Frequently Asked Questions
Selection process
What are the requirements to participate in the selection process?
For a master’s program: completion of an undergraduate course or being in the final year of an undergraduate program. For a doctoral program: having a master’s degree or being close to completing a master’s course. For doctoral courses, the applicant must demonstrate the ability to read and comprehend texts in Portuguese and English, as per the procedures and criteria defined in the notice. More details can be found on our website (https://coppe.ufrj.br/en/how-to-apply/).
Is it possible to apply for a Master’s program while in the final semester of undergraduate studies?
Yes. If admitted, the student must submit the completion certificate or diploma of the undergraduate program within eight months from the admission date.
Is proficiency in English required?
Students need to demonstrate the ability to read and comprehend texts in Portuguese and English, as per the procedures and criteria defined in the notice of each program. For a Master’s degree, proficiency in writing and reading comprehension is generally required. For a Doctorate, we require high proficiency in all four core language skills (writing, reading, speaking, and listening).
Is a degree in Engineering required in order to pursue a graduate degree in Engineering at Coppe?
Not necessarily. All programs have different requirements. The requirements for each program are disclosed in the corresponding notice for the selection process.
Are these programs exclusive to UFRJ students, or can students from other universities also apply?
Our Master’s and Doctoral degree programs are open to anyone with a higher education degree from Brazilian institutions recognized by the Ministry of Education (MEC) and from abroad, provided that the diploma was validated.
I would like to pursue a graduate degree in Environmental Engineering, Computational Science and Engineering, or Technology for Exploration and Exploitation of Petroleum at Coppe. How can I do that?
Our institute offers five lato sensu (specialization/non-degree) graduate courses: Executive Graduate Course in Environment Studies, Graduate Course in Renewable Energies, Executive Graduate Course in Oil and Gas Studies, High Specialization Course in Ergonomics (CESERG), and Lato Sensu Graduate Course in Web Intelligence and Data Analytics. For more information on the selection process, such as application period, documents, evaluation criteria, and number of available positions, go to our website (https://coppe.ufrj.br/en/non-degree-graduate-courses/).
Does Coppe have affirmative-action policies?
Yes. In all selection processes, our institute reserves positions for Black, Brown, Indigenous, and disabled people (PCD).
How many positions are allocated for affirmative actions (quotas for Black, Brown, Indigenous, and PCDs)?
Around 20% for Black, Brown, and Indigenous people and 5% for disabled people (PCD). This may vary depending on the program. It is necessary to check the notice of the course of interest.
Does Coppe provide infrastructure for the full participation of students with disabilities (PCD)?
Coppe offers adequate infrastructure for sign language interpretation and mobility in common areas.
How does Coppe support nursing mothers?
Our Office of Personnel Management, in partnership with the GAM (Women’s Support Group), has prepared a survey on parenthood to identify the main demands of the institution’s students and how our institute can meet their needs. To participate, fill out the following form: http://forms.gle/2vNGLp2Qgnsnh4EH9
Are the Master’s and Doctoral degree programs at Coppe tuition-free?
Yes, they are tuition-free. Additionally, selected students have the opportunity to receive scholarships from funding agencies, such as CAPES, CNPq, and Faperj. There is also the possibility of supplementary scholarships, based on research projects funded by industries in partnership with Coppe.
What is the application fee?
There is no fee for applying to any of our stricto sensu courses (Master’s degree and Doctorate). In addition to stricto sensu courses, our institute also offers lato sensu courses, which are paid (https://coppe.ufrj.br/en/non-degree-graduate-courses/).
Infrastructure
Course duration and evaluation criteria
How long does a Doctoral course last?
A scholarship student working full-time has a 48-month scholarship. Thus, the recommended time is 48 months plus a 12-month extension.
If necessary, can enrollment be suspended? If so, for how long?
Yes. The student may request the suspension of their enrollment, provided they have the consent of their advisor and that it is requested after the end of the first academic semester. The suspension of enrollment cannot exceed six months for a Master’s course and 12 months for a Doctoral course.
How is the student evaluated? What is the minimum grade for approval in the courses?
Performance in each subject will be evaluated by its corresponding professor, through exams or coursework. The evaluation grades are:
A – Excellent,
B – Good,
C – Acceptable, and
D – Deficient.
Students with a performance of “A, B, or C” are approved, while those with a “D” grade will fail the subject.
If failed, can the student retake the course?
Yes, the student who failed a mandatory subject may take it a second time. However, if the student gets more than one “D” grade during the course, their enrollment will be canceled.
Is it possible to change courses and take advantage of similar courses already taken?
Yes. A Master’s or Doctoral student can take up to 50% of the workload. This depends on the origin of the course (internal or external to Coppe).
Differentiation in the job market
How does CAPES evaluate Coppe’s graduate programs?
Our Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Systems and Computer Engineering programs have a maximum score (7), making Coppe the Brazilian institute of engineering with the highest number of maximum scores awarded by CAPES. The Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Transport Engineering, and Energy Planning programs were awarded grade 6, expressing internationally recognized excellence. The Marine Engineering and Production Engineering programs have a score of 5, which is equivalent to “very good”, while our newest program, the Nanotechnology Engineering program, has a score of 4, equivalent to “good” as per CAPES.
Does Coppe/UFRJ have partnerships with other international universities? How can students benefit from this?
We have recently expanded our internationalization process, delving into the main matters and dilemmas of the globalized world. Our institute has become a national and international point of reference in education and research in Engineering. Internationally, we also have projects in cooperation with the leading and best-accredited institutions for science and technology. This allows our students, for instance, to participate in exchanges with universities in many countries.
Career paths
Does Coppe offer any support for student placement in the job market?
Our students interact in an environment with constant networking development, facilitating their absorption by the job market. Our students interact with other students, professors, and professionals from various industries, not only in Engineering, and develop skills that are strongly valued by the market. This favors invitations and referrals for work and job positions.
Where do Coppe/UFRJ alumni work?
COPPE has several alumni in prominent positions in national and foreign companies, government agencies, and the Third Sector. Additionally, many are in universities and research institutes in Brazil and abroad.
Does the content learned and the learning format take into account innovation and the latest technologies?
Many of the classes have programming activities, project development, group discussions, presentations, and worksheets. These activities promote interaction in the classroom and stimulate student development. We also use platforms like AVA@UFRJ and Google Classroom that make the learning environment more dynamic and modern.