Master's
The master's degree (2nd cycle) has a normal duration of three or four semesters and grants between 90 and 120 ECTS credits. This cycle of studies requires the attendance of curricular units, the preparation and public defense of an original thesis, the completion of an internship or a project, and the preparation and defense of the respective reports in the case of vocational or job oriented masters.
The programmes taught by UCP and the degrees granted (undergraduate, masters and doctoral degree) have the same value and produce the same effects as those of the state universities (Decree-Law no. 128/90). This system is based on three study cycles and is structured by the principles of the Bologna Process, which came into operation starting in 2006/07. All Study Programmes taught at Universidade Católica Portuguesa are accredited by "Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior" (Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education - A3ES) and duly registered on “Direção Geral do Ensino Superior” (Directorate General for Higher Education).
The Institute of Bioethics (IB) was created by the Superior Council of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa in July 2002, with the commitment to extend and adapt the research work in Bioethics to new developments in science and technology.