About Us

The Bragança School of Health (ESSa) is one of the five schools within the Polytechnic University of Bragança. It is a public higher education institution whose mission is to provide undergraduate (1st cycle) and master's (2nd cycle) education, postgraduate training, research, and services to the community in the field of health. Throughout its existence, it has sought to reconcile a growth strategy with the fundamental principle of pursuing educational quality, fulfilling its institutional role, and has therefore earned the recognition of other educational and healthcare institutions, as well as of the community at large. As a higher education institution, it currently occupies an important place in training in the health sciences, serving as a fundamental pillar for the development of the region.The school was established by Ordinance No. 222/71 of 30 April, regulated by Ordinance No. 34/70. Between 1972 and 1992, the Bragança School of Nursing provided training in the field of Nursing. Ordinance No. 821/89 of 15 September converted the Schools of Nursing into Higher Schools of Nursing. Decree-Law No. 99/2001 of 28 March integrated the school into the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, and later, Ordinance No. 475/03 of 11 June reconverted it into the School of Health (Escola Superior de Saúde).