Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Types of Postgraduate Programs Are Offered?
Postgraduate education in Brazil is divided into two levels: lato sensu (including specialization and improvement courses) and stricto sensu (including master's and doctoral programs). Lato sensu courses aim to enhance professional training, while master's and doctoral programs provide more advanced education. The doctorate specifically focuses on training researchers and professors to work at the highest levels of education.
The PPGEC offers only the Academic Master's (stricto sensu) program in the areas of Civil Construction, Structures, and Transportation, conferring the degree of Master in Civil Engineering.
2. Do Master's and Doctoral Programs Require Full-Time Commitment?
Students must have availability to attend classes, conduct laboratory activities, participate in seminars and supervisory meetings, and work on their thesis or dissertation. Scholarship recipients are required to dedicate themselves full-time, following the funding agencies’ regulations.
3. Are There Scholarships Available? How Many?
The availability and number of scholarships may vary depending on the annual budget of funding agencies and the execution of projects or agreements. The program has internal criteria for scholarship distribution, which is managed by the Scholarship Committee.
4. What Is the Selection Process for Admission to the Master's Program?
The PPGEC selection process occurs annually in the second semester for admission in the following year, following the rules established in each year's official announcement (edital).
5. I Took an Exam in a Different Field from Exact Sciences. Will There Be a Specific English Proficiency Exam for the Civil Engineering Master's Program?
Candidates wishing to take the proficiency exam offered by the UFES Language Center must ensure they take the exam in the correct field. Certificates of English proficiency from other fields will not be accepted. In other words, you must present a proficiency certificate in the field of exact sciences and engineering.
The Civil Engineering Graduate Program will not conduct an English exam, nor will the UFES Language Center provide a specific exam for the Civil Engineering Master's program. However, TOEFL or IELTS certificates are also accepted as proof of proficiency, provided the minimum score required in the selection announcements (editais) is met.
6. On Which Days Will Classes Be Held?
Classes take place from Monday to Friday, between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, according to the course schedule established at the beginning of each semester. Therefore, candidates with employment commitments are advised to obtain prior authorization from their immediate supervisor to attend classes. Additionally, classes are scheduled in all three daily periods, depending on the subject.
7. Is the Master's Program Duration Limited to the Completion of Work? Is There a Minimum or Maximum Timeframe?
For regular students, the duration is 24 months from the start date of classes.
8. Must the Foreign Language Proficiency Certificate Be Submitted Along with Other Documents?
Yes. As specified in the official announcement (edital), the proficiency certificate must be submitted, as it will be considered in the candidate’s final score.
9. How Can I Learn More About Postgraduate Studies?
Brazil has an agency (CAPES) responsible for managing postgraduate education in the country. More information is available on the CAPES website: www.capes.gov.br.
