Student review [#96278] for Clinical Psychology
at University of Coimbra - UC

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.