the necessary credits (90 ECTS) in the teaching areas.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

Teaching (7-12), skills obtained in the course also enable developing activities in the areas of culture and heritage.

Mode of Study

Daytime, full-time and face-to-face

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese Language

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

As assessment is a pedagogical activity inseparable from the teaching process, its aim is to establish the students' competencies and knowledge, their critical sense, ability to recognize and resolve problems, as well as their written and oral presentation skills. Students may only register for exams for classes they are currently registered for under the terms of number 6 of article 4 of the University of Coimbra Pedagogical Policy. The following are examples of assessment items: Oral or written exams, written or practical work, individual and group projects that may require an oral defense, as well as class participation. Assessment for each class may include one or more of the above mentioned items. Grading is based on a scale of 0 to 20 and a grade of 10 is required to pass. Whenever assessment comprises more than one item, the final grade is calculated by taking into account the relative weight of each item according a formula published in the course outline under the terms of number 2 of article 7 of the UC Pedagogical Policy.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

1) deepen and consolidate knowledge and skills in geography acquired in bachelor degree, focusing on topics on primary and high school curricula
2) be able to apply their knowledge in planning and implementing substantiated classes in scientific, pedagogical and didactical terms with full awareness of the specifics of teaching-learning situations and groups of students, curriculum guidelines, procedures and appropriate materials, and other factors
3) understand the social, ethical and civic impact of teaching and of their discipline, develop critical thinking and the ability to reflect in order to guide their teaching practice in ever new and complex situations as well as their intervention in the school context within and outside the classroom.
4) be able to communicate and participate within the school community
5) recognize the need for ongoing scientific, pedagogical and didactic update and being able to carry out research on aspects of the teaching practice in order to improve it.

Course Coordinator(s)

Maria de Fátima Grilo Velez de Castro
velezcastro@fl.uc.pt

Paulo Nuno Maia de Sousa Nossa
paulonossa@fl.uc.pt

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

Albano Augusto Figueiredo Rodrigues
geofig@fl.uc.pt

Luca António Dimuccio
luca@ci.uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

The legal framework for the qualification is established by the decrees: Decree-Law nr 74/2006, 24th March, in its current wording; Ordinance nr 782/2009, 23rd July; Decree-Law nr 79/2014, 14th May

Graduation Requirements

The Masters degree is awarded to candidates who obtain the number of credits set to the master's cycle of studies by:
a) obtaining approval in all course units of the curriculum of the master's degree cycle;
and
b) obtaining approval in the public defense of the course unit report on supervised teaching practice.
c) In the case referred to in numbers 5 and 6 of Art. 18 of Decree-Law 79/2014, the degree is awarded to those who meet all of the minimum entry requirements as well as the conditions specified in paragraphs a) and b).

Access to Further Studies

PhD degree studies.

Study Programme

Teaching Geography (7-12)

Academic year
2025-2026

Course Type
2nd Cycle Studies - Advanced Specialisation Master Programme

DGES Code: M824

Qualification Awarded: Mestre

Duration: 2 Year(s)

ECTS Credits: 120.0

Category: Advanced specialization second cycle

Applications

Call for Applications

Calendar

1st Semester: Start date: 08-09-2025
End date: 19-12-2025
2nd Semester: Start date: 09-02-2026
End date: 21-05-2026

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior: 2020-07-31 a 2026-07-30
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior: Nº Registo: R/A-Cr 159/2015; 2015-07-31