Integrated Master in Architecture and Urbanism
With a history of over 40 years, Universidade Portucalense prepares professionals to conceive, plan and transform the built environment. It trains architects and urban planners capable of responding to the challenges of the built environment with innovation, rigour and strategic vision.
The Integrated Master’s in Architecture and Urban Planning prepares professionals to design spaces, plan territories and respond to the contemporary challenges facing cities. Over the course of a five-year integrated programme, you will develop technical, creative and strategic skills to design and coordinate architectural and urban planning projects, ranging from the territorial scale down to the construction details.
What is Architecture and Urbanism?
It is the field that combines building design with urban and spatial planning. It brings together creativity, technical expertise and sustainability to improve quality of life and address urban challenges.
Why study Architecture and Urbanism?
In a context characterised by urbanisation, sustainability and climate change, there is a growing need for professionals capable of rethinking and transforming the built environment. This course prepares you to make a real impact on the built environment and society.
5 reasons to study Architecture and Urbanism at Portucalense
Dual qualification with European recognition
It enables you to practise as an architect and town planner in Portugal and across the European Union
Training tailored to current challenges
Focus on sustainability, urban regeneration and climate change
An integrated and multidisciplinary approach
The interplay between architecture, the built environment, technology and the social context
Frequency flexibility
Daytime and after-work sessions, tailored to different profiles
Links to research and the international context
Participation in applied projects and cooperation networks
The IMAU curricular structure is organized in 10 semesters. Each semester corresponds to 30 ECTS, equivalent to 840 hours of student work. The total number of credits assigned to the Integrated Master is 300 ECTS.
The total workload of the Integrated Master is 8400 hours (300 ECTS) of training, distributed over 4 scientific fields and one elective:
| Scientific Fields |
ECTS Compulsory |
ECTS Optionals |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
AUP |
Architecture and Urban Planning Project |
152 |
– |
|
HUM |
Humanities |
43 |
– |
|
TEC |
Technologies |
73 |
– |
|
DR |
Drawing and Representation |
26 |
– |
|
OPT |
Optional |
6 |
– |
1st year
| 1st Semester | Scientific Field | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
|
AUP |
13 |
|
|
DR |
4 |
|
|
DR |
2 |
|
|
HUM |
3 |
|
|
HUM |
3 |
|
|
TEC |
5 |
| 2nd Semester | Scientific Field | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
|
AUP |
13 |
|
|
DR |
4 |
|
|
DR |
4 |
|
|
HUM |
3 |
|
|
HUM |
3 |
|
|
TEC |
3 |
|
2nd year
| 1st Semester | Scientific Field | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
|
AUP |
13 |
|
|
DR |
4 |
|
|
DR |
4 |
|
|
HUM |
3 |
|
|
TEC |
3 |
|
|
TEC |
3 |
| 2nd Semester | Scientific Field | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
|
AUP |
13 |
|
|
DR |
4 |
|
|
DR |
4 |
|
|
HUM |
3 |
|
|
TEC |
3 |
|
|
TEC |
3 |
|
3rd year
| 1st Semester | Scientific Field | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
|
AUP |
13 |
|
|
HUM |
3 |
|
|
HUM |
3 |
|
|
TEC |
4 |
|
|
TEC |
3 |
|
|
TEC |
4 |
| 2nd Semester | Scientific Field | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
|
AUP |
13 |
|
|
HUM |
3 |
|
|
HUM |
2 |
|
|
TEC |
4 |
|
|
TEC |
4 |
|
|
TEC |
4 |
4th year
| 1st Semester | Scientific Field | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
|
AUP |
15 |
|
|
HUM |
3 |
|
|
TEC |
3 |
|
|
TEC |
6 |
|
|
OPT |
3 |
|
|
OPT |
3 |
| 2nd Semester | Scientific Field | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
|
AUP |
15 |
|
|
HUM |
3 |
|
|
HUM |
3 |
|
|
TEC |
6 |
|
|
OPT |
3 |
|
|
OPT |
3 |
5th year
| 1st Semester | Scientific Field | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
|
16 |
||
|
HUM |
3 |
|
|
TEC |
11 |
| 2nd Semester | Scientific Field | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
|
AUP |
28 |
|
|
HUM |
2 |
|
Note 1: The optional UCs available will be defined annually by the Department Direction.
Note 2: The student may re-enrol in the Dissertation-Project Course Unit in the following semester if their dissertation is do not completed.
Throughout the course, you will develop skills in:
Architectural design
- Project conception and development
- Drawing and representation
- Construction detail
Urban planning and spatial planning
- Urban planning
- Spatial planning
- Mobility and urban development
Sustainability and regeneration
- Urban regeneration
- Heritage enhancement
- Sustainability and Climate Adaptation
Management and Coordination
- Multidisciplinary Project Management
- Team Coordination
- Site supervision and monitoring
Career Prospects
- Professional practice (architecture and urbanism)
- Architectural, urban planning and engineering firms
- Urban regeneration and heritage
- Planning and land-use management
- Public administration
- Construction management and supervision
- Technical consultancy
- Estate agency and construction
- Research and teaching
Applications
| Applications | 200€ (a) | |
|---|---|---|
|
(a) Exempt for former students who have completed a degree course at Universidade Portucalense; (a) Exempt for students applying to change course within Universidade Portucalense; (a) Exempt for students applying for re-entry; |
||
| Registration | 375€ (b) | |
|---|---|---|
|
(b) exempt for students applying for a Change of Course within Universidade Portucalense; |
||
| Enrolment | |
|---|---|
(c) the exemption will be applied in February if the student only registers for the 2nd semester, in the year of registration. |
|
| Tuition Fee | |
|---|---|
You can opt for a single payment (September) and you’ll get a 3% discount: 4542,00€ (d) or You can choose to pay in 11 months (starting in September and ending in July): 425,50€ x 11 MONTHS
You can opt for a one-off payment (at the beginning of the semester) and you’ll get a 2% discount: 2295,00 € (d) Or You can choose to pay in 5 months (starting in September or February): 468€ x 5 MONTHS (d) Students under theInternational Student Competitioncannot opt for the monthly payment. |
|
| Requests for recognition and accreditation of competences | 217€ (e) |
|---|
| Recognition of equivalence of curricular units (value per ECTS) | 9,30€ (e) |
|---|---|
|
(e) exempt for curricular units taken at Universidade Portucalense |
|
| Exam registration for people over 23 and holders of dual certification courses | 106€ (f) |
|---|---|
|
(f) the amount will be deducted from the application fee if you pass the exam and formalize your application.. |
|
| Years of Dissertation (Master’s) and Thesis (Doctorate) | |
|---|---|
|
The attendance fee will only be 50% of the attendance fee set for the part of the course in the current year. |
|
| Value per ECTS | 15,60€ |
|---|
| Mandatory minimum tuition fee | 156,00€ X 5 months |
|---|
| School Insurance | 39,50 € |
|---|
Applications
200€ (a)
(a) Exempt for former students who have completed a degree course at Universidade Portucalense;
(a) Exempt for students applying to change course within Universidade Portucalense;
(a) Exempt for students applying for re-entry;
Registration
375€(b)
Enrolment
- September: Exempt in the year of registration (c)
- February: 215 €
(c) the exemption will be applied in February if the student only registers for the 2nd semester, in the year of registration.
Tuition Fee
- If registration is annual (registration for Curricular Units in the 1st and 2nd semester)
You can opt for a single payment (September) and you’ll get a 3% discount: 4542,00€ (d)
or
You can choose to pay in 11 months (starting in September and ending in July): 425,50€ x 11 MONTHS
- If the registration is for a semester (registration for Curricular Units for only one semester)
You can opt for a one-off payment (at the beginning of the semester) and you’ll get a 2% discount: 2295,00 € (d)
Or
You can choose to pay in 5 months (starting in September or February): 468€ x 5 MONTHS
(d) Students under the International Student Competition cannot opt for the monthly payment.
Requests for recognition and accreditation of competences
217€ (e)
(e) exempt for curricular units taken at Universidade Portucalense
Recognition of equivalence of curricular units (value per ECTS)
9,30€(e)
Exam registration for people over 23 and holders of dual certification courses
106€(f)
Years of Dissertation (Master’s) and Thesis (Doctorate)
The attendance fee will only be 50% of the attendance fee set for the part of the course in the current year.
Value per ECTS
15,60€
Mandatory minimum tuition fee
156,00€ X 5 months
School Insurance
39,50€
Enrolment
|
Applications* |
|
192,00 € |
|
Enrolment (single act per course) |
|
353,00 € |
|
Insurance |
|
36,00 € |
|
Enrolment |
September |
Exemption for the year of registration** |
|
February |
203,00 € |
or
|
Tuition Fee (for 60 ECTS) |
11 instalments (September to July) |
Monthly |
398,30 € |
|
3% discount September |
Single |
4.249,07 € |
or
|
Tuition Fee (for 30 ECTS) |
5 instalments (September to January or February to June) |
Monthly |
438,30 € |
|
2% discount September or February |
Semester |
2.146,44 € |
|
Amount per ECTS |
|
14,61 € |
|
Minimum compulsory fee (10 ECTS) |
Monthly |
146,10 € |
Courses in portuguese
Courses in english
|
Application |
|
192,00 € |
|
Portuguese Courses |
Registration |
353,00 € |
|
Enrolment |
203,00 € |
|
|
Annual Fee |
4.249,07 € |
|
|
English Courses |
Annual Fee |
5.400,00 € |
Holders of a Portuguese secondary education course who have passed one of the following national exams may apply for the Integrated Master’s Degree in Architecture and Urbanism at UPT through the Institutional Admissions System:
- Mathematics or, Descriptive Geometry
Or one of the following sets of national exams:
- Portuguese + Drawing
- Portuguese + Descriptive Geometry
- Portuguese + History of Culture and the Arts
- Mathematics + History of Culture and the Arts
- Mathematics + Portuguese
S = Final high school grade: 50%
P1 = National high school exam*: 50%
If using one of the sets of entrance exams:
S = Final high school grade: 50%;
P1 = National high school exam* with the highest score, on the full scale of 0 to 200, from one of the required sets of entrance exams: 35%;
P2 = National high school exam* with the lowest score, on the full scale of 0 to 200, from one of the required sets of entrance exams: 15%.
*Only national exams with a score of 95 points or higher on the full scale of 0 to 200 will be considered for admission.
Code
2500/9147
Testimonials
FAQs
- 1. What does an architect and urban planner do?
He designs buildings and plans urban spaces, combining aesthetics, functionality and sustainability.
- 2. Is it worth studying Architecture and Urbanism?
Yes. It is a field that has a direct impact on society and on the cities of the future.
- 3. What are the career prospects?
Architecture, urbanism, planning, construction, consultancy and the public sector.
- 4. Does this course qualify you to practise the profession?
Yes. It qualifies the holder to practise architecture and urban planning.
- 5. Does the course include a practical component?
Yes. It includes the ongoing development of projects throughout the process.
- 6. Can I balance this with work?
Yes. There is a post-work schedule (Fridays and Saturdays).
- 7. What lines of research are being pursued?
The ‘Architecture and Heritage’ research area encompasses the most significant fields of study related to the curriculum of the Integrated Master’s Degree in Architecture and Urbanism. Although these fields may be academically distinct from one another, in the specific case of the CIG (Gallaecia Research Centre), they are strategically interlinked, fostering shared synergies. The chosen approach allows for an ideological alignment with the spirit of the institution and its cultural commitment, with implications for the pedagogical approach implemented.
The CIG’s line of research in Urbanism and Planning addresses development from the perspective of cities and spatial planning. It frames the issue of sustainability within an integrated perspective, through solutions to the socio-economic, environmental and governance challenges we currently face.
All research projects coordinated by Gallaecia have been rated ‘Excellent’.
The final reports for three of these projects are presented below:
VERSUS: Lessons learnt from Vernacular Heritage to Sustainable Architecture
SEISMIC-V: Local Seismic Culture in Portugal
3DPAST: Living and Visiting European World Heritage
- 8. What Programmes does the Gallaecia Department of Architecture and Multimedia at Universidade Portucalense offer?
Coordination
Ana Lima
Ph.D. in Architecture and Urbanism (2016) in the research line Genesis, Language and Architecture Representation, at the Higher Technical School of Architecture, at the University of A Coruña (UDC), Spain. Postgraduate in History, Territory and Heritage Resources (2010) by the Faculty of History of the University of Vigo (UVigo), Spain. Degree in Architecture and Urbanism (2008) from the Escola Superior Gallaecia (ESG). Coordinator of the Integrated Master’s Degree in Architecture and Urbanism at the Universidade Portucalense Infante D. Henrique (UPT), Porto, and Assistant Professor of the Curricular Units of the Heritage Design, and General Coordinator of Dissertation Project. Former Vice-Director of the Integrated Mestrado in Architecture and Urbanism of the Escola Superior Gallaecia (ESG) between 2019-2021. She was awarded the Scientific Research Award by the FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (2014-2015), within the scope of the SEISMIC-V Project: Vernacular Seismic Culture in Portugal. Researcher at the Centro de Investigação da Escola Superior Gallaecia (CI-ESG) between 2014-2021, being associated with several R&DT projects. She has experience in the area of development and management of projects associated with heritage as well as coordination of public and private works¿ projects. In 2008 she was a finalist in the International Ideas Competition for the construction of a bridge over the Minho River, Spain-Portugal Operational Program (POCTEP) 2014-2020 Interreg V-A FEDER. She is author of various national and international scientific communications and publications, in the area of heritage and vernacular architecture; Integrated in several Research Projects, it will explore areas associated with Intervention on the Built Heritage with special interest in the area associated with climatic alterations. Keywords: heritage management; transmission of knowledge; climatic change, project process management.
Partners
- UNESCO Chair on “Earthen Architecture, Sustainable Development and Constructive Cultures” – UNITWIN/CRAterre.
- Ibero-American PROTERRA Network
- INTBAU-Portugal
- INTBAU-Iberia
- Fundação Serra Henriques
- UHC-HEI | International Network for Urban-Rural Heritage Conservation in Higher Education Institutions
- PNUM | Portuguese Network of Urban Morphology
