The Viana do Castelo Polytechnic was established in August 16, 1980 and it now comprises 5 integrated Schools – the School of Education (ESE), the School of  Agriculture (ESAPL), the School of Technology and Management (ESTG), the School of Business Science (ESCE), School of Nursing (ESEnf), as well as the Social Services.

Despite being a new institution, it is dynamic and strongly committed to the high quality of its services. The Polytechnic is located in Viana do Castelo, a very attractive small town in the north of Portugal. Capital of the Alto Minho district, surrounded both by river and sea and protected by the luxuriantly green Sta. Luzia hill, Viana do Castelo is proud of its beautiful landscape, the hospitality of its people, and the magnificent monuments and works of art.

SCHOOLS AND COURSES

The School of Education (ESE) was established in 1984 and offers the following courses:

• Basic Education
• Sports and Leisure
• Social Education
• Artistic and Cultural Management

Besides the basic training of Kindergarten and Primary and Preparatory School Teachers, as well as support given to the Open University, the Polytechnic, in cooperation with Roehampton Institute of London, part of the University of Surrey, also provides post-graduate education.

The School of Agriculture of Ponte de Lima (ESAPL) was established in 1985 and offers the following courses:

• Biotechnology
• Veterinary Nursing
• Agricultural Engineering – Option Animal Production
• Agricultural Engineering – Option Horticulture and Landscape
• Environment Engineering
• Agro-Feed Management

The School of Technology and Management (ESTG) was established in 1985 and it now offers the following courses:

• Tourism    
• Management
• Electronic and Computers Net Engineering
• Artistic Ceramics
• Environments Design
• Graphic Computing and Multimedia Engineering
• Civil and Environment Engineering
• Food Engineering
• Product Design
• Information Systems Engineering
• Renewable Energy Systems Engineering

The School of Nursing (ESEnf) was integrated in 2000 and it offers the course of Nursing.

The School of Business Science (ESCE) is the most recent school of IPVC. Created in 2001 the school offers the following courses:

• Business Computing
• Distribution and Logistics

Since its beginning, the IPVC developed strong relations with other European Higher Education institutions, research and centres. Currently the international cooperation plays an important role in the institution strategically vision.

Regarding the physical structures, the IPVC has a considerable historical and architectural building edification. The infrastructures of that they make use the some Schools vary between establishments built in secular spaces and of patrimonial value and modern edifications, both with sophisticated technological material and several equipment providing an education according with the requirements of the work market.

Among its 10 buildings, IPVC has structures that will be able to support the implementation of projects: administrative spaces with appropriate conditions, laboratories, classrooms/formation and rooms equipped with informatics equipment.