Portuguese secondary education (ensino secundário) normally covers 10.º, 11.º and 12.º anos. It follows 9.º ano and gives students several routes: academically oriented courses for progression to university/polytechnic education, vocational/professional programmes, artistic routes and other specialised options.

The main academic route: cursos científico-humanísticos

The four main cursos científico-humanísticos are:

  • Ciências e Tecnologias — sciences and technology;
  • Ciências Socioeconómicas — economics/social sciences;
  • Línguas e Humanidades — languages and humanities;
  • Artes Visuais — visual arts.

DGE states that these courses last three school years (10.º–12.º) and are designed mainly for students who intend to continue to higher education. They combine common subjects such as Portuguese, a foreign language, philosophy and physical education with course-specific subjects.

See the official DGE scientific-humanistic courses page and the DGE secondary-course overview.

Professional and vocational routes

Cursos profissionais combine general education with technical/vocational training and usually include practical training in a work environment. They can lead directly toward employment while also allowing progression to higher education if the student meets the relevant access requirements.

Students can also find specialised artistic education and other routes. The exact options vary by school and region, so use the current DGE/ANQEP course information and ask local schools what is actually offered.

Useful starting points: DGE — education pathways and ANQEP for vocational and qualifications information.

Choosing a route matters

Do not choose only by school reputation or what friends select. The subjects taken in secondary education can affect which national examinations and admission subjects are available for a future university or polytechnic course. A student considering medicine, engineering, economics, languages or arts should check the higher-education entrance requirements before locking in a route.

Use the official DGES information for higher-education access and course requirements.

National examinations

National examinations are especially relevant for students completing academic secondary education and for access to higher education. The required exams depend on the student’s course, subjects and intended higher-education application.

The examination rules and calendar can change each school year. For 2026, DGE/JNE publishes the official exam rules, registration instructions and calendar. Do not plan from an old exam timetable.

Grades

At secondary level, grades are generally expressed on a 0–20 scale. Passing and final classifications depend on the course, subject and assessment rules. National exams can matter both for completing particular subjects and for higher-education applications, depending on the current regime.

If the student’s objective is university or polytechnic study, distinguish between the secondary-school final grade and the higher-education application score; they are related but are not the same calculation.

Moving to Portugal during secondary school

For teenagers arriving from another country, placement requires more than matching age to year. Bring recent transcripts, subject lists, grades and proof of completed school years. The school may need to determine equivalence and decide how previous study fits the Portuguese curriculum.

  1. Contact the intended school or agrupamento as early as possible.
  2. Bring complete school records from the previous country.
  3. Ask what translation or authentication is actually required before paying for it.
  4. Discuss subject equivalence carefully, especially in 10.º–12.º ano.
  5. If Portuguese is not the student’s schooling language, ask specifically about PLNM.
  6. If university is the goal, check DGES admission-subject requirements before finalising subject choices.

Portuguese-language support for newcomers

Students whose first/schooling language is not Portuguese can fall under Português Língua Não Materna (PLNM). Schools assess proficiency and may place students in the appropriate PLNM pathway. For a teenager entering secondary school, this is particularly important because Portuguese-language assessment and examination arrangements can affect progression.

See the official DGE PLNM information.

Changing pathway

Changing route can be possible, but it may create subject-equivalence problems or require additional coursework. Before switching from an academic route to a professional course, or vice versa, ask the school for a written explanation of which completed subjects will count and what remains outstanding.

Enrolment and transfers

The Portal das Matrículas is the central online route for relevant enrolments, renewals and transfers. Students arriving from abroad or changing school mid-year should also contact the receiving school directly because equivalence and subject placement may need individual handling.

Useful official links

Last verified: 2 October 2026. Course availability, examination rules and higher-education admission requirements can change. Check the live DGE/JNE, ANQEP, DGES and school information for the academic year concerned.