Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra - ESTeSC Merit Awards

ESTeSC Merit Awards

At the start of the academic year, you will receive a one-off merit-based scholarship of five times Portugal's national minimum monthly wage. There is no fixed amount in euros: the value is based on the minimum wage, so a higher wage means a higher scholarship amount. It is paid as a one-off payment for the academic year in question. In addition to the money, you will receive a diploma. The award is presented by the Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Coimbra (ESTeSC), a university of health technology at the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra (IPC) in Portugal, and recognises students with the best academic achievements. The National Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES) will pay the amount directly to you.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are enrolled on a Bachelor’s (Licenciatura) or Master’s (Mestrado) degree programme at ESTeSC-IPC in Coimbra.
• Field of study: Your degree programme falls within the field of health sciences, and that is precisely ESTeSC’s area of expertise.
• Passed everything: In the previous academic year you passed all the subjects in your study-plan year.
• Grades: Your weighted average in these subjects must be at least 16 out of 20 (very good). Credits, resits taken to improve marks from other years, and subjects from higher years are not taken into account.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.

How to apply

You do not need to submit a separate application. The IPC’s academic administration department compiles a ranking list of all eligible students based on their weighted average and publishes the lists on the IPC’s academic system. You then have 10 working days to raise any objections. After that, the final list will be forwarded to the DGES, which will notify successful applicants by email.

How realistic are your chances?

The number of places is limited and is determined each year. For 2022/2023, ESTeSC received 3 scholarships: 2 for Bachelor’s students and 1 for Master’s students. ESTeSC always receives at least one scholarship, and a second scholarship within the same cycle of study is only awarded if one has already been awarded in that cycle.

In our guide Scholarships in Portugal, you will find further funding opportunities available alongside this merit award in Portugal.