Masters Public Law and Regulation

The Master's Degree in Public Law and Regulation offers advanced training in the core areas of Public Law, with a strong emphasis on the contemporary challenges of economic regulation and public governance. This programme combines theoretical depth with an applied approach, equipping students to critically engage in legal, administrative and regulatory decision-making processes. The curriculum includes compulsory courses that cover key areas such as Public Regulation Law, State and Globalisation, Administrative Law and the European Union, and State, Law and Security. In addition, it offers a diverse set of optional subjects, allowing students to specialise in emerging topics such as Data Protection Law, Competition Law or Energy Law. The programme places particular emphasis on the development of research skills, through subjects such as Research Methodology and Dissertation Project, preparing students for scientific output and the development of independent legal thinking. With an experienced faculty and up-to-date content, the course meets the demands of a context in which the activities of the State, regulatory authorities and private operators increasingly rely on robust, transparent, and adaptable legal frameworks.

In accordance with the applicable regulations, access to the Master's degree program in Law is done through the submission of an application within the deadline set by the Director of the Law School. The following candidates are eligible to apply for the Master's degree program in Law: a) Holders of a Bachelor's degree in Law or its legal equivalent from a Portuguese or foreign university, provided they have a minimum grade of 12 or equivalent. Selection criteria: Previous qualification: 70% Curricular assessment: 20% Interview: 10% b) Holders of a foreign higher academic degree awarded following a first cycle of studies organized according to the principles of the Bologna Process by a country adhering to this process. Selection criteria: Previous qualification: 20% Curricular assessment: 50% Interview: 30% c) Holders of a Portuguese or foreign higher academic degree recognized by the Scientific Council as fulfilling the objectives of a Bachelor's degree in Law. Selection criteria: Previous qualification: 20% Curricular assessment: 50% Interview: 30% d) Individuals with an educational, scientific, or professional background recognized by the Scientific Council as demonstrating the capacity to undertake this course of study in Law. Selection criteria: Curricular assessment: 70% Interview: 30%

The Master's Degree in Public Law and Regulation is designed for those seeking to deepen their knowledge of Public Law, with a specialised focus on regulation, public governance, and legal intervention in strategic sectors of the economy and society. It is particularly well-suited for: . Law graduates who wish to pursue postgraduate studies and strengthen their theoretical and practical skills in Administrative, Constitutional, Economic Law and Regulation; . Public administration professionals (at central, regional or local levels) working in areas such as public procurement, urban planning, environment, inspection, policy planning, public policies or sectoral regulation, and who seek to enhance their legal training to better support decision-making, legislative drafting or dispute resolution; . Lawyers and consultants aiming to specialise in legal advisory services in regulatory contexts, particularly in sectors such as energy, environment, transport, communications, data protection, competition, public services, health or public finance; . Professionals working in regulatory bodies or independent authorities, or those intending to join such entities, who require solid and up-to-date legal-regulatory training, with the ability to articulate legal norms, public policy goals and technical or economic considerations; . International students, particularly from Portuguese-speaking countries, who wish to undertake advanced studies in Public Law from a comparative perspective and with strong integration in the European legal context; . All those aspiring to develop an academic or research career, particularly in the context of doctoral programmes or applied research in Public Law, regulation and governance.

The Master's Degree in Public Law and Regulation provides solid preparation for the exercise of specialised legal functions in demanding and highly regulated contexts, both in the public and private sectors. The training offered enables graduates to access a wide range of professional opportunities, combining the legal tradition of Public Law with the new challenges of regulation, governance, and digital transformation. Key career paths include: . Public Administration - technical and leadership roles in central, regional or local government services, including areas such as public procurement, environmental law, urban planning, taxation, oversight, and administrative inspection; . Regulatory and Independent Supervisory Authorities - legal, compliance, policy analysis, decision-support or administrative litigation roles within sectoral regulators (in energy, communications, health, transport, environment, competition, data protection, media, etc.); . Legal Practice and Consultancy - legal practice in Public Law and economic regulation, with specialisation in sector-specific legal frameworks, complex administrative procedures, legal opinions, and administrative or regulatory litigation; . Judiciary and Legal Professions - complementary training for entry into the judiciary or the public prosecution service, with advanced knowledge in Administrative, Constitutional, Economic and Procedural Law; . International Organisations and European Agencies - roles within EU institutions, international organisations, or transnational networks with functions in regulation, standard-setting or legal cooperation, especially in the fields of competition, data protection, environmental law, or the digital economy; . Teaching and Research - continuation into advanced studies (notably doctoral programmes) and involvement in applied research projects in the fields of Public Law, regulation, public policy or digital governance; . Parliamentary Advisory and Political Decision-Making Support - legal advisory roles in legislative bodies or executive offices, contributing to legislative drafting, public policy evaluation, and legal-regulatory analysis. This Master's programme offers a strong foundation for professional paths that demand critical thinking, the ability to solve complex legal problems, and a solid grasp of the legal frameworks underpinning the rule of law and democratic regulation in contemporary societies.

Elective Courses Students must choose 2 course units per semester from a set of 5 options. 1st Semester Data Protection Law (7 ECTS) Aviation Law (7 ECTS) Public Procurement Law (7 ECTS) Tax Law and Tax Jurisprudence (7 ECTS) Energy Law (7 ECTS) 2nd Semester Administrative Procedural Law (7 ECTS) Space Law (7 ECTS) Environmental and Land Use Law (7 ECTS) Competition Law (7 ECTS) Arbitration and Mediation Law (7 ECTS)