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| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2026-09-08 | - |
| 2027-02-09 | - |
| 2027-09-08 | - |
Program Overview
Program Overview
The Doctorate in Education Sciences is a 3-year program that aims to create a critical mass in specific and interdisciplinary fields of knowledge within Education. The program is designed to foster lifelong training, develop knowledge, and provide methodological updates for a more consistent professional practice.
General Objectives
The general objectives of the course are to:
- Create a critical mass in specific and interdisciplinary fields of knowledge within Education
- Boost the scientific status of the institution by expanding ongoing research projects and developing new ones
- Respond to the needs of the communities themselves
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for the program, candidates must:
- Hold a master’s degree or legal equivalent
- Hold a licentiate degree, and possess a particularly relevant school or scientific curriculum that is acknowledged by the Scientific Council of the FPCE-UC as evidence of ability to undertake this study cycle
- Possess a school, scientific or professional curriculum that is acknowledged by the Scientific Council of the FPCE-UC as evidence of ability to undertake this study cycle
Professional Goals
The purpose of this study cycle is to foster lifelong training, by developing knowledge and providing methodological updates, both for a more consistent professional practice, and to enter/progress in a career, specifically, the career of lecturer and researcher in Higher Education.
Mode of Study
The course requires full-time class attendance on Friday afternoons and Saturdays.
Teaching/Evaluation Language
The teaching and evaluation language is Portuguese.
Examination Regulations, Assessment, and Grading
Every Curricular Unit (CU) is assessed with Approved/Failed, except in the Thesis Plan Follow-up Seminar. The latter requires a presentation and defence of the project with a jury that includes an external examiner, and the assessment is expressed using an Insufficient/Sufficient/Good/Very Good scale.
Learning Objectives and Intended Skills
The aim is for PhD students to acquire specialized training in different areas of Education Sciences, furthering and exercising their research skills, developing critical skills in order to strengthen their ties with the education system, promoting their qualification, developing critical thinking, substantiating and diversifying the diagnosis of problematic situations and their hypotheses of solution.
Course Coordinator
The course coordinator is Joaquim Luis Medeiros Alcoforado.
ECTS Departmental Coordinator
The ECTS departmental coordinator is Bruno Cecílio de Sousa.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The University of Coimbra accredits previous academic or professional experience pursuant to obtaining an academic degree or diploma, according to the legal regime defined by DL 74/2006, of 24 March, republished in DL 65/2018, of 16 August.
Qualification Requirements and Regulations
The qualification framework is in Law-Decree 74/2006, 24th of March, with the wording amended by Decree No 107/2008, 25th of June and order Nº 782/2009, 23rd July.
Graduation Requirements
The FPCE-UC grants a doctoral degree to students who obtain 180 ECTS, which correspond to:
- Approval in all the 1st year curricular units of the Study Programme of the Cycle of Studies
- Elaboration and defence of a scientifically original, well-qualified thesis (120 ECTS) in the chosen field (after approval of its respective Project)
Access to Further Studies
Possibility to access any level that requires a doctorate, namely access to post-doctoral studies.
Study Programme
The study programme includes:
- Common core
- Areas of expertise:
- Specialization in Education, Community Development and Adult Education - with class attendance
- Specialization in Organization of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Training" - with class attendance
Academic Year
The academic year is divided into two semesters.
Course Type
The course type is 3rd Cycle Studies.
DGES Code
The DGES code is 5116.
Qualification Awarded
The qualification awarded is a Doctorate in Education Sciences.
Duration
The duration of the program is 3 years.
ECTS Credits
The program requires 180 ECTS credits.
Annual Fee
The annual fee is 1583.0.
Accreditations
The program is accredited by the Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior and the Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior.
Registration Number
The registration number is R/A-Ef 1680/2011/AL02.