UC welcomes students on mobility programmes, 14% more than a year ago
The University of Coimbra (UC) hosts three welcome sessions for around 1,300 mobility students.
This month, the University of Coimbra welcomes over 1,300 students participating in mobility programmes like Erasmus.
This represents a 14% increase in incoming mobility applications compared to last year. The first group of students was welcomed at an event held in the Rectory Auditorium on Friday, the 6th of September Provisional figures (as mobility applications are still running and those attending the second semester are yet to arrive) show a significant increase in student mobility at the UC. So far, 1,316 students have arrived for the first semester or the full 2024/25 academic year (incoming mobility), while 792 UC students have gone abroad to study during the same period (outgoing mobility).
These figures represent a 14% increase (136 more students) in incoming mobility applications compared to 2023/24, and a 27% increase (166 more students) in outgoing mobility applications compared to last year.
With a significant increase in the total number of applications received—18% more for incoming mobility and 47% more for outgoing mobility—the UC Vice-Rector for External Relations and Alumni gave a highly positive assessment. "The notable rise in student mobility clearly demonstrates the prestige of the University of Coimbra and recognises the excellence of our professors, researchers, and non-teaching staff," said João Nuno Calvão da Silva.
This isn't Patrik Bioc's first time in Portugal. Hoping to get to know the university and its "special traditions, such as the academic dress", the Masters student in Management came straight to Coimbra from northern Italy. Sílvia Sagarna came from Asturias, Spain, to study architecture: "Coimbra is a curious and charming city," she says, adding that she wants to "discover Portuguese culture, meet new people and, above all, learn".
These are the expectations of two of the 500 or so students who filled the first of the three welcome sessions.
They chose the UC not only because "it is a prestigious university that covers all areas of knowledge", as the UC Vice-Rector recalled. During the session, João Nuno Calvão da Silva highlighted the city and the "great academic life" that Coimbra offers, with "countless cultural and sporting activities".
He assured those present that the academic year, or semester, "will be one of the best of your lives." "You can always come back," he said, "but this is the time you will remember forever." His final advice: "Study hard, but have fun."
UC will host two more welcome sessions for international students joining for the first semester of 2024/25. The second session will take place on Monday, 9th September, at 2:30 pm in the Rectory Auditorium. The third will be held on Thursday, 12th September, at 2:30 pm in the Paulo Quintela Theatre (Faculty of Arts and Humanities, UC).
