The advanced studies course in Architectural Heritage is an initiative of the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto, which aims to provide specific post-graduate level training (third cycle) in the area of conservation, enhancement and rehabilitation of built heritage; through the deepening of subjects that, by their nature, do not find adequate space in a training plan such as the one that presides over the current compact model of integrated master's degrees in Architecture.

The course lasts one academic year, part-time during the day, according to the respective study plan.

The possibility of attending and receiving credit for individual curricular units of the course is also covered by its own application period.

The advanced studies course also has a strong relationship with the Faculty of Architecture's doctoral program, within the scope of the profile of studies in the area of architectural heritage, since it allows for the accreditation of a significant part of the training previously obtained in the advanced studies course, with all the inherent advantages for those who intend to continue their training within the framework of the aforementioned doctoral program.

Director
Pedro Alarcão

Scientific Committee
Pedro Alarcão
João Rodrigo Parreira Coelho
Maria Clara de Carvalho Pimenta do Vale
Nuno Valentim Rodrigues Lopes



Duration: 1 year

Number of credits required to obtain a diploma or certificate
48 ECTS

Tuition fee: 1900 ¤ | 1600 ¤ for partner organizations

Application fee: 55¤
Registration fee: 100¤

Conferences:

Eduardo Souto de Moura
João Mendes Ribeiro
Luigi Franciosini
atelier Oitoo


Teaching staff (link)
Course Units (link)

Objectives

The general objectives of the advanced studies course in Architectural Heritage are to provide the candidate with:

a) The ability to systematically understand the scientific and technical areas relevant to the safeguarding of architectural heritage;

b) Competencies, skills and methods of research and intervention associated with the field of architectural heritage;

c) The ability to communicate their conclusions, knowledge and underlying reasoning in a variety of contexts in the field of architectural heritage.


The following can be identified as specific objectives of the advanced studies course:

a) To provide quality training for technicians who are particularly interested in issues related to safeguarding architectural heritage, an area of growing demand;

b) To provide specific training and research capacity in the area of safeguarding architectural heritage;

c) To provide a multiplication of opportunities for a closer and more fruitful relationship between the University and national and international organizations and institutions whose aim and mission is to intervene in this area of problems.

Recipients

The course is primarily aimed at architecture professionals whose basic training is considered particularly suitable for attending it.

The professional activities for which the course is aimed are those traditionally identified with architectural design and other related areas, such as engineering, archaeology, conservation and restoration, etc., in both the public and private sectors, as well as research.

Thus, among the many organizations and institutions in the public sector whose professionals this course is aimed at, the following can be highlighted:
- Higher Education Institutions;
- City Councils and their specific departments;
- Regional Coordination Commissions (CCR's);
- Public institutes and offices with specific functions in the areas of heritage.

In the private sector, on the other hand, professionals working in study and project offices, in the fields of architecture, construction, technical management and supervision of building recovery and restoration works, as well as urban rehabilitation, are particularly targeted.

Professional Abilities

This advanced studies course aims to guarantee the following competences and learning objectives:

A - Deepening of architectural culture
(Instrumental competence)
Adequate knowledge of the history and theories of architecture, architectural and urban conservation and rehabilitation, as well as the related arts, technologies and human sciences.

B - Understanding the organization of spaces
(Instrumental competence)
Ability to design studies and projects in the field of architecture, which meet the specific spatial, environmental, cultural and technical requirements of intervention and enhancement of the built heritage.

C - Process management
(Instrumental competence)
Develop specific skills to raise awareness and promote rigorous heritage management within the scope of public, semi-public and private service activities.

D - Understanding of construction and technological processes
(Instrumental competence)
Knowledge of structural design, construction and civil engineering problems related to the design of buildings, including intervention in old buildings. Adequate knowledge of physical problems and technologies, as well as the function of buildings, enabling them to design and rehabilitate constructions that meet users' requirements, weighing up the cost factor and within the limits set by the applicable regulatory framework. Adequate knowledge of traditional building materials and processes, with emphasis on those present in old buildings of heritage value.

E - Capacity for analysis and synthesis
(Interpersonal and systemic competence)
Ability to research, problematize and produce knowledge in the field of architecture, in the scientific areas of design, architectural theory, architectural history, architectural design, construction and urban planning. Ability to research and investigate new ways of preserving built heritage.

F - Coordination skills
(Interpersonal and systemic skills)
Ability to coordinate the various subjects that inform the project, integrating and prioritizing them in order to achieve the defined objectives. Ability to coordinate the various areas related to the profession's own activities, particularly those in the field of architecture.

G - Methodological and conceptual autonomy
(Systemic competence)
Ability to autonomously prepare the profession's own acts, i.e. projects, plans and consultancy activities, management and direction of works, planning, coordination and evaluation, related to the field of architecture. Capacity for personal expression in the materialization of concepts for the organization of living space.

H - Strengthening critical thinking skills
(Systemic skills)
Ability to establish operational relationships between the design problems faced and the knowledge acquired in technological, cultural and social matters. Ability to integrate acquired subjects to produce new knowledge.

Partnerships

Partners within the scope of the “U.Porto Multidisciplinary Training Program - Impulso Jovens STEAM & Impulso Adultos”*:

Gaiurb - Urbanismo e Habitação, EM.
Porto Vivo, SRU - Sociedade de Reabilitação Urbana do Porto, E.M., S.A.
Ordem dos Arquitectos, Secção Regional do Norte

* other partnerships may be established.

Start of the academic year

September 12, 2025

Timetable

Classes on Fridays (9:00-13:00 | 14:30-18:30) and Saturdays (9:00-13:00)

Operation

The numerus clausus is set at 25 students.
A minimum of 10 enrolments is required for the course to run.

Requirements

Application to the advanced studies course is conditional on holding a minimum of 300 ECTS credits, corresponding to a master's degree in Architecture, Engineering or related courses (History of Art, Conservation and Restoration, Archaeology, etc.), or a former degree in Architecture, Engineering or another related course, with a minimum duration of five years.

Holders of degrees from foreign universities who meet the requirements set out in the previous paragraph may also be admitted to the course, following a curricular assessment to be carried out by the course's Scientific Committee.

Exceptionally, and in duly justified cases, the Scientific Committee may admit to candidacy those with an academic, scientific or professional curriculum that is recognized as attesting to their ability to complete the course.

Final-year students from the eligible courses identified above may also apply to attend the advanced studies course. However, their admission will only be considered final once they have presented an official document proving that they have graduated.

Vacancies

1st phase - 20
2nd phase - 5 (+ leftovers)

Applications

Applications 1st phase: April 11 to May 5, 2025
Analysis of applications: May 6 to 8, 2025
Posting of provisional results: May 9, 2025
Prior hearing: May 12 to 23, 2025
Posting of definitive results: May 26, 2025
Publication of leftover vacancies: June 5, 2025

Registration: May 27 to 30, 2025
Possible placement of substitutes: June 2 to 4, 2025

Applications 2nd phase: June 6 to June 20, 2025
Analysis of applications: June 25 to 27, 2025
Posting of provisional results: June 30, 2025
Prior hearing: July 1 to 14, 2025
Posting of final results: July 15, 2025

Registration: July 16 to 18, 2025
Possible placement of substitutes: July 21 to 23, 2025

Course Grading Criteria

Candidates will be graded by adding the weighted average of all previous training completed - taking into account the average obtained (M) and the relative weight of the training (P) - and professional development (VP), according to the following formula:

Classification (AC) = Σ(Pi*Mi)/ΣPi * 50% + VP * 50%

Where:

- M is the final average of previous training, expressed on a scale of 0-20

- P is the Weight of previous training, according to the following scale of weights:

. Post-Bologna degree: 3 points;

. Pre-Bologna degree: 5 points;

. Integrated Master's Degree: 5 points;

. Master's degree: 2 points;

. Doctorate: 4 points;

- VP is the Professional Enhancement value, expressed on a scale of 0 to 20, which results from the analysis of the following parameters:

. Professional experience

. Other non-degree training

. Scientific curriculum

In the event of a tie-breaker, the evaluation criterion in the professional development component will be used.

Information

Academic Services and International Cooperation
Continuing Education Service

Catarina Martins
T: 351 220425418
E: faup.continua@arq.up.pt

General information

Study Plan

Certificates

Predominant Scientific Areas