Founded in 1979, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria (Polytechnic Institute of Leiria) is a non-profit public higher-education institution located in the small city of Leiria (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants). This institution also has a branch campus in Caldas da Rainha. Officially recognized by the Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, Portugal (Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education of Portugal), Instituto Politécnico de Leiria (IP Leira) is a large coeducational Portuguese higher education institution. Instituto Politécnico de Leiria (IP Leira) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. IP Leira also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.