Through this Agreement, the School of Economics and Management of UMinho and the Department of Economics and Finance of Tor Vergata, intend to establish the norms that govern the mutual recognition of training obtained by 2^nd cycle students under the Master of Science in Finance and Banking of Tor Vergata University, Italy, and the Master in Finance, of the University of Minho, Portugal. The collaboration is designed to not only produce graduates with strong competence in the main economic fields, but also to equip them with the capacity to communicate in English and to deal with different approaches in analyzing the way firms and markets operate.

The collaboration programme is meant to be a long-term cooperation and conveys several objectives:

1. to train local and national level leaders with broader knowledge, skills and capabilities to have a positive influence on the development of their countries;
2. to facilitate the learning process and experience transfer in order to understand differences in culture and country specific economic factors;
3. to provide international exposure to students as well as to both institutions’ teaching staff.

Under the Mutual Recognition of Training arrangement, students will be able to obtain the Tor Vergata Master of Science Degree in Finance and Banking and the UMinho Master Degree in Finance.

Students involved in the Mutual Recognition of Training are enrolled at their Home Institution. The following academic schedule is foreseen for participants:

1. 1. UMinho students will attend the first year of studies at UMinho. They will attend the second year of studies at Tor Vergata.
   2. Tor Vergata students will attend the first year of studies and the first semester of the second year of studies at Tor Vergata. They will attend the second semester of the second year at UMinho.

A maximum of two students will be selected to study at Tor Vergata and a maximum of two students will be selected to study at UMinho each academic year. Such number may vary each academic year with the written agreement of the two Universities. However, a balance of exchange students is obtained under the term of this agreement.

The language of instruction (teaching, assessment and examination) of students at both Universities is English.

Both Masters of Finance are designed for holders of a bachelor degree with a solid background in Finance and Quantitative Methods, and with a good knowledge of the English language. The admission criteria of the Master of Finance and Banking at Tor Vergata are similar to the admission criteria of the Master in Finance at UMinho. However, either University may reject a student candidate proposed by each Party based on academic, and/or language grounds, and/or in accordance with the standard admissions and/or enrolment policy. The University will provide written reasons for rejecting any student candidate proposed by each Party.

Neither University will unlawfully reject a student candidate on the grounds of gender, race (including color, descent or nationality), disability, age, sexual preference or orientation, marital status, pregnancy, family or professional responsibility, social origin, political affiliation or religious beliefs.

The Agreement may enable both Universities to partake in Joint Research, Workshops or Lecturer Exchanges to support the Master programmes and the curriculum development.

Both Universities will make reasonable efforts to assist the students in matters regarding housing and hospitality, however, neither Party is obliged to provide housing or financial assistance of any kind, whatsoever.

Every year by July, the parties will provide a list of nominated students and provide to the referent office the following students’ documents in original:

1. 1. A valid student identity document;
   2. Enrolment statement;
   3. Transcript of all the exams taken;
   4. The learning agreement signed by both the coordinator of the programme and the student.

The parties agree to share detailed curricular information, including course syllabi, and communicate any changes to degree completion requirements.

The final thesis of students participating in the programme must be submitted at both universities and defended at the home institution;  a Joint Graduation Committee will assign the final grade to the students who completed all the requirements for the mutual recognition of training; at the end of the programme both institutions will exchange information and documents to up-date the student’s academic carrier to be able to issue the Master degree.

The host institution will issue appropriate documents to assist a prospective student in obtaining the Visa, under the current legislation of the host country. Each student is responsible for his/her Visa and for complying with further immigration formalities. Moreover he/she is solely responsible for the submission in due time of all the documents required to pursue the exchange period at the host institution.

Students are required to comply with each University's international student enrolment and admission criteria, including English language proficiency, qualifications, experience and student visa requirements;

Students participating in the program must register at both institutions but are exempt from paying enrolment fees at the Host Institution. Students pay tuition fees exclusively at Tor Vergata. Students will be responsible for costs such as tuition fees at the home university, living, travel, insurance and ancillary costs in connection with the Dual Degree program. 

Each Tor Vergata student must forward a proposed study plan (Learning Agreement), which includes the choice of three elective courses to be taken at Minho the following year, for signature by both institutions.

Students will be admitted and enrolled as full-time students. They are entitled to the same rights and privileges (including library resources and student support services) and subject to the same rules, policies, penalties and discipline as other enrolled students at the Universities as applicable.

Students must comply with and will be bound by the statutes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the Universities, including those affecting enrolled students.

To successfully complete the program and earn both academic titles, students from both Institutions must complete a minimum of 120 ECTS as indicated in the general Study Plans.  Based on the courses taken and the subsequent credit recognition, students who successfully fulfill the requirements of the two institutions will be awarded the Master degree from both Universities. Tor Vergata students complete 78 ECTS at Tor Vergata, 18 ECTS of elective courses at Minho and 24 ETCS for the final thesis at Tor Vergata. This means that students should only sit compulsory exams at Tor Vergata.

Tor Vergata students may apply for the Minho Dual Degree program in February of their first year of study.

The call for applications evaluation criteria: grade point average and number of university credits achieved by the first winter exam session. Students interested in participating in the Dual Degree program are encouraged to apply for an Erasmus mobility grant for the semester abroad, as the Dual Degree selection does not include funding. The names of the nominees who confirm their interest in participating in the Dual Degree program will be sent to Minho in June, and students leave for Minho in January of their second year of study. 

Therefore, students should complete the first year and a half of courses of the Master of Science in Finance and Banking at Tor Vergata (78 ECTS) prior to starting at UMinho to complete their last semester abroad.

The 2022/2023 Academic Year Calendar at Minho is now available, while the 2024/2025 Academic Year calendar will be available in July 2024.

In early December, students will meet online with a Supervisor from each University. The thesis project will be presented at Minho between the end of January and early February. The final thesis must be submitted at both universities and defended at Tor Vergata in July; a Joint Graduation Committee will assign the final grade to the students who completed all the requirements for the mutual recognition of training.

A residence permit for students in Portugal is given to international students outside the EU who have been accepted into an educational institution in Portugal. This permit is also valid for a year and can be renewed every year for the duration of your study program.

If you want to stay in Portugal after you finish your studies you must have a job so you can switch to a Portugal work visa.

Do I Need a Visa to Study in Portugal?

Yes, if you are a non-EU national and your study course is longer than three months, you will most likely need a visa to study in Portugal. The visa rules for international students in Portugal depend on the nationality of the student and the duration of the course:

• For a study course longer than three months:
  • Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: Student visa required. You will also need a residence permit.
  • EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: Student visa not required, but you will have to register your stay with the local authorities.
• For a study course shorter than three months:
  • Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: A student visa is required only for nationalities who typically need a Portugal Schengen Visa. People from many countries, such as the US., Australia, Canada, can enter Portugal with just their passport for up to three months, during which time they can even take a short study course.
  • EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: Student visa not required.

Portugal Student Visa Requirements

When you apply for a student visa for Portugal, you will have to submit the following documents:

• Your valid passport (or travel document).
• Letter of Acceptance from your university.
• Proof you have paid the tuition fees. If you have a scholarship, submit a document from your university confirming it.
• Two passport-size pictures, taken recently. They must follow Schengen guidelines.
• Portugal student visa application form. The Embassy will usually provide this for you.
• Proof you have enough financial means to sustain your stay. This can be either bank statements, a scholarship, proof of financial aid, or proof of sponsorship.
• Proof you have accommodation in Portugal. This can be a rental contract, accommodation from your university (dorms) or a letter of invitation from a family member/friend with whom you will live in Portugal.
• A Certificate of Criminal Records.
• Proof of Schengen travel health insurance. After you arrive in Portugal, you must also have adequate health insurance from a private company.

Student Accommodation Application for Tor Vergata Students at Minho

The accommodation application is only in Portuguese, so students are encouraged to use the online translator that is available. Any questions about student accommodation may be sent to Ms. Ana Paula Berenguer at alojamento@sas.uminho.pt.

Erasmus Mobility Grant

LazioDisco Income-based funding for studies and student accommodation

University of Minho Master in Finance

Obligations for Students from the University of Minho

Students are required to comply with each University's international student enrolment and admission criteria, including English language proficiency, qualifications, experience and student visa requirements;

Students participating in the program must register at both institutions but are exempt from paying enrolment fees at the Host Institution. Minho students pay tuition fees exclusively at Minho. Students will be responsible for costs such as tuition fees at the home university, living, travel, insurance and ancillary costs in connection with the Dual Degree program. 

Each Minho student must forward a proposed study plan (Learning Agreement), which includes the choice of three elective courses to be taken at Tor Vergata the following year, for signature by both institutions.

Students will be admitted and enrolled as full-time students. They are entitled to the same rights and privileges (including library resources and student support services) and subject to the same rules, policies, penalties and discipline as other enrolled students at the Universities as applicable.

Students must comply with and will be bound by the statutes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the Universities, including those affecting enrolled students.

To successfully complete the program and earn both academic titles, students from both Institutions must complete a minimum of 120 ECTS as indicated in the general Study Plans.  Based on the courses taken and the subsequent credit recognition, students who successfully fulfill the requirements of the two institutions will be awarded the Master degree from both Universities. Minho students complete 60 ECTS at Minho in the first year of study, 36 ECTS of courses at Tor Vergata during the second year of study, and 24 ETCS for the final thesis at Minho. 

Study Plan for Students from the University of Minho

Students who participate in the Dual Degree program are required to take specific exams in order to guarantee correct credit recognition to earn both degrees. Students are required to provide a Learning Agreement, indicating the following courses to be taken during the mobility (second year of study).

Procedures

During the course of the academic year, students will be contacted regularly by the Program Office regarding procedures and deadlines. The main procedures for students are: enrollment, registering for exams, and registering for graduation, all of which require students to login to the Delphi platform. The Welcome Office assists students with enrollment, while the Program Office assists students with other issues that may arise during the course of the academic year. Students are encouraged to read the information on the MSc Finance and Banking website.

Student assistance

Students from Minho are encouraged to keep in contact with the MSc Finance and Banking Program Office, whose staff is available to provide assistance in most matters: msc_finance@economia.uniroma2.it. Students should keep in mind that the Program Office closes each year for two weeks in mid-August. Below are a few useful links for new students enrolling for the first time at Tor Vergata.