The Integrated Master's Degree in Medicine at the Católica Medical School, has been authorized by the Higher Education Assessment and Accreditation Agency (A3ES) to admit 100 students, recognizing the excellence of the work developed since its creation in 2021. The teaching methodology, the quality of the training, the very close and personalized teaching and the integration of its students in the years of clinical teaching are determining factors in this process.

“The unconditional accreditation by A3ES, now confirmed by the full number of places, is a significant milestone that reflects our team's dedication and commitment to providing excellent medical training, training that is now widely recognized by the various official bodies. The increase in the number of places will help respond to society's growing need for highly qualified health professionals,” says António Almeida, Dean of the Católica Medical School. In this regard, it should also be noted that the Católica Medical School is the first non-state institution to have recently joined the Council of Portuguese Medical Schools (CEMP), which includes the directors of the country's medical schools.

This approval allows the Católica Medical School to increase the number of places on the Integrated Master's Degree in Medicine from 50 to 100 in the next academic year (2025/2026). This expansion will enable it to train a greater number of highly qualified doctors, prepared to face the challenges of modern medicine.

The Católica Medical School maintains a close partnership with the Luz Saúde group, one of the largest and most prestigious private healthcare groups in Portugal, with a vast network of high-quality hospitals spread across practically the entire country. Hospital da Luz Lisboa, the group's flagship unit, is the only Portuguese hospital accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI) as an Academic Clinical Center, and is also part of the Clinical Academic Center - Católica Luz. The Integrated Master's in Medicine also has partnerships with six Local Health Units (ULS) in the Greater Lisbon region, ensuring clinical teaching in public hospitals and health centers, as well as in units of the União das Misericórdias Portuguesas.

The Medicine Degree at the Católica Medical School uses student-centered teaching methodologies that foster autonomy in learning. The Integrated Master's in Medicine seeks to guarantee the humanization of the medical profession, right from the selection process for its students, which includes interviews to assess skills, and is aligned with the teaching and assessment model of Maastricht University, an institution of great international prestige.

 

Universidade Católica Portuguesa was present at Futurália 2025, from 26 to 29 March, at FIL - Feira Internacional de Lisboa.

At the Católica stand, participants had direct contact with representatives from the University's 19 faculties and were able to explore courses in areas such as Nursing, Medicine, Management, Arts, Law and Communication, among many others. The interaction with students and teachers allowed for personalised clarification on access conditions, tuition fees, curricula and much more.

The big news announced by the University at Futurália was the new degree in Systems Neuroscience and Cognition, the first in Portugal, which will start in September 2025. 

One of the highlights of UCP's presence was the interactive virtual reality quiz, which has been a great success with visitors since 2023. This immersive experience provided a playful and innovative way of getting to know the University better.

In addition, Católica was present in the new space dedicated to MBAs, postgraduate courses, executive training, masters and doctorates, in Pavilion 4, on 28 and 29 March. This space responded to the challenges of the new dynamics of the labour market and the digital revolution.

Futurália 2025, which brought together 35 exhibitors, including internationally renowned universities from all over the country, the islands, mainland Europe, the USA and Macau, was a unique opportunity for thousands of visitors to find out about UCP's wide range of training programmes and clarify any doubts they may have about their academic and professional career.

The Faculty of Education and Psychology of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (FEP-UCP) began the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the Bachelor's Degree in Psychology during the "Psychology Days". Under the theme "20 years of the Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at the Universidade Católica in Porto", the "Psychology Days" became a vibrant stage for sharing and reflection, uniting a community of students, alumni, faculty, researchers and professionals in the field of Psychology.

Raquel Matos, Director of FEP-UCP, expresses the institution's pride in the journey taken: "The creation of this degree, in 2004/2005, was an ambitious project that has established itself as a benchmark in the teaching of Psychology in Porto. These 20 years are a testament to our commitment to excellence in education, marked by rigour, quality and a strong connection to the community."

The numbers prove the impact of this journey: 1674 graduates in Psychology, 43 funded research projects totalling approximately 4.5 million euros, more than 11,000 psychology consultations provided to the community through the University Psychology Clinic, and 20,000 hours of student volunteer work.

 

A three-day programme with several significant moments

The Psychology Days, organised in partnership with the FEP-UCP Student Association, presented a programme full of significant moments, which spanned three days, from 25 to 27 March 2025.

On the first day, Sofia Ramalho, President of the Portuguese Psychological Association, was responsible for the opening session with a reflection on the last 20 years of Psychology in Portugal, generating an engaging debate with students and faculty. Matilde Marques, a student ambassador for the Portuguese Psychological Association, highlighted the importance of her role as a liaison between students and the Association. The day ended on a high note with the "FEP-UCP Talks", where undergraduate and master's students in Psychology enchanted the audience with inspiring presentations in the "TED Talks" format.

The second day brought an enriching experience with "Coffee with Psychologists", an informal conversation moderated by alumna Sofia Mexia Alves, with the participation of faculty members António Fonseca, Lurdes Veríssimo, Luísa Campos and Raquel Matos. In this space, the challenges of structuring quality education in the field of Psychology were discussed, among various topics. At the end of the morning, Sofia Mexia Alves shared her professional journey, twenty years after her first class.

On the third and final day, the event paid tribute to the academic and professional career of António Fonseca, one of the founders of the Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, followed by the highly anticipated "Alumni Moment", where former students shared experiences about their journeys and the impact of FEP-UCP on their careers. The event ended with a social dinner organised by the FEP-UCP Student Association for teachers, students and alumni.

 

An innovative course prepared for the future

António Fonseca, a member of the organising committee of this edition of "Psychology Days", emphasises the uniqueness of the degree: "Those who have followed this two-decade journey can easily see that this is not a 'Psychology course' like the others. The differentiating character of our Bachelor's Degree - introducing 'novelties' for the time such as Tutoring or Community Service - sought to respond to the needs of training psychologists for the 21st century beyond the technical knowledge of psychological science."

"Here, at the Faculty of Education and Psychology of UCP, while celebrating the 20 years of our Bachelor's Degree, we are attentive to the inevitable evolution of psychological science and practice, and we will continue to do everything to offer a differentiated Bachelor's Degree, attentive to the world beyond the campus and to the human needs that are, after all, the main reason for this profession: psychologist!" he concluded.

 

This is just the beginning of the celebrations

Raquel Matos reinforces that the celebrations are just beginning: "The Psychology Days were a symbolic moment, but our commemorative programme continues! We will have events such as a race that unites students, alumni and teachers, the Psychology Alumni meeting, the 1st University Psychology Clinic Days and a grand closing event. It's a year of celebration and recognition!"

The 2025 Psychology Days were more than a celebration. They were the affirmation of a strong, dynamic community committed to the present and the future of Psychology.

Forma Primeira, by Francisco Pedro Oliveira, curated by Isabeli Santiago, opens this Saturday on Floor -1 of Galeria Municipal do Porto.

Within the installation, various creative elements intertwine to reveal the artist’s ecosystem of interests, where Portuguese ethnography, apotropaic phenomena, vernacular knowledge, and a syncretic vision of spirituality converge.

Other events related to the exhibition are planned, including a guided tour of the exhibition and the artist's studio with Francisco Pedro Oliveira and curator Isabeli Santiago on April 5, and an Active Listening session with João Sarmento from Fonoteca Municipal do Porto on April 12.

Francisco Pedro Oliveira is currently in the second year of his Master’s in New Media Art at Escola das Artes.

On Saturday, at the same time as the opening of Forma Primeira, the second inauguration moment of Profundidade de Campo, by Mónica de Miranda, will also take place at Galeria Municipal do Porto.

(photography by Francisco Fidalgo)