Academic Leagues (AL) are an important learning tool. They are defined as non-profit student organizations with a self-managed learning

vanessameneses.nutri@gmail.com Abstract Introduction: Academic Leagues (AL) are student associations that help strengthen the teaching-service-community relationship. Objective: To analyze the potential and challenges of Academic Leagues as learning devices, based on the perception of students and graduates of health degree programs on two campuses at a public university in northeastern Brazil, which use different teaching approaches. Methods: This is a qualitative study, whose data were collected through Focus Groups and analyzed using the Content Analysis technique. Results: Despite the challenges posed by people management, the standardization of the Leagues and the need for financial resources for full operation, the Academic Leagues, regardless of the teaching model adopted by the institution, play an important role in education and training of health workers so that they can develop greater critical sense, broader vision on health promotion and greater attention to the principles and demands of the Unified Health System. Conclusion: The results showed that students and teachers are encouraged to take action to overcome challenges and to exchange experiences to enhance complementary health education. Educational institutions have the role of monitoring the actions of the Leagues to strengthen and ensure the offer of university extension activities.