University of Saint Joseph Macao Diocese Scholarship

Overview

The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) in Macau offers a multi-track scholarship programme for international students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. USJ is Macau's Catholic university, founded in 2009 by the Diocese of Macau. Its programmes focus on design, education, nursing, architecture, social science, and humanities, with instruction in English and Portuguese. The scholarship structure reflects USJ's identity and Macau's historical ties: two undergraduate tracks support students from Portuguese-speaking countries and from ASEAN nations, while postgraduate tracks serve graduates of ASEACCU member institutions and recipients of the Macao Foundation Scholarship.

Both undergraduate tracks cover 100% of tuition fees for four years, with selection based on academic background and an interview. USJ uses a 20-point grading scale, and the renewal condition for undergraduate scholarships is a CGPA of 14.0 out of 20 alongside fulfilment of university representation duties. The postgraduate Macao Foundation track is the most financially comprehensive option: MOP 100,000 per year for master's students and MOP 120,000 per year for PhD students, inclusive of tuition, accommodation, and a monthly stipend of MOP 2,500.

Application is through USJ's Admissions Portal; cycles open and close on an annual schedule. The 2026/2027 round was closed at the time this guide was prepared — check usj.edu.mo for the current cycle's opening date. For scholarship enquiries, contact scholarship@usj.edu.mo or (+853) 8592-5654.

Key Facts at a Glance

Eligibility Criteria

Portuguese-Speaking Countries Track (Undergraduate, 100% tuition for 4 years)

You must hold citizenship of Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, or East Timor (Timor-Leste). Selection is based on your academic background and interview performance. Quotas for this track are limited.

Southeast Asia (ASEAN) Track (Undergraduate, 100% tuition for 4 years)

You must hold citizenship of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam. Selection is based on academic background and interview performance. Quotas are limited and distinct from the Portuguese-speaking track.

Undergraduate Renewal Conditions

To retain either undergraduate scholarship after year one, you must maintain a CGPA of 14.0 out of 20 on USJ's grading scale AND fulfil your university representation and ambassador duties each year. Meeting only one of the two conditions is not sufficient for renewal.

ASEACCU Member Institutions Track (Master's, 100% tuition for 2 years)

You must hold a degree from an ASEACCU (Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities) member institution and must not hold a Macao SAR ID. A formal recommendation letter from your home ASEACCU member university is required. This track is specifically for graduates of external member institutions, not graduates of USJ's own undergraduate programmes seeking to continue at USJ.

Macao Foundation Scholarship (Postgraduate)

Available to eligible master's and PhD applicants at USJ. The award is MOP 100,000 per year for master's students (2 years) and MOP 120,000 per year for PhD students (3 years), inclusive of tuition, accommodation, and a monthly stipend of MOP 2,500. Specific eligibility conditions for this track are coordinated between USJ and the Macao Foundation; confirm requirements directly with USJ's scholarship office when applying.

What the Scholarship Covers

• Portuguese-Speaking Countries Track: 100% tuition fee reduction for 4 academic years (undergraduate)
• Southeast Asia (ASEAN) Track: 100% tuition fee reduction for 4 academic years (undergraduate)
• For both undergraduate tracks: accommodation and daily living expenses are NOT included
• ASEACCU Member Institutions Master's Track: 100% tuition fee reduction for 2 academic years
• Macao Foundation Master's Track: MOP 100,000/year for 2 years, inclusive of tuition, accommodation, and MOP 2,500/month stipend
• Macao Foundation PhD Track: MOP 120,000/year for 3 years, inclusive of tuition, accommodation, and MOP 2,500/month stipend
• All tracks have limited quotas; the number of scholarships per track per year is limited

How to Apply

1. Identify your track: Determine which scholarship track applies to your nationality and degree level — Portuguese-Speaking Countries, ASEAN, ASEACCU graduate, or Macao Foundation postgraduate.
2. Check the current cycle: Visit usj.edu.mo/en/scholarships-and-fellowships/admissions-scholarship-for-international-students/ for the current application round status. The 2026/2027 cycle was closed when this guide was prepared; contact USJ for the next opening date.
3. Apply through the USJ Admissions Portal: Submit your programme application and scholarship application together through USJ's online admissions portal. Indicate your target scholarship track clearly.
4. Prepare academic documents: Gather certified copies of all transcripts, your graduation certificate, and language proficiency evidence. Non-English and non-Portuguese documents require certified translation.
5. Obtain your reference letters: For the ASEACCU track, obtain a formal recommendation letter from your home ASEACCU member university confirming your institution's membership and your academic standing. For other tracks, standard academic references apply.
6. Attend your interview (undergraduate tracks): Both undergraduate tracks require an interview as part of selection. Prepare to discuss your academic background, your reasons for choosing USJ, and your connection to the scholarship community.
7. Await the scholarship decision: USJ communicates scholarship decisions alongside admission offers. Accept your offer within the stated deadline if awarded.
8. Contact USJ with questions: Reach the scholarship team at scholarship@usj.edu.mo or (+853) 8592-5654 for any questions about your track, documents, or cycle dates.

Required Documents

• Completed USJ admission application (via the USJ Admissions Portal)
• Certified copies of all academic transcripts and certificates
• Valid passport clearly showing nationality
• Proof of English and/or Portuguese language proficiency (as required by your programme)
• At least two academic reference letters
• For the ASEACCU track: official recommendation letter from your home ASEACCU member university
• Personal statement outlining your academic background and reasons for choosing USJ and your scholarship track
• Passport-size photographs

Key Dates & Deadlines

The 2026/2027 scholarship cycle was closed at the time this guide was prepared. USJ typically opens applications for the following academic year in the first quarter of the calendar year. Check usj.edu.mo for the next cycle's opening date, or contact scholarship@usj.edu.mo to register your interest and be notified when the next round opens.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Contact USJ's scholarship office at scholarship@usj.edu.mo well before applications open to confirm your track's eligibility and the exact document requirements for your nationality and programme
• For both undergraduate tracks, interview performance matters alongside your academic record — preparation for the interview should cover your reasons for choosing USJ specifically, your knowledge of Macau, and your community or professional goals
• For the ASEACCU master's track, request the recommendation letter from your home university well in advance; institutional processing times vary and delays on the letter can hold up your entire application
• For the Macao Foundation track, the combination of tuition, accommodation, and MOP 2,500/month stipend makes this the most comprehensive postgraduate option; apply with a strong and specific academic or professional development plan

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying to the wrong undergraduate track for your nationality — the country lists for the Portuguese-Speaking Countries and ASEAN tracks are separate and do not overlap
• Underestimating the CGPA renewal condition: 14.0 out of 20 on USJ's scale is roughly a B average in European grading terms — it requires consistent effort to maintain
• Overlooking the university representation obligation for undergraduate scholarship holders — this is a condition of renewal, not an optional activity
• Not checking whether the application cycle is currently open before gathering documents — USJ closes the portal between annual cycles, and submissions outside the open window will not be processed

Frequently Asked Questions

What scholarships does the University of Saint Joseph offer to international students?

Four tracks: the Portuguese-Speaking Countries Track (100% tuition for 4 undergraduate years), the ASEAN Track (100% tuition for 4 undergraduate years), the ASEACCU Member Institutions Master's Track (100% tuition for 2 years), and the Macao Foundation Scholarship (MOP 100,000/year for master's; MOP 120,000/year for PhD, inclusive of tuition, accommodation, and MOP 2,500/month stipend).

Which countries are eligible for the USJ Portuguese-Speaking Countries Track?

Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor (Timor-Leste).

Which countries are eligible for the USJ ASEAN Track?

Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

What do the USJ undergraduate scholarships cover?

Both undergraduate tracks (Portuguese-Speaking Countries and ASEAN) cover 100% of tuition fees for 4 academic years. Accommodation and daily living expenses are not included.

What GPA must I maintain to keep an undergraduate USJ scholarship?

A CGPA of 14.0 out of 20 on USJ's grading scale, AND fulfilment of university representation and ambassador duties. Both conditions are required — meeting only one is not sufficient for renewal.

What is the ASEACCU Master's Track at USJ?

A scholarship offering 100% tuition reduction for 2 years at the master's level, open to graduates of ASEACCU (Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities) member institutions who do not hold a Macao SAR ID. A recommendation letter from your home ASEACCU university is required.

What does the Macao Foundation Scholarship at USJ cover?

MOP 100,000 per year for master's students (for 2 years) and MOP 120,000 per year for PhD students (for 3 years). Both amounts include tuition, on-campus accommodation, and a monthly stipend of MOP 2,500.

Do I need an interview to apply for a USJ scholarship?

Yes, for both undergraduate tracks — the Portuguese-Speaking Countries Track and the ASEAN Track both include an interview as part of the selection process. Postgraduate tracks (ASEACCU and Macao Foundation) may have different assessment approaches; confirm with USJ.

Is the USJ scholarship cycle currently open?

The 2026/2027 cycle was closed when this guide was prepared. Contact scholarship@usj.edu.mo or visit usj.edu.mo to find out when the next cycle opens.

How do I contact USJ about scholarship enquiries?

Email scholarship@usj.edu.mo or call (+853) 8592-5654. The scholarship team can confirm current cycle status, document requirements, and eligibility for your specific track.