The School of Dance (ESD) is a public higher education institution, which is integrated into the Polytechnic University of Lisbon (IPL), headquartered in the municipality of Lisbon.

ESD is a public higher education institution, endowed with statutory, cultural, scientific, pedagogical and administrative autonomy, whose mission is to provide preparation for the highly qualified exercise of professional activities in the fields of dance, as well as to promote the development of artistic activities and professions related to dance.

The ESD Management Bodies are the Council of Representatives, the Dean, the Scientific-Technical Council and the Pedagogical Council.