Teesside University, based in the United Kingdom, is a renowned international institution in the fields of Business, Arts, Design, Media and Technology, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that are recognised and accredited by international bodies.
Thanks to the partnership with ETIC_Algarve, students have the opportunity to pursue higher education at a British-style university, benefiting from a multicultural environment, practical guidance and strong links to the European and international labour markets.
This collaboration reinforces the commitment to flexible learning pathways, access to internationally recognised qualifications and the development of skills needed to operate within the global creative industries landscape.
For students who complete the two-year technical courses in Animation and Video Games, there is the opportunity to obtain a Bachelor’s degree from Teesside University, an internationally recognised and accredited qualification.
About Teesside University’s degrees delivered in Portugal:
This information is published in accordance with Article 4 of Portuguese Decree-Law 83/2026 of 7 April, which governs higher education activities carried out on Portuguese territory by foreign institutions that are not part of the Portuguese higher education system.
Courses
The following Teesside University courses are approved for delivery at ETIC_Algarve:
Largo Dr. Francisco Sá Carneiro Mercado Municipal de Faro Piso 1 8000-151 FARO, Algarve – Portugal
TU provision in Portugal
Teesside University delivers higher education in Portugal in partnership with ETIC_Algarve — Escola de Tecnologias, Inovação e Criação do Algarve, located at Largo Dr. Francisco Sá Carneiro, Mercado Municipal de Faro, 8000-151 Faro. Programmes delivered under this partnership lead to Teesside University qualifications.
Legal Status
Teesside University is a higher education institution of the United Kingdom, based in Middlesbrough, England. It is constituted as a higher education corporation under the Education Reform Act 1988 and is a recognised body under section 216 of that Act, holding its own degree-awarding powers under the laws of England and Wales. It is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS) and appears on the OfS Register as a recognised degree-awarding institution. The University is a member of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), which is a full member of INQAAHE.
Teesside University is not part of the Portuguese higher education system and does not seek to become part of it. It is not a Portuguese higher education institution and does not award Portuguese academic degrees.
GIZ – We Can Train You, Lda/ETIC_Algarve is a training provider certified by DGERT (Direção-Geral do Emprego e das Relações de Trabalho).
GIZ – We Can Train You, Lda/ETIC_Algarve is not a higher education institution and does not award Portuguese academic degrees.
Qualifications awarded under this partnership are Teesside University qualifications, issued within the United Kingdom education system.
They are not Portuguese academic degrees. They do not correspond to a Portuguese licenciatura, mestrado, doutoramento or TeSP.
They carry no automatic academic or professional recognition in Portugal.
Recognition in Portugal, if a graduate seeks it, requires an individual application by the holder to the Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES) under Decree-Law 66/2018 of 16 August, as expressly provided by Article 6 of Decree-Law 83/2026. Neither Teesside University nor ETIC_Algarve can guarantee the outcome of that application.
Access to regulated professions in Portugal is subject to the rules of the competent Portuguese professional body, in addition to any academic recognition.
Registration
Teesside University applied to the Instituto para o Ensino Superior, I.P. (IES) on 5 August 2026 for registration of the higher education activities it carries out in Portugal, under Article 3 of Decree-Law 83/2026. The application is under assessment.
Pedro Neves, BSc (Hons) Games Development student, 24/25
“At first, I thought it would just be another course, another certificate. However, I ended up creating much more sophisticated projects in this short space of time, thanks to the freedom and autonomy that a course of this nature offers. I feel I’ve developed a great deal during this period, both personally and as a developer. All thanks to the support of our mentors. This diploma, which is internationally recognised through Teesside, has given me the skills and confidence to look beyond Portugal, and has introduced me to more specialised studios abroad.”
Francisco Simões, BSc (Hons) Games Development student, 24/25
‘As a Games Development student, I had a very independent learning experience. The course offered numerous opportunities to develop complex projects, which was extremely useful for anyone looking to build a portfolio, or even to explore areas that aren’t usually covered in such depth.
The lecturers were invaluable; they are people with a wealth of professional experience, something I value greatly. The course coordinator, Risa Cohen, was brilliant, and made sure the course always offered as many opportunities as possible. For example, she organised masterclasses with professionals who had worked for Riot, Square Enix, and so on. We also had the opportunity to visit Teeside University, which was interesting.
Overall, my experience was positive as I was able to work on projects that helped me grow as a professional, and I learnt a great deal from the tutors. I would also add that it was a huge help to be able to complete my studies with a Bachelor’s degree without having to go through lengthy equivalence procedures and/or study the course in England.”
Joana Aleixo, BA (Hons) Games Design student, 24/25
“My experience as a Games Design student was very important, both creatively and professionally, largely thanks to the incredible lecturers who taught us and supported us. Throughout the modules, I delved deeper into areas I’m really passionate about, especially video game narrative. It was a real pleasure and a positive experience to have a module dedicated solely to this aspect of the game development process. Also, thanks to the creative freedom afforded by the modules, I was able to study many of the creative processes and elements of the Asian industry, particularly the Japanese one, which I find fascinating.
The lecturers were also an essential and highly positive part of the course. As well as sharing their extensive technical knowledge, they are very dedicated and approachable, adapting to our needs. Their feedback and encouragement were vital to the development of my projects and to my confidence in my work.”
Thanks to Professor Artur and the creative freedom afforded by the course, I was able to improve my portfolio in the areas I wanted to focus on. Throughout the modules, I was then able to build a more cohesive portfolio featuring work geared towards the sector I would like to pursue in the future.
In short, I believe that my experience on the course and as a Games Design student was valuable and positive, largely thanks to the incredible professionals who taught us and the freedom given to students during the modules, which ultimately enabled us to build a portfolio of work tailored to the games industry we wish to pursue.
Soraia Sousa, BA (Hons) Games Design student 24/25
“Studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Game Design was a very important experience for my artistic and professional development. The course helped me to further develop the foundations of my concept art, such as storytelling. It is also worth noting that receiving feedback and guidance from industry professionals, who monitored my work, is undoubtedly one of the course’s greatest strengths. Another highlight was the opportunity to take part in mini-lectures and sessions with leading professionals in the video game industry, including, for example, one of the 3D artists who worked on the Final Fantasy franchise. These experiences allowed me to learn directly from professionals I admire and gain a closer insight into the reality of the industry. For my final project, I also had the opportunity to be mentored by someone who works at Larian Studios, one of my favourite video game studios. Having someone with experience at a company I admire overseeing my project, providing feedback and advising me on how I could improve my work was an extremely valuable and motivating experience. At the end of the course, I also had the opportunity to undertake a one-month placement at Tucan Studios, at Teesside University, which allowed me to put into practice what I’d learnt throughout the year. This experience ultimately led me to continue on this path, spending a further three months on the Erasmus programme at Teesside.”
Want to know more?
If you would like more information about the possibilities of continuing your studies and taking your education to the next level, please contact us.
