University of Leiria and Oeste

The Polytechnic Institute of Leiria is a public university. It occupies campuses across Leiria – 140km north of Lisbon – as well as Caldas de Rainha and Peniche. As a university, it will offer a wider range of degrees and will have a broader research scope.   

There are just under 8,500 undergraduate students, studying more than 50 subjects across five schools: the school of education and social sciences; the school of technology and management; the school of health sciences; the school of art and design; and the school of tourism and maritime technology. Art and design is based in the campus at Caldas de Rainha; tourism and maritime technology is in Peniche. All other schools are on one of two campuses in Leiria.

The university provides accommodation near all four campuses. There are low-cost canteens, cafeterias and restaurants across all sites. A complete meal includes soup, a main dish (meat, fish or vegetarian), bread and a dessert (fruit, sweet or yoghurt), as well as juice, water and a salad buffet.

Clubs include handball, roller hockey, volleyball, basketball and athletics. There are also course-specific associations, run in conjunction with the five academic schools.