The main aim of this master's degree is to train health professionals specialised in genetic counselling, who will join the multidisciplinary clinical teams of hospital Medical Genetics Services, under the supervision of a geneticist.

At the end of the course, students should be able to independently carry out genetic counselling in the most common situations, in a non-directive way, appropriate to the needs of the patients, providing them with the information they need to facilitate the decision-making process and freely make their own choices, as well as supporting them in the choices they make.

Students should acquire the skills to assess genetic risks and provide appropriate information, explaining the options available, including their risks, benefits and limitations, and recognising the implications of individual and family experiences, beliefs, values and culture for genetic counselling. On successful completion of the course, they will be able to ensure referral to other health professionals, where appropriate; document clinical information appropriately; establish effective multidisciplinary working relationships, integrating the wider health care and social support network; and contribute to the organisation and development of Medical Genetics services.

Note: Depending on your base degree
Graduates should be competent and exacting professionals, capable of contributing their knowledge and skills to improving the medical genetics services they join, promoting health education, training other professionals, and undertaking research in genetic counselling.

Course Information:

• Start of academic year: 15th September, 2025 (to be confirmed later)
• Schedule: Daytime
• Mode of study: In-person
• Language of instruction: Portuguese
• Standard Duration of the Course: 2 years (1st year: Curricular year and 2nd year: Professional Internship).
• Link: Rules for writing a dissertation

Link: Tuition fees 2025/2026
NOTE:Tuition fees can be paid in two ways:

• Full payment on enrolment
• 10 monthly instalments, the first of which is due on enrolment/registration and the others in the months following the start of the academic year, by the last day of each month.

For any queries regarding tuition fees, please consult the tuition fees regulation - document available only in Portuguese.

Re-entry applications link: 25 June to 15 July 2025 - Information here

Renewal of enrolment - academic year 2025/2026: 18 August to 10 September 2025

International Students:
Important information for international students:

International students, find all the information you need to study at the University of Porto at the following links:

• Decree-Law no. 36_2014 of 10 March Regulates the International Student Statute.pdf – document available only in Portuguese.
• Regulations for the Application of the International Student Statute of the University of Porto - document available only in Portuguese.
• General Regulations for Second Cycles of Studies - document available only in Portuguese. - document available only in Portuguese.
• International Applicants - Frequently Asked Questions