Running since the 15th of November of 1977 as an academic unit of the New University of Lisbon, the Faculty of Medical Sciences has a different model from other Portuguese Medical Faculties: It possesses an independent infrastructure where most of the teaching and research departments responsible for the first 3 years of the degree are located. This building also houses the post-graduation infrastructure, the library, the canteen, the international relations office, administrative departments and also an area for functions containing a significant body of artwork (paintings, tiles and sculptures) that not is only of great artistically wealth, but also historical value as it depicts the History of Portuguese Medicine.

The clinical Teaching takes place in several healthcare units associated with the Faculty through a series of agreements sanctioned by the Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Science, Technology, and Higher Education. These are:

• Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Zona Central, which encompasses the Hospital de S. José, Hospital de St.º António dos Capuchos, Hospital de Dona Estefânia and Hospital de St.ª Marta;
• Hospital de Curry Cabral;
• Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Zona Ocidental, which encompasses the Hospital de Egas Moniz EPE, Hospital de S. Francisco Xavier EPE and Hospital de St.ª Cruz EPE;
• Hospital de Pulido Valente EPE;
• Instituto Português de Oncologia (Centro Regional de Oncologia de Lisboa SA);
• Maternidade Alfredo da Costa;
• Hospital Militar Principal;
• Administração Regional de Saúde de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo;
• Administração Regional de Saúde do Alentejo.

The Faculty of Medical Sciences also has cooperation agreements with the following Institutions:

• Academia Militar;
• Fundação de Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso;
• Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica.

Judging by the results of Ministry of Health’s nationwide specialty entry exam, where our students have obtained good results, the Faculty of Medical Sciences’ model has provided students with a satisfactory and diversified clinical preparation and this effort is also recognized in the last international assessment to the Faculty:    

There are effective procedures for evaluation of the teachers and the taught and the collective attitude to these processes is impressive and admirable. We consider that the facilities applied for are reasonable and that their provision is both desirable and necessary. This clear-thinking Faculty should be strongly supported" (in Relatório da Comissão Cientifica Internacional de Avaliação do Grupo de Missão para a Saúde).