The Bologna Declaration application to ISCTE's programs starts in academic year 2006/2007. In general, programs will adopt a three cycle BMD (bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees) sequence. At the end of a the 1^st cycle, with a duration of three years, students will attain a bachelor degree (a licenciatura). At the end of the 2^nd, lasting two years, a master degree (a mestrado) will be granted to successful students. Finally, the 3^rd cycle will typically last for three years, leading to a doctoral degree (a doutoramento). The only exception to this rule are the programs in Computer Science and Business Management, with a 4 + 1 + 3 configuration, and in Architecture, which, starting in academic year 2007/2008, will have a five year duration, with the 1^st and 2^nd cycles integrated.

The advantages to ISCTE of the changes required by the application of the Bologna Declaration are clear. The higher education system used in Portugal until now had a total of four cycles. The first, leading to a bacharelato, lasted three years and was offered only in politécnicos, higher education institutions with a category inferior to that of an university. The second, leading to a licenciatura, had a duration of two years. In the case of universities, the first and second cycles were offered in an integrated form (with a duration of four to five years), making it impossible for students to make mid course changes to the type of degree aimed at: either the four to five years were concluded, or no degree was granted. The application of the Bologna Declaration to university degrees led effectively to the removal of one cycle, thus allowing for faster education area changes, more options for the students, and a simplified reenrollment after a period of professional experience in the industry, made possible by the mutual recognition of the degrees offered by European higher education institutions.

The process about to start also includes the adoption of the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System), which will greatly simplify cross-border recognition of courses, both in terms of the student effort involved and in terms of the obtained grades. By favoring student exchange and the pursuit of academic education in different institutions and countries, the adoption of the ECTS will lead to an even stronger internationalization of ISCTE's programs at all levels.

Bachelor degrees (1^st cycle)

In ISCTE, 1^st cycle programs correspond to a total of 180 ECTS credits (240 in the case of Computer Science and Business Management). Their aim is not only to provide the students with a broad training in specific disciplinary areas and with the professional skills required by the industry for intermediary level professionals, but also to prepare them for deeper studies in 2^nd cycle programs.

1^st cycle program applications are open to candidates with complete secondary studies (12 years). They are also open to candidates without the required qualifications, as long as they are over 23 years of age and can prove to have the necessary skills as measured by evaluation procedures defined by ISCTE.

Master degrees (2^nd cycle)

2^nd cycle programs, which will probably be the level aimed at by the majority of students, correspond to a total student effort of 120 ECTS (60 in the case of the Computer Science and Business Management master program). The training these programs provide is narrower than the training provided by 1^st cycle programs, their aims being to provide the industry with highly skilled professionals and to solidly prepare students for enrolment in 3^rd cycle programs. The 2^nd cycle in ISCTE (with the exception of the Computer Science and Business Management master program) consists of a 60 ECTS master program, granting a post-graduation diploma, followed by a 60 ECTS project or research activity, leading to the masters degree (possibly after a thesis submission).

2^nd cycle program applicants are expected to have completed a 1^st cycle program, with the appropriate number of ECTS credits in the required areas, or to have even higher qualifications and a desire to update or convert their specialization skills.

Most disciplinary areas in ISCTE will propose two types of 2^nd cycle programs. The first type consists in programs with a corresponding 1^st cycle program of which they are seen as a natural continuation. The second type corresponds to issue-oriented programs without a necessary, direct connection with any 1^st cycle program and typically having a crosscutting or multidisciplinary nature.

Doctoral degrees (3^rd cycle)

The advanced training and education provided by 3^rd cycle programs is closely articulated with research activities taking place within the departments and research centers of ISCTE. Their objective is to prepare professionals with the higher skills and knowledge in their area, as well as to prepare students for future academic and research careers. In general 3^rd cycles include a one year period, granting a doctorate program diploma, in which students are required to attend courses with a total of 60 ECTS credits. Applicants are expected to have a master degree or an equivalent high quality curriculum.

Today, ISCTE is one of the Portuguese universities with a stronger emphasis in master and doctoral degrees. Its objective is to increase this emphasis even more. In order to attain this objective, it is strategic both to improve e increase research activities and to develop further its international connections, not only through the increased mobility of students, but also by promoting new and deeper partnerships with foreign universities.

More information about the Bologna process can be seen in the Psychology Department.

Bologna Process videos