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Portugal
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Education System levels in Portugal

Description

 

Education System Levels
CycleYearsAgeDaily hoursObservations
Pre-primary education 3-5   Public kindergardens are free of charge. 
Primary education - 1st cycle46-10   25 h/ week

Public schools are free of charge.

Enrolement is compulsory for children reaching 6 years old before the 15th September and it is done at the school nearest the parents/ guardian's residence or the area where they work. 

Schools have extra-curricular activities.

Primary education - 2nd cycle211-12   30 h/ week

Public schools are free of charge.

Schools have extra-curricular activities.

Primary education - 3rd cycle313-15   30 h/ week

Public schools are free of charge.

Students who have completed the 3rd cycle successfully are given the dipoloma of basic education.

Schools have extra-curricular activities.

Secondary education315-18   

Public schools are free of charge.

Students who have completed this level of education is given a diploma of secondary education.

Find more information (in portuguese only)

 

  • Portuguese classes as a second language

Schools have special activities for teaching Portuguese as a second language. Attendance is compulsory and does not exempt the child from attending normal classes in Portuguese.

 

  • Equivalent academic levels

    To obtain academic equivalence to primary and/or secundary education obtained in a foreign country, an Academic Equivalence Certificate translated into portuguese and stamped by the Portuguese Embassy in the student's country of origin or from the Consulate of her/his  country in Portugal, is needed. Academic Equivalence should be requested directly to the  selected school (from residence or working area of the parents or guardians) with the following documents: 

  1. Equivalence request form (provided by the school)
  2. Academic Equivalence Certificate translated into portuguese and stamped by the Portuguese Embassy in the student's country of origin or from the Consulate of her/his country in Portugal
  3. Copy of an identification document (identification card, passport)
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