
The University of Coimbra, located in the historic city of Coimbra, is home to over 21,000 students, with sources stating that the number could be over 25,000. With a rich history spanning more than seven centuries, the university is the oldest in Portugal and among the oldest in the world. It is renowned for its academic excellence and cosmopolitan atmosphere, attracting students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. The university's student body includes over 4,000 international students, contributing to its diverse and vibrant community.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Students | Over 21,000 |
| International Students | 10%-20% |
| Number of Campuses | 3 |
| Number of Faculties | 8 |
| Number of Teachers/Researchers | 1500 |
| Number of Research Units | 40+ |
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What You'll Learn
- University of Coimbra has over 21,000 students, with 10%-20% international
- The university has 8 faculties, 40+ research units, and 1500+ teachers/researchers
- It's Portugal's oldest university, founded in 1290, with a 700-year history
- Students are represented by Associação Académica de Coimbra (AAC), the country's oldest union
- Traditions include Queima das Fitas (Ribbon Burning) and academic costumes

University of Coimbra has over 21,000 students, with 10%-20% international
The University of Coimbra is the oldest university in Portugal and one of the oldest in the world, with a history spanning over seven centuries. The university is located in the historic city of Coimbra and is known for its unique traditions and academic costume, which has been adopted by other Portuguese universities.
With a student population of over 21,000, the University of Coimbra is a vibrant and diverse community, with 10% to 20% of its students coming from outside Portugal. It is regarded as one of Portugal's most cosmopolitan universities, with students from 70 different nationalities. The university is organised across three campuses and comprises eight faculties, offering a large and diverse academic portfolio. The university is particularly popular with technology and science students and is home to the country's largest science faculty.
The University of Coimbra has a strong focus on research and innovation, with more than 40 research units contributing to various fields, including science, technology, culture, and social development. The university also emphasises extracurricular activities and has a dynamic student life, with numerous sports and cultural sections. The students' union, Associação Académica de Coimbra (AAC), is the oldest in Portugal and plays a significant role in extracurricular formation and the city's sports life.
The University of Coimbra is consistently ranked among the top universities in Portugal and is internationally recognised as a national landmark. With its rich history, modern academic offerings, and diverse student body, the University of Coimbra offers a unique blend of tradition and innovation, contributing to its reputation as one of the leading educational institutions in Portugal and worldwide.
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The university has 8 faculties, 40+ research units, and 1500+ teachers/researchers
The University of Coimbra is organised across three campuses and is home to over 21,000 students, with international students accounting for at least 10% of the total student population. This makes it one of Portugal's most cosmopolitan universities, with students from 70 different nationalities. The university has a rich history, dating back 700 years, and is known for its emphasis on tradition, modernity, and innovation.
The University of Coimbra stands out with eight faculties, offering a diverse academic portfolio. These faculties include Arts and Humanities, Law, Medicine, Sciences and Technology, Pharmacy, Economics, Psychology and Education Sciences, and Sports Sciences and Physical Education. The university also encompasses various institutes, such as the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research and the Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health.
The university's academic portfolio is supported by over 40 research units, contributing to its reputation as a major hub for applied and fundamental research in Portugal. The University of Coimbra is committed to both teaching and research, as evidenced by its ranking in global university rankings, which heavily consider research output. The university's faculty members are under pressure to publish, a key characteristic that distinguishes research universities from primarily teaching-focused institutions.
The University of Coimbra boasts a faculty of more than 1500 teachers and researchers. The presence of such a substantial number of educators and scholars further underscores the university's dedication to academic excellence. These faculty members play a pivotal role in shaping the educational experience and contributing to the body of knowledge within their respective fields. The University of Coimbra's faculty hiring practices align with those of prestigious research institutions, ensuring that their faculty members are well-equipped to maintain the university's high standards.
The University of Coimbra, with its eight faculties, 40+ research units, and 1500+ teachers/researchers, offers a well-rounded academic experience to its students. The combination of diverse academic offerings, a strong research focus, and a dedicated faculty body contributes to the university's esteemed reputation in Portugal and beyond.
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It's Portugal's oldest university, founded in 1290, with a 700-year history
The University of Coimbra, founded in 1290, is Portugal's oldest university and one of the oldest in the world. With a history spanning more than seven centuries, it has a long tradition of academic excellence and a rich cultural heritage. The university is located in the historic city of Coimbra and is known for its beautiful campuses and distinctive traditions.
Coimbra is regarded as a safe and friendly city for students, offering a vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere. The university itself enrols over 21,000 students, with some sources placing the number at over 25,000, and is organised across three campuses and eight faculties. It is one of Portugal's most international universities, with more than 4,000 international students, comprising almost 20% of the student population. The university attracts students from 70 different nationalities, contributing to its diverse and cosmopolitan character.
The University of Coimbra has a strong emphasis on tradition, with unique rituals and customs that have evolved over its long history. One of the most visible traditions is the academic costume of the University of Coimbra, which includes a black suit and cape worn by students on special occasions. Other traditions include Queima das Fitas, or Ribbon Burning, to celebrate the end of studies, and the tying of tin cans to the legs of new students as a welcoming ritual. The students' union, Associação Académica de Coimbra (AAC), formed in 1887, is the oldest university students' union in Portugal and plays a significant role in extracurricular activities and student life.
The university offers a large and diverse academic portfolio, with a wide range of faculties and research units. It is particularly well-known for its strength in science and technology, housing the largest science faculty in the country and one of the most powerful supercomputers in Portugal. The university's eight faculties include Arts and Humanities, Law, Medicine, Sciences and Technology, Pharmacy, Economics, Psychology and Education Sciences, and Sports Sciences and Physical Education. In addition to its academic offerings, the university also oversees several museums, including a science museum and a museum of sacred art.
With its long history, the University of Coimbra has produced numerous notable alumni who have made significant contributions to various fields. Among its distinguished graduates are Portugal's national poet Luís de Camões, the mathematician Pedro Nunes, numerous statesmen, prime ministers, and presidents of Portugal, and Nobel Prize laureate António Egaz Moniz. The university's alumni network extends beyond its 700-year history, impacting not only Portugal but also the wider world.
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Students are represented by Associação Académica de Coimbra (AAC), the country's oldest union
The University of Coimbra, located in the historic city of Coimbra, is home to over 21,000 students, with some sources stating the number to be over 25,000. It is regarded as one of Portugal's most cosmopolitan and international universities, with international students accounting for 10% to 20% of the total student population. The university is organised across three campuses and eight faculties, offering a diverse academic portfolio.
Students at the University of Coimbra are represented by the Associação Académica de Coimbra (AAC), the country's oldest university students' union, formed on November 3, 1887. The AAC has a long history of advocating against unpopular state policies and has played a significant role in shaping the political and intellectual landscape of Portugal. It is known for its dynamic associative life, offering a range of extracurricular activities and sports, cultural sections, and autonomous organisations.
The AAC is an integral part of the University of Coimbra's student life and the city of Coimbra itself. It organises various activities, including theatre, cinema, media productions, music, choral singing, journalism, philately, and a wide range of sports. The sports sections of the AAC are particularly notable, often serving as the main representatives of the city in various competitions.
One of the distinctive aspects of student life at the University of Coimbra is the traditional academic costume, which consists of a black suit and cape worn on special occasions. This tradition, known as "Praxe," has been a subject of debate, with some students advocating for reforms or even the elimination of traditional rituals. However, the university emphasises a blend of tradition with modernity and innovation, creating a unique cultural environment for its students.
The University of Coimbra is ranked highly among universities in Portuguese-speaking countries and worldwide. It is particularly renowned for its science and technology programmes, housing the largest science faculty in Portugal and possessing one of the country's most powerful supercomputers. The university also boasts a rich history, with notable alumni including Portugal's national poet Luís de Camões, mathematician Pedro Nunes, and numerous statesmen, prime ministers, and presidents of Portugal.
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Traditions include Queima das Fitas (Ribbon Burning) and academic costumes
The University of Coimbra is home to over 21,000 students, with international students accounting for 10%-20% of the total student population. It is regarded as one of Portugal's most cosmopolitan universities, with a rich history spanning 700 years.
Traditions are an integral part of the University of Coimbra's culture, with one of the most notable being Queima das Fitas or Ribbon Burning. This tradition dates back to the beginning of the 20th century when students wore coloured ribbons on their notebooks to represent their college and course. At the end of the academic year, these ribbons were burned in a symbolic gesture to mark the conclusion of their studies and the transition to their professional lives. Today, it has evolved into a festive week-long celebration in May, featuring concerts, parades, and other cultural events. The University of Coimbra's Queima das Fitas is the oldest and most famous, attracting visitors from across Portugal and even Spain.
Another distinctive tradition at the University of Coimbra is the academic costume, which consists of a black suit and cape. This attire is worn by students on special occasions and has been adopted by other Portuguese universities. The use of academic costumes is not limited to Coimbra, as students from various institutions don their traditional dress during the Queima das Fitas festivities. For instance, during the Academic Procession, finalists dress in top hats, canes, and briefcases adorned with coloured ribbons, while their colleagues wear gowns or t-shirts representing their respective study programmes.
The University of Coimbra's students' union, Associação Académica de Coimbra (AAC), plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting these traditions. Founded in 1887, it is the oldest university students' union in Portugal, advocating for students' interests and fostering a dynamic extracurricular environment through various cultural and sports sections.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Coimbra is home to over 21,000 students, with sources stating the number is over 25,000.
The University of Coimbra is attended by students from 70 different nationalities, with international students making up between 10% and 15% of the student population. Other sources state that the university has over 4,000 international students, which would be closer to 20% of the student body.
The University of Coimbra is one of Portugal's most cosmopolitan universities, known for its international student body. It is the oldest university in Portugal and one of the oldest in the world, with a history spanning more than seven centuries.











































