University of Coimbra - UC Speciality : Psychology
programme: Clinical Psychology

University life in Coimbra is undoubtedly one of the city’s strongest points. You breathe academia on every street, creating a vibrant environment full of activities and opportunities for those who want to get involved. It’s a shame that hazing rituals are still so prevalent—a legacy that, honestly, could have been left behind long ago—but fortunately, today there are many other forms of integration that don’t involve that.

When it comes to teaching, there is a clear attempt to maintain standards of excellence. At my faculty, FPCEUC, and in my course, Psychology, there is a real effort to have up-to-date and committed professors. At the same time, it is also evident that these professors are overworked. The university system continues to demand that they be not only professors but also almost full-time researchers, which ultimately affects the overall quality of teaching.

My course, despite having positive aspects, had several flaws. There were subjects from which, honestly, nothing useful was gained. The assessments in undergraduate studies often boiled down to simply dumping material, and a large part of the exams were mere multiple-choice exercises that did little to stimulate critical thinking or practical application. The student support, on the other hand, is good and makes a difference. But there’s a feeling that there are fundamental concepts that are never addressed because time is wasted on subjects that add little value.

In summary: Coimbra offers a rich academic experience and an unforgettable student life, but the teaching, especially in terms of curriculum organization and assessments, still has much room for improvement.

I really liked my 5 years at this university. The city is great and very friendly to students. The teachers were very renowned and gave great lessons. There are a lot of extracurricular activities and optional classes to choose from, possibly leading to a rich student life.

Coimbra is known for its academic spirit, which is why it is so attractive to so many students. However, the curriculum remains outdated. There are several curricular units that are neither relevant nor prepare us for practical work. A master’s degree is almost always required. Nevertheless, we have quality and renowned professors. Furthermore, the FPCEUC is also known for its research center: CINEICC. It is highly qualified and renowned in Europe and beyond. I recommend it if you want to experience the academic spirit and belong to the University of Coimbra. After all, it’s not for nothing that they say: Saudade cannot be explained, translated, or materialized. In Coimbra, saudade is felt.