Study in Portugal: The University of Coimbra International Merit Scholarship 2026 (Step-by-Step Guide)
February 23, 2026 by Tuition Free Trek
If you are looking for a prestigious European degree without
the high costs of the UK or US, the University of Coimbra (UC) in
Portugal is your best option for 2026.
Founded in 1290, it is one of the oldest universities in the
world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. But more importantly for you, it offers
a dedicated International Student Merit Scholarship that does not
require a separate application—you are automatically considered when you apply
for admission!
Here is the complete, verified guide to applying for the
2026-2027 academic year.
1. Scholarship Details & Financial Benefits
The University of Coimbra does not offer just one
scholarship; it offers a "Merit Foundation" that scales based on your
academic grades.
- Scholarship
Name: University of Coimbra International Merit Award.
- Host
Country: Portugal.
- Degree
Level: Bachelor’s (Licenciatura) and Integrated Master’s.
- Number
of Awards: Approximately 200 per year.
- Value
(Financial Coverage):
- Partial
to Full Tuition Waiver: The scholarship covers a significant portion
or the entirety of your annual tuition fee (which is typically around
€7,000 for international students).
- Top
Tier (Score 160+): If your admission score is 160 points or higher
(out of 200), you receive the maximum funding, which brings your tuition
cost down significantly, often close to zero or the same rate as domestic
EU students (€697/year).
- Continued
Support: If you maintain good grades during your first year, the
scholarship is renewable for the entire duration of your degree.
(Note: For fully funded options with monthly stipends
(living allowance), students from partner countries like Brazil, African
Portuguese-speaking countries (PALOP), and specific Asian nations can also
check the Erasmus+ ICM tracks at Coimbra).
2. Eligibility Criteria (Can I Apply?)
To be eligible for the 2026 intake, you must meet these
simple requirements:
- Nationality:
You must be an "International Student" (non-EU national).
- Admission
Score: You must apply for a Bachelor’s degree and receive an admission
score of at least 140 points (out of 200).
- 140-159
points: Partial Scholarship.
- 160+
points: Merit Scholarship (Highest Value).
- No
IELTS Required (Language Policy):
- Portuguese
Taught Programs: You need B1/B2 level Portuguese. However, if
you do not speak Portuguese, you can take the "Year Zero"
language course at the university.
- English
Taught/Research Tracks: If you are applying for research or specific
English-friendly tracks, you can submit a Medium of Instruction (MOI)
certificate from your previous school stating you studied in English. The
university may also conduct a video interview to verify your skills,
bypassing the need for IELTS.
3. Available Fields of Study
You can apply for scholarships in almost all major
faculties:
- Faculty
of Science and Technology (Computer Science, Civil Engineering,
Architecture).
- Faculty
of Law.
- Faculty
of Medicine (Highly competitive).
- Faculty
of Economics (Business, International Relations).
- Faculty
of Psychology and Education Sciences.
4. Required Documents for 2026 Application
You will need to scan and upload the following to the
official portal:
- Passport:
Valid for at least 6 months.
- High
School Diploma/Certificate: If you are from a non-Portuguese system,
this must be legally certified (usually with an Apostille or by the
Portuguese Embassy in your country).
- Transcript
of Records: Showing your grades (to calculate your admission score).
- Curriculum
Vitae (CV): Europass format recommended.
- Motivation
Letter: Explain why you deserve the merit scholarship.
5. Step-by-Step Application Procedure
Step 1: The Online Application (Inforestudante)
The University of Coimbra uses a platform called Inforestudante.
- Go to
the official link (below).
- Create
an account.
- Select
"Application to Undergraduate Courses 2026/2027".
Step 2: Pay the Application Fee
There is a non-refundable application fee of approximately €50.
This is mandatory to process your grade calculation.
Step 3: Automatic Scholarship Assessment
Crucial: There is NO separate button to apply for the
Merit Scholarship. Once you submit your admission application, the Rector’s
office automatically calculates your score.
- If
your high school grades convert to 160/200 or higher, you are
automatically flagged for the scholarship.
Step 4: Acceptance & Visa
- Results
are typically announced in March/April.
- If
accepted, you will receive an "Acceptance Letter" which mentions
your scholarship status. Use this letter to apply for your D4 Study
Visa at the Portuguese Embassy.
6. Important Dates (2026 Intake)
- Application
Phase 1: January 2026 – March 2026 (Best for Scholarship chances).
- Application
Phase 2: April 2026 – June 2026.
- Classes
Begin: September 2026.
Official Links
- Official
University of Coimbra Application Portal: Inforestudante
Login
- Official
Scholarship Details: Coimbra International Student Merit Award