During Mestrado, students must complete three research seminars (8 credits each). For doctoral studies, one research seminar of 8 credits is required. Both Mestrado and PhD-students need to study the obligatory seminars called "Metodologia" (Methodology). The duration of Mestrado varies between 24 and 30 months, with the regular time frame for subsequent doctoral studies being 48 months. Students must pass a mid-term exam ("exame de qualificação") in order to qualify for the research project. Mestrado und PhD programmes are concluded with a defence of a dissertation.