History
UCP was established in 1967 and it rapidly gained a solid reputation for the high quality of its teaching and the strength of its research, for the fruitful debates of ideas that it encourages, for its focus on internationalization.
Education
UCP degree programmes and the resulting qualifications (bachelor`s, master`s and doctorate) have the same value and effects as those from state universities (Decree-Law 128/90)
Since it started operating, in 2009, A3ES (the Portuguese Evaluation, Quality-assurance and Accreditation Agency for Higher Education) has been accrediting and evaluating our degree programmes.
Research
UCP recognises that academic research is a prerequisite for the proper achievement of its cultural and teaching activities, and shall make efforts to provide the means to foster this research" (Article 7 of the Statutes)
Research centres are based within the Faculties they are fundamentally devoted to pure and applied research. The centres and their projects are funded from a variety of sources: institutions and societies; the EU; Portuguese government departments and initiatives; companies. They are regularly subject to external assessment exercises, in which their ratings have been very good or excellent.
Career
The top levels of education gained at the UCP, coupled with the constant attention the University pays to the evolution of the skills and competences required by the labor market, contribute to the high rates of employability attained by its students.
Catholic University of Portugal Key Statistics & Highlights
- #781 Ranking
- 1 Courses
- 505 Academic Staff
- 11,213 Students
- 2,354 Students (int'l)
- 7,064 Students (female)
- Private Institution Type
Catholic University of Portugal Overview
Catholic University of Portugal Scholarships
Catholic University of Portugal Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to Catholic University of Portugal. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Catholic University of Portugal Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 10.5% Portugal
Top 11.5% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
QS World University Rankings
781
By TopUniversities
Climbed 120 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 901 | 901 | 781 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
801
By Times Higher Education
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 801 | 801 | 801 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
1284
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 56 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 844 | 1228 | 1284 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Library services
For the courses in the areas of science and technology there are laboratories of study and research, particularly the School of Biotechnology (Porto) laboratories for the study of Engineering of Bioprocesses and Biopolymers, Control and Optimisation of Food Processes, Fundamental Microbiology and Applied, and Environmental Studies.
ICT services
The students of the School of Arts, in Porto, have a set of equipment and facilities as means of support:
- Music listening club with attached music library;
- Pipe organs, carnations, pianos;
- Television studio;
- Control room for sound, image and lightening;
- Recording, editing and video post-production units;
- Assembly stations for locution, production and sound editing;
- Video and DVD viewing rooms.
Campus life
UCP consists of 15 faculties, schools and institutes, which are the basic education and research units. They are located in 4 main centres: Beiras, Braga, Lisbon (headquarters) and Oporto.
Accreditation
All courses at the Catholic University of Portugal are recognized by the National Accreditation Agency A3ES.
Catholic University of Portugal Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
Portugal Country
Lisbon City
Catholic University of Portugal Student Reviews & Awards
4.4
Based on 100 reviews
- 5 Star 45 Reviews
- 4 Star 45 Reviews
- 3 Star 8 Reviews
- 2 Star 1 Review
- 1 Star 1 Review
How Students Rated This University
- Overall Satisfaction 4.3
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.3
- Student Diversity 4.2
- Quality of Student Life 4.2
- Career Development 4.3
Very beautiful and fulfilling time!
The experience was so good, the staff members and teachers are all so nice and attentive and the locals were very helpful too😊
Small class strength
Great University for both international and local Students. The workload is high but compensates in the end. The professors in general are really keen to help. The number of students per class is ideal to learn and participate during classes.
Family‑friendly german lectures
Very good university. Professors are also not only focused on career and want to push students to become just focused on their career but also emphasize the importance of family and children. There are a lot of Germans if not the majority. Overall Portuguese and other nationalities don't mix too much. The lectures are always kept interesting. A lot of project work.
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Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
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