Why choose the Escola Superior de Biotecnologia at the Universidade Católica for your master's degree?

There are many good reasons to choose the ESB - here are just a few!

Excellence in Teaching

With a highly qualified academic staff, students learn in a modern scientific and technological environment, oriented towards the future and marked by strong pedagogical rigor, involving leading specialists in their fields.
The Faculty of Biotechnology is part of around 40 national and international teaching and research networks, involving hundreds of renowned institutions.

Strong practical and laboratory component

At ESB, learning happens through experimentation. Courses have a strong laboratory component, and small class sizes encourage autonomy and problem-solving skills. Close interaction between students and lecturers ensures attentive teaching and personalised support.

Ana Nogueira
Master's in Applied Microbiology

 

“ESB provides rigorous, high-quality education that fosters autonomous graduates with strong critical thinking skills and solid laboratory training.”

 

Personal development and holistic education

Education at ESB promotes students’ integral and cultural development, including modules in Critical Thinking, Creative Writing, Humanism and Christianity, and Personal Skills Development. This multifaceted context is a distinctive feature that challenges each student to stand out.

Research excellence

The Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF) at ESB is recognised for excellence in several areas of Biotechnology and has held the status of an Associated Laboratory since 2004. Students may join the “Researchers’ Club” from their first year, developing extracurricular research projects

Ana Mesias

Master's in Biomedical Engineering
    

“The fact that this School develops not only highly qualified professionals, but also global citizens, is a distinguishing feature."

Strategic partnerships and mentoring programmes

With more than 100 national and international partners, ESB offers direct contact with the labour market through curricular and summer internships.
The Mentoring Programme also strengthens connections between students and alumni, supporting academic and professional guidance.

International mobility

The Erasmus programme and other international internships, coordinated by the Mobility and International Relations Office, enable experiences at universities and companies abroad. ESB has already promoted more than one thousand international internships – and the number continues to grow

A multidisciplinary environment

ESB is part of Universidade Católica Portuguesa’s Porto campus, fostering interaction with other faculties and access to stimulating cross-disciplinary programmes. Extracurricular activities, including volunteering with CASO – Católica Solidária and Gás África, are recognised in the Diploma Supplement.

Employability and market recognition

ESB graduates are highly valued by the labour market, with many holding prominent positions in health, environment and the food industry. The Student and Employability Service supports labour market integration and organises networking events with companies.

Ana Catarina Araújo
Master's in Food Engineering

 

“The strong practical component and the prestige among employers were distinguishing features that allowed me to stand out in the job market.”

A starting point for entrepreneurship

The BioSpin strategy has fostered the creation of entrepreneurial projects in biotechnology since 1994, providing students with tools to transform academic ideas into business ventures.

Volunteering and community engagement

ESB encourages involvement in community projects that help develop skills such as empathy, organisation and time management.
Through UDIP (Unit for Integral Personal Development), students are motivated to engage in distinctive personal development experiences and have access to various volunteering opportunities.

Sofia Costa Dinis
Master's in Biotechnology and Innovation

 

“What stood out to me was the close-knit environment between students, faculty members and all the staff at UCP that I encountered.”"