The Higher Professional Technical Courses (in Portuguese Cursos Técnicos Superiores Profissionais or TeSP) are short higher courses, regulated by Decree-law no. 63/2016 through republication of Decree-law no. 74/2006, which regulates the academic levels and higher education diplomas. The TeSP courses are available at ENIDH since 2015-2016.
These courses have a duration of four academic semesters (two years) corresponding 120 credit units (ECTS).
TeSP courses contemplate general and scientific and technical education components, and a work-related training component. The work-related training (internship) has the duration of an academic semester. ENIDH celebrated internship protocols with companies, which guarantee a vast range of possible fields of work.
The conclusion of a TeSP course grants a Higher Professional Technical Diploma, equivalent to level 5 in the European Qualifications Framework.
Holders of a TeSP diploma have access to undergraduate programmes through Special Access Competitions to Higher Education. Many TeSP courses at ENIDH grant a significant number of credits (ECTS), which are valid for undergraduate programmes.
Advantages of TeSP courses
TeSP are taught in a higher education environment by the same lecturers who teach in undergraduate and masters degree programmes, also with access to the same laboratories, rooms, workshops and equipment;
TeSP are courses specially directed to the labour market, with a relevant practical component;
These courses include a one-semester internship, which is secured by ENIDH through protocols already celebrated with different businesses.
Students are allowed to pursue undergraduate courses at ENIDH without prior national examination or admission exams (provided they apply to courses for which it is expected the pursuit of studies).