Courses / Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Master’s degree in Teaching Portuguese and a Foreign Language (7-12)

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

General Objectives of the Course

The aim of the program is to train highly qualified teachers who are able to perform their duties with rigour and professional competence, and who have
1. solid skills and knowledge in their subject areas as well as in foundational areas of education and subject specific didactics, so that they are able to understand processes of teaching and learning and use appropriate methodologies and materials;
2. the ability to apply knowledge and skills in their subject areas to specific school settings, in accordance with pedagogical principles;
3. an awareness of the social, ethical and civic dimension of teaching in general and their discipline in particular, and critical and self-reflective skills that enable them to act in an informed manner in school settings and in civil society;
4. communicative competence in various relevant situations;
5. an awareness of the changes that occur in their subject areas and in pedagogy and of the need for constant professional development in these areas.

Admission Requirements

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

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

b) Have obtained, in that bachelor's degree or in other higher education study cycles, a minimum of 80 to 100 credits (ECTS) in the scientific area of Portuguese and a minimum of 60 to 80 credits (ECTS) in the area of Foreign Language (German, Spanish, French or English), with 160 credits in both areas;

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

2 - Candidates may also apply if they meet the requirements of paragraphs a) and c) of point 1, but not paragraph b), and have obtained 75% of the necessary credits (120 ECTS) in the teaching area.

3 - Candidates may also apply if they meet the requirements of paragraphs b) and c) of point 1, but not paragraph a), and hold an academic, scientific or professional curriculum that is recognized as attesting to the capacity to complete this cycle of studies by the Scientific Council of FLUC and have obtained a minimum of 75% of the necessary credits (120 ECTS) in the teaching área.

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

Professional Goals

Students who complete the program obtain certification for teaching in elementary and secondary schools (7-12), specifically in the areas of Portuguese (code 300) and German (code 340), Spanish (code 350), French (code 320) or English (code 330). At the end of the program, they will have acquired the competences needed for culture-related activities in inter- and transcultural settings.

Mode of Study

Daytime, full-time and face-to-face

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese, English, French, Spanish and German

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 the grade 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

Students are expected to:
– deepen and consolidate the knowledge and skills acquired in the bachelor’s program in Portuguese and a Foreign Language particularly in what concerns the subjects that are relevant for teaching in elementary and secondary schools;
– apply the knowledge obtained in lesson planning and execution, providing pedagogic and didactic justifications that take into account the teaching-learning process, curriculum guidelines, age levels and other relevant factors;
– understand the social, ethical and civic dimension of teaching; develop the critical and self-reflective skills that are needed to respond to new and complex situations; be able to act in school settings and beyond;
– be able to communicate and to participate in the school community;
– recognize the need for constant professional development in their subject area and in pedagogy- and didactics-related issues in order to enhance their teaching practice.

Course Coordinator(s)

Judite Manuela Silva Nogueira Carecho
judite@fl.uc.pt

Maria Isabel Pires Pereira
mipp@fl.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 following decree laws: 74/2006, of 24 March, altered by 107/2008, of 25 June, 115/2013, of 7 August, and 79/2014, of 14 May

Graduation Requirements

The degree will be awarded to students who have earned the total number of credits, after having obtained approval in:
a) all courses defined for this MA program;
and
b) the public defense of the action-research report presented at the end of the 2nd year.
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

Paths: Specialization in English as a Foreing Language; Specialization in French as a Foreing Language; Specialization in German as a Foreing Language; Specialization in Spanish as a Foreing Language

Academic year
2025-2026

Course Type
2nd Cycle Studies - Advanced Specialisation Master Programme

DGES Code: M837

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 179/2015; 2015-08-13