Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP, or “Católica” for short) was founded in 1967 and is currently one of Portugal’s top-ranked private universities. As a leading research university, UCP strives to strengthen society through life-changing science, through the education of its citizens, and through the development of forward-thinking entrepreneurs. For over 50 years, UCP has developed an internationally-minded curriculum and research model, educating some of the world’s top CEOs and political leaders, a Nobel Prize winner, world-renowned scientists and researchers, religious leaders, and social entrepreneurs.

Headquartered in Lisbon, UCP has broadened its institutional reach to include campus locations in Braga, Porto, and Viseu, with an affiliated campus located in Macau, East Asia. USAC students take classes on the main Lisbon campus and can select courses from two of UCP’s faculties – the Faculty of Human Sciences (Faculdade de Ciências Humanas or FCH) and the Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics (CLSBE). UCP boasts nearly 13,000 degree-seeking students and more than 2,000 international students from over 100 countries.

USAC is partnered with UCP’s Global Education Office (GEO). The GEO serves as UCP’s Faculty of Human Sciences (FCH) in-house study abroad office, and its team of staff is dedicated to supporting non-degree, visiting students from the U.S. and around the world. While studying abroad at UCP, you can expect to take classes alongside degree-seeking students, Erasmus exchange students, and other non-degree visiting students, creating a truly diverse and global learning environment.