The Polytechnic University of Coimbra was created in 1979 when polytechnic education was introduced in Portugal.
In spite of the PUC recent history, it inherited the tradition and experience of the colleges which became part of it, thus becoming today one of the largest polytechnics in the country and one of the most important institutions of higher education in Portugal. Today it encompasses six Schools:
- Coimbra Agricultural School
- Coimbra Education School
- Oliveira do Hospital Management and Technology School
- Coimbra Health School
- Coimbra Business School
- Coimbra Engineering School
as well as the – Social Welfare Services (SASIPC) and Central Administration Services.
The image which the PUC today projects in the scope of higher education in Portugal (as the high number of applicants witnesses), the courses made available at its schools, as well as the excellent employment record, all is the result of the Polytechnic’s quality teaching (where the strong practical component is based on solid theoretical education) and, equally important, the constant concern of adapting the courses to the labour market and the country’s needs. Furthermore, PUC invests much in inter-institutional cooperation, internationalisation, career advisory services and professional training of its collaborators.