The GRUPO AUTÓNOMA is led by the Cooperativa de Ensino Universitário (CEU). Founded in 1985, its organization and management is governed by the Cooperative Code and, in supplementary terms, by the Commercial Companies Code.

At the moment, CEU has 24 Cooperators who ensure that it meets the requirements of the institution's governing bodies and has a turnover of around 16 million euros.

It is responsible for the administrative, economic and financial management of a University, UAL - Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, a Nursing School, ESESFM - Escola Superior de Enfermagem S. Francisco das Misericórdias and other autonomous organic units of which it is the Institution.

It has its own premises located in a privileged area of central Lisbon, the Palácio dos Condes do Redondo, an administrative building, where the administration and rectory are based, and a building in Campo de Ourique, where the Polo das Artes and the School of Architecture are located.

It also has three more spaces required by the needs of the teaching and research units of which it is the institution.