University of Coimbra - UC Merit Awards

What you get

You get a one-off payment equal to five times the Portuguese monthly minimum wage, paid once for the academic year. The exact figure changes each year with the minimum wage. The award comes from the University of Coimbra and rewards students with top grades. You also get a mention in your Diploma Supplement, the official document that records your academic achievements.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You study on a Bachelor's, Integrated Master's or Master's programme at the University of Coimbra.
• Credits: In the academic year the award covers, you have completed all units of your programme, at least 60 ECTS credits. Credits from re-registrations do not count.
• Grades: Your average mark across those units is at least 16 out of 20 on the Portuguese scale (a 'Very Good').
• Field of study: Any subject counts.
• Nationality: You are a national or equivalent-status student. International students apply under a separate UC scholarship instead.

If more students qualify than there are awards, the university ranks candidates by their weighted grade average for the year, then by their average across all years, then by the number of ECTS credits completed, and finally by their UC admission grade.

How to apply

There is no separate application. Portugal's Directorate General for Higher Education (DGES) starts the procedure, and the University of Coimbra picks recipients from eligible students. No fixed deadline is published in advance.