General description of the institution

Portucalense University Infante D. Henrique, UPT, is a private higher education institution, created in June of 1986, located in Porto. UPT is organized in four Departments: Law, Psychology and Education, Economics Management and Informatics, Tourism, Heritage and Culture, that teaches 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd cycle courses and post graduations, structured according to the Bologna Process. UPT aims to be a model in higher education, taking the advantages of the different department’s synergies. More than acquiring theoretical knowledge, the students have the chance to develop practical work and research projects, developing different kinds of skills that prepare them for jobs in future career and for living in a competitive global society.

It is our mission to ensure quality education at the highest standards of excellence in the relevant disciplines, in order to educate fully competent professionals and socially responsible citizens. Students are our priority and the formation we provide aims to equip all our graduates with a first-rate professional education and to enhance the development of individual potentialities and personal and professional competences.

In order to achieve these objectives, courses are structured so as to respond flexibly to changing labor market needs, through various teaching methods empirically based on significant case studies whenever applicable. UPT also makes available to students forms of personalized tutorial assistance intended to complement and support purely class-based instruction. UPT has its own dedicated staff, fully qualified, research-active and highly motivated by a spirit of constant self-improvement. We also count on the input of practicing professionals from different industrial and commercial sectors, through the medium of guest seminars on various themes, thereby promoting its relationships with the corporate world with the goal of preparing students for future professional demands.

UPT has a wide and modern campus in the Asprela University zone. It is well-known for high technological innovation level. The several computation laboratories are available 24h a day with wireless net over the campus which makes access to information easier, contributing to the personal and scientific development of the students. There are different areas in the campus: not only the Library that invites the students to study and reflection, but also the bookshop, forum, canteen, bars, in and outdoor cafés and parks for leisure and social contact.

Library

The General Library of the University Portucalense consists of an integrated system responsible for library activities and bibliographic information of the University, aiming to facilitate access to information resources necessary to carry out teaching duties, research, knowledge building and continuing education of the academic community.

Sports and leisure facilities

Fitness program at Porto University (Faculty of Sports) The premises are just opposite the UPT’s building, 5 minutes walking.

Student Associations

• Portucalense University Student Association - homepage

  The Portucalense University Student Association is the legitimate representative of all students of this university and also the main catalyst of student’s life. Its main aims are the intransigent defence of student’s interests and desires at pedagogical level, the offer of multiple cultural and recreation activities and the international cooperation.

• European Law Students Association (ELSA) - homepage

  It is a non-profit organisation of Law students and young graduates which is independent, impartial and without any political or ideological connotations. It has local and national nuclei distributed through more than 40 countries in an universe of more than 35 thousand members. The aim of this organisation is to promote the cooperation between Law students, jurists and teachers, especially in the areas of teaching, law professional activities and academic research.

• The Choir - homepage

  It was created by a group of students in 1987. The Choir is solicited to participate in meetings of choirs, festivals, solemn ceremonies and other activities promoted by academic or other type of institutions

• Tunas (Academic Musical Group)
  • The male Tuna - homepage

    Founded in 1990, the Portucalense University Tuna has performed throughout the country in academic and popular festivities and in Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Brazil. It has organised fourteen editions of the Portucalense University International Festival of Tunes (FITUP) and published three CDs

  • The female Tuna - homepage

    Founded in 1992, the female Tuna has had its first performance in 1993. It has owned some prizes and participated in several festivals and meetings in Portugal and abroad.

• Radio

  Founded in 1996 by a group of Management and Economics students. During the first year the radio broadcasts were made from the Academic Office through the"mono" still existent in the University’s corridors. One year later, a studio on the fifth floor was inaugurated and students could listen to the broadcasts in the University’s bar and esplanade. In the beginning of 2006, a new and better studio was inaugurated.

• Chess group - homepage

  Founded in 2007 by an international player of chess who has studied Computing in Portucalense’s University and his brother who has studied Mathematics. The idea has started when the 1st Chess Competition of Portucalense’s University was held. After six years, they have gathered financial support to found this University Chess club.

• Theatre group - homepage

  ATUP is the group of Art and Theatre of University Portucalense ,formed on 22nd October 2008. It presented pieces like "The Madness" (2008), "Journey suitcase in her hand full of zapping, tags and other trinkets" (2009) and "Love and a couch" (2010). The activities are addressed mainly to the theatre of improvisation where characters come to life, surrounded by a crowd, filled with human diversity that shows no social divisions, racial or religious. It aims at people looking for amateur theatre.

Facilities for Students with special needs

UPT is equipped to take in students with physical disabilities as it is required by law for all public and private education services in Portugal.

Meals

UPT has got a canteen opened from 12 am to 2 pm. You may choose one meat or a fish dish. The whole meal (soup, fruit, bread and water included) costs approximately 4.00 EUR. Just opposite the Portucalense University building you will find the shopping center Campus S. João which has a large food court, opened from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.