The academic culture of the University of Coimbra is profoundly enriched by International Students from more than 100 countries worldwide to apply for Merit undergraduate international scholarships in Portugal. Aiming to provide them with better living conditions and study experience, the University of Coimbra offers a pack of financial support options for International Students.
International Student Scholarships by the University of Coimbra
For Undergraduate (Baccalaureate) and Integrated Master programmes:
Merit Scholarship for Undergraduate Programmes
The University Coimbra will partially exempt students from the tuition fee for some according to the grades obtained by the student, starting from the 1st year of his/her studies at UC and throughout his/her programme.
These Scholarships will be granted to the International Students with the best grades in each Faculty, according to the established quota.
The total quota of Merit Scholarship for Undergraduate Programmes is 200.
If the student´s admission score is equal to or above 160 points, the amount of the scholarship received will range between 1000 EUR and 2000 EUR.
Strategic Support Scholarship for Undergraduate Programmes
For some programmes (defined every year) the University of Coimbra will grant a scholarship of 2000 EUR in the first year of the programme to students who applied to and were admitted in relevant study areas in terms of employment and qualified training.
These are the programmes covered in 2022-2023:
- Faculty of Science and Technology
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Ambient Engineering
- Physical Engineering
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Medical Chemistry
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Bioanalytical Sciences
- Pharmaceutical Sciences (Integrated Master)
- Biomedical Pharmacy
- Faculty of Arts and Humanities
- Information Sciences
- Classic Studies
- Geography
- Tourism, Territory and Patrimony
- Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education
- Sports Sciences
Extraordinary Merit Scholarship for Undergraduate Programmes
The University of Coimbra will exempt highly merited students whose admission grade is equal to or above 180 points (not rounded off) and who prove to lack the financial means to proceed with their studies on the whole amount of the tuition fee.
If the student fulfils the conditions foreseen by the Regulation, he/she can apply for the Extraordinary Merit Scholarship for Undergraduate Programmes.
The number of scholarships and the application conditions will soon be published in the announcement (Edital).
If the student fulfils the conditions foreseen by the Regulation, he/she can apply for the Extraordinary Merit Scholarship for Undergraduate Programmes: “To apply for the Extraordinary Merit Scholarship for Undergraduate Programmes the student must submit the documents listed in the Announcement (Edital), namely the documents that prove the lack of minimum social-financial means and an Academic Progress Project at the University of Coimbra and University Extension” (Article 4, point 9).
Master Programmes (2nd Cycle)
If the student wants to apply for a Master’s Programme at UC
He/she can apply for the Scholarship for Promotion of Scientific Research and Output for Master Programmes, which enables the exemption of 2000 EUR in tuition fees.
If the student applies for and is admitted to a Master’s Programme at UC and benefits from the 2000 EUR scholarship, this amount will be paid each academic year or semester, according to the situation, until the student finishes the programme (according to the total number of academic years or semesters of the programme in question, on a full-time regimen).
These scholarships intend to encourage qualified research and internationalization progress at the University of Coimbra.
Other supports
Besides the above-mentioned scholarships, the University of Coimbra also grants International Students access to indirect social support facilities (such as canteens, residences, children care, and medical services) and access to PASEP – Social Support Programmes to Students by Part-time Activities.
PASEP aims to support underprivileged students by the following means: providing meal vouchers for SASUC (Social Action Services of the University of Coimbra) catering services; partial exemption of the accommodation costs at SASUC student residences, or partial exemption of tuition fees of the programmes in which the student is registered. Find out more about the UK government apprenticeships and traineeships
Prizes and Distinctions
Apart from the above-mentioned scholarships, the University of Coimbra also recognizes student´s merit through the following mechanisms:
Merit Framework for International Students at UC
- Merit Framework for 1st year International Students – the 5% of the best International Students admitted and registered in the 1st year, for the 1st time, in the Undergraduate Programmes of Integrated Master programmes of UC are acknowledged by entering the Merit Framework for 1st year International Students.
- Merit Framework UC – UC annually grants the Diploma of Academic Excellency and ensures entries in the Merit Framework of UC to the 5% best national, national equivalent and international students in Undergraduate, Integrated Master and Master programmes for their academic performance at the University of Coimbra, per organic unit and per programme (Regulation of Prizes and Scholarships for the students at the University of Coimbra, No. 685-A/2019).
Diploma of Distinction for International Students of University of Coimbra
This Diploma is granted in a public ceremony to students whose admission score is equal to or above 18 points at the UC.
Diploma of Excellency
This Diploma is granted in a public ceremony to students whose final score in Master Programmes is equal to or above 18 points, when they conclude the Master’s Programme at UC.
Best Doctorate Thesis
The Best Doctoral Thesis Prize targets national, national equivalent or international PhD holders at UC, whose scientific output during the course of the programme stands out by recognizing the quality of the Doctorate Thesis.
This is an annual Prize consisting of the public granting of the Scientific Merit Medal and the Diploma of Best Doctorate Thesis at UC defended in the previous civil year, in a certain scientific area or interdisciplinary field (Regulation of Prizes and Scholarships for the students at University of Coimbra, No. 685-A/2019).
Also read: Tuition Fees and Living Costs in France for International Students
You can also become an International Student Ambassador at UC
Who can become an International Student Ambassador at UC?
Students who have been granted one or more of the scholarships or prizes mentioned above.
How does it work?
International Student Ambassadors take on the task of promoting the University of Coimbra in foreign countries, as well as presenting UC initiatives for integration, civic intervention and intercultural promotion.
How is this activity recognized?
The activity of an International Student Ambassador is registered in the student’s Diploma Supplement and awarded at an annual public ceremony.
What are the other benefits?
International Student Ambassadors will also have free access, under certain conditions, to a non-degree online course, as an extra training option. This is highly relevant to the student´s academic and professional curriculum.
All scholarships and prizes are registered in the Diploma Supplement (Click here to find out more about the Diploma Supplement).
UC Transforma Volunteering Platform
Get to know the initiatives of the University of Coimbra for University Extension, such as the UC Transforma Volunteering Platform. We look forward to your participation.
