University of Algarve

The University of the Algarve (Universidade do Algarve or UAlg) is a Portuguese public university with administrative and financial autonomy. Its two campuses and the central administration are located in Faro, the capital city of the Algarve region.

The University of the Algarve is a young state university, located in the southern part of Portugal, one of the most touristic regions of Portugal.

Founded on 16 January 1979, the University of the Algarve results from the union of two preexisting institutions, the University of the Algarve and the Polytechnic Institute of Faro, which makes it somewhat different from most universities given that faculties and schools of both systems, co-exist.

In 1982, the first rector of the University, Prof. Gomes Guerreiro (1982-1986) was appointed, following by Prof. Lloyd Braga (1986-1990), Prof. Montalvão Marques (1990-1993), Prof. Alte da Veiga (1993-1997), Prof. Adriano Pimpão (1998-2006), Prof. João Guerreiro (2006-2013), and Prof. António Branco the current rector since 2013.

Following the approval of the Universities Autonomy Law, the Assembly of the University of the Algarve, comprising the representatives of academic and administrative staff and students of all the faculties and schools, approved the Statutes in 1991, which received approval by the Ministry of Education. In 2001, the first University Statute amendment was published in the Portuguese government official gazette.

The student population today is 7,856 with 800 academics. It has three faculties and four schools, offering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate. There are students from more than 60 countries.

The Student Union of the University of Algarve (Associação Académica da Universidade do Algarve, AAUALG) is a representative body of all the students belonging to the institution, founded on 1st October 1997.

The importance of sports and the physical balance and psychological well being of university students is a concern of the Student Union. For this reason, sports activities are under the auspices of the Student Union in close collaboration with the University and the Student Support and Welfare Services.

The Students Union Sports Department, promotes all kinds of sport activities with very low prices for students. You can choose from Salsa to Hip-hop, from Tai Chi and Yoga to Bujinkan, from Basketball to Football.