Summer University 2025 kicks off Sunday with record attendance and new highlights
Fifteen years after its inaugural edition, the University of Coimbra will welcome 584 secondary school students for a week of educational, cultural, sporting and other activities.
From Sunday 27 July to Friday 1 August, the University of Coimbra (UC) will host the 2025 edition of its Summer University (UV) – an annual event that gives students in their final years of secondary school a chance to experience life at UC across its many dimensions, including teaching, research, culture and sport.
Now in its 15th edition, the Summer University will welcome 584 participants – 49 more than last year – setting a new record. The number of places has steadily increased in response to high demand. In addition to this record attendance, the 2025 edition introduces several new features.
For the first time, students will be able to explore more than one area of study. In addition to the main subject they applied for, each participant can attend a scientific workshop in a different field. This broader approach is intended to give students a more comprehensive view of UC’s academic offerings and support them in making more informed decisions about their future studies.
Another highlight of this 15th edition is the inclusion of the Nursing School in the programme, following the integration of the nursing degree into UC’s academic offerings starting in the 2025/26 academic year.
“This year we celebrate 15 years of the Summer University – an initiative that gives participants a real sense of what it’s like to study at the University of Coimbra. Studying at the UC is a unique experience that goes beyond academic excellence; it’s also about culture, research and sport, all of which are integral to our identity. The Summer University also seeks to support young people as they prepare to enter higher education, offering them the chance to explore a range of subject areas so they can choose the path that best suits them,” claims Amílcar Falcão, Rector of the University of Coimbra.
To provide ongoing support throughout the week, 66 student mentors from the Coimbra Academic Association (AAC) will be on hand to welcome, guide and inspire participants. "The Summer University is more than just an academic outreach event; it is a gateway to the future — a space where curiosity meets knowledge, and where every participant is invited to dream, with their feet firmly in Coimbra and their eyes on what lies ahead," notes the AAC.
The opening session will take place on Sunday, 27 July at 7 pm in the historic Pátio das Escolas. Speakers will include the Rector of UC, the Vice-Rector for Education and Attractiveness, Cristina Albuquerque, the former Vice-Rector Cristina Robalo Cordeiro, who launched the first edition 15 years ago, and the Vice-President of the AAC Directorate-General, Bruna Frederico.
Participants will take part in scientific workshops as well as cultural, sporting, and volunteering activities over the course of six days. On Thursday, 31 July, they will showcase their work at the Junior Congress, starting at 3 pm. During this event, students will present what they have learned throughout the week and demonstrate how scientific research can help tackle major societal challenges.
In addition to its academic and scientific components, the Summer University features a vibrant cultural and social programme. These activities create a dynamic, engaging environment where students from different regions and countries can connect, share experiences, and build lasting friendships. One of the most anticipated moments will be the serenade, taking place on Thursday evening (31 July) at 9 pm in the Pátio das Escolas.
The Summer University is organised by the University of Coimbra in partnership with the Academic Association of Coimbra - AAC (the Coimbra Students' Union), with support from Santander Universities and the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Full programme available at www.uc.pt/uv.