Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, hosted the 4th edition of the Master’s Day event in the Great Hall of Alameda campus on 5 March 2026. Even before all the seats were filled, conversations were buzzing as students approached tables staffed by representatives from Técnico’s master’s programmes. They engaged in discussions about specialisations, collaborative projects with companies, research opportunities, and career prospects.
The initiative, aimed at final-year undergraduate students and recent graduates, showcased the academic and professional opportunities associated with master’s programmes at Técnico. “Técnico offers a very flexible [master’s] programme, with a large number of elective courses that allow students to design their own path, according to their interests and future prospects”, explained Miguel Teixeira, a professor at Técnico and President of the Pedagogical Council.
“Those who choose to pursue a master’s Programme at Técnico should be well aware of the options from day one’, advised Miguel Teixeira. “In this way, they can take advantage of opportunities such as internationalisation, industry projects, and research paths that can significantly aid in preparing for their future careers”. Among these possibilities, he mentioned minors, which allow students to complement their master’s programme with training in other subjects, and Capstone projects – challenges launched by companies and developed by multidisciplinary teams to respond to real industry problems. He also highlighted the PhD Fast Track programme, which enables students to start their doctoral studies while still completing their master’s programme.
At the tables where professors talked to potential candidates, questions flowed: Which subjects should they choose? What specialisations are available? What projects might arise during the course?. For Tiago Fernandes, a professor and coordinator of the Master’s Programme in Bioengineering: Regenerative and Precision Medicine, “a master’s programme at Técnico stands out due to its rigorous curriculum that equips students with a solid foundation and promising career prospects”. His advice for those considering applying was straightforward: “Carefully consider the elective courses and select the master’s programme that genuinely inspires you”.
Maria Silva, a professor in the Master’s Programme in Mining and Geological Engineering, also highlighted the role of the 2nd cycle in academic specialisation. “Técnico is renowned for its scientific excellence”, she said, adding that the master’s programme represents an “opportunity to deepen knowledge in a specific area and enhance your academic career”.
Various master’s students shared their experiences as new groups approached. Teresa Neves, a master’s student in Civil Engineering, describes it as a ‘springboard to the job market’. “The master’s programme at Técnico is, in fact, very challenging, and its demanding nature prepares us better for the challenges ahead”. Among mandatory core subjects, electives and thesis topics, the student highlighted the diversity of possible academic paths at Técnico.
The same view is shared by Gonçalo Cecílio, who is studying for a Master’s Programme in Electronics Engineering. He emphasised the importance of specialised knowledge and research contact as valuable elements of the master’s experience. “The master’s programme allows us to deepen what we learnt in our undergraduate studies and engage more closely with research centres or collaborative projects with companies”, he explained, noting that these experiences can facilitate both entering the job market and pursuing a PhD.
“Talking directly to students and professors helps us to better understand the available options”
As students moved around the room, some from other institutions expressed their interest in Técnico’s academic offer. This was the case of Afonso Lopes and Gonçalo Batista, both students of Telecommunications and Computer Engineering at ISCTE, who were interested in learning more about the Master’s Programme in Electrical and Computer Engineering. They are seeking more specialised training that directly addresses applied problems. “We want to discover new challenges and explore how we can deepen our knowledge in our current fields of study”, they shared. “We believe that Técnico’s reputation adds value to this educational journey”.
Coming from the other side of the river, Amilca Duarte, a student at NOVA FCT, visited the event mainly out of “curiosity”. Interested in exploring the health sector, she took the opportunity to compare curricula and explore how engineering could be integrated with biomedical sciences. “This is a time to evaluate options and understand the different paths I can pursue”, she summarised.
Among Técnico students, the atmosphere was one of comparing career paths and clarifying doubts. Joana Queirós and Rita Costa, Industrial Engineering and Management undergraduate students at Técnico, moved around the space to hear about the experiences of master’s students and gain a better understanding of the career opportunities. “We usually have lots of questions. Talking directly to students and professors helps us to better understand the available options”, they said. Rita Costa showed particular interest in the Master’s Programme in Energy Engineering and Management, highlighting its versatility.
Catarina Medroa and Luísa Soares, Environmental Engineering undergraduate students at Técnico, were looking for more specific answers: “How do minors work?”, “Which subjects can complement the integrative project?” and “How to explore different areas within the master’s programme?”. Rather than making an immediate choice, they emphasise their desire to “keep doors and horizons open”.
The closing of the event brought voices in chorus to the lobby, where students, professors, and visitors “stomped their feet” to the rhythm of the music. The Tuna Universitária do Instituto Superior Técnico (TUIST) closed the session with a performance, marking the end of an afternoon dedicated to reflection on the next academic paths.
Applications for master’s programmes at Técnico, for the 2026/2027 academic year, are now open. The first call runs from 9 to 20 March 2026, until 5 p.m., and is aimed at students who wish to pursue second-cycle studies, including final-year undergraduates from any higher education institution.
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