Internal Organisation

The School of Education and Social Sciences is one of the most attractive schools of Politécnico de Leiria, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and attracting more than 2000 students every academic year. Internationally, the school actively cooperates with our European Higher Education partners, but also further away with institutions from Portuguese Speaking African countries, Brazil and China.

Located in Campus 1, in the city centre of Leiria, ESECS has three teaching buildings with classrooms, laboratories (multimedia, languages, sciences and mathematics), study rooms, and a sports hall. It hosts the Centre for Chinese Language and Culture, the Centre for Digital Inclusion, and the “IPlay” Radio and studios for audio-visual works.

Founded in 1989, the School of Technology and Management attracts around 5,000 students every academic year to study in the fields of engineering, technology, management, public administration, and legal sciences. The school’s purpose is to provide research and education that combines academic excellence with a positive impact on people, business and society. To promote knowledge and ideas exchange, it develops many community-related activities, which has been increasing entrepreneurship and the employment rate in the region.

ESTG is recognised as a Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle and Edunet academy. In partnership with many national and international economic actors, the school is driven by the values of sustainable development and social responsibility.

The School of Arts and Design is nationally and internationally recognised for its creative teaching methodologies and applied research. Founded in 1988, this school attracts students from all over the world every academic year. ESAD.CR has been awarded more than 250 national and international prizes. It currently has around 1600 students and over 130 experienced teaching staff, who have been internationally distinguished in the most wide-ranging creative areas.

Located in Campus 3, in the city of Caldas da Rainha, an important centre for ceramic production, the school’s main building has studio spaces and workshops, being one of the most unique and complete national projects of artistic education. The campus is composed of four spacious and well-equipped buildings, set between oaks and pines.

With well-equipped labs and workshops, students and researchers can access technologies ranging from analogue photography, printmaking, silk-screening, ceramic, wood and metal to digital video and photography, sound, digital Printing, prototyping and 3D printing or multimedia.

The School of Tourism and Maritime Technology’s purpose is to create a Higher Education school of reference in the field of tourism, especially coastal and maritime tourism. Campus 4 is a privileged study and research spot, located in the city of Peniche, where students and researchers can face the Atlantic Ocean and the Berlengas Natural Reserve.

Founded in 1999, the ESTM uses advanced teaching and research methodologies with more than 1,300 students. Our 6 tourism degrees have all been awarded the quality certification TEDQUAL (Quality Assurance for Tourism Education, Training and Research Programmes) by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The School of Health Sciences was the first Higher Education institution established in the region of Leiria, back in 1973, when it only taught Nursing. In 2001, it joined Politécnico de Leiria, and its academic and research subjects and activities widened to cover other essential health sciences.

Located in Campus 2, in the city centre of Leiria, ESSLei has more than 1200 students. The school’s estates and facilities include a teaching building with classrooms, training labs (physiotherapy, electrotherapy, assisted bath, maternal and child health, nursing techniques, adapted apartment, anatomy, basic physics) and a conference room.

We provide our students with real-life learning activities to equip them with the best knowledge possible. The relationship between ESSLei’s researchers, lecturers and local, regional and national healthcare services is also strongly promoted.

The Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development is a national and world leader in Multiscale Direct Digital Manufacturing based on Additive Manufacturing research. It produces scientific and technological knowledge in the product development industry and promotes training and consultancy actions in strategic areas of product development. Their strategic research programme aims to strengthen the centre’s leading position nationally and internationally, moving towards the fully integrated concept of added-value manufacturing.

Their research results lead to new products, materials and processes that are more appropriate, effective and efficient for the industry. It also raises awareness of the importance of investing in rapid and sustainable product development in society. Although the centre’s main research theme is mechanical engineering, especially applied to tech products development research, and always considering sustainable and efficient products, materials and processes, the research team comprises researchers from different scientific backgrounds.

The Polytechnic Institute of Leiria has centralised services designed to provide technical and administrative support to the activities of the institution as a whole.

Based on a mixed structural model, it comprises both hierarchical structures and flexible structures, established in accordance with the needs of the institution.

The Politécnico de Leiria’s Social Services are responsible for ensuring all students have equal opportunities when it comes to admission, attendance to classes and activities and achievement of academic success. They promote academic success, students’ wellbeing and the reduction of economic and social barriers that lead to inequality.

The Social Services can support students directly, with scholarships and emergency funding, and indirectly, by offering food, accommodation, medical services, cultural and sport activities and other education support. This support is also available for students with special educational needs and disabilities.