Student Unions

Universidade Católica Portuguesa formally recognises independent Student Associations across its different campuses. UCP formally recognises these Student Associations as independent student representative bodies, which are identified on the University's official Student Unions webpage. Their institutional recognition is established under Article 58 of the Statutes of Universidade Católica Portuguesa and Article 7(f) of the Code of Ethics and Conduct.

Student Associations are autonomous and democratically elected organisations that represent undergraduate and postgraduate students before the University's governing and consultative bodies. In this capacity, they actively contribute to institutional decision making processes, ensuring student participation in matters related to academic life and the functioning of the University. This role is formally recognised in the University's Statutes, which provide for the participation of the Presidents of the Student Associations in the Campus Council, alongside the Rector, Regional Vice-Rectors and Directors of the academic units (Article 35 of the Statutes of Universidade Católica Portuguesa).

In addition to their representative role, Student Associations support students by representing and defending their interests, promoting their academic integration, providing guidance to new students, facilitating communication with University bodies, and organising academic, personal and professional development initiatives.

Student Associations also organise and promote a wide range of social, cultural, academic, sports, volunteering, networking, student welcome and integration activities, as well as community engagement initiatives. These activities contribute to student wellbeing, inclusion, participation and engagement in university life.

Among these organisations are the Academic Association of Universidade Católica Portuguesa (AADUCP), the Católica Lisbon Students' Union, and other representative student associations from the University's different academic units and campuses.

In accordance with Law No. 23/2006 of 23 June, the governing bodies of Student Associations are elected through democratic and representative processes based on direct and secret suffrage, ensuring their independence, legitimacy and representativeness as student representative organisations.