The Open University (Universidade Aberta) is a school of higher education with scientific, teaching,
administrative and financial autonomy. It was created in 1988 to work according to its own methods,
based on distance learning.
Distance learning is comprised of means, methods and techniques used to teach the adult population
using written teaching material conveyed via the media and through regular correspondence between
the student and the system responsible for this method.
The main objectives of the Open University (Universidade Aberta) are:
• To provide university education to adults who, for geographical, professional or other reasons,
are unable to attend courses in other universities in Portugal;
• To co-operate with state universities and other schools of higher education regarding courses in
training, upgrading or changing teacher careers, whenever these measures involve the use of
distance learning methods or the production of multimedia material;
• To encourage scientific research and activities and to promote the provision of services to the
community, in the areas of teaching, education technology,distance learning and training and
multimedia educational communication;
• To disseminate culture through distance learning, both in Portugal and abroad, namely in
Portuguese speaking countries and in those where there is a large Portuguese speaking
community;
• To take measures to provide recurrent education, training and professional re-conversion
courses in areas that are vital to development, co-operating whenever necessary with national or
foreign entities with specific attributes in this area;
• To co-operate when requested by adopting general measures which involve the use of distance
learning methods or multimedia technologies in the training and upgrading of teaching staff and
of the executive staff in public, regional and local administration, as well as to co-operate in other
actions of obvious national interest.
The Open University began its work with the following courses:
• Licenciatura degree in modern languages and literature (option: Portuguese and French
studies);
• Mestrados in multimedia educational communication;
• Initial and on-going training of pre-school education teachers and teachers of ensino básico and
upper secondary education;
The syllabi for courses given in the Open University adhere to the credit system to be attributed to
each teaching unit are due to the publication of Decree-Law No. 42/05, 22nd of February, adopting the
curriculum credit system (ECTS), the same number of credits being given as curriculum units offered
face-to-face and distance learning. Currently the Universidade Aberta offers courses in several areas,
such as the humanities, Education, Applied Mathematics, Information Systems, Management, Social
and Behavioural Sciences, leading to a licenciatura, Mestrado and some face-to-face courses.
Courses are also provided that do not lead to an academic degree, including the design and editing of
multi-media teaching materials for higher education and for teaching the Portuguese language and
culture, vocational training for the multi-media, teacher training and on-going education.
Higher education accountable to other ministries
Higher education dependent on the armed forces and the police is taught at the Military Academy, Air
Force Academy, the Naval College, the Higher Institute of Police Sciences and Homeland Security and
in the higher education section of the Military Institute "Pupilos do Exército".
The state schools of higher education dependent on other ministries are usually under a system of
dual control; general control by the ministry on which they depend administratively, and scientific
control by the ministry on which they depend and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher
Education. This later control is usually implemented through the approval of basic laws and the
creation of courses and their regulation, and approval of the respective study plans.
The Military Academy, the Air Force Academy and the Naval College grant a licenciatura degree in
their respective specialities. The Higher Institute of Police Sciences and Homeland Security provides
courses in higher education in the speciality, also leading to a licenciatura. The higher education
section of the Military Institute 'Pupilos do Exército' leads to a licenciatura.
Institutions:
Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education
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