Students’ motivation and the development of transversal competencies are fundamental challenges in professional higher education in Portugal. This study examines the implementation of the Service-Learning (SL) pedagogical methodology as a strategy to enhance student motivation and foster the development of competencies such as empathy, teamwork, critical thinking, and social responsibility.

The project was applied to students enrolled in the Higher Professional Technical Course (TeSP) in Management Support, involving collaborative activities with social institutions. Through a survey conducted with participants, it was found that the SL methodology had a positive impact on student motivation, leading to improved assimilation of curricular content and a greater willingness to engage in volunteer activities.

The results indicate that 75% of students felt they learned more with this approach compared to traditional methodologies, and 94% expressed interest in participating in future SL projects. The study concludes that the Service-Learning methodology significantly contributes to academic success and strengthens students’ social awareness, justifying its continued implementation in professional higher education.

Keywords: Service Learning, Transversal Competencies, Higher Education, Social Responsibility.