This text deals with the principal influences suffered, at their outset, by Master's and Doctoral Programmes in Brazil, based on models already well developed in the period 1960/70, by countries like France and the USA. As I had the opportunity to live in these countries as a postgraduate student, from where I returned to Brazil when the first programmes were being implanted, I was able to confer such influences and their results. This is clearly a personal view, limited by my own experience, and not furthered by means of a study or more careful analysis. However, I was able to confront and confirm my impressions with those of colleagues who lived similar experiences but nevertheless I accept total responsibility for the interpretations which I present in the text as suggestions for other interpretations and studies which may further the suppositions which I have managed to raise.
postgraduate studies; Brazil; France; United States of America