Universidade Católica, Porto Campus, welcomes new undergraduate students and celebrates the start of the 25/26 academic year
The 2025/2026 academic year has officially begun, and, as is tradition, the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto Campus, welcomed its new students with great enthusiasm and energy.
After all, every new academic year opens a world of possibilities and dreams to fulfill. As Isabel Braga da Cruz, Pro-Rector of Católica, highlighted: “Take advantage of everything the University has to offer you!”
The Pro-Rector invited the new students to imagine the beginning of their academic life “as the beginning of cultivating a garden of knowledge.” She added: “Each one of you brings a unique plot of land, fertile with potential, ready to be seeded with ideas, questions, discoveries, and passions. The University now offers you the right environment: soil enriched by sharing, the sunlight of inspiration, the water of curiosity, and the time needed for everything to grow…”
Joined by friends and family members, all the new undergraduate students gathered at the Ilídio Pinho Auditorium for the traditional Welcome Session.
During her address, Isabel Braga da Cruz recalled that “we have around 5,000 students enrolled in degree-granting programs, and if we include Executive Education and Postgraduate programs, about 7,500 students are present on the Porto campus. We have a meaningful dimension, which allows us to have a dynamic, close-knit, and truly welcoming campus. Thanks to the University’s growing international prestige, the number of international students has been increasing - 12% of new students are international, representing 40 different nationalities.”
“Live the University to the fullest!”
Marta Henriques Pereira, an alumna of the Porto Faculty of Law at Universidade Católica Portuguesa, with over 20 years of international experience in diplomacy, governance, development, peace, and security, shared her testimony with the new undergraduate students. “It was at Católica that I realized I had to trust myself. Boldness is a word that describes what this University taught me. This boldness and the confidence I gained go far beyond technical knowledge.” She concluded her speech with an appeal to all new students: “Live the University to the fullest!”
This Welcome Event, held on September 4 and marking the start of the 25/26 academic year, brought together students from all undergraduate programs at the Universidade Católica in Porto – Economics, Management, Law, Double Degree in Law and Management, Psychology, Nursing, Religious Studies, Theology, Nutrition Sciences, Microbiology, Bioengineering, Sound and Image, Cinema, and Conservation and Restoration. The main goal was to promote student integration and connection. During the session, merit scholarships and awards from the faculties and partner institutions were also presented, as well as the “Voluntário SER +” diplomas to students who stood out for their commitment to Católica Solidária (CASO).
The session was attended by the leadership of the seven faculties of the Universidade Católica, Porto Campus, along with representatives of the Student Associations, the Porto Academic Federation, and Alumni Associations, as well as faculty, staff, and partners.
In Porto, the campus comes alive with gatherings and many activities. The faculties welcome new students with open arms, offering numerous programs and integration experiences, where each student has the opportunity to meet colleagues, professors, and the entire academic community. Because great memories are created from the very first day. Have a wonderful academic year!