Master in Software Engineering

The Master's in Software Engineering (MSE) aims to offer advanced training in professional software development. Graduates are people at the top of the technical hierarchy, capable of managing large, complex projects following the constraints imposed by the market. Masters in software engineering are necessary for the software industry, like MBAs are for management, so the market need is evident.

Professional opportunities for MSE graduates will mainly be in medium—and large-sized companies and multinationals in the global ICT, telecommunications, consultancy, banking, and services sectors. Profiles: Software Development, Software Architect, Software Project Manager, Requirements Engineer, Software Quality Manager.

Given the MSE's labour market orientation and its after-school nature, it is intended that a substantial proportion of the students are already in the labour market, looking for a specialisation that will enable them to reach other positions within the company.

It is also intended that MSE students join research teams as part of their dissertation/internship to participate in projects (particularly European projects), thus promoting scientific employment and students' transition to the third cycle of studies. Nurturing the innovation market in the Centre Region and at the national and European levels through creating innovative products and spin-offs in software development will be another career path for MSE students.

Required documentation
Workload and programmes of the curricular units already taken in the course of origin, if you want accreditation; (MANDATORY, except if the course of origin is a course taught at the University of Coimbra under the Bologna Process (after 2007/2008));

Letter of Motivation; (MANDATORY)

Degree certificate with final average (diploma). If you want credit, you must include a certificate proving that you passed the course units taken, with the respective marks (transcript); (MANDATORY unless the course you are studying on was taught at the University of Coimbra)

Curriculum vitae, in EuroPass format; (MANDATORY)

Simple photocopy of ID document; (MANDATORY for international applicants only)

Official document issued by the institution awarding the degree, with the certified grade indicating the overall coefficient or weighted average; (MANDATORY for foreign applicants only)

NOTE: Submission of the authenticated original documents is required for students who are placed for enrolment and registration and must be done by 31st December in order to complete the student's individual file. The documents referred to above must be recognised by the local Portuguese consular agent and/or legalised by the Apostille system under the terms of the Convention on the Abolition of the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Acts (better known as the Hague Convention), signed in The Hague on 5 October 1961, with the exception of documents issued by Higher Education Institutions in European Union countries. However, if there is any doubt about the documentation presented, any applicant may be asked to have the aforementioned documents recognised or to provide additional documentation. Whenever the aforementioned documents are in a foreign language other than Spanish, French or English, a translation must be provided. The translations must be duly certified by the relevant authorities.

Admission Conditions for Applicants
1. Applicants for access to the cycle of studies leading to a master's degree are:

a) Holders of a bachelor's degree or legal equivalent in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Communications and Multimedia, Systems and Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Electrical and Telecommunications Engineering or in other areas of Engineering and Exact and Natural Sciences;

b) Holders of a foreign higher academic degree awarded following a 1st cycle of studies organised in accordance with the principles of the Bologna Process by a State adhering to this Process, in the areas referred to in point a);

c) Holders of a higher academic degree obtained abroad that is recognised as satisfying the objectives of a bachelor's degree by the FCTUC Scientific Council;

d) The application assessor will evaluate the candidate's curriculum, giving it a score on a scale of 0 to 20 for criteria i) to iv) and their respective weightings: i) Academic curriculum, considering the final classification of the course(s) taken by the candidates, (Weighting 30/100); ii) relevance of the course(s) taken to the scientific area of the study cycle to which they are applying, (Weighting 30/100); iii) Scientific curriculum, taking into account the candidates' participation in congresses, seminars, research projects, number and scientific quality of publications (monographs, book chapters, articles in periodicals), awards and similar elements, as long as they concern activities in the scientific area of the study cycle in question, (Weighting 10/100); iv) Professional curriculum, taking into account the duration and nature of the professional duties carried out in the scientific area of the study cycle in question, (Weighting 30/100). 2. The recognition referred to in points b) to d) of paragraph 1 only has the effect of granting access to the cycle of studies leading to the master's degree and does not confer on its holder the equivalence of the degree of licenciado or the recognition of that degree.
NOTE: Applications assessed on any criterion with a score lower than 9.5 will automatically be rejected.

Criteria for Grading Applicants
A. Quality of academic and professional career, (Weighting 4/6);
B. Commitment to the new programme, (Weighting 2/6).

Other information
The application is subject to the payment of a fee of 50.00 €, which cannot be refunded, including in the event of invalidation of the application, non-placement or when the study programme does not open due to a lack of the minimum number of enrolments.
The enrolment and registration of the International Student is only confirmed after a single payment corresponding to 30% of the total basic tuition fee (3 monthly instalments), plus the registration fee.
For more information contact the Course Coordinator (coord-mes@dei.uc.pt).

Recognition of prior learning
Conducted in accordance with the regulations of the University of Coimbra, requiring sufficiently solid training in Informatics to be recognised as attesting the capacity to carry out this cycle of studies, within the scope of the legislation in force. In particular, the Regulation for the Crediting of Previous Training and Professional Experience of the University of Coimbra is highlighted.

Tuition fee/price
National student or equivalent: €4000 (total amount).
International student: €7,000 (total amount).

Learning Languages/Evaluation
English.

Legal Framework of the Qualification
The qualification is governed by Decree-Law no. 115/2013, of 7 August, which makes the third amendment to Decree-Law no. 74/2006, of 24 March.

I have a degree in X (X!= Software training). Will I be accepted?
Although a previous degree in software engineering is desirable, it is not compulsory. We prefer candidates from the field, but we also value your professional experience.
So even if you don't have such a degree, your application will be considered and valued. You'll just be starting from a less favourable position than another candidate with experience and a degree in the field.
One of our best students had a degree in physics, so we have no reason to believe you should have a degree in software.

I'm a recent graduate with no professional experience. Will I be accepted?

The MSE programme is designed for professionals with at least two years of experience in software development. We think it's necessary to have wrestled with real-world problems in order to be open to a reflective approach to technical, human, and organisational problems. However, we believe that character is what makes the difference, and if you can show us your maturity and motivation, that won't exclude you from the programme. This can be seen in the Motivation Letter and the interview.
One of our most successful former students was a recent graduate in electrical engineering who showed such maturity and willingness to learn that we never ignored a recent graduate application.

What is the application timetable and number of places?

If you apply for one stage and are not selected (because other applications were ranked higher than yours), you are invited to apply for the next stage at no extra cost.
Students selected in the 3rd phase can attend classes immediately, even before the administrative enrolment process closes.

When do classes start?

Classes follow the normal academic calendar at the University of Coimbra: the first semester starts at the beginning of September and finishes at the end of January. The second semester runs from February to mid-June.

Is it possible to attend the MSE programme remotely?

The MSE has been organised to meet the needs of working professionals, so it is possible to participate remotely and online: classes are held during after-work hours (from 6 to 8pm), live streaming is available and classes are recorded for asynchronous viewing. Readings and course content are also made available online. Tests and assignments are submitted via the university's academic platform.

However, there are a few moments when we require students to attend on campus: the first week of classes (Bootcamp), so that everyone gets to know each other personally, and the End-of-Semester Presentations, which take place at the end of each of the four semesters.

So yes, it is possible to attend the programme remotely; we currently have MSE students working and living in the UK, France and Switzerland.

It would be best if you also considered moving to Coimbra and getting a job in our dynamic local software industry. We have a red-carpet application process with our industrial partners.

How much does it cost?

The tuition fees are 4,000 euros for Portuguese nationals (one year) and 7,000 euros for international students. The entire programme takes two semesters.
Tuition fees are paid monthly. International students pay the first three months in advance.
Financial support may be available for international students.

If I only obtain Portuguese nationality after my application, will I be charged a fee as an international student?
Brazilian students with Portuguese ancestry have raised this question while acquiring Portuguese nationality.

If you can't prove that you have Portuguese nationality, you will be charged for international student status. As soon as you obtain Portuguese nationality, you apply to change your status (it's a simple form), and from then on, you are billed as a Portuguese citizen. Payments made before that date are due and cannot be changed.

Can I do a PhD after the MSE?

Absolutely! Completing the MSE gives you access to third-cycle courses (doctorates), namely the Doctorate in Information Sciences and Technologies (PDCTI) at DEI/FCTUC, provided you comply with the enrolment rules.

A very interesting example of this was a brilliant former MSE student from China who went on to study for her doctorate on a full scholarship from one of our Industrial Partners.

Is there any help for international students obtaining a visa or residence permit?

This question has been raised mostly by Brazilian students.

Once you've been accepted, you can apply for a residence permit. The University of Coimbra has a specific organisation, Casa da Lusofonia, which can help you obtain a residence permit, find a room and all the support you might need to move to Coimbra from abroad.