Master’s Degree in Social and Cultural Psychiatry

General Objectives of the Course

With this course the student will be able:
- To know the historical path and the most important conceptual references of the Social and Cultural Psychiatry.
- To contextualize the stress factors and the coping strategies in a dialectic relation with the cultural and social factors.
- To understand the suicidal behaviors associated with the history and the geography of the societies and cultures.
- Through a critical and constructive point of view, to recognize the multiple psychiatric diagnosis at the moment.
- To explore the arguments related with the memory and trauma, especially in what concerns social and cultural aspects.
- To underline the importance of the social stigma associated with mental disease over time and the best ways of addressing it.
- To know the basic history of Portuguese Psychiatry.
- To understand significant perceptions about health and disease sociology, regarding social determinants and the impact of social inequality on a global level.
- To understand the concepts related with the somatization process and negative cultural languages, as well as the potential effects of the migratory process in the mental health of those populations, in a sociological and anthropological perspective.
- To know the most important data of social and cultural epidemiology associated with health and diseases.
- To use and verify the importance of quantitative and qualitative methods used in the process of research.
- To understand the importance and impact of early adversity experiences during the individual course of life.
- To investigate a critical vision of biomedicine through an anthropological perspective.
- To know and critically analyze the present and past studies about happiness and subjective well-being, as well as its conclusions.
- To show the importance of spirituality and religion associated with individual and collective suffering.
- To understand the importance of social suffering and violence in modern societies.
- To understand the appearance of new identities within a world of global circulation of all information.
- To understand sexuality and sexual behaviors associated with history, society and culture.
- To understand the therapeutic processes related with diversity and complexity, giving importance to communicating and cultural competences.
- To show the connection between places, health and quality of life.

Admission Requirements

The applicants should have a degree in Medicine, Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, Sociology, Anthropology and Nursing or other related degrees considered relevant by the Scientific Council FMUC.

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

Professional Goals

The MSc in Social and Cultural Psychiatry aims at creating conditions that allow for the development of a diversified training, providing students with skills in Psychiatry. This program also aims at promoting higher levels of professional exercise and scientific research across the different areas included thereof.

Mode of Study

The course is delivered in the daytime schedule

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese and English

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 enrolled. 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.

Course Coordinator(s)

Manuel João Rodrigues Quartilho
uc15213@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

Legal framework for qualification: under the terms of Decree-Law nº 74/2006, of 24th March, amended and re-published by DL nº 107/2008, of 25th June; Ordinance nº782/2009, of 23rd of July

Graduation Requirements

This Master Course is organized within the system of ECTS (European Credit Transfer System), according to the Decree-Law 42/2005, of 22nd February and lasts 4 semesters in a total of 120 ECTS. The first year (2 semesters) is the curricular part of the Master Degree and, at the same time, corresponds to the Post-graduation Course in Social and Cultural Psychiatry (60 ECTS). During this first year, the student obtains the theoretical competences needed for the preparation and defense of the dissertation (second year).
This 60 ECTS gives the student a Post-Graduation Course / Specialization Diploma, according to article 20 of the Decree-Law 74/2006 of 24th March.
The whole cycle of studies lasts 4 semesters, which matches the legal framework of 2nd cycle studies.

Access to Further Studies

The MSc in Social and Cultural Psychiatry will give access to the PhD programmes.

Study Programme

Social and Cultural Psychiatry

Academic year
2026-2027

Course Type
2nd Cycle Studies - Advanced Specialisation Master Programme

DGES Code: M652

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: 07-09-2026
End date: 18-12-2026
2nd Semester: Start date: 08-02-2027
End date: 20-05-2027

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior: 2022-07-31 a 2028-07-30
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior: Nº Registo: R/A-Cr 170/2012; 2012-09-06