ESMAD - School of Media Arts and Design (P.Porto)

What ESMAD - School of Media Arts and Design (P.Porto) does

ESMAD - School of Media Arts and Design (Escola Superior de Media Artes e Design) is a public higher education institution operating as a school within the Instituto Politécnico do Porto (P.PORTO), the second-largest polytechnic in Portugal. Founded in 1985 and reorganized in its current form on Campus 2 in Vila do Conde in 2016, ESMAD delivers higher education across five undergraduate degree programs (Licenciaturas) covering Cinema and Audiovisual, Design, Photography, Multimedia, Web Technologies, and STEAM Education, alongside three master's programs, four CTeSP technical-professional courses, two postgraduate programs, a foundation year (Ano Zero), and a joint doctoral program in Artistic Creation with the University of Aveiro. The school is structured into four academic departments (Image Arts, Design, Computer Science, Multimedia) and operates specialized teaching facilities including television studios, photography labs, audio/video suites, a black-box theater, 2D/3D printing rooms, and a design workshop located in the Block G ESMAD building.

The institution generates revenue primarily through Portuguese government funding as a public polytechnic and through tuition fees set at €1,200 per year for domestic students and €3,500 per year for international students, supplemented by minor transactional fees for special examinations. Student recruitment flows mainly through Portugal's centralized national access system (DGES), supplemented by special competitions, re-entry regimes, and international mobility programs such as Erasmus+ ICM and the CINEPERFORM initiative. ESMAD maintains an extensive partnership network with leading Portuguese cultural institutions including RTP, Casa da Música, Teatro Nacional São João, Curtas Vila do Conde, CINANIMA, and the Centro Português de Fotografia, alongside industry partnerships with Canon, INESC TEC, Nonius, BindTuning, and several game development studios. Its primary customer base is high school graduates seeking creative-industry higher education in Northern Portugal, with secondary demand from international students and working professionals pursuing postgraduate credentials.

Name

ESMAD - School of Media Arts and Design (P.Porto)

Legal name

Escola Superior de Media Artes e Design

Website

https://esmad.ipp.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

ESMAD is a public higher education school within the Instituto Politécnico do Porto (P.PORTO), offering undergraduate, master's, postgraduate, CTeSP, and doctoral programs in cinema, design, photography, multimedia, and web technologies from its Campus 2 in Vila do Conde, Portugal.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Vila Do Conde

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Higher Education Funding: As a public institution under the Polytechnic of Porto (P.PORTO), ESMAD receives government funding for educational activities, research, and operations.
2. Tuition Fees - Domestic Students: Annual tuition fees for national students: 1,200€ (with 10% discount for single payment) or 400€ per installment in three payments.
3. Tuition Fees - International Students: Annual tuition fees for international students: 3,500€ (with 10% discount for single payment).
4. Special Examination Fees: Special examination enrollment fee of 8€ per exam; grade improvement exam fee of 13€.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ESMAD is a public higher education institution offering undergraduate degrees, master's programs, technical higher professional courses (CTeSP), postgraduate programs, a foundation year, and a doctoral program in media arts and design disciplines. Core offerings span Cinema and Audiovisual, Design, Photography, Multimedia, Web Technologies, and Game Design, delivered through specialized laboratories and studios on Campus 2 of the Polytechnic of Porto in Vila do Conde. The school emphasizes laboratory-based, employability-oriented education with strong industry partnerships and international mobility.

Product overview

ESMAD - School of Media Arts and Design (P.Porto) is a public higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs across media arts and design disciplines. The institution operates on a platform model consisting of multiple undergraduate degrees (Licenciaturas), master's programs (Mestrados), technical professional courses (CTeSP), postgraduate programs (Pós-graduações), a foundation year (Ano Zero), and a doctoral program in partnership with other institutions. The academic offerings span Cinema and Audiovisual, Design (Communication and Industrial), Photography, Multimedia, Web Technologies, and Game Design. Programs emphasize practical, laboratory-based learning with industry connections and professional employability focus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Licenciatura em Cinema e Audiovisual Undergraduate degree program in Cinema and Audiovisual with theoretical and practical components, focusing on creative and aesthetic use of tools. Offers two branches: Audiovisual and Cinema. Targets students completing secondary education seeking professional careers in cinema and audiovisual fields.
• Licenciatura em Design Undergraduate degree in Design with two specialization paths: Design de Comunicação (Communication Design) and Design Industrial (Industrial Design), selected through portfolio presentation and interview. Targets students with creative and design aptitude.
• Licenciatura em Fotografia Undergraduate degree in Photography focused on developing qualified professionals with skills and critical capacity for photography in its diverse applications. Targets students seeking careers in photography and visual arts.
• Licenciatura em Multimédia Undergraduate degree in Multimedia based on contemporary and interdisciplinary vision, merging art, technology, communication, culture, and music. Targets students interested in multidisciplinary creative technology.
• Licenciatura em Tecnologias e Desenvolvimento Web Undergraduate degree presenting a contemporary and multidisciplinary approach to the Web, combining skills in design and development of interactive web products and experiences. Targets students seeking web development and interactive media careers.
• Licenciatura em Tecnologias para a Educação STEAM Undergraduate degree in Technologies for STEAM Education offered at ESMAD/ESE addressing the growing need for training in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics education domains. Targets future educators and trainers.
• Mestrado em Cinema e Fotografia Master's program in Cinema and Photography with three specializations: Cinema de Ficção (Fiction Cinema), Cinema Documental e Experimental (Documentary and Experimental Cinema), and Fotografia (Photography). Targets graduates and professionals seeking advanced specialization.
• Mestrado em Design Master's in Design with two specializations: Design de Produto (Product Design) and Design Gráfico (Graphic Design), focusing on practice, research, authorship, and innovation. Targets designers and design professionals seeking advanced credentials.
• Mestrado em Media Digitais Interativos Master's in Interactive Digital Media crossing arts with emerging technologies in scientific, artistic, and professional contexts, promoting an interdisciplinary philosophy. Targets professionals and researchers in interactive media and digital arts.
• CTeSP em Design de Jogos e Animação Digital Technical Higher Professional Course in Game Design and Digital Animation preparing students to plan, design, and develop digital games and animation projects. Targets students seeking practical technical qualifications in game design.
• CTeSP em Design de Mobiliário e Espaços Technical Higher Professional Course in Furniture and Space Design providing theoretical, technological, practical, and design tools for spatial and furniture design. Targets students interested in spatial and furniture design careers.
• CTeSP em Design e Tecnologias para Aplicações Móveis Technical Higher Professional Course in Design and Technologies for Mobile Applications developing technical competencies in computing and mobile app design. Targets students seeking careers in mobile app development.
• CTeSP em Motion Design e Efeitos Visuais Technical Higher Professional Course in Motion Design and Visual Effects (offered in Santo Tirso and Vila do Conde) for conception and creation of motion design and VFX projects. Targets students interested in motion graphics and visual effects.
• Pós-Graduação em Design de Interiores e Espaços Advanced postgraduate program in Interior and Space Design crossing technical, artistic, and cultural dimensions for professional practice. Targets professionals and graduates seeking specialized interior and space design qualifications.
• Pós-Graduação em Web Design Postgraduate in Web Design providing hybrid and multidisciplinary skills for success in contemporary digital market. Targets professionals and graduates seeking advanced web design competencies.
• Ano Zero Foundation year program for students who completed 12th year but did not enter higher education, offering specialized training in Portuguese, English, and elective subjects to improve university entrance exam results. Targets students seeking additional preparation for higher education admission.
• Programa Doutoral em Criação Artística Joint doctoral program in Artistic Creation delivered by University of Aveiro with ESMAD and other institutions, promoting transdisciplinary creative experimental thinking in visual, performing, and musical arts. Targets researchers and advanced creative practitioners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Accreditation for 6 years awarded by A3ES for Tecnologias e Desenvolvimento Web program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Academia Portuguesa de CinemacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Academia Portuguesa de Cinema (Portuguese Academy of Cinema) is an institution that promotes and supports Portuguese cinema. It is responsible for the annual Prémios Sophia awards.
• ADDICTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerADDICT - Agência para o Desenvolvimento das Indústrias Criativas is a platform that contributes to the development of entrepreneurship and creative economy through knowledge, information, promotion, and coordination of the Creative Industries sector. Recognized as the Creative Industries Cluster in the Northern Region.
• Agência da Curta MetragemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in Vila do Conde, the Agência represents over a hundred short films and manages their international festival circuit, promotion, and distribution logistics.
• Curtas/Festival Internacional de Vila do CondecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic development protocol for participation of ESMAD students and faculty in festival activities. The festival has been running since 1993 and features innovative independent artists.
• Centro Português de FotografiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic service with free access located in Porto. Created in 1997, it promotes knowledge and enjoyment of photographic heritage, safeguards archives, and maintains the National Photography Collection.
• CINANIMAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Animation Film Festival in Espinho, organized since 1976. Considered a precursor of Portuguese cultural decentralization and an event of international relevance.
• FEST - New Directors New Films FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual multifaceted film festival held in Espinho, creating space for emerging filmmakers to show and promote their work, develop knowledge, and create new audiences for independent cinema.
• RTP - Rádio e Televisão de PortugalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortugal's public radio and television operator with 80 years of radio, 58 years of television, and 17 years of online presence. The most historic and traditional media company in Portuguese communications.
• INESC TECcoreTechnology or IntegrationInstitute of Engineering Systems and Computers, Technology and Science - a private non-profit association dedicated to education, incubation, scientific research, and technological consulting.
• Instituto do Cinema e do AudiovisualcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic institute supporting the development of cinematographic and audiovisual activities from creation to national and international dissemination.
• Teatro Nacional São JoãomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic business entity with main objectives of creating and presenting theater performances and promoting regular audience contact with classical and contemporary dramatic repertoire.
• Teatro Municipal do Porto - RivolimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal theater with multidisciplinary programming including dance, theater, music, puppetry, new circus, and cinema. Houses the Grande Auditório Manoel de Oliveira and Pequeno Auditório Isabel Alves Costa.
• Casa da MúsicamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIconic contemporary architecture by Rem Koolhaas, inaugurated in 2005. Home to four resident groups: Orquestra Sinfónica, Remix Ensemble, Orquestra Barroca, and Coro.
• Câmara Municipal da Póvoa de VarzimcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government authority promoting municipal development in all areas including health, education, social action, environment, culture, and sports.
• Agente a NorteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActor agency based in Porto representing talented professionals, also providing audiovisual production services.
• IBrandIt – InteractiveBrandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting, marketing, and interactivity agency founded in 2009, focused on online and interactive media.
• Agilus ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInvestment support, development, and organizational capacity building services company with expertise matching platform.
• Inova+minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInnovation consulting company specializing in supporting organizational growth through innovation and digital transformation.
• XPM ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject management, Agile, Leadership, and ITIL consulting. Offers 40% discount on all courses for ESMAD community.
• ENSICOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation for Computer Science Teaching promoting computing literacy and ethics for students from 6 to 18 years. Partnership for content development including Video, Design, Photography, Multimedia, and Web.
• Estação Náutica de Vila do CondeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuality nautical tourism network involving 32 agents from the municipality, promoting integrated nautical resources for tourism.
• CENCALminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional training center for ceramic and glass industries. Offers workshops for students in glass techniques including blown glass, casting, and fusing.
• BarceltécnicaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectrical materials and lighting company. Partnership includes scholarship for master's project/dissertation completion in Audiovisual Communication.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Faculdade de Belas-Artes da Universidade de Lisboa (FBAUL): Lisbon-based university fine arts school offering overlapping programs in design, multimedia, and audiovisual. Comparable in mission and program structure though regional rather than direct head-to-head competitor.
• IADE - Faculdade de Design, Tecnologia e Comunicação (Universidade Europeia): Portuguese private higher education institution focused on design, technology, and communication. Directly competes for design/multimedia students; comparable in subject matter but private rather than public.
• Universidade Lusíada: Portuguese private university with multiple campuses including Porto, offering programs in architecture, design, multimedia, and communication. Comparable in target students and program scope.
• Faculdade de Belas-Artes da Universidade do Porto (FBAUP): University-level art school in Porto offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in fine arts, design, and multimedia. Directly competes with ESMAD for media arts and design students in the same geographic market.
• Escola Superior Artística do Porto (ESAP): Porto-based arts higher education institution offering degrees in design, photography, illustration, and audiovisual. Direct peer in subject matter, geography, and student profile.
• Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema (IPL): Lisbon-based public polytechnic school within the public IP system, offering degrees in cinema and theater. Direct peer in Portuguese polytechnic system and overlapping in film/cinema programs.
• ESAD - Escola Superior de Artes e Design (Matosinhos): Portuguese polytechnic higher-education institution focused on design, with programs overlapping ESMAD's Design, Multimedia, and Game Design portfolios. Directly comparable peer in mission, brand stage, and target students.

Emerging players

• IPAM - Instituto Português de Administração de Marketing (IADE / European University): Portuguese marketing and communication school that has expanded into digital media, advertising, and creative content. Adjacent overlap with ESMAD's multimedia/web programs.

Regional players

• Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) - Communication and Media Studies: Spanish public university with strong programs in communication, audiovisual media, and digital arts. Comparable academic mission, but operates in Spain rather than Portugal.

Broad incumbents

• IED - Istituto Europeo di Design: Large European network of design schools with campuses in multiple countries. Comparable in design-focused higher education, although broader portfolio and private/commercial positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pporto_esmad
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCARMgrCS_Fs33og7h3_bsIQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/pporto.esmad
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pportoesmad
• Instagraminstagram.com/esmad_pporto

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ESMAD - School of Media Arts and Design (P.Porto)