University of Coimbra - UC
speciality: Chemistry

I liked the campus, although it is always full of tourists which really pisses me off. The food at the mess hall was alright and repetitive. The buildings, at least in my college, were old, they had many defects, water was non-drinkable in my department. The professors were decent, there were some that were very good, but overall they were average. The workload that I had was also normal but it was condensed in my 3rd year, it should have been more spread out, there were also some filler classes that should have been eliminated from the curricular plan.

Positive points:
Great professors who will help you understand everything you need.
Adequate equipment for practical classes.
Historical infrastructure.
Negative points:
Very old and outdated research equipment.
The department with the least investment on a new and safer infrastructure.

Overall, I think this university has everything that is necessary to take a degree. It’s not the best of Portugal but it is complete and offers a lot of options to study. It is a little bit old and some buildings need some rebuilding in my opinion, but it works. The teachers are also a little bit old, but it’s possible to see new ones and much younger. I liked a lot, and I was very happy during the 5 years of studying in the university of Coimbra.

A standout experience at the University of Coimbra is the “Queima das Fitas” (Burning of the Ribbons) festival. This yearly event, where students don ribbons representing their academic discipline, is a celebration of unity and joy, capturing the strong sense of camaraderie among the student body.

The University of Coimbra fosters an exceptional sense of community. Its student population is diverse and lively, bringing together people from various nationalities and cultures. This diversity enhances campus life, promoting inclusivity and a global perspective. A wide range of student organizations and clubs offer ample opportunities for extracurricular involvement and personal development, making it easy to find and connect with like-minded peers.

The university offers several apartments within the on-campus residences, typically shared with up to three roommates. The apartments include amenities such as a kitchen and bathroom. If all apartments are occupied, the university staff assists students in finding alternative accommodations.

The school distinguishes itself through its faculty’s dedication to employing best-in-class teaching techniques. These instructors prioritize creating an interactive learning atmosphere that facilitates meaningful exchanges between students and faculty, guaranteeing that every student receives comprehensive instruction and support.

It’s still a very conservative Uni, since it has been living in the fame of being the first Portuguese university, so now it’s starting to fall behind in some programmes.
But the people and all the traditions are magic. It’s another thing, a once in a lifetime experience.