 After graduating from Augusto Cesar da Silva Ferreira School in Rio Maior, Oliveira accepted an athletic scholarship at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky, where he majored in exercise science (Human Health and Performance) and swam for the Louisville Cardinals swimming and diving team under head coach Arthur Albeiro.While swimming for the Cardinals, he received five All-American titles, multiple Big East conference individual titles and records, also achieving two school records in the 200 fly and 200 backstroke.Eventually, Oliveira served as the team's co-captain for the 2012 NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships during his last collegiate season, leading the team to their first top 10 finish.