Welcome day for new students 2025/2026

A day full of activities, marking the first contact with the academic community, is what the University of Algarve will offer new students as a welcome. On September 8th, the welcoming ceremony will take place at 8:45 a.m., with the presence of the singer Sandrino, at the Penha Municipal Pavilion (Faro).

The day’s highlights will unfold throughout the programme and include a Sunset event featuring the following moments: the quiz “Dr. Why Portugal”, a live podcast with Rafael Vieira, and a performance by Más Influências – Bruna Magalhães and Mia Fernandes.

In addition to welcoming new national and international students, the initiative also aims to contribute to their full integration, not only into university life but also into the city and the region that host them.

On Monday, September 8th (8:45 a.m.), at the Penha Municipal Pavilion (Faro), the welcoming ceremony will begin with speeches by the Mayor of Faro, Rogério Bacalhau, followed by the President of the Students’ Union, Rodrigo Carlos, and the Rector of the University of Algarve, Paulo Águas, who will close the session.

The event will also feature performances by Sandrino and Versus Tuna, the academic music group of the University of Algarve.

Families and friends are invited to watch the live broadcast of the session through the University’s YouTube, Facebook, and RUA FM – the University of Algarve’s radio station.

At the end of the session, students from the Gambelas Campus will be provided with free transport on-site, through the Próximo transport network.

Welcome sessions and guided tours of the Faculties, Schools, and Institute are also planned, as well as a complimentary lunch in the Campus canteens.

The Welcome Day will conclude with a Sunset event, held on the lawn in front of the Penha Campus Library.

Students from the Gambelas Campus will have free transportation to the Penha Campus, departing from the bus stop in front of the Gambelas canteen at 4:00 p.m.

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


Programme

 

(Sunset registration here)

 


 

 

SOUALG

Programme of the Faculties, Schools and Institute Welcome Sessions

September 8 | 8:45 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

08:45 – Opening session at the Penha Municipal Pavilion
10:45 – Transfer of students to the Gambelas Campus by bus

11:00 – Welcome at the Academic Units by the management and programme directors

11:10 – Welcome session, Teresa Gamito Auditorium, Building 1
11:45 – Welcome sessions by programme:

  • Visual Arts – Room J1

  • 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 Auditorium (Building 1)

13:15 – Lunch at the canteen offered by FCHS (with the participation of the management, department directors, and programme directors)

14:30 – Guided tours of the Faculty facilities and Gambelas Campus

16:00 – Transfer of students to the Penha Campus by bus

16:30 – 20:00 – Sunset at the Penha Campus

At 14:30, Visual Arts students should be transported to the Penha Campus to visit the ISE/Civil Engineering and Technical Services buildings between 15:00 and 16:30.

September 8 | 8:45 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

08:45 – Opening session at the Penha Municipal Pavilion

10:45 – Transfer of students to the Gambelas Campus by bus

11:00 – Welcome by the management and programme directors at the Green Auditorium, Building 8

16:00 – Transfer of students to the Penha Campus by bus

16:30 – 20:00 – Sunset at the Penha Campus

September 8 | 8:45 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

08:45 – Opening session at the Penha Municipal Pavilion
10:45 – Transfer of students to the Gambelas Campus by bus

11:00 – Welcome of new undergraduate students, Efigénio Rebelo Auditorium
12:15 – Lunch at the canteen
16:00 – Transfer of students to the Penha Campus by bus
16:30 – 20:00 – Sunset at the Penha Campus

September 8 | 8:45 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

08:45 – Opening session at the Penha Municipal Pavilion
10:45 – Transfer of students to the Gambelas Campus by bus

11:15 – Welcome at FMCB, Pedagogical Complex Building, Auditorium C
12:15 – Visit to the Pedagogical Complex Building and Laboratories, Building 8

13:00 – Lunch at the canteen (with members of the Biomedical student group)
14:45 – Visit to the J25 Laboratories

15:15 – Visit to the facilities of Building 2

16:00 – Transfer of students to the Penha Campus by bus
16:30 – 20:00 – Sunset at the Penha Campus

September 8 | 8:45 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

08:45 – Opening session at the Penha Municipal Pavilion
10:45 – Transfer of students to the Gambelas Campus by bus

11:00 – General reception of students at the ESEC Gymnasium
13:00 – Lunch at the canteen
14:30 – Welcome and presentation of programmes:

  • 14:30 – Communication Sciences – ESEC main entrance

  • 14:30 – Communication Design – Atrium near Room 40

  • 14:45 – Basic Education – ESEC main entrance

  • 15:00 – Social Education – ESEC main entrance

  • 14:30 – Sports – ESEC Courtyard next to the Gymnasium

  • 14:45 – Animated Image – Atrium of Room 40

16:30 – 20:00 – Sunset at the Penha Campus

September 8 | 8:45 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

08:45 – Opening session at the Penha Municipal Pavilion
10:45 – Transfer of students to the Gambelas Campus by bus

11:00 – Welcome at the Organic Units by the management and programme directors – Professor Doutor Ludgero Sequeira Auditorium
12:30; 13:00; 13:30 – Lunch at the canteen

14:30 – Guided tours of the school facilities

Bachelor’s in Tourism, Daytime Management, and Evening Management – FARO
Activity prepared with the programme directors in separate classrooms:
“Ask Me Anything” panel, lasting a maximum of 30 minutes, with 3 or 4 senior students (1–2 per programme).
The aim is for these students to share their experiences, give advice/tips, and answer questions from the new students.

Bachelor’s in Hotel Management and HCT in Gastronomy and Food Innovation
Gastronomic activities, video screenings, and an exhibition (posters/photos) of activities/events carried out within the scope of the degree, at the HostLab.

Bachelor’s in Marketing
Welcome session after lunch at the canteen.
Reception in the classroom by 3rd-year students, a brief presentation by the Programme Director and senior colleagues.
Guided tour of the school facilities, accompanied by 3rd-year students and the Programme Director.

HCT in STI
Welcome session after lunch at the canteen, in the classroom, with a brief presentation of the programme and the Programme Director.

HCT in Accounting (to take place the following day, as the programme is in the evening)
Welcome session and classroom reception with a brief presentation by the Programme Director.

16:00 – Transfer of students to the Penha Campus by bus
16:30 – 20:00 – Sunset at the Penha Campus

September 9 | Portimão


Welcome session for Tourism and Management students in Portimão

10:00 – Reception
10:15 – Opening session
11:00 – Programme directors of Management (Daytime and Evening) and Tourism
11:30 – Ask Me Anything
12:00 – Closing of the session

September 8 | 8:45 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

08:45 – Opening session at the Penha Municipal Pavilion
10:45 – Transfer of students to the Gambelas Campus by bus

12:30 – Lunch at the canteen

14:00 – Reception of new students at the Teresa Gamito Auditorium

16:00 – Transfer of students to the Penha Campus by bus

16:30 – 20:00 – Sunset at the Penha Campus

9 September | 11h00 - 16h00

11h00 - José Silvestre Amphitheatre, Higher Institute of Engineering
12h00 - Welcome by the course directors and tour of the facilities. Meeting point: outside the Amphitheatre
13h30 - Lunch in the canteen
14h30 - A time to socialise with the headmasters and 2nd and 3rd year students. Meeting point: Civil Engineering building

Integration activities and survival workshops

From September 3 to 27, several social, cultural, and sports activities will take place, aiming to support the integration of new students into the UAlg community and the region.

From September to November 2025, survival workshops will also be held once a month – on Tuesdays at the Penha Campus (venue to be confirmed) and on Thursdays at the Gambelas Campus, Auditorium D – to address the potential challenges students may face.

For more information and registration, click here.
 

See all information here.