Pre-school Education and Primary Education

This master’s degree prepares professionals to become competent and autonomous Nursery School Teachers and Primary School Teachers, capable of engaging in practice consistent with conscious and active citizenship.

The programme offers solid training in the scientific, social, cultural, and ethical domains, across all dimensions considered relevant to the child’s global and harmonious development. It promotes knowledge of learning processes, with the aim of understanding each child and providing the necessary support to foster growth and autonomy. The degree highlights continuity in educational transitions — namely between pre-school and compulsory schooling — grounded in valuing and respecting the child as both subject and agent of the educational process.

This is one of the programmes developed through the partnership between Ispa and ESEI Maria Ulrich (2014–2020), creating a joint academic offer that brings together, expands, and strengthens the expertise of both institutions. Practice is closely integrated with academic training, with a curricular placement in each year, covering the realities and experiences of both Nursery School and Primary Education, across a wide network of public and private partner institutions with which Ispa has established agreements.

In addition to the teaching activities held at Ispa, some complementary activities take place at the Casa das Expressões, in Penedo.

Note: This study cycle qualifies graduates for professional practice as Nursery School Teachers and Primary School Teachers.

The study plan has a duration of 2 academic years (4 semesters), totalling 120 ECTS credits.

• To train qualified and autonomous education professionals for the practice of Pre-school Education and Primary Education, through professional intervention consistent with conscious and active citizenship;
• To provide solid training in the scientific, social, cultural, and ethical domains, across the dimensions considered relevant to the child’s global and harmonious development, as well as to the construction of complete and meaningful foundational learning;
• To deliver knowledge of the stages of child development with the aim of understanding each child and providing the necessary support for their safe development, learning, creativity, and autonomy.

• Graduates of this master’s degree may work in:
• Schools and nursery schools (public and private)
• Educational departments of local authorities
• Social solidarity institutions
• Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
• Cultural centres and museums
• Libraries and play centres
• Research

Graduates with this master’s degree have access to teaching careers in Pre-school and Primary Education, both in public and private schools, as well as to positions as senior education officers (or equivalent) in diverse contexts such as cultural centres, museums, libraries, play centres, educational departments of municipal and parish councils, social solidarity institutions, and others.

To apply for this master’s degree, candidates must meet the following prerequisites:

• A bachelor’s degree in Basic Education
• Approval in a written and oral proficiency test in the Portuguese language

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Fees and tuition
Charges and documents
Please refer to the Treasury Regulations

Ispa has placement agreements with hundreds of relevant public and private institutions, providing opportunities for its students to undertake curricular placements.

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Ispa rewards students who demonstrate outstanding academic merit by awarding scholarships, granted on the basis of admission grades or performance within their programme of study.

In addition to recognising merit, Ispa is also committed to promoting fairness and social responsibility. For this reason, students facing economic hardship may apply for a variety of scholarships that serve as a financial and social support.

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International cooperation has always been a defining feature of Ispa, which for over 30 years has offered its students the opportunity to gain experience abroad. Whether through the Erasmus+ programme (within Europe) or through non-EU agreements (such as with Brazil), students may choose from more than 40 partner universities.

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Please refer to the academic calendar