The University of Aveiro was founded in 1973 and has grown into a dynamic and competitive institution. It has a strong research dimension and offers polytechnic and university undergraduate programmes, second cycle master’s programmes, doctoral programmes and post-secondary vocational programmes. Committed to innovation and quality in education, the UA has built a profile based on sciences and technology. Its initial study programmes were in electronics, ceramics and teacher education. Subsequent programmes included environmental engineering, new technologies of communication and industrial management and engineering, and today, electronics and telecommunications, materials and nano-sciences, environment and marine studies and teacher education are recognised as four areas of excellence.