Local Government
Qualification awarded (in original language)
"Mestrado em Administração Autárquica". Title of "Mestre"Level of qualification
2nd Cycle of Studies. EQF level 7. ISCED 2011 level 7.Admission requirements
Can apply to the 2nd cycle of studies, "licenciado" degree holders or equivalent, holders of a foreign academic degree and holders of an academic, scientific or professional relevant curriculum, as stated in the description of the Higher Education System Portuguese, provided by NARIC (http://www.dges.mctes.pt/DGES/pt/Reconhecimento/NARICENIC/) and presented in section 8 of the Diploma Supplement.Recognition of prior learning
Following the implementation of the Bologna Process and the consequent legislation regarding the mobility of students among degrees and higher education institutions, prior learning must be recognized and credited. The prior learning concept comprises all the previous learning/training undertaken in other higher education study cycles in national or international institutions (crediting of certified training), as well as previous professional experience and any post-secondary school training or education. As such, the IPB promotes the crediting of the student’s prior learning when arriving at the institution.Aiming at a quick and full integration of the student in his/her new education programme, the recognition procedures must be submitted when enrolling at the IPB.
For further enquiries on crediting and recognizing prior learning and training at the IPB (calendars, procedures and assessment criteria), please go to the Applicant Portal at www.ipb.pt/portaldocandidato.
Qualification requirements and regulations
3 semesters (1.5 years). 20 weeks of study per semester, full-time (40 per year). 90 credits ECTS (30 per semester), corresponding 1 credit to 27 hours. It includes a scientific dissertation, a project work or an internship of 30 credits.The qualification holders are entitled to apply to higher technical career of public and municipal administration
Profile of the programme
The Masters in Local Government aims to create assets with the ability to interact with the issues of local governance. The concentration of responsibilities and complexity in tasks and service delivery, requires human resources able to promote solutions that address efficiency demands properly adapted to the legal framework to promote an urban sustainability and cooperation. Public Administration and LawKey learning outcomes
The degree of "mestre" (master) is awarded to those students that demonstrate, in this field, the ability to:a) develop and enhance the knowledge obtained in the first cycle, in order to develop and apply that knowledge to original situations often in the context of research;
b) apply their knowledge and understanding and problem solving capacities to new and unfamiliar situations in wide multidisciplinary situations, although related to their area of studies;
c) integrate knowledge, deal with complex matters, develop solutions or put forward opinions on situations of limited or incomplete information, including reflecting upon the implications and ethical and social responsibilities that result from both those solutions and opinions or indeed that condition them;
d) communicate their conclusions and the knowledge and reasoning that underly them, both to experts and non-experts, clearly and unambiguously;
e) develop competences that will enable them to benefit from self-oriented or autonomous lifelong learning.
To complete the qualification, the student is required to pass all compulsory course units of the study plan.
Occupational profiles of graduates
The Master's course aims to provide students with a formation that allows them to work in public administration, in particular at the level of local government and its corporate sector. It also aims to promote academic training to practitioners in their field of work. Beside a national orientations, the master degree aims to address specifics needs of regional actors that need to deal with new competences and challenges.Access to further studies
The master degree allows to proceed to 3rd cycle studies, according to the organization chart of the Portuguese Higher Education System, provided by NARIC (http://www.dges.mctes.pt/DGES/pt/Reconhecimento/NARICENIC /) and presented in section 8 of the Diploma SupplementGraduation requirements
Can apply to the 2nd cycle of studies, Bachelor's degree holders or equivalent, holders of a foreign academic degree and holders of an academic, scientific or professional curriculum relevant, as stated in the description of the Higher Education System Portuguese, provided by NARIC (http://www.dges.mctes.pt/DGES/pt/Reconhecimento/NARICENIC/) and presented in section 8 of the Diploma Supplement.Examination regulations, assessment and grading
Examination and assessment are regulated by the IPB general regulation, available in www.ipb.pt/sa, and by the School pedagogical regulation, available in www.esact.ipb.pt.Consult this Guide under the option “The ECTS at the IPB” for information on the grading and qualification system.
Mode of study
fulltimeProgramme director
Susana Isabel Pinto Ferreira dos Santos ( | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) |
Scientific areas of the study plan
Scientific Area | Acronym | ECTS Credits | |
Compulsory | Optional | ||
Accounting and Taxation | AT | 0.0 | 6.0 |
Informatics | Inf. | 0.0 | 6.0 |
Law | Law | 24.0 | 36.0 |
Public Administration | AP | 30.0 | 36.0 |
Social Science | CS | 6.0 | 0.0 |
Total | 60.0 | 30.0 |
Course structure
Year | Sem | Type | Code | Course Unit | Scientific Area | ECTS Credits |
1 | 1 | Biannual | 5047-585-1101-00-24 | Administrative Law | Law | 6.0 |
1 | 1 | Biannual | 5047-585-1102-00-23 | Local Government Finance and Accounting | AP | 6.0 |
1 | 1 | Biannual | 5047-585-1103-00-23 | Municipal Management | AP | 6.0 |
1 | 1 | Biannual | 5047-585-1104-00-24 | Research Methodologies | CS | 6.0 |
1 | 1 | Biannual | 5047-585-1105-00-24 | Planning and Urbanism | Law | 6.0 |
1 | 2 | Biannual | 5047-585-1201-00-23 | Behavior and Public Policies | AP | 6.0 |
1 | 2 | Biannual | 5047-585-1202-00-23 | Public Contracts | Law | 6.0 |
1 | 2 | Biannual | 5047-585-1203-00-23 | Innovation and Modernization | AP | 6.0 |
1 | 2 | Biannual | 5047-585-1204-00-23 | Legal Relationship Public Employment | Law | 6.0 |
1 | 2 | Biannual | 5047-585-1205-00-23 | Seminar | AP | 6.0 |
2 | 1 | Biannual | 5047-585-2101-00-23 | Thesis/Final Project/Internship | AP/ Law | 30.0 |