Portugal’s UTAD Launches New Integrated Medicine Master’s Program with €12.6 million Funding

The Portuguese Ministry of Education approved a programme contract to start an Integrated Master’s in Medicine at the University of Trás‑os‑Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) in the 2026/27 academic year. The programme will admit 40 students and is funded with €12.6 million over four years, including €4.7 million directly from the ministry.

The initiative aims to boost the quality of health services in the interior regions and alleviate the nationwide shortage of medical professionals. Conditional accreditation for two years was granted by the Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES). The contract outlines recruitment of faculty, researchers and clinical trainers, as well as investment in laboratories, equipment and teaching infrastructure. A dedicated building will be constructed, while interim facilities are being upgraded. Cooperation agreements with 21 local municipalities will support student housing and mobility during clinical rotations with the Unidade Local de Saúde de Trás‑os‑Montes e Alto Douro (ULSTMAD).