Portugal

Secondary education in Portugal is administered by the Department of Secondary Education. Depending on the student's aims, he/she can pursue Cursos Gerais (general courses) if he/she wants to continue to higher education, or Cursos Tecnológicos (technological courses) to prepare for the job market. Each of these courses lasts three years and corresponds to the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth school year. At the end of the twelfth year of the general courses, a diploma is awarded that specifies the course completed and the final grade, allowing the student to apply for higher education. A Vocational Qualification Certificate is awarded at the end of the technological course that allows students to access the job market.

According to the Constitution and to the secondary curricular structure, the main objectives of secondary education are to create conditions for personal and social fulfillment; to consolidate the student's culture through knowledge, instruments, and methodologies; to help define individual interests and vocational options; and to prepare the student intellectually and emotionally for a role in society.

Additionally, there is secondary education for adults, similar to the normal secondary education, divided into general courses and technological courses. There are also visual art courses for adults, part of the special artistic education, divided into Curso geral and Curso tecnológico do ensino artístico, both leading to a twelfth year diploma.

Vocational Education: If the student is not going to pursue a university career, he/she can get technical training for three years following the ninth year of schooling organized in modules or autonomous learning units. These units allow the student to learn at his/her own pace. There is flexibility in training according to individual needs and potentials. If the student completes the studies successfully, he/she will receive a diploma, which allows acceptance at the university in the future. The student also receives another diploma, a vocational certificate, enabling him/her for the job market. Vocational education is a response to shortcomings in local and regional markets.

Artistic Education: Visual arts, dance, and music are specific courses designed for those with potential ability and interest in one of these artistic expressions. Plastic arts and musical expression are taught beginning in preschool. Visual education, such as art and design, is part of the secondary education. Artistic education provides training for professional preparation in these fields. It encourages individual and group practices and stimulates creativity. The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation has a school that teaches music students at the primary and secondary levels. Lisbon and Oporto have schools of fine arts on a higher level. Lisbon also has a National Conservatory and a Gregorian Institute. Other cities have musical conservatories and visual arts institutions as well.