Critical Computing Systems Engineering

This is your master's degree. 

Critical Computer Systems (CSC) are present in increasingly strategic domains: automobile (such as autonomous driving), aerospace, medical devices, banking, online commerce, Internet of Things (IoT) or smart cities. In these contexts, reliability, security and availability are fundamental. 

If you want to develop critical software and systems that support high-impact decisions and operations, this is your master’s degree. 

 

What does this master’s degree give you? 

  • You attend training that gives you advanced skills to analyse, develop and operate critical software and systems. 

  • Benefits of a strong link to business partners, which facilitates rapid integration into the national and international labour market. 

  • You develop a valued profile in differentiating areas in wage terms, linked to the engineering of high-reliability systems. 

  • You have the opportunity to pursue an academic or research career in an academic or industrial context. 

  • You can apply for research grants on national and international projects by integrating cutting-edge teams. 

Duration:
2 years / 4 semesters
Credits:
120 ECTS

 

Legal Registration

A3ES Registration Code

ACEF/2425/1900123
Begin: 2025-07-31
End: 2031-07-31

DGES Reg. Code

R/A-CR 51/2020/AL01

Double Degree: Embedded Systems Engineering, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Dortmund


Companies: Honeywell International; Bosch Research; Critical Software; Critical TechWorks, Embraer; GMV Skysoft; Edisoft; Capgemini Engineering, EFACEC, Armis, among others.


R&D Centers: CISTER - Research Centre in Embedded & Real-Time Computing Systems, SoftCPS - Software Technologies for Cyber-Physical Systems Laboratory, INESC TEC - Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science


Other: Vortex CoLab, Instituto de Engenharia Nuclear - IEN

What areas can you work in? 

  • Critical car systems (autonomous driving, control and safety); 

  • Aerospace and defence systems; 

  • Medical devices and digital health systems; 

  • Financial and digital banking systems; 

  • Electronic trading platforms; 

  • IoT systems and Smart Cities; 

  • Embedded and Real-Time Systems; 

  • Research and development in software and critical systems engineering. 

Can I apply? 

You can apply for the master’s programme if you: 

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree or legal equivalent. 

  • Are in the final year of a bachelor’s degree, applying on a conditional basis, and provide proof of completion by the last day of enrolment for the phase in which they applied, under penalty of exclusion. 

  • Hold a foreign higher education degree awarded after a first cycle of studies organised according to the Bologna Process by a signatory country. 

 

If you need the recognition by ISEP’s Scientific and Technical Council (CTC), you must request it in advance. Please contact the Academic Division or the programme director (contact available on the course webpage, right sidebar) for guidance. 

It is also possible to request degree recognition through DGES: https://www.dges.gov.pt/en/pagina/degree-and-diploma-recognition. 

 

When can I apply? 

1st phase – From 03 June to 06 July of 2026

Vacancies are listed in the Public Notice (EN)

Addendum I | Addendum III

2nd phase – From 1 to 31 August of 2026

Vacancy List

3rd phase – 28 September to 7 October of 2026

Vacancy List

 

The second and third phases open depending on the availability of vacancies resulting from the previous phases. 

After the deadline for a phase has passed, the dates and public documents shared on this page serve only as informational reference for any future applications. 

 

How can I apply? 

  • Select the “APPLICATIONS” button below – the button is active only during application periods.  

  • If you don't have an access key, click "GET ACCESS KEY"; if you have an access key, click "ACCESS".  

  • If you have questions about filling out the online form, you can clarify them by email to the Academic Division or to the master's direction (contacts on this page, right sidebar).