Instituto Politécnico de Bragança

The aim of the double degree programs is to broaden the impact of internationalization projects and inter-institutional cooperation, which is achieved within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement between the two institutions and the history of international mobility of students, teachers and non-teaching staff. These programs are based on the reciprocal recognition of institutions and their training through external evaluation and accreditation processes, in Portugal through A3ES – the Higher Education Evaluation and Accreditation Agency, and in partner countries through similar entities. UPB and partner institutions promote the implementation of double degree programs, taking into account the proximity of the profiles of the study programs and their main learning outcomes, and ensuring the accreditation of prior learning through good practices and the experience accumulated in the implementation of the Erasmus+ program and other international mobility and double degree programs and projects with HEIs around the world. Bearing in mind the natural differences between the higher education systems of the different countries, the UPB’s double degree program is implemented for the same total duration of training for the students of the partner institutions and the attendance and approval at the UPB of a study plan of a minimum duration of one curricular year. Thus, double degree programs can be implemented at Bachelor’s or Master’s level (whose normal duration is three and two curricular years, respectively). The study plans for the period of mobility at UPB that lead to the award of a double master’s degree must include project work, internships and dissertations that promote not only the exchange of students, but also cooperation between teachers and researchers from the two institutions, through co-supervision and joint research and/or extension projects. In accordance with the objectives of the double degree programs, the research interests of teachers from both institutions will be promoted, which, in addition to being part of the study plan of students in mobility at the UPB, represent a real and enhancing inter-institutional scientific cooperation. Double degree programs can also leverage international mobility between teachers, for short periods of time, to teach modules and/or seminars. Students taking part in a double degree program must be registered at their home institution for the entire duration of their study plan, whether it is at their home institution or at UPB. During the period of mobility at UPB, they must be legally registered there. In preparation for each academic year, UPB and the partner institutions agree on the number of students to be involved in each double degree program. Each institution is responsible for selecting the students to send, in accordance with the requirements established in the Cooperation Agreement. How does it work? Each interested student must apply in accordance with the rules set out in the notice of the double degree program they are applying for. After the selection and announcement of the results, all admitted candidates will receive a detailed email with all the information about the program, the partner institution, the learning agreement, the mandatory legal documentation, deadlines, costs and applicable scholarships.