University of Coimbra

University of Coimbra
Universidade de Coimbra (Portuguese)
Seal of the university
Latin: Universitas Conimbrigensis
Other name
UC
TypePublic research university
EstablishedMarch 1, 1290 (1290-03-01)
FounderDenis of Portugal
Religious affiliation
Nonsectarian
Rector MagnificusAmílcar Falcão
Academic staff
2,255 (December 2024)
Administrative staff
1,479 (December 2024)
Students29,577 (Fall 2023)
Undergraduates13,213 (Fall 2023)
Postgraduates10,017 (Fall 2023)
3,724 (Fall 2023)
Location, ,
Portugal

40°12′27″N 8°25′35″W / 40.2074°N 8.4265°W / 40.2074; -8.4265
CampusUrban/College Town
Students' unionCoimbra Academic Association
Colours
  •   Forest green (university)
  •   Yellow (medicine)
  •   Red (law)
  •     Sky blue and white (sciences and technology)
  •   Royal blue (humanities)
  •   Purple (pharmacy)
  •     Red and white (economics)
  •   Orange (psychology)
  •   Brown (sports sciences)
  •     Black and white (students' union)
Affiliations
Websiteuc.pt
Official nameUniversity of Coimbra – Alta and Sofia
TypeCultural
Criteriaii, iv, vi
Designated2013 (37th session)
Reference no.1387
RegionEurope and North America

The University of Coimbra (UC) is a public research university in Coimbra, Portugal. Officially chartered by King Denis on March 1, 1290, and recognised by Pope Nicholas IV on August 9, 1290, it is the oldest university in Portugal and one of the world's oldest in continuous operations, having begun operations in Lisbon before moving permanently to Coimbra in 1537. It had an influential role in the development of higher education in the Portuguese-speaking countries, and in their history. Due to its historic influence, architecture, unique culture and traditions, it was declared in 2013 a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The university is organized into eight faculties, granting bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees in nearly all major fields. It lends its name to the Coimbra Group of European research universities founded in 1985, of which it was a founding member. Enrolling over 25,000 students, more than 15% of whom are international, it is one of Portugal's most cosmopolitan universities.

Coimbra's alumni over the centuries include Portugal's national poet Luís de Camões, the mathematician Pedro Nunes, many statesmen, prime ministers and presidents of Portugal, and Nobel Prize laureate António Egaz Moniz.