School education extends over 4 levels:
- Pre-school: from 3 years old until entry into Basic Education
- Basic Education: from 6 to 15 years old
- Secondary Education: from 15 to 18 years old
- Higher education
These 4 levels of education can be part of Public or Private education, by decision and preference of parents and / or students.
Pre-school is the first contact with education for children from 3 years old up to the mandatory age to start Basic Education (6 years old). This is optional and depends on who is in charge of the child. In addition to this option, there are other means that integrate children under 3 years of age:
- Nursery
- Nanny
- Day Nurseries
Basic education is mandatory and comprises the following cycles:
- 1st Cycle: 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Years
- 2nd Cycle: 5th and 6th Years
- 3rd Cycle: 7th, 8th and 9th Years
In Basic Education, classes consist of 24 to 26 students, however it may vary to a smaller number if justified. The student who enrolls in school must have a parent or guardian, that is, a person who is responsible for school affairs. Parents or those who have minors living with them or entrusted to their care may be in charge of education.
Secondary education is mandatory and comprises only 1 cycle with 3 school years, the 10th, 11th and 12th years. As soon as Secondary Education is integrated, and wishes to continue studying in regular education, the student will have to choose one of the Scientific-Humanistic Courses available:
- Sciences and technologies;
- Socioeconomic Science;
- Languages and humanities;
- Visual arts.
The choice of courses will meet the students’ area of interest, however, they always have a general training component (common to all courses) and a specific training component. Through these courses students can continue their studies in Higher Education.
As an option to regular Secondary Education, there are Vocational Courses at Secondary Level, which aim to give a bigger offer to students through courses that more easily meet their preferences. They are courses with a more professional component and in partnership with companies, so that the student can intern and acquire specific knowledge about the profession in question. These students to have access to Higher Education must follow the same requirements as a regular student.
Documents to be provided,
- Pre-school: Passport Number, Residence Permit; Tax identification number (TIN); Proof of Residence of the Guardian of Education – You must attach the Certificate of Domiciliary Tax (all documents refer to the Guardian of Education and Student)
- Basic Education: Updated Photography; Citizen Card, Taxpayer card;
(NIF), National Health Service (SNS) user number and Social Security identification number (NISS), Proof of tax address.
- Secondary Education: Updated photography; Registration Form / Data update form, duly completed and signed by the guardian (Available at the school office); Pre-registration form duly completed (Available at the school office); Authorization form (Available at the school office); Photocopy of Citizen Card or Identity Card + Photocopy of Health Card (User) + Declaration of Social Security (NISS) – student and guardian.
Registration fees:
It depends on whether you chose Public or Private Education.
Duration:
- Pre-school: from 3 years old until entry into Basic Education
- Basic Education: each academic year has a minimum duration of 180 days and runs from 1 September to 31 August of the following year. Number of weekly hours: 25/26 hours
- Secondary Education: each academic year has a minimum duration of 180 days and runs from 1 September to 31 August of the following year.
Appeal procedures:
- Basic Education: Students must be enrolled in school from the moment they are 6 years old or in their sixth year between the 1st of September and the 31st of December (subject to the wishes of the parents and availability of places at the school). The transition to the following years depends on the assessment obtained by the student throughout each year.
- Secondary Education: For students to be able to access the Secondary Education Scientific-Humanistic Courses, they must have successfully completed basic education or have an equivalent qualification. Students must apply for registration via the Internet through the School Portal or in person at educational establishments. Students who have acquired qualifications in foreign countries must register between April 15th and June 15th, if this is not the case, enrollment is done during normal season.External Link
Organização do Ensino Básico em PT
Organização do Ensino Secundário em PT
Quais os níveis de educação escolar obrigatória em Portugal?
