Faculdade

Faculdade is a Portuguese word with two related meanings. It can refer to an institution of higher education that grants degrees, commonly called a college or a university in English. It can also mean a faculty or school within a university, such as the Faculty of Law, which is one division of a larger university.

In Brazil, faculdade most often refers to a degree-granting higher education institution, which may function as a standalone college or as a part of a larger university. Private faculdades are common and may be specialized (for example, Faculdade de Direito or Faculdade de Arquitetura). Public universities may encompass multiple faculdades or be organized as a single university. In both Brazil and Portugal, higher education institutions are generally subject to national quality assurance and accreditation systems.

In Portugal and some other Lusophone countries, faculdade generally means a faculty within a university. Each faculdade corresponds to a disciplinary area (for example, Faculdade de Medicina, Faculdade de Direito) and houses related departments and programs. The university as a whole is made up of multiple faculdades; the term is less likely to refer to an independent institution.

Originating from Latin facultas, meaning “ability” or “opportunity,” the term also appears in phrases referring to human capacity, such as faculdade de pensar (faculty of thought).