FCDEFUC
In fulfilment of an aspiration, expressed several times by the University, to create a study area in the field of physical culture and sport, University of Coimbra Senate, taking advantage of the indispensable conditions for teaching and learning in the area of sport and physical education provided by the sports facilities at the University Stadium of Coimbra, unanimously approved, on 19 February 1992, the creation of the course in Sports Science and Physical Education, which would later give rise to the creation of the Faculty of Sports Science and Physical Education.
The Faculty's strategic orientation is to be open to society and to have an active policy of knowledge transfer and scientific and technological innovation. The Faculty's actions are implemented through a culture of responsible citizenship, equal opportunities, social responsibility and sustainability. This values freedom of expression, critical thinking, the expression of cultural, artistic and sporting abilities and talents, the complementarity of knowledge and cultural diversity. Based on the principles of solidarity, autonomy, freedom to teach, learn, research, innovate and undertake, as set out in the Statutes of the University of Coimbra, the Faculty values the pedagogical commitment and the quality of life and work of students, recognizing their merit and the need to commit to the development of society. The Faculty's governance model is based on practices that promote effectiveness, efficiency, participation, cohesion and ethical relationships, ensuring accountability to society and internal and external evaluation in accordance with international standards.
During the late 90s and until the beginning of the Bologna process in 2007, the Faculty also began offering postgraduate studies with two master's courses, the master's degree in Teaching Physical Activity - Early Childhood Education and 1st Cycle of Basic Education and the master's degree in Leisure and Local Development.
After 2007, as part of the Bologna process, the Faculty began to offer a first cycle degree in Sports Science, with a view to providing broad-based training capable of meeting the most current challenges of higher education for future multi-professional development. The practical component was often associated with outdoor activities, also taking advantage of the proximity of the Mondego River, the Serra da Lousã or Penacova, which still constitute a huge added value in ensuring the quality of the training provided.
During the Bologna Process, aiming a strong articulation between the training of the 1st cycle and the 2nd cycle, the Faculty promoted a second generation of master's courses, namely: Biokinetics, Teaching Physical Education in Primary and Secondary Education, Physical Activity in the School Context, Exercise and Health for Special Populations, and Sports Training for Children and Young People. Currently, the training offer of 2nd cycle courses has been reviewed and reformulated, presenting available the Master's in Teaching Physical Education in Primary and Secondary Education, Master's in Sports Training and Master's in Exercise and Health, with two branches of specialization: Exercise Physiology and Special Populations.
As for the 3rd cycle, a tutorial doctoral course (pre-Bologna) was initially offered in Sports Sciences and Physical Education, with three branches: Physical Education, Physical Activity Sciences and Sports Sciences. Together with other units of knowledge of the University of Coimbra, FCDEFUC also offered a doctoral course in Tourism, Leisure and Culture.
In the post-Bologna period, the Faculty created a doctoral course in Sports Science and Physical Education, with the following branches: Physical Activity and Health, Physical Education, Special Educational Needs – Adapted Physical Activity, and Sports Training. This course has recently been updated, remaining as a 3rd cycle training offer at the Faculty. In 2020-2021, a post-doctoral course with a semester duration was also created.
In order to enhance its connection with the community, the Faculty has strengthened its establishment of multiple cooperation partnerships with Sports Associations and Federations, Local Authorities, Companies, and Civil Society Institutions, allowing the organization of internships, events, training and research opportunities, as well as acting in the area of employability of its recent graduates.
As the newest Faculty, the oldest higher education institution in Portugal and one of the oldest in the world – the University of Coimbra – the Faculty of Sports Sciences and Physical Education, in the spirit of growing international cooperation, strongly promotes the exchange of teachers and students, as well as the establishment of cooperation and joint research projects, based on the different European programs, with emphasis on Erasmus+ Sport and Leonardo da Vinci, as well as through other established networks, such as the Coimbra Network of Sport Sciences and the Coimbra Network of Brazilian Universities, among others.