The PhD in Physics at UFU is geared to students who received their Masters from  Physics programs that are accredited by the Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC, Portuguese acronym), as well as a Masters degree in the following disciplines:  Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science and Biology. 

The PhD Program is set on a semester basis. The student selection process  occurs twice a year, at the end of the previous semester to the one the student wishes to start. The minimum and maximum duration of the Program are 24 (twenty four) and 48 (forty eight)  months, while there is, in exceptional cases, the possibility of extending it for a further 12 (twelve) months, pending administrative approval by the Program's Collegiate. To obtain the degree, the PhD student should obtain a minimum of 44 (forty four) credits, being 32 (thirty two) comprised by mandatory courses and 12 (twelve) credits in elective courses. In addition, it is required the writing of a PhD Dissertation. For students who are receiving CAPES fellowships, the courses 'Estágio de Docência na Graduação I' and 'Estágio de Docência na Graduação II' are mandatory. The student can find a list of mandatory and elective courses in the Physics Graduate Program Curriculum (scroll down this page). 

To be able to present a PhD Dissertation defense, the student should:

I - complete the minimum number of course credits 

II - present a Proof of Proficiency in Advanced English, as well as in an additional language, 
as defined by a normative set by the Program 

III - be approved in the PhD Qualifying Examination 

IV - be approved in the Pre-Thesis Defense Examination 

V - present proof of submission of at least one paper in a magazine with 
impact parameter of at least 1 (one)

Minimum duration: 36 months 
Maximum duration: 48 months
Last CAPES evaluation (2016): 5 (from 3 to 7)