Education and Schools
Setúbal offers a complete educational pathway — from nurseries to a polytechnic institute with 9,400 students. The city has a municipality-founded vocational school, an international school with an IB programme, a public library with four branches, and an IEFP employment centre offering courses for adults.
Higher Education
Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal (IPS)
A public polytechnic institute, founded on 14 October 1979 (operations began 20 April 1981).
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Public polytechnic |
| Schools | 5 higher schools |
| Students | ~9,400 |
| Programmes | 85+ (CTeSP, bachelor’s, master’s, postgraduate) |
| Campuses | Setúbal (Estefanilha) + Barreiro |
Five higher schools:
- ESTSetúbal — Escola Superior de Tecnologia de Setúbal (engineering, technology)
- ESE — Escola Superior de Educação (education, sport)
- ESCE — Escola Superior de Ciências Empresariais (management, economics)
- ESS — Escola Superior de Saúde (health)
- ESTBarreiro — Escola Superior de Tecnologia do Barreiro
IPS focuses on practice-oriented education geared towards the labour market, offering 32 bachelor’s programmes (licenciaturas) and 21 master’s programmes (mestrados).
Student Life
Associação Académica do IPS (AAIPS) is the representative student body. It organises:
- Semana Académica de Setúbal — annual academic week
- Sports teams (team sports, individual sports, e-Sports)
- AAIPS card with city-wide discounts
Praxe — a Portuguese student initiation tradition. IPS has its own code: the “Manual Sadino — Código de Praxe e Traje do IPS.”
Schools
System Structure
Setúbal’s educational network comprises 6 agrupamentos (school clusters) and 3 independent secondary schools.
The Portuguese education system:
- 1º ciclo (years 1–4) — primary school
- 2º ciclo (years 5–6) — lower secondary
- 3º ciclo (years 7–9) — upper secondary
- Ensino secundário (years 10–12) — senior secondary
Escola Secundária du Bocage
One of the city’s best-known secondary schools. A municipal renovation and expansion project has been approved under the Programa Escolas (implementation 2026–2028). A participant in the Eco-Escolas programme.
Agrupamento de Escolas Barbosa du Bocage
The largest school cluster includes: the lead school EB 2,3 Barbosa du Bocage, several primary schools (EB Amoreiras, EB Arcos, EB São Gabriel), a nursery (JI Amoreiras), and Centro Escolar Barbosa du Bocage.
International Schools
St. Peter’s International School
Located in Palmela (a suburb of Setúbal).
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1993 |
| Campus area | 37,000 m² |
| Ages | From 4 months to 18 years |
| Programmes | National, Cambridge IGCSE, IB Diploma |
| Experience | 30+ years |
Recognised as one of Portugal’s most prestigious schools and ranked among the Top 15 European schools by Carfax Education.
Nurseries and Kindergartens
Nursery coverage in the Setúbal district (2023): 47.5% — one of the lowest in the country. The share of for-profit private nurseries stands at 45.7%, the highest of any Portuguese district.
A specific list of nurseries and kindergartens in the municipality has not been published in open sources. Contact the municipal council for details.
Vocational Education
Escola Profissional de Setúbal (EPS)
Founded by the municipality in 1991. More than 400 students.
Courses for 2025/2026:
- Pharmacy assistant
- Communications technician (marketing, PR)
- IT equipment management technician
- Systems programming technician
- Automotive mechatronics technician
- Tourism technician
- Laboratory analysis technician
The school is noted for strong outcomes and rapid graduate integration into the labour market.
IEFP — Employment and Vocational Training Centre
Centro de Emprego e Formação Profissional de Setúbal:
- Address: R. António José Baptista, 86, 2910-397 Setúbal
- Phone: 26 514 68 00
- Hours: 09:00–17:00
Offers EFA courses (adult education and training), CET courses (technological specialisation), plus grants for transport and meals.
Adult Education
Programa Qualifica
The Qualifica Centre at Agrupamento de Escolas Lima de Freitas (registration year-round):
- RVCC — recognition, validation and certification of competences (to achieve 9º or 12º ano)
- Cursos EFA — flexible programmes for adults
- Formação Modular — modular training
- Portuguese courses for immigrants
Dedicated language centres for learning Portuguese in Setúbal itself were not found in open sources.
Libraries
Biblioteca Pública Municipal de Setúbal
| Season | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Winter (16 September – 30 June) | Mon–Fri 09:00–19:00, Sat 14:00–19:00 |
| Summer (1 July – 15 September) | Mon–Fri 09:00–12:30 & 14:00–17:30 |
Closed Sundays and public holidays. Phone: 265 537 240.
Branches (pólos): Azeitão, Gâmbia, Bela Vista, São Julião.
IPS Libraries
The polytechnic’s libraries are open to students and staff. Catalogue available at bibliotecas.ips.pt.
See also
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