The Polytechnic of Cávado and Ave is Portugal’s most recent public higher education institution, founded in 1994. Located in the northern region of Portugal, known for its significant economic activity and the youthfulness of its population, IPCA has played an important role as a development agent. Most of its educational and scientific activities take place in the main campus, located in the historic and charismatic city of Barcelos. Despite its youth, its academic performance and applied research make IPCA a benchmark institution with a reputation for excellence at national and international level, with its duly accredited and innovative training offer. We are a European University within the scope of RUN-EU, with unique exchange opportunities. IPCA has five Schools in the fields of Design, Management, Hospitality and Tourism and Technology, which offer a wide range of Bachelor’s (1st Cycle), Master’s (2nd Cycle), Professional Higher Technical Courses (TeSP) and non-degree specialization programmes, in daytime, after-work and distance learning. A diverse student population together with the teaching and administrative staff make IPCA an important reference in the Portuguese higher education panorama.