One University, Two University Centres. One World...
Lusófona University results from the integration of Lusófona University of Humanities and Technologies and Lusófona University of Porto, giving rise to two university centres (Lisbon and Porto) whose objectives have been, from the beginning, “teaching, research in various fields of science, culture and technology, from an interdisciplinary perspective, and especially, aiming at the development of Portuguese-speaking countries and peoples.”
The history of Lusófona University began in 1998 with the merger of ISMAG - Higher Institute of Applied Mathematics and Management, a university institute, and ISHT - Higher Institute of Humanities and Technology, a polytechnic-oriented institute, both founded in 1989 by the same founding entity of Lusófona University, COFAC, and the subsequent acquisition of the facilities of Universidade Moderna do Porto, which led to the creation of Lusófona University of Porto.
Lusófona University is the largest private university in Portugal. The legal entity responsible for the management and development of the University is COFAC - Cooperativa de Formação e Animação Cultural, a non-profit educational entity with facilities in Lisbon, Portugal, which is currently the largest non-profit educational organisation in Portugal, not funded by the State in the country. The name of the University comes from the word "Lusofonia," which denotes all Portuguese-speaking countries and their common linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
The University campuses, now known as the Lisbon University Centre and Porto University Centre, are located in the centres of both cities, strategically connected to the entire transport network.
Lusófona University is an equal opportunities institution, currently with a student body of over 16,900 students and 1,671 faculty members, organised across 15 faculties, schools, and institutes that make up the main institutional unit. Currently, Lusófona University offers 65 undergraduate courses, 70 Master's degrees, 4 Integrated Master's degrees, 8 International Master's degrees ("Erasmus Mundus"), 2 Professional Master's degrees and one in distance learning, 13 PhD programmes, and a wide range of postgraduate courses, specialised training, and micro-credentials. All the University’s courses meet European higher education requirements and comply with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), and are accredited by A3ES, the accreditation and evaluation agency for higher education in Portugal.
Among its strengths, the University stands out for its strong international profile, clearly reflected in the fact that it leads one of the new “European Universities,” Filmeu - European University of Cinema and Media Arts, and the University’s active participation in dozens of research projects, including, among others, the European Horizon and E+ programmes; and the more than 1,700 international students from 84 nationalities currently attending the University.
The growing visibility and recognition of Lusófona University is reflected in its prominent position in various rankings, including:
QS Ranking
- The University was ranked in the 551-600 band in the QS Europe University Rankings 2025, occupying the #126 position in the QS Europe University Rankings (Southern Europe) and #1101-1120 in the QS Sustainability Ranking - Access here
Multirank
- Lusófona University scored the highest in 11 indicators in the U-Multirank 2023. The University excels in research and, overall, performs at a high level, achieving an 'A' (very good) rating in 10 indicators - Access here
SCIMAGO
- Lusófona University ranks 7th in the Scimago ranking. A ranking higher than most public and private institutions in Portugal - Access here
Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- Lusófona University stands out in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023, ranked 1501+ globally and by knowledge areas (Management and Economics #801+; Computer Science #1001+; Education #501-600; Engineering #1001-1250; Natural Sciences #1001+; Medicine and Health #801-1000; Psychology #601+; Social Sciences #601-800) - Access here
UI GreenMetric
Lusófona University ranks 858th in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2023, with the participation of 1183 universities from 84 countries - Access here
As a community of people, ideas, achievements, and projects driven by the desire to produce, share, and transfer knowledge and scientific, technological, cultural, and artistic know-how, Lusófona University is committed to addressing the current challenges of the European University Agenda, focusing on:
- Internationalisation;
- Sustainability & Digital Transition;
- Research & Innovation;
- Training (Professional Master's, Distance Learning and Lifelong Learning)
