Foreign Applicants

Program Overview

Official Name

Graduate Program in Sociology (Programa de Pós-Graduação em Sociologia – PPGS)

Institution and Department

The program is offered by the Department of Sociology at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), a leading public university in Brazil recognized for excellence in teaching and research in the humanities and social sciences.

Academic Profile

With a top rating of 6 (on a scale from 1 to 7) in the last three national evaluations by CAPES, Brazil’s federal graduate education agency, the Graduate Program in Sociology at UFSCar is ranked among the best sociology graduate programs in the country.

Founded in 2007, the program builds on the long-standing academic tradition of UFSCar’s former Graduate Program in Social Sciences. It is distinguished by:

• Cutting-edge research that engages with contemporary social transformations
• A strong commitment to social relevance and critical reflection
• A dynamic and international academic profile, with research networks across the Americas, Africa, and Europe

The program is supported by a highly qualified faculty composed of:

• 17 permanent professors
• 4 collaborating professors
• 2 visiting scholars
• 6 postdoctoral researchers

Several faculty members play leading roles in national and international academic institutions, research funding agencies (such as CAPES, CNPq, and FAPESP), and professional associations (SBS, ANPOCS, CLACSO, LASA), underscoring the program’s influence in shaping the field of sociology.

Commitment to Diversity

The program embraces diversity and inclusion in its academic mission. Its research themes, extension projects, and affirmative action policies promote access for underrepresented groups, including:

• Black and Indigenous students
• Graduates of public secondary schools
• Students with disabilities
• Refugees and asylum seekers

Program Duration

• Master’s degree (M.A./M.Sc.): 2 years
• Doctorate (Ph.D.): 4 years

Language of Instruction

Courses are primarily taught in Portuguese. However:

• Advising, supervision, and academic work may be conducted in English, Spanish, or French, depending on the faculty member.
• The program welcomes international students and provides support for academic integration.
• Some courses and research activities may include readings and discussions in English.

Main Research Areas

The program is organized into three major research tracks, which reflect its commitment to critical and engaged sociological inquiry:

1. Culture, Differences, and Mobilities

This area brings together contemporary reflections on culture, identity, and mobility, focusing on how social differences are produced and negotiated. Research topics include:

• National, transnational, and ethnic-racial identification
• Gender and sexuality
• Body and embodiment
• Citizenship and migration
• Artistic and cultural production
• Diaspora and racialization
• African diaspora and global cultural relations
• Borders, mobility regimes, and international movement
• Refuge, displacement, and differentiated access to mobility

This line promotes theoretical and methodological innovation and encourages the development of new epistemologies on difference and alterity.

2. Social Structure and Inequalities

This track explores the transformation and reproduction of social structures and inequalities in their social, economic, cultural, and political dimensions. Research themes include:

• Labor, informality, and precarity
• The impact of technology on social life
• Urban production and spatial inequalities
• Social movements and political mobilization
• Religion, urban struggles, and labor rights
• Intersections between formal, informal, and illegal markets
• Urban segregation and territorial boundaries

The focus is on understanding contemporary changes in how inequality is structured and experienced.

3. Power and Social Conflicts

This area focuses on the dynamics of power and conflict across diverse social and institutional settings. Research topics include:

• Social and environmental conflicts in rural and urban contexts
• Agrarian struggles and land conflicts
• Social movements and collective action
• Public policies, democracy, and the state
• Gender, professions, and occupational hierarchies
• Social control, violence, and public security
• Judiciary, decision-making processes, and access to justice
• Justice indicators and citizenship

It engages with longstanding debates in political sociology and fosters interdisciplinary approaches to conflict and governance.

Master’s Degree

Admissions

Who Can Apply?

We welcome applications from international candidates with a strong academic background in Sociology or related fields (such as Anthropology, Political Science, History, or Philosophy). Applicants should demonstrate a clear research interest aligned with one of our research areas.

Application Timeline

Call for Applications Published: August

• 🗓 Application Deadline: September
• 🧾 Final Results Announcement: November
• 🎓 Start of Academic Year: March 2025 (Southern Hemisphere academic calendar: March–December)

📄 Access the latest Call for Applications (2024–2025)

Obs.: The link to the online application form will be made available in the annual Call for Applications.

Eligibility and Required Documents

To be eligible for the Master’s program, applicants must hold (or be about to complete) an undergraduate degree (Bachelor’s) recognized by the Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC) or equivalent. The Selection Committee will evaluate foreign diplomas to ensure they meet our program’s academic standards.

Required documents for application:

• Copy of valid identification document:
  • Brazilian applicants: RG or CNH
  • Foreign applicants: RNE or RNM (Brazilian national migration documents)
• Curriculum Vitae in Lattes format (Brazil’s standard academic CV)

Create your Lattes CV

• Academic transcript from undergraduate studies
  • If not yet graduated: partial transcript + declaration of expected graduation by March 7, 2025, confirming national validity
• Copy of undergraduate diploma or certificate of completion
  • Foreign degrees will be evaluated for equivalency
• Research Proposal (10–15 pages), formatted as follows:
  • Font: Arial, size 12; Line spacing: 1.5; Numbered pages
  • Sections:
    • Title Page (project title, candidate name, prospective advisor)
    • Abstract
    • Introduction and Justification (with key bibliography)
    • Objectives
    • Work Plan and Timeline
    • Methodology
    • Expected Results and Analysis
    • References

Language Requirements

Although the primary language of instruction is Portuguese, international students may write their thesis and carry out academic work in English, depending on the agreement with their supervisor. Some courses may also be available in English.

We recommend a minimum B1/B2 proficiency in either Portuguese or English. No official language certificate is required.

Selection Process

Admission to the Master’s Program involves three stages, as described below:

Stage 1 – Written Exam (in Portuguese, on-site)

A 3-hour exam focused on sociological theory. Candidates must write an essay based on a prompt using the recommended bibliography.

Scoring Criteria:

Note: This stage requires proficiency in Portuguese.

Stage 2 – Research Proposal Evaluation

Proposals of candidates who passed the written exam will be reviewed by external evaluators.

Evaluation Criteria (0–10 points each):

1. Originality and sociological relevance
2. Clarity of objectives
3. Theoretical consistency
4. Methodological coherence
5. Feasibility of execution
6. Clarity of writing and academic formatting

Final score: average of reviewers’ evaluations.

Stage 3 – Interview (Remote, via Google Meet)

An online interview with faculty members evaluating academic background, project presentation, and motivation.

Evaluation Criteria (0–10 points each):

1. Presentation of research plan and methodology
2. Innovation and academic contribution
3. Academic/professional background
4. Interest in joining the program
5. Commitment to graduate studies
6. Overall quality of project and presentation
7. Financial planning during the program (scholarships are not guaranteed)

Candidates must score at least 7.0 (average) to be admitted.

Additional Notes

• All required documents must be submitted in PDF format.
• Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
• Candidates are encouraged to contact potential advisors prior to applying. Faculty contact information is available on the PPGS’ website: https://www.ppgs.ufscar.br/o-ppgs/docentes/

Doctorate (PhD)

Admissions

Who Can Apply?

The PhD program in Sociology at UFSCar is open to candidates holding a Master’s degree in Sociology or in related fields (e.g. Anthropology, Political Science, History, or Philosophy), granted by institutions recognized by the Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC) or evaluated for equivalency by the program’s selection committee.

Applicants should demonstrate advanced academic maturity, a strong research record, and a well-developed project aligned with one of the research areas of the program.

Application Timeline

Call for Applications Published: August

• Application Deadline: September
• Final Results Announcement: November
• Start of Academic Year: March

Link to the most recent Call for Applications (2024–2025):
https://sei.ufscar.br/sei/publicacoes/controlador_publicacoes.php?acao=publicacao_visualizar&id_documento=1725255&id_orgao_publicacao=0

The online application form link will be included in the annual Call for Applications.

Eligibility and Required Documents (PhD)

Applicants must submit the following documents (in PDF format):

• Copy of identification document:
  • Brazilians: RG or CNH
  • Foreigners: RNE or RNM (Brazilian national migration documents)
• Curriculum Vitae in Lattes format
  (Create your Lattes CV at http://lattes.cnpq.br)
• Master’s academic transcript
  • If the Master’s is still in progress: a partial transcript and a formal declaration confirming the defense of the dissertation will take place by March 7, 2025, and that the course is nationally recognized.
• Diplomas of both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, or equivalent certificates
  • Foreign diplomas will be reviewed for adequacy according to Brazilian regulations.
• Research Proposal (10–15 pages), formatted as:
  • Font: Arial 12, 1.5 line spacing, numbered pages
  • Sections:
    • Title Page (with project title, candidate name, and prospective advisor)
    • Abstract
    • Advances/connections to previous research
    • Introduction and Justification (with key bibliography)
    • Objectives
    • Work Plan and Timeline
    • Materials and Methods
    • Data Analysis Methods
    • References

Language Requirements

The PhD program is primarily taught in Portuguese, but international students may develop their dissertations and academic activities in English, subject to supervisor approval. Some faculty members are fluent in English, and language support can be offered.

No official language certificate is required, but a minimum B1/B2 level in Portuguese or English is recommended.

Selection Process

Admission to the PhD program consists of two stages, both eliminatory and classificatory. Each stage is graded from 0 to 10, with a minimum passing score of 7.0.

Final classification is based on the average of both stages.

Stage 1 – Research Proposal Evaluation

Submitted proposals will be evaluated by ad hoc reviewers based on the following criteria:

1. Originality of the topic and its contribution to sociological knowledge
2. Clear and well-defined objectives
3. Coherence between theoretical framework and objectives
4. Adequacy between methodology and goals
5. Feasibility within the expected timeline
6. Clarity, objectivity, and adherence to academic writing norms

Each criterion is scored from 0 to 10. The final score is the average of the reviewers’ evaluations.

Note: Candidates are encouraged to contact a potential advisor before applying. Faculty emails are available on the PPGS website.

Stage 2 – Online Interview (Google Meet)

Candidates will be interviewed remotely on the scheduled dates. The interview will focus on the applicant’s academic background, research project, and alignment with the program.

Evaluation Criteria (each worth 0–10 points):

1. Research plan and methodology presentation
2. Innovation and relevance of the research
3. Academic and professional background
4. Motivation to join PPGS/UFSCar
5. Commitment to graduate studies
6. Overall presentation and project coherence
7. Demonstrated advances from previous Master’s research
8. Financial sustainability during the PhD (scholarships are not guaranteed)

Final Notes

• Only complete applications submitted on time will be reviewed.
• All documents must be submitted in PDF format.
• Candidates must obtain a minimum average of 7.0 to be admitted.
• The Affirmative Action Policy applies to this selection process and can impact the final classification.

Tuition and Funding

Tuition Fees

Graduate programs in Brazil’s federal public universities, including the Master’s and Doctorate programs in Sociology at UFSCar, are tuition-free. There are no tuition or enrollment fees charged to admitted students.

However, a non-refundable processing fee is required when submitting an application. The amount is published annually in the official Call for Applications (Edital).

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The granting of scholarships is not automatic and depends on the availability of funding for each academic year. After the selection process concludes, all eligible and admitted students may apply for financial aid through an internal ranking conducted by the PPGS/UFSCar Scholarship Committee. This ranking follows specific criteria established by the committee, and the number of scholarships available may vary.

Scholarships typically cover monthly stipends to support full-time academic dedication. They do not include accommodation or tuition, as the program is already tuition-free.

FAPESP Scholarships

Students admitted to the program may also apply for individual research scholarships offered by FAPESP (São Paulo Research Foundation), one of Brazil’s most prestigious funding agencies.

FAPESP scholarship applications are submitted separately, after admission, and must follow the agency’s guidelines and eligibility requirements. More information is available at:
https://fapesp.br/en

Affirmative Action Policies

Refugees and Beneficiaries of Brazilian Humanitarian Policies

The Graduate Program in Sociology at UFSCar (PPGS/UFSCar) is strongly committed to inclusion and diversity. As part of its affirmative action policies, one seat per year is reserved in both the Master’s and PhD programs for candidates in the following categories:

• Individuals officially recognised as refugees by the Brazilian government;
• Individuals who are asylum seekers with an active application process in Brazil;
• Beneficiaries of Brazilian humanitarian policies, such as holders of residência humanitária (humanitarian residence permits) or residence permits for Venezuelan nationals, among others.

Applicants must submit official documentation proving their status, as outlined in the official Affirmative Action Policy document available on the program’s website.

In addition to the reserved seat, candidates in these categories are also eligible for bonus points that are added to their final average score in the admissions process:

• +1.0 point for women in these categories;
• +0.6 point for men in these categories.

These measures reflect the program’s commitment to supporting historically underrepresented groups in Brazilian higher education.

These candidates must submit appropriate documentation attesting to their status, as specified in the official Affirmative Action Policy guidelines available on the program’s website (in Portuguese): https://sei.ufscar.br/sei/publicacoes/controlador_publicacoes.php?acao=publicacao_visualizar&id_documento=1728581&id_orgao_publicacao=0

Visiting Scholars

Scholars and researchers on leave from other universities who wish to stay at PPGS UFSCar for short-term research should initially contact a faculty member with whom they share research interests. A faculty member of the program will be appointed to supervise the research activities.

Visiting Research Students

The Graduate Program in Sociology (PPGS) welcomes master’s and doctoral students from other universities who wish to stay for a period at UFSCar to develop their research or take isolated courses. The stay period should last up to one year.

The first step in applying for this type of short-term visit is to contact a PPGS faculty member with whom the student shares research interests or would like to cooperate. The research work will be supervised by this faculty member.

Contact & Further Information

For any questions regarding the application process, courses, or academic life at PPGS/UFSCar, please contact us:

📧 Email: ppgs@ufscar.br
🌐 Website: https://www.ppgs.ufscar.br

Follow us on social media to stay updated on news, calls, and events:
🔗 Instagram: @ppgsufscar