Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Lisbon, Portugal • Founded 1967 • World Rank #1465
Updated May 2026
Overview
Established in 1971, the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Catholic University of Portugal) is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Lisbon (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Lisboa.
This institution also has branch campuses in Viseu, Braga and Porto. Officially recognized by the Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, Portugal (Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education of Portugal), Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP) is a large-sized coeducational Portuguese higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion.
Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 52-year-old Portuguese higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
UCP also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Universidade Católica Portuguesa's contact information and physical address — the basics you'll want before applying or visiting. Bookmark this page as a single reference point during the application cycle.
Academic Details
These figures give a quick read on Universidade Católica Portuguesa's scale, staffing levels, and academic standing. Use them to ground decisions about programme fit and institutional capacity.
Academic Structures
The schools and colleges that constitute Universidade Católica Portuguesa's academic body are organised below. Each often controls its own admissions criteria, scholarships, and programme entry standards.
Unit 15 items
- Catolica-Lisbon School of Business and Economics
- Católica Medical School
- Católica Porto Business School
- Faculty of Biotechnology
- Faculty of Dental Medicine
- Faculty of Education and Psychology
- Faculty of Human Sciences
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Theology
- Higher Institute for Canon Law
- Institute for Political Studies
- Institute of Health Sciences
- Institute of Management and Health Organizations
- School of Arts
Degrees
Also Postgraduate Courses
Other 66 programs
- Accountancy
- Agricultural Engineering
- Asian Studies
- Bioengineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biomedicine
- Biotechnology
- Business Administration
- Cinema and Television
- Clinical Psychology
- Cognitive Sciences
- Communication Studies
- Cultural Studies
- Dentistry
- Economics
- Educational Administration
- Educational Psychology
- Educational Sciences
- Ethics
- Family Studies
- Finance
- Fine Arts
- Food Technology
- Foreign Languages Education
- Gerontology
- Health Sciences
- Heritage Preservation
- History
- Human Resources
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Information Technology
- International Business
- International Law
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- International Studies
- Law
- Leadership
- Linguistics
- Management
- Marketing
- Microbiology
- Modern Languages
- Museum Studies
- Native Language Education
- Neurosciences
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Oenology
- Pastoral Studies
- Philosophy
- Photography
- Political Sciences
- Portuguese
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Restoration of Works of Art
- Social Work
- Social and Community Services
- Sound Engineering (Acoustics)
- Spanish
- Special Education
- Technology
- Theology
- Tourism
- Translation and Interpretation
- Viticulture
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, Portugal.
Business Administration and Economics (Lisboa) (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Finance
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Education and Psychology (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Education
- Educational Psychology
- Psychology
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Human Sciences (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arts and Humanities
- Communication Studies
- Literature
- Modern Languages
- Portuguese
- Social Work
- Sociology
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (Lisboa) (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (Porto) (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Philosophy and Social Sciences (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Philosophy
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Social Sciences (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Social Sciences
- Social Work
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Theology (Braga) (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Theology
Common Career Paths
- Religious Educator
- Pastoral Counsellor
- Faith Community Leader
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Theology (Lisboa) (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Theology
Common Career Paths
- Religious Educator
- Pastoral Counsellor
- Faith Community Leader
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Theology (Porto) (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Theology
Common Career Paths
- Religious Educator
- Pastoral Counsellor
- Faith Community Leader
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Bioethics (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Ethics
Canon Law (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Canon Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
European Studies (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- European Studies
Family Studies (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Family Studies
Health Administration (Viseu) (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Health Administration
Health Sciences (Lisboa) (Institute) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Health Sciences
- Nursing
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Health Sciences (Porto) (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Health Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Health Sciences (Viseu) (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Health Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Political Studies (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Political Sciences
Religious Studies (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Religious Studies
Arts Science and Technology (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- CITAR
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (Research Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
Common Career Paths
- Chemist
- Lab Researcher
- Quality Control Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Communication and Cultural Studies (Research Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Communication Studies
- Cultural Studies
Common Career Paths
- Journalist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Content Strategist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Future of Law (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Health (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Interdisciplinary - CIIS
History of Religion (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- History of Religion
Human Development (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- CEDH
Management and Economics (Research Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Economics
- Management
Common Career Paths
- Operations Manager
- Project Manager
- HR Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Management and Economics (Research Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Economics
- Management
Common Career Paths
- Operations Manager
- Project Manager
- HR Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Philosophy (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Philosophy
Philosophy and Humanities (Research Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arts and Humanities
- Philosophy
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Editor
- Cultural Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Political Sciences (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- CIEP
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Psychological, Family and Social Welfare (Research Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Social and Community Services
- Sociology
Studies for Portuguese-Speaking People and Portuguese Culture (Research Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Cultural Studies
- Linguistics
Theology and Religious Studies (Research Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Religious Studies
- Theology
Common Career Paths
- Religious Educator
- Pastoral Counsellor
- Faith Community Leader
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Arts (School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Fine Arts
Biotechnology (School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biotechnology
Business (Porto) (School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Universidade Católica Portuguesa's programme list, with search and degree-level grouping. Search matches programme names; if you don't see your subject, check the divisions section to locate the relevant faculty.
72 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Portugal
Bachelor's Degree 28 programmes
Showing 10 of 28.
Master's Degree 34 programmes
Showing 10 of 34.
Doctorate 10 programmes
How to apply to Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Step-by-step guidance for applying to Universidade Católica Portuguesa, covering the typical sequence from programme selection to admissions follow-up.
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1
Find a programme that fits your goals
Use the programme finder to browse Universidade Católica Portuguesa's 72 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
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2
Confirm you meet the requirements
Programme-level requirements at Universidade Católica Portuguesa typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
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3
Assemble your application package
Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.
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4
Submit your application
Universidade Católica Portuguesa processes applications through www.ucp.pt. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
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5
Contact admissions and follow up
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +351 (21) 721 4000. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Common questions students ask about Universidade Católica Portuguesa — answers pulled straight from the institution's published profile.
In what year was Universidade Católica Portuguesa established?
Universidade Católica Portuguesa was founded in 1967 (approximately 59 years ago).
In which city is Universidade Católica Portuguesa?
Universidade Católica Portuguesa is based in Lisbon, Portugal.
Is Universidade Católica Portuguesa public or private?
Universidade Católica Portuguesa is a private institution.
How many students study at Universidade Católica Portuguesa?
Universidade Católica Portuguesa has approximately 10,000-14,999 students.
Where does Universidade Católica Portuguesa stand in university rankings?
Universidade Católica Portuguesa is ranked #1465 globally and #7 in Portugal.
Does Universidade Católica Portuguesa have a religious affiliation?
Yes, Universidade Católica Portuguesa is affiliated with Christian-Catholic.
What is Universidade Católica Portuguesa's academic structure?
Universidade Católica Portuguesa is organised into 15 academic units across its disciplines.
Is Universidade Católica Portuguesa officially recognised?
The institution holds recognition from Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior (DGES).
Where can I learn more about Universidade Católica Portuguesa?
The institution's website is www.ucp.pt.
Top-Ranked Universities in Portugal
These are the most highly ranked universities in Portugal. Putting Universidade Católica Portuguesa alongside them gives a clearer picture of where it sits in the national academic landscape, especially when reputation matters for credential portability.
Members of International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU)
Member institutions of International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU) often have reciprocity arrangements on accreditation — degrees from one member institution typically face fewer credential-recognition issues at others.
Other Portuguese Universities Affiliated with Christian-Catholic
Beyond Universidade Católica Portuguesa, several other universities affiliated with Christian-Catholic operate with similar values, campus life, and pastoral support — useful comparisons if faith identity is part of your decision. Pastoral support varies meaningfully between affiliated institutions.
Faculties at nearby universities
Universities near Universidade Católica Portuguesa often have cross-enrolment or visiting-student arrangements that let students take modules at the partner institution. Worth checking if subject coverage at Universidade Católica Portuguesa is narrow in your area.
Where Else to Study Business & Management
Industry partnership exclusives on Business & Management programmes vary — some Portugal institutions hold sponsored chairs, others run rotating industry guest-teaching arrangements.
Universities Compared with Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Students applying to Universidade Católica Portuguesa often shortlist similar institutions of comparable scale, prestige, and academic depth. These universities frequently appear alongside Universidade Católica Portuguesa on application lists, useful for hedging or for direct head-to-head comparison.
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