Ciência sem Fronteiras - Undergraduate applications

Visiting Undergraduate Students

We are delighted to participate in Brazil’s Science without Borders (Ciência sem Fronteiras) scheme and look forward to welcoming an increasing number of undergraduate students from Brazilian universities over the coming year.

Our popular Study Abroad Programme offers undergraduate students the opportunity to study at NUI Galway for one semester and earn credits towards their degree at their home institution. Semester One runs from September to December while Semester Two runs from January until May.

Classes Available

Undergraduate students participating in the Ciência sem Fronteiras scheme can expect to take 5 - 7 classes per semester. This equates to approximately 30 ECTS credits, which is a normal course load for NUI Galway students. Detailed descriptions of the modules on offer in Science and Engineering can be found in the SWB Module Information Booklet

Entry Requirements

Visiting Student applicants from Brazil are normally required to have completed two full years at university or college, with a minimum GPA of 7.0 (or equivalent). In addition, all international students must demonstrate English language proficiency:

Language tests must be undertaken no more than two years prior to commencement of your programme at the University.

*with not less than 5.5 in any component

Students who do not yet meet the our English language Requirements can apply to undertake 3-6 months intensive English language studies at our partner language school. Find out more about our English language courses.

How to Apply

Applications by Brazilian visiting students applying under the Science Without Borders scheme can be made online at www.csfirlanda.ie

The following documents must also be submitted online:

• Most recent college transcript (in English)
• English language qualification
• Copy of birth certificate/identity page of passport
• Letter of reference from an academic staff member of the University/College you are attending
• A statement as to how your proposed course of study at NUI Galway ties in with your previous studies and with your future academic/career objectives
• A passport size photograph
• A list of the modules (classes) the applicant wishes to enrol on - please refer to the SWB Module Information Booklet

Science Without Borders - PhD Students

The Science Without Borders programme aims to revolutionise Brazil’s R&D system by exposing Brazilian students and researchers to an environment of high competitiveness and entrepreneurship. Applicants can read more information about Science Without Borders here (in Portuguese).

NUI Galway and Brazil

National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway), one of Ireland’s most prestigious universities, is proud to welcome PhD students from Brazil under the auspices of its government’s Science Without Borders / Ciência Sem Fronteiras programme.

NUI Galway is world-renowned as an expert research-led University. It is currently ranked third in Ireland in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, and stands as the highest-ranked Irish university outside the capital city of Dublin. You can read an article from Brazilian newspaper CORREIO BRAZILIENSE‌ about research at NUI Galway.

NUI Galway already has a number of substantial academic links with Brazil, and it is our hope that the Science without Borders scheme will strengthen these links further and also enhance the intellectual and cultural life of the University. Our current research collaborators in Brazil include:

• Universidade de São Paulo
• Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
• Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie
• Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)
• Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio De Janeiro
• Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
• Universidade Federal de Uberlândia
• Universidade Federal de Viçosa
• Universidade de Fortaleza (UNIFOR)

PhD Programmes at NUI Galway

NUI Galway currently has over 500 project opportunities for PhD students in the Science Without Borders scheme. Please refer to list below.

PhD students can apply to (1) undertake a full PhD at NUI Galway or (2) apply to spend up to one year undertaking postgraduate research at NUI Galway as a visiting PhD student.

Entry Requirements (PhD)

Entry requirements for PhD programmes may vary, however students will normally be expected to present a 4 year Bacharel or Licenciado/Licenciatura or Título Profissional degree with a GPA of 7.0 or above.

In addition, all international students must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Language tests must be undertaken no more than two years prior to commencement of your programme at the University.

The NUI Galway TOEFL institution code is 8861.

*with not less than 5.5 in any component

How to Apply

PhD applicants should first search the database of available projects below before contacting the relevant supervisor at NUI Galway to discuss a research proposal.

When contacting a potential supervisor, applicants should also enclose the following:

• Personal Statement (maximum 600 .words outlining research interests)
• Resumé (Curriculum Vitae)
• University Transcripts (in English)
• Evidence of English Proficiency (if available)

Science without Borders - Application Instructions (PDF)

Galway – Ireland’s Cultural Heart

The university campus is a 10 minute walk from the centre of Galway. Galway is Ireland’s third largest city, with everything you would want in terms of shopping facilities, theatres, restaurants, music venues, sports facilities.

Galway is widely regarded as the cultural capital of Ireland and is home to the world renowned Druid Theatre Company, the Macnas Street Theatre Company and An Taibhdhearc, the national Irish language theatre company.

Students account for approximately 20% of the population of the city during term which gives Galway a young and vibrant feel. This creative energy of Galway is reflected in the many internationally renowned festivals, music sessions, cultural and sporting events that are hosted in the city every year.

Ireland’s Little Brazil

The town of Gort in Co. Galway is known as “Ireland’s Little Brazil” and is a centre point for the 20,000 Brazilians who have come to live and work in Ireland over the last few years. Each year, the traditional Quadrilha Festival marks the contribution Brazilian people have made to the cultural life of Galway, with a celebration of traditional Brazilian music, food and dance.

For further information about NUI Galway, please contact the International Affairs Office.