Catholic University of Portugal Lisbon Campus

University Católica Portuguesa (better known in Portugal as UCP or just "Católica") was established in 1967 by decree of the Holy See (Lusitanorum Nobilissima Gens), at the request of the Portuguese Bishops' conference and under Concordat Law. Universidade Católica Portuguesa is an academic community that helps defend and develop the human being and his/her cultural heritage through research, teaching and services a major presence in the Portuguese university world, characterized by a Christian vision of mankind and making a specific contribution to all areas of knowledge. It was the first modern Portuguese university not to be founded by the State, but is instead the result of the Concordat between the Portuguese government and the Vatican, which established the university under the tutelage of the Catholic Church.

In relation to its identity, the UCP falls within the scope of the Church's mission while specifically serving both the ecclesiastical and lay communities the university aim to:

• advance culture, promote research and higher education;
• educate ecclesiastical members in the humanities, philosophy and theology;
• prepare students to contribute to society;
• create a genuine university community;
• continue graduates training;
• carry out extra-university activities;
• contribute to Portuguese society through both the study of its problems and the promotion of its cultural values;
• spread Christian thought, values and ideals.

UCP is an independent not-for-profit organization of public utility, created by the Congregation for Catholic Education (Holy See) under an international treaty, the Concordat between Portugal and the Vatican, and recognised by the Portuguese state in 1971. The university´s legal framework is established by Decree-Law 128/90 (17 April). The university´s current statutes, issued in 1993, establish the following ruling bodies - High Chancellor, Rector, Board of Trustees, Rector´s Council, Financial Management Board. The following are also senior bodies of the university: the Congregation for Catholic Education and the Portuguese Bishops´ Conference.

UCP degree programmes and the resulting qualifications (bachelor`s, master`s and doctorate) have the same value and effects as those from state universities (Decree-Law 128/90) Since it started operating, in 2009, A3ES (the Portuguese Evaluation, Quality-assurance and Accreditation Agency for Higher Education) has been accrediting and evaluating our degree programmes.

UCP publishes in a broad range of areas, including collections, academic journals and newsletters from the faculties and study centres. In 1998, the university created its own publishing company - Universidade Católica Editora - which publishes in a wide range of academic areas, ranging from theology to biotechnology and the social sciences to engineering. The aim of Universidade Católica Editora is to help promote the academic and research activities of UCP, acting as an outstanding means of communication between its academic staff and society at large.