ESTBarreiro/IPS is one of five schools which make up the Polytechnic Institute of Setubal, set up in 1979 as part of a government policy to broaden the Portuguese higher education system.
The others are all housed on the Setubal campus, 7 km from the centre of Setubal city and some 35 from Barreiro:
ESE, Setubal College of Education
EST Setubal College of Technology
ESCE, Setubal College of Business Administration
ESS, Setubal College of Health Care
The Setubal campus also houses the Social Action Services, Careers Service and Sports Club.
The Presidential Services and Central Administration offices are located in the old part of Setubal city itself, adjoining the 16th century São Francisco Xavier medieval cloisters recently restored by the polytechnic.