Courses / Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education

Master in Teaching of Physical Education in Basic and Secondary School

General Objectives of the Course

The master aims to improve scientific knowledge in basic sciences of physical activity, developed in a specialized educational training context. Course scope involves PE didactics; curriculum development; school management and administration, and the application of knowledge in unfamiliar professional situations, with developing abilities of self-learning and problem-solving skills, along with educational research. As a specialized training for professional intervention in elementary and secondary PE teaching, this course fosters student competencies in: educational research processes; development of action-research projects, curriculum projects and pedagogical actions suitable to different contexts; the growth of professional ethics, based on a self-reflection about the consequences of individual and collective decisions; and lifelong learning skills development, based on experience, research and teaching supervision.

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 , of mars 24;

b) Have obtained, in this bachelor's degree or in other higher education study cycles, 120 credits (ECTS) in the scientific area o Sports or Physical Education.

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 FCDEFUC 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

Physical Education Teacher of the basic and secondary schools, with maintenance of the various output possibilities inherent in the professional profile of the degree of broadband.

Mode of Study

Daytime regime / Face-to-face

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese Language

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

Final evaluation of each curricular unit is expressed by a numeric classification between 0 and 20 values, being approved students with at least 10 values.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

Deepening of scientific knowledge in the basic sciences of physical activity, developing them in the context of specific didactics of physical education and school management, applying them in unfamiliar professional situations, articulating and integrating the capabilities of self-learning and problem-solving skills with in-depth educational research. The master promotes a specialized preparation for the application of knowledge in broad contexts and multidisciplinary professional intervention in primary and secondary education, particularly in the areas of curriculum development, applied educational research and school administration.

Course Coordinator(s)

Elsa Maria Ferro Ribeiro Silva
elsasilva@fcdef.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

Decree-Law 74/2006 of March 24, in its current wording and Decree-Law nº. 79/2014 of May 14

Graduation Requirements

The Master course ends with a report of internship, the student submits evidence in public, a critical report based on internship conducted. The report is evaluated by a jury.

Access to Further Studies

Students completing this course can have access to several doctoral courses on Physical Education and Sport.

Study Programme

Master in Teaching of Physical Education in Basic and Secondary School
Academic year
2025-2026

Course Type
2nd Cycle Studies - Advanced Specialisation Master Programme

DGES Code: 6454

Qualification Awarded: Mestre

Duration: 4 Semester(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 - Ef 1515/2011

2011-03-18

Documents