SIMGES – the Integrated and Modular System for Higher Education Management – is a model information system for the DGES business areas, which interoperates with A3ES, DGEEC, and Higher Education Institutions.

The modules currently in production relate to the management of the higher education network (information on higher education institutions and registered courses) and to course registration processes, which are being made available in phases.

Available:

• Applications for registration of CTeSP creation
• Requests for registration of changes to CTeSP
• NCE registration (process initiated through automatic accreditation notification by A3ES)
• Registration of changes (still on a voluntary basis, given that the deadline stipulated in Ordinance No. 105/2024/1, of March 14, has been extended until November 1). Note: the process of registering changes resulting from ACEF 22, and subsequent ones, submitted in the new SI A3ES, will already be automatically initiated in SIMGES through automatic communication of A3ES accreditation.
• Cessation of study cycle.

The diploma registration module will be made available when it becomes mandatory for all registrations to be done through SIMGES.

• Endereço de mail: apoio.simges@dges.gov.pt
• Sessão online de apoio técnico: Terça-Feira e Sexta-Feira das 14:30 às 16:00. Sala Zoom, devendo ser solicitado o link de acesso através de email para: apoio.simges@dges.gov.pt.

• User Management Manual
• Notification Profiles and Groups by Process Type
• User summary
• Manual for the CTeSP Course Registration Process
• Manual for Changing CTeSP Courses
• Manual for the Process of Registering Changes to a Degree-Granting Study Cycle
• Cessation Process Manual - Study Cycle

RECORD

Higher education institutions have the right to create study programs aimed at awarding academic degrees. The commencement of these programs requires prior accreditation by the Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES) and subsequent registration with the relevant ministry, carried out at IES, IP.

Study cycles subject to registration
All new study cycles leading to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees that have been previously accredited by A3ES are subject to registration.

Start of the procedure

In accordance with the provisions of Article 4 of Decree No. 105/2024/1, of March 14, once a decision is made to grant prior accreditation to a new cycle of studies leading to an academic degree, it is communicated by the Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES) to the IES, IP via web service to SIMGES – Integrated and Modular System for Higher Education Management for registration purposes, accompanied by the necessary elements for its registration, namely:

a) The characterization, curricular structure, and study plan of the cycle that have been submitted for accreditation;

b) Indication of the location and facilities to which the accreditation of the study cycle refers, in the event that it is accredited to operate in a location and facilities different from those that are authorized;

c) Indication of the maximum admission limit set in the accreditation act;

d) Where applicable, the study cycle being replaced and the respective date of cessation of teaching activities for the replaced study cycle.

The interested higher education institution is automatically notified by SIMGES of the opening of the registration procedure.

In the event of tacit approval of the accreditation request, it is up to the interested Higher Education Institution to request registration from IES, IP by email (paragraph 2 of article 4 of the aforementioned Ordinance).

Subsequent procedures

IES, IP handles the processing of the application and may request additional information from A3ES or the higher education institution, particularly regarding the curriculum structure and study plan that have been accredited, including any changes made for that purpose. Requests for information are made through SIMGES.

IES, IP analyzes the conformity of the study cycle and curriculum with the applicable legal standards.

If compliance is verified, a sequential registration number is assigned, which is then communicated to the higher education institution.

The decision on the registration request is issued within 60 days of its receipt, and is considered tacitly approved if no decision is made within that period.

Publication of the record

In accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 3 of Decree No. 105/2024/1, of March 14, " the registration and publication procedures covered by this decree are processed electronically in the Integrated and Modular Higher Education Management System (SIMGES), developed and managed by the now Institute for Higher Education (IES, IP) ", therefore the obligation to publish the registration orders in the Official Gazette no longer exists.

Deadline for decision

The decision regarding the registration of the new degree-granting study cycle is issued within 60 days of the start of the procedure.

Legislation

• Law No. 62/2007, of September 10 – Establishes the legal framework for higher education institutions, regulating in particular their constitution, attributions and organization, the functioning and competence of their bodies, and also the public supervision and oversight of the State over them, within the framework of their autonomy – Article 61.
• Decree-Law No. 74/2006, of March 24 – Approves the legal regime for academic degrees and diplomas in higher education, Articles 54 and 54-A, amended by Decree-Law No. 27/2021, of April 16.
• Order No. 174/2024/1, of July 11 – First amendment to Order No. 105/2024/1, of March 14, which defines, dematerializes and simplifies the procedures for registration and automatic electronic publication of study cycles and their respective amendments, Amended by Order No. 105/2024/1, of March 14, 2024

CHANGE

To submit a request to register a change to any of the characterizing elements of a degree-granting study cycle, the following procedure must be followed:

Submission to SIMGES:

1. Completion and submission of a P2 Change Course process;

2. After the application is submitted, it is analyzed according to legal requirements, and after its registration, an electronic notification is sent to the parties involved in the process and the Institution's representatives. All registered information, as well as the assigned registration number, can be consulted on SIMGES.

In accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 3 of Decree No. 105/2024/1, of March 14, "the registration and publication procedures covered by this decree are processed electronically in the Integrated and Modular Higher Education Management System (SIMGES), developed and managed by the now Institute for Higher Education (IES, IP)", therefore the obligation to publish the registration orders in the Official Gazette no longer exists.

Os pedidos de informação sobre os processos deverão ser sempre enviados para o endereço de mail cursos@iesuperior.pt.

• Decree-Law No. 74/2006, of March 24 – Approves the legal regime for academic degrees and diplomas in higher education, amended by Decree-Law No. 27/2021, of April 16.
• Order No. 105/2024/1, of March 14 – Defines, dematerializes and simplifies the procedures for registration and automatic electronic publication of study cycles and their respective changes.
• Resolution No. 1015/2024, of August 5 – Resolution of the Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education that defines the situations in which an alteration to the characterizing elements of a study cycle implies a modification of its objectives.

CESSATION

In public higher education, the decision to cease offering study cycles falls within the rationalization measures that can be promoted at the level of educational provision, as foreseen in paragraphs 1 and 2 of article 54 of the RJIES (Legal Regime of Higher Education Institutions). The decision to cease offering study cycles must be communicated to the IES, IP (Institution of Higher Education Institutions, Public Institute) through SIMGES (Integrated System for Management of Higher Education).

In private higher education, according to article 56, paragraph 1 of the RJIES (Legal Regime of Higher Education Institutions), the decision to cease offering study cycles rests with the founding entities of the higher education institutions, and must, according to article 56, paragraph 2 of the RJIES, be approved by the supervising minister. The decision to cease offering study cycles must be communicated to the IES, IP (Institution of Higher Education, Public Institute) by completing a P3 form – Cessation of Study Cycle, in SIMGES (Integrated System for Management of Higher Education Institutions).

The applications must be submitted by completing a P3 form – Cessation of Study Cycle, in SIMGES.

Procedure to be followed

1. In SIMGES, the Institution must initiate a P3 process – Cease Cycle of Studies, fill in the requested fields, and send it to IES, IP.

The process can be initiated automatically by A3ES in the event of a decision not to accredit the CE. In such situations, the IES will be asked to confirm the information entered by A3ES (date for cessation of teaching activities, number of enrolled students, measures to safeguard student expectations, course replaced by (if applicable)).

2. The IES, IP analyzes the process and may request information and/or clarifications or propose rejection, and the process returns to the IES.

You can submit it to guardianship, awaiting the decision to conclude the process.

You can conclude the process with a final decision (Approval or Rejection).

• Law No. 62/2007, of September 10 – Establishes the legal framework for higher education institutions, regulating in particular their constitution, attributions and organization, the functioning and competence of their bodies, and also the public supervision and oversight of the State over them, within the framework of their autonomy – Article 54.

RECORD

The CTeSP registration process assesses the legally established requirements, which include, in particular:

1. The professional profile it aims to prepare;
2. The framework of skills to be acquired;
3. The study plan and curriculum structure;
4. Entry requirements;
5. The facilities used for delivering the course;
6. The maximum number of students to be admitted and the maximum number of students at any one time.

As per the decision of 25/01/2023, from the President of the Board of Directors of IES, IP, the submission of requests for registration of the creation and alteration of Higher Professional Technical Courses (CTeSP) is done through SIMGES: Integrated and Modular System for the Management of Higher Education.

Consult the SIMGES platform for more information.

The analysis of the processes is carried out in accordance with the Guidelines for assessing CTeSP registration requests, approved by the Monitoring Committee, which can be consulted here .

CHANGE

If you wish to change any of the following characteristics of a higher professional technical course:

1. Course name
2. Professional profile
3. Competency framework
4. Curriculum structure
5. Study plan (course units, workload or number of credits)
6. Entry requirements
7. Authorized locations and/or facilities
8. Maximum number of students in each admission or total per location.

Applications for registration changes to CTeSP (Professional Higher Technical Courses) are submitted through SIMGES: Integrated and Modular System for Higher Education Management.

For more information about SIMGES, please visit here.

After the submission of the amendment registration request, it will be analyzed in accordance with the legislation in force, in order to comply with the provisions of paragraph 2 of article 40-O of the legal regime for higher education degrees and diplomas.

The analysis of the processes is carried out in accordance with the Guidelines for assessing CTeSP registration requests , approved by the Monitoring Committee.

CESSATION

In public higher education, the decision to cease offering study cycles falls within the rationalization measures that can be promoted at the level of educational provision, as foreseen in paragraphs 1 and 2 of article 54 of the RJIES (Legal Regime of Higher Education Institutions). The decision to cease offering study cycles must be communicated to the IES, IP (Institution of Higher Education Institutions, Public Institute) through SIMGES (Integrated System for Management of Higher Education).

In private higher education, according to article 56, paragraph 1 of the RJIES (Legal Regime of Higher Education Institutions), the decision to cease offering study cycles rests with the founding entities of the higher education institutions, and must, according to article 56, paragraph 2 of the RJIES, be approved by the supervising minister. The decision to cease offering study cycles must be communicated to the IES, IP (Institution of Higher Education, Public Institute) by completing a P3 form – Cessation of Study Cycle, in SIMGES (Integrated System for Management of Higher Education Institutions).

The applications must be submitted by completing a P3 form – Cessation of Study Cycle, in SIMGES.

Procedure to be followed

1. In SIMGES, the Institution must initiate a P3 process – Cease Cycle of Studies, fill in the requested fields, and send it to IES, IP.

The process can be initiated automatically by A3ES in the event of a decision not to accredit the CE. In such situations, the IES will be asked to confirm the information entered by A3ES (date for cessation of teaching activities, number of enrolled students, measures to safeguard student expectations, course replaced by (if applicable)).

2. The IES, IP analyzes the process and may request information and/or clarifications or propose rejection, and the process returns to the IES.

You can submit it to guardianship, awaiting the decision to conclude the process.

You can conclude the process with a final decision (Approval or Rejection).

Law No. 62/2007, of September 10 – Establishes the legal framework for higher education institutions, regulating in particular their constitution, attributions and organization, the functioning and competence of their bodies, and also the public supervision and oversight of the State over them, within the framework of their autonomy – Article 54.

Article 49-A of Decree-Law No. 74/2006, of March 24, as amended by Decree-Law No. 63/2016, of September 13, provides the following:

1. The awarding of degrees and diplomas for higher professional technicians is subject to mandatory registration on an electronic platform.
2. Registration on the electronic platform must be carried out after the registration referred to in paragraph 1 of the previous article, and before the issuance of documents proving ownership of the diploma.
3. The electronic platform assigns a unique number to each diploma awarded.
4. The number referred to in the previous paragraph must be included on all documents proving ownership of the diploma.
5. The creation and management of the platform are ensured by IES, IP.

Estando em desenvolvimento a referida plataforma eletrónica, devem as Instituições enviar para o e-mail ctesp@iesuperior.pt a tabela em excel disponível em baixo, preenchida com a seguinte informação:

• Code of the higher education institution;
  Higher education institution – Organizational unit;
• Course name;
  Course name code;
• Course registration number;
• Full name of the graduate;
• Graduate's date of birth (in DAY-MONTH-YEAR format);
• Civil identification number and type of the graduate;
• Course completion date (in DAY-MONTH-YEAR format);
• Final rating on a scale of 10 to 20.

Private higher education institutions are subject to a Public Interest Recognition (RIP) procedure by the Ministry of Education in order to be integrated into the higher education system and thus operate and award academic degrees.

The request for recognition of public interest must be addressed to the supervising Ministry, accompanied by the necessary elements to demonstrate the fulfillment of the applicable requirements relating to the founding entity and the establishment, with the IES, IP, being the instructing body.

Entities that establish private higher education institutions must take one of the following legal forms:

• Foundations (duly recognized by the supervising Minister);
• Associations;
• Cooperatives (established specifically for this purpose);
• Non-profit cultural and social organizations;
• Limited liability companies or public limited companies (specifically formed for this purpose, provided that the incorporation document includes a list of all partners or shareholders and that any changes to this information are communicated to the competent service of the supervising ministry within 30 days).

Regardless of their form, all entities intending to create a private higher education institution must complete the following:

1. Adequate requirements for institutional suitability;
2. Adequate requirements for financial sustainability;
3. And to offer, mandatorily, asset guarantees or insurance deemed sufficient.

Form

Higher education institutions may be created that take the form of:

• University;
• University Institute;
• Polytechnic Institute;
• Another higher education institution of a university or polytechnic nature.
  General requirements

The creation and operation of higher education institutions is subject to, among other things, verification of the following general requirements:

• Adopt an appropriate name;
• To have an educational, scientific and cultural project;
• To have facilities, equipment and material resources appropriate to the nature of the establishment in question;
• To offer training programs that are compatible with the university or polytechnic nature of the institution in question;
• To have its own teaching staff, adequate in number and qualifications to the nature of the institution and the degrees it is authorized to confer;
• To ensure the scientific and pedagogical autonomy of the institution, its organic units, and its study cycles;
• To ensure the participation of faculty, researchers, and students in the governance of the institution;
• To guarantee the high pedagogical, scientific and cultural level of the establishment;
• To ensure social action services;
• To ensure the provision of services to the community.

In addition to the general requirements stated above, there is also a set of specific requirements that vary according to the nature of the higher education institution (Universities, University Institutes, Polytechnic Institutes or others).

Universities

The following are requirements for the creation and operation of a University:

a) It is a high-level institution oriented towards the creation, transmission and dissemination of culture, knowledge, science and technology, through the articulation of study, teaching, research and experimental development;

b) Be authorized to administer at least:

• 6 undergraduate study cycles, two of which are technical laboratory programs;
• 6 cycles of master's degree studies;
• Doctoral study programs in at least 3 different areas, compatible with the mission of university teaching.

c) To have a teaching staff that meets the following requirements:

• For each study cycle, fulfill the requirements established by special law for its accreditation;
• Among the faculty and researchers engaged in teaching or research activities in any capacity at the institution, there must be at least 1 PhD holder for every 30 students;
• At least half of those PhDs must be at the institution on a full-time basis.

d) To have facilities with the characteristics required for the provision of university education and adequate libraries and laboratories;

e) To develop activities in the field of teaching and research, as well as in the creation, dissemination and transmission of culture;

f) To have or participate in evaluated and recognized research and development centers.

University Institutes

The following are requirements for the creation and operation of a University Institute:

a) It is a high-level institution oriented towards the creation, transmission and dissemination of culture, knowledge, science and technology, through the articulation of study, teaching, research and experimental development;

b) Be authorized to administer at least:

• 3 cycles of undergraduate studies;
• 3 cycles of master's degree studies;
• 1. Doctoral studies in an area or areas compatible with the mission of university teaching.

To fulfill the requirements relating to faculty, facilities, the development of activities in the field of teaching and research, and research centers applicable to Universities.

Polytechnic Institutes

The following are requirements for the creation and operation of a Polytechnic Institute:

a) It is a high-level institution oriented towards the creation, transmission and dissemination of culture and knowledge of a professional nature, through the articulation of study, teaching, targeted research and experimental development;

b) Integrate at least two schools from different subject areas:

c) Be authorized to teach at least 4 undergraduate degree programs, 2 of which are technical-laboratory programs, in at least 2 different areas;

d) To have a teaching staff that meets the following requirements:

• For each study cycle, fulfill the requirements established by special law for its accreditation;
• To have, among all teachers and researchers who carry out teaching or research activities in any capacity at the institution, at least 1 holder of a specialist title or doctoral degree for every 30 students;
• Among the teaching and research staff, at least 151 full-time professors and researchers must hold a doctorate and, in addition to these, at least 351 full-time professors and researchers must hold the title of specialist, who may also hold a doctorate.

(e) To have facilities with the characteristics required for the provision of polytechnic education and libraries and laboratories suitable for the nature of the study cycles;

f) To develop guided research activities.

Other higher education institutions

Other higher education institutions may be university-level or polytechnic.

These educational establishments, depending on whether they are universities or polytechnics, must comply with the legal requirements applicable to universities or polytechnic institutes, except with regard to the minimum number of study cycles they must be authorized to offer.

a) Establishments authorized to offer at least the following may be created as other university-level higher education institutions:

• 1st cycle of undergraduate studies;
• 1st cycle of master's studies.

b) Educational establishments authorized to offer at least one undergraduate degree program may be created, just like other polytechnic higher education institutions.

Regarding study programs, a prior accreditation regime is in place, under the responsibility of the Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (ADEH). Therefore, the respective applications must be submitted to that entity (following the applicable procedures, particularly regarding deadlines, forms, and fees). The RIP (Request for Institutional Accreditation) process is only complete upon accreditation of the study programs to be initially offered.

Given that the teaching of study cycles leading to the awarding of academic degrees can only take place in facilities authorized by the supervising ministry, some relevant documents regarding the instruction and evaluation of the respective authorization processes are made available.

Given the documents:

• List of documents regarding facilities
• Form for facilities of higher education establishments
• Reference areas and recommendations
• Capacity calculation

The IES, IP (Institute of Higher Education, Public Institute) processes the application, and may request additional information or details from the applicant or other entities. It then analyzes the application's compliance with applicable legal regulations and prepares a proposed decision.

The decision regarding RIP (Recognition of Institutional Permit) applications from a private higher education institution is issued within a maximum period of 6 months after the complete processing of the respective application.

The Institutional Regulations (RIP) of a higher education institution are established by decree-law, which must include, in particular:

a) The name, nature, and headquarters of the founding entity;

b) The name and location of the educational establishment;

c) The nature and objectives of the educational establishment;

d) Study programs whose initial operation has been authorized.

Applications relating to changes to the location, nature or objectives that have been established in the RIP (Registration of Installations) of an establishment follow, with the necessary adaptations, the same instructions and terms as the RIP procedure for a new establishment.

• Law No. 62/2007, of September 10 – Establishes the legal framework for higher education institutions, regulating in particular their constitution, attributions and organization, the functioning and competence of their bodies, and also the public supervision and oversight of the State over them, within the framework of their autonomy.
• Decreto-Lei n.º 206/2009, de 31 de agosto – Aprova o regime jurídico do título de especialista a que se refere o artigo 48.º da Lei n.º 62/2007, de 10 de setembro
• Decree-Law No. 3/2015, of January 6 – Establishes the criteria to be adopted to verify the fulfillment of the requirement of holding the specialist title referred to in Article 49 of Law No. 62/2007, of September 10, which approves the legal regime of higher education institutions.
• Decree-Law No. 74/2006, of March 24 – Approves the legal regime for academic degrees and diplomas in higher education – Article 3, amended by Decree-Law No. 27/2021, of April 16.

(to be published)

The transfer of private higher education institutions must be communicated in advance to the supervising Minister, and the respective recognition of public interest (RIP) may be revoked based on changes in the assumptions and circumstances underlying its granting.

For this purpose, it must be demonstrated that the assumptions of the establishment's RIP (Risk Assessment Procedure) are still being met.

The transfer also implies verification that the new establishing entity fulfills the necessary requirements.

The IES, IP (Institute of Higher Education, Public Institute) processes the application, and may request additional information or details from the applicant or other entities. It then analyzes the application's compliance with applicable legal standards, which, with the necessary adaptations, are those applicable to the RIP (Regional Planning Instrument), and prepares a proposed decision.

If there are no objections to the transfer, the supervising Minister will issue a decision stating that the transfer will not alter the assumptions and circumstances underlying the granting of the RIP (Registration of Public Interest) to the establishment.

Subsequently, the establishing entity informs the supervisory authority of the date on which the transfer becomes effective.

The merger of private higher education institutions must be communicated in advance to the supervising Minister, and the respective recognition of public interest (RIP) may be revoked based on changes in the assumptions and circumstances underlying its granting.

For this purpose, it must be demonstrated that the assumptions of the establishment's RIP (Risk Assessment Procedure) are still being met.

The merger also implies verification that the founding entity fulfills the necessary requirements.

Please note that the higher education institutions to be merged must belong to the same group, so it may be necessary to transfer some or all of them beforehand, processes that may run simultaneously.

The integration of private higher education institutions must be communicated in advance to the supervising Minister, and the respective recognition of public interest (RIP) may be revoked based on changes in the assumptions and circumstances underlying its granting.

For this purpose, it must be demonstrated that the assumptions of the establishment's RIP (Risk Assessment Procedure) are still being met.

Integration also implies verifying that the sponsoring entity fulfills the necessary requirements.

Note that the higher education institution to be integrated and the one into which it is integrated must belong to the same founding entity, so it may be necessary to carry out the transfer of one or more of them beforehand, processes that can run simultaneously.

• Law No. 62/2007, of September 10 – It establishes the legal framework for higher education institutions, regulating in particular their constitution, attributions and organization, the functioning and competence of their bodies, and also the public oversight and supervision of the State over them, within the framework of their autonomy.

• Article 37 (transfer, integration or merger of establishment)
• Article 57 (merger, integration or transfer)

(to be published)

a) The maximum annual number of new admissions, as well as the maximum number of students that can be enrolled in each study cycle in each academic year, is set annually by higher education institutions, taking into account the resources of each institution, particularly regarding teaching staff, facilities, equipment and financial resources;

b) The allocation of places is subject to the limits arising from the legal criteria established for the operation of the establishments and for the accreditation of study cycles, including any limits that may have been set in the accreditation process.

a) The institutions shall communicate annually to IES, IP, the fees they set for undergraduate and integrated master's degree programs, accompanied by the respective justification, in the format and within the deadlines established and published by IES, IP;

b) In the absence of express and sufficient justification for the amounts set, or in violation of applicable legal rules, the amounts set by the institution may be altered by a reasoned order from the supervising minister published in the Official Gazette;

c) The publication of the number of places annually set for undergraduate and integrated master's degree programs is carried out by the supervising ministry, through IES, IP ( Access – Competitions ).

The legally and statutorily competent body of each higher education institution approves, among other matters, the rules concerning admission to master's degree programs, in particular the academic and curricular requirements, application procedures, selection and ranking criteria, and the process for determining and publicizing available places and application deadlines.

The legally and statutorily competent body of each university approves, among other matters, the rules concerning admission to doctoral programs, in particular the academic and curricular requirements, application procedures, and selection criteria.

• Law No. 62/2007, of September 10 - Establishes the legal regime for higher education institutions, regulating in particular their constitution, attributions and organization, the functioning and competence of their bodies and, also, the public tutelage and supervision of the State over them, within the framework of their autonomy, Article 64.
• Decree-Law No. 74/2006, of March 24 – Approves the legal framework for academic degrees and diplomas in higher education, Articles 26 and 38.,
  Amended by Decree-Law No. 27/2021, of April 16.

Order approving guidelines for setting the number of places for initial training study cycles offered by public higher education institutions, with the exception of the Open University, and by private higher education establishments, for access and admission via: national and local competitions; institutional competitions; special competitions; change of institution/course and special regimes.

• Guidance document for setting vacancy rates 2026-2027

The Procedures Manual aims to systematize the procedures to be adopted regarding the processing of applications related to the preparation of Preliminary Programs, Projects and Works, and is intended for all Public Higher Education Institutions that need to construct a new building or intervene in an existing building (teaching buildings, libraries, rectorates, central services, residences and canteens).

• Procedures Manual

Model of the General Areas Framework referred to in the Procedures Manual.

• General overview of areas for Teaching buildings, Libraries and Central Services and Rectorates
• General overview of areas for Residences
• General overview of areas for canteens.

This framework includes the reference areas, capacities, and recommendations that the spaces in higher education buildings must adhere to.

• Reference areas, capacities and recommendations that the spaces of ES buildings must comply with.

This note describes the methodology used to calculate the capacity of teaching spaces in higher education institutions.

• Calculation of the capacity of teaching spaces in higher education institutions' facilities.

Establishments may be closed:

• Voluntarily, by decision of the respective founding entities;
• Compulsorily, by the minister with the oversight of higher education.

The decision to voluntarily close an institution must include appropriate measures to protect the interests of students, which are the responsibility of the sponsoring entities.

In the event of compulsory closure, the supervising ministry will determine the necessary measures to safeguard the interests of the students.

• The essential documentation remains in the custody of the respective founding entity, unless:

1. The closure results from the extinction or dissolution of the establishing entity;
2. Circumstances related to the functioning of the sponsoring entity so recommend.

• If the fundamental documentation is not kept by the founding entity, the minister responsible for higher education determines which entity should be entrusted with its safekeeping.

Fundamental documentation refers to that which corresponds to the certification of teaching and administrative activities carried out throughout its period of operation, namely:

1. Minute books of the governing bodies;
2. Bookkeeping;
3. Teacher contracts;
4. Teaching service records;
5. Term books;
6. Student processes;
7. Academic records that include, in particular, the students applying for enrollment at the educational institution, the students admitted therein, the enrollments made, the final result obtained in each curricular unit, the equivalencies and recognitions of qualifications awarded, the degrees and diplomas and their respective final classification or qualification.

The entity responsible for holding the essential documentation is responsible for issuing the documentation relating to the establishment's operating period, specifically:

1. Documents proving the students' academic status;
2. Documents certifying teaching activities.

• Law No. 62/2007, of September 10 – Establishes the legal regime for higher education institutions, regulating in particular their constitution, attributions and organization, the functioning and competence of their bodies and, also, the public tutelage and supervision of the State over them, within the framework of their autonomy. Articles 56, 58, 153 and 156.