Welcome day for new students 2026/2027

The University of the Algarve will welcome new students starting the 2026/2027 academic year with a welcome ceremony on September 14, at 9:00 am, at the Penha Municipal Pavilion, in Faro. On September 15, a Mega Sports Afternoon is planned, followed by a Sunset event starting at 4:30 pm, at the Penha Campus.

In addition to welcoming new national and international students, the initiative aims to promote their full integration into academic life, the city, and the region that welcomes them.

The welcome ceremony will take place at the Penha Municipal Pavilion, in Faro, at 9:00 am on September 14.

The session will begin with remarks from the mayors of Faro and Portimão, António Pina and Álvaro Bila. This will be followed by remarks from the president of the Academic Association of the University of the Algarve, Tomás Silva, and the rector of UAlg, Alexandra Teodósio, who will close the ceremony.

The programme will also include a performance by the University of the Algarve's academic tuna groups.

Families and friends are invited to watch the live broadcast of this session via the YouTube, Facebook, and RUA FM - University of the Algarve Radio channels.

At the end of the ceremony, students heading to the Gambelas Campus will have free transport, provided by the Próximo network, from the event venue.

The programme also includes welcome sessions and guided tours of the Faculties, Schools, and Institute, as well as a lunch offered at the campus canteens.

 

Mega Sports Afternoon and Sunset

 

The afternoon following the student welcome session will be dedicated to sports, featuring a Mega Sports Afternoon with an inclusive focus. Register your team for UALGROX Inclusivo and check the activities map and their respective locations. The day will conclude with a Sunset event featuring DJ Van Gohen.

All activities are free of charge and open to everyone (register for the Sunset event here).

 

Welcome Activities for New International Students 2026/2027

Programme
 

1st Day | 08.09.26
11h30 – 12h30 | Welcome session for new EEI students from Latin America
Location: Penha Campus, building ESEC, Amphitheatre Paulo Freire
 

2nd Day | 09.09.2026
11h30 – 12h30 | Welcome session in Portuguese for the new EEI from Brazil & CPLP
Location: Penha Campus, Pedagogical Complex
Building, Auditorium 1.5
 

Discover the UAlg Campuses


14h00 – Visit to Penha Campus
15h05 – Transfer from Penha to Gambelas
15h30 – Visit to Gambelas Campus
Location: Penha Campus, building ESEC

16h30 - Opening of the exhibition "The World at UAlg"

3rd Day | 10.09.2026

14h30 – 15h50 | Welcome session for incoming mobility, exchange students and full students for pos-graduate studies, (bilingual)*

Location: Penha Campus, Pedagogical Complex
Building, Auditorium 1.5
16h00 | Meeting with the Mobility Coordinators – only for exchange students

4th Day | 11.09.2026 

Cultural immersion in Faro 

10h30 – Visit to the historic centre of Faro and the Museum (in Portuguese)
14h30 – Visit to the historic centre of Faro and the Museum (bilingual)
Location: Arco da Vila, Faro Downtown

 

5th Day | 12.09.2026
Sports Activities
(mandatory registration: here)
09h00 - Bodyboard and surf baptism
09h00 - Surf baptism
10h00 - Stand Up Paddle

6th Day | 13.09.2026
Sports Activities
(mandatory registration: here)

09h00 - Bodyboard and surf baptism
09h00 - Surf baptism

7th Day | 15.09.2026
16h30 | Mega Sports Afternoon in Penha Campus 
18h30 | Sunset at Penha Campus
(mandatory registration: here)

 

8th Day | 19.09.2026
Sports Activities
(mandatory registration: here)

10h00 - Stand Up Paddle
14h00 - Surf baptism
14h30 – Canoeing baptism
15h00 - Bodyboard and surf baptism
 

9th Day | 20.09.2026
Sports Activities
(mandatory registration: here)
 

14h00 - Surf baptism
14h30 – Canoeing baptism
15h00 - Bodyboard and surf baptism

 

10th Day | 10.10.2026
Sports Activities
(mandatory registration: here)
09h30 - Percurso pedestre do Cavalo 
Marinho
Location: Saída do Campus de Gambelas

 

Other Activities

During the weeks of September and October there will be other sporting activities such as 
Karate, Basketball, Futsal, Archery and Volleyball. All information is available on the UAlg 
website and activities require mandatory registration: UAlg hosts orientation activities and workshops for incoming students | University of Algarve

Register for the sunset  Register for UALGROX

 

With the support of Caixa Geral de Depósitos

 

 

Once you have completed your enrolment at the University, you can now apply for your Caixa IU identification card. This card is free of charge and is essential for accessing the various resources available at your faculty, while also offering exclusive benefits through the partnership with Caixa Geral de Depósitos. If you choose the banking option, you will have access to a range of advantages and can use the card to manage your bank account.

We are here to help you make the most of your university experience and support you throughout this new stage of your life, with financial solutions designed to make a difference.

 

How to Get Your Student Card

Caixa Geral de Depósitos will be available at the following locations for you to obtain your Student Card:

  • 21 to 26 September, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., on Floor 0 of Building 1 (entrance hall with access to the Teresa Júdice Gamito Auditorium), Gambelas Campus.
  • 28 September to 2 October, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., in the entrance hall of the School of Education and Communication, Penha Campus, where you can obtain your Student Card.

When visiting the Caixa counter, you should bring:

  • Identification document (Identity Card, Citizen Card, or equivalent);
  • Tax Identification Number (NIF);
  • Proof of address (e.g. tuition payment receipt, vehicle insurance certificate, property registration document, or bank statement), if you wish your card to also include banking features.

Please note that booking an appointment is mandatory. Appointments can be made here.

Programme of the Faculties, Schools and Institute Welcome Sessions

September 14

9:00 am – Opening session at the Penha Municipal Pavilion
10:45 am – Students transported to the Gambelas Campus by bus
11:00 am – Welcome at the Academic Units by the leadership and course directors
11:10 am – Welcome session, Teresa Gamito Amphitheater, Building 1
11:45 am – Welcome session by course:

Visual Arts – 1st Year Visual Arts Laboratory, room 4 (Building 14)
Educational Sciences and Training – room 2.37 (Building 1)
Languages and Intercultural Communication – room 1.56 (Building 1)
Languages, Literatures and Cultures – room 0.35 (Building 1)
Cultural Heritage and Archaeology – room 1.37 (Building 1)
Psychology – Teresa Gamito Amphitheater (Building 1)

1:30 pm – Lunch at the canteen, offered by FCHS
2:30 pm – Guided tours of the Faculty facilities and Gambelas Campus

September 14

9:00 am – Opening session at the Penha Municipal Pavilion
10:45 am – Students transported to the Gambelas Campus by bus
11:00 am – Welcome of new students by the Management, the President of the CC and the President of the CP of the FCT, at the Grande Auditório CGD, Gambelas Campus
12:00 pm – Welcome of new students by the Course Committees – rooms per programme to be assigned by the FCT's CP
1:00 pm – Lunch at the canteen, accompanied by students from the respective programmes
2:00 pm – Guided tour of the FCT facilities at the Gambelas Campus, accompanied by students from the respective programmes

September 14

9:00 am– Opening session at the Penha Municipal Pavilion
10:45 am – Students transported to the Gambelas Campus by bus
11:00 am – Welcome of new 1st-cycle (undergraduate) students, Efigénio Rebelo Auditorium
12:15 pm – Lunch at the canteen
2:30 pm– Guided tour of the Faculty of Economics facilities, meeting point at the Faculty of Economics General Secretariat. The tour will be supported by the Faculty of Economics Student Association.

September 14

9:00 am– Opening session at the Penha Municipal Pavilion
10:45 am – Students transported to the Gambelas Campus by bus
11:15 am – Welcome at the FMCB, Room 2.65, Building 2
12:15 pm – Lunch at the canteen, offered by the Faculties, Schools and Institute

2:30 pm – Visit to the J25 Laboratories
3:00 pm – Visit to the Pedagogical Complex Building and the Building 8 Laboratories
3:30 pm – Visit to the Building 2 facilities (including the Simulation Center)

September 14

9:00 am – Opening session at the Penha Municipal Pavilion
11:00 am – Welcome of students at the ESEC Gymnasium by the management and programme directors
12:45 pm – Lunch at the canteen
2:30 pm – Guided tours of the Faculties, Schools and Institute facilities (programme presentation by the Programme Director)

Basic Education: room 63
Social Education: room 97
Communication Sciences: room 31
Communication Design: room 79B
Sports: amphitheater 0.6
Animated Image: room 40

CTeSP (Higher Professional Technical Courses)

Multimedia Technologies Design: room 38
Video Game Design: room 36
Interior Design: room 37

September 14

ESGHT – Penha Campus
9:00 am – Opening session at the Penha Municipal Pavilion
11:00 am – Welcome at the Ludgero Sequeira Amphitheater
12:15 pm – Lunch at the Penha canteen, offered by ESGHT
2:30 pm – Guided tour of the ESGHT facilities (activities in classrooms and HostLab)

ESGHT – Portimão Campus
8:00 am – Departure from the Portimão Campus by bus to Faro
9:00 am – Opening session at the Penha Municipal Pavilion
11:00 am – Departure from the Penha Municipal Pavilion by bus to Portimão
12:30 pm – Lunch at the Portimão bar, offered by ESGHT
2:30 pm – Welcome at the Portimão Auditorium

September 14

9:00 a.m. – Opening session at the Penha Municipal Pavilion
10:45 a.m. – Students transported to the Gambelas Campus by bus
11:00 a.m. – Welcome of new students at the Green Amphitheater – Building 8
12:30 p.m. – Lunch at the canteen
2:30 p.m. – Guided tours of the School facilities (students should go to the main entrance of Building 1)

September 14

9:00 am – Opening session at the Penha Municipal Pavilion
11:00 am – Welcome by the Director of the ISE and the heads of the other ISE governing bodies, José Silvestre Amphitheater

  • Director of the ISE
  • President of the CTC
  • President of the CP
  • ISE Mobility Coordinator (Conceição Ribeiro)
  • Coordinator of the University of the Algarve Volunteering Group UAlg V+ (Conceição Ribeiro)
  • GAENEE Representative at the ISE (Ana Bela Santos)
  • GAE (Ana Bela Santos)
  • OE Representative (António Mortal)

12:00 pm – Presentation of the different Programme Directors (DC) and tour of the facilities. At the end of the tour, students will be accompanied to the canteen.
1:30 pm – Lunch at the canteen, accompanied by the Programme Directors

Integration activities and survival workshops

Until October 2026, workshops will take place once a month — on Tuesdays at the Penha Campus and on Thursdays at the Gambelas Campus — to address possible difficulties faced by students. Various social, cultural, and sporting activities will also take place, aimed at integrating new students into the UAlg community and the region.

See more information and register here.