Higher education in Portugal, with particular emphasis on geography and geology education

Abstract

The article presents the essential features of higher education in Portugal as a part of the European area of higher education, with a particular emphasis on geographical and geological education. The research was carried out mainly on the basis of source materials obtained from Portuguese research centers, as well as statistical data from 2010-2014. Descriptive, statistical and graphical methods were used to present the results. The study covers all the districts of Portugal. Since the 1970s Portugal has made huge progress in the field of education. The level of illiteracy has been significantly decreased, the number of higher schools has multiplied several times and the number of students has increased over fourteen times. Over 380,000 students have attended about 300 higher education facilities in 2013. 5.6% of Portuguese GDP (2010) is spent on education. ECTS credits allow the Portuguese to spent a part of their studies abroad, as well as to receive foreign students. In 1999 Portugal signed the Bologna Declaration and thus committed to taking action in accordance with its terms. Nowadays, concluding their studies after 3 (polytechnics) or 4 years (universities) students can obtain a bachelor’s degree (licenciado), and after further 1.5-2 years - a master’s degree (mestre). Another 3 years of education completed with dissertation’s defense give the doctoral degree (doutor). Geography and geology as fields of studies are available at several universities in Portugal, including the largest one in Lisbon and the oldest one in Coimbra. Courses related to geography are available at numerous other educational institutions, including polytechnics. Higher schools also run other courses of study, which in their programs include courses in geographical sciences as supplementary subjects, useful to students in mastering the knowledge of their field.