Faculdades

Faculdades is the plural of faculdade in Portuguese. In many Portuguese-speaking countries, the term has two related meanings. It can denote a higher education institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, commonly translated as college. It can also refer to a division within a university—one of its faculties or departments—such as the Faculty of Law or Faculty of Medicine. The precise meaning depends on local tradition and the institution's own naming conventions.

Within a university, a faculdade is a specialized division responsible for a set of academic programs, research activities, and student administration in its domain. Each faculty is usually headed by a dean and includes academic departments, lecturers, and laboratories or facilities pertinent to its field. Programs offered include bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, with curricula and assessment aligned to national standards and accreditation bodies.

Outside the university context, several private or public higher education institutions are themselves called faculdades, especially in Brazil. In Portugal and some other countries, private faculdades may operate independently or as part of a larger university group and may award degrees recognized by the state.

Historical note: The term reflects the medieval university structure, which divided studies into faculties such as arts, theology, law, and medicine. Although the structure and naming have evolved, the concept of faculties or departments remains central to modern higher education.