Brazil is one of the world’s most populous countries and a rising economic power. It has garnered billions of dollars from investors looking for the next generation of entrepreneurs and businesses in recent years. As a result, Brazil is an excellent choice for students wishing to study abroad. It is a fairly inexpensive place to pursue a degree.
Many state universities even offer free tuition to international students! Most institutions do not provide student housing, however, they do assist international students in finding private housing. International students can study in Brazil up to the postgraduate level. Below are listed some of the best universities in Brazil to consider as an international student.
List of universities in Brazil for International Students
Discover below the best universities in Brazil for International Students if you are considering leaving your country to school in Brazil.
Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
São Paulo University is a public university in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. It was founded in 1934 as a merging of an existing law faculty, engineering school, and agricultural college. Foreign students are admitted to the University of São Paulo through exchange student programs. Up to six (six) international students will be admitted to the master’s degree program each year, and up to three (three) will be admitted to the PhD program. The University of São Paulo is one of Brazil’s most distinguished higher education institutions, ranked among the top 100 in the world.
Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)
The State University of Campinas, popularly known as Unicamp, is a public research university located in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. Unicamp is regularly recognized among the top universities in Brazil. Unicamp, founded in 1962, was constructed from the ground up as an integrated research center, as opposed to other top Brazilian universities, which are often formed by the combination of already existing schools and institutions. Unicamp is made up of various semi-autonomous educational entities known as schools and institutes. Each unit is led by a faculty director, who is equal to a dean and is elected by the faculty and student representatives.
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)
The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro is a Brazilian public research university in the state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the country’s largest federal university and one of Brazil’s centers of excellence in teaching and research. The University of Rio de Janeiro was founded on September 7, 1920 (Brazilian Independence Day) by President Epitácio Pessoa by Law Decree 14343. UFRJ is a key player in the establishment of the Brazilian intellectual elite, making substantial contributions to not only Rio de Janeiro’s but also Brazil’s history.
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)
The Federal University of Minas Gerais is a federal research university in Minas Gerais, Brazil. UFMG is a free public educational institution that was formed in 1927 as one of the country’s oldest higher education institutions and has had a significant impact on the cultural and economic life of its community. This top international university in Brazil also offers numerous academic and non-academic services and facilities to its students, such as international partnerships, study abroad programs, distance learning programs, and administrative support services.
Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar)
The Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) was established in 1968 and was the first and only Federal University in São Paulo until 2006. The university’s initial focus was on natural sciences. This profile shifted in the 1990s when UFSCar expanded its courses, departments, and graduate programs in the humanities. According to the Folha de S. Paulo University Ranking, UFSCar is one of the top ten universities in Brazil.
Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF)
The Fluminense Federal University is a public higher education school mostly based in Niterói and other locations in the state of Rio de Janeiro. It was founded on December 18, 1960, as Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UFERJ), by the unification of many academic colleges in the city of Niterói. The current name was adopted on November 5, 1965. According to the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, UFF is one of the top 25 universities in Latin America. Furthermore, UFF has grown to become the sixteenth largest university in the country, the sixth largest public institution, and the third largest federal university.
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)
The Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) is a public research university in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. UFRGS is one of Brazil’s largest and most prestigious universities. The Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul is a research-intensive university with about 43,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It originated as a chemistry and pharmacy school, grew to include an engineering college, and then added law, communication, agriculture, and fine arts. Today, the institution places a premium on innovation, national and international participation, and the ongoing improvement of infrastructure and academic facilities for its students.
Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR)
The Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) is a Brazilian public university based in Curitiba, Paraná. UFPR is regarded as one of Brazil’s oldest universities. According to the Ranking Universitário Folha (RUF), the Federal University of Paraná is ranked eighth in Brazil, with a global ranking of #651-700. Over 46,000 students are enrolled in 14 academic units of the UFPR, which offers 124 undergraduate courses and more than 110 graduate programs. On each campus, there are laboratories and libraries. International students may apply through the partner university. As part of the application materials, a motivation letter, a reference letter from the applicant’s home institution, and the applicant’s most recent transcript must be prepared.
Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio)
The Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) was founded in 1941 as a private, non-profit Catholic university. PUC-Rio is a research university that focuses on the advancement of science and innovation. PUC-Rio includes over 1,500 faculty and researchers, as well as 26 departments organized into four academic centers. The International Program Office facilitates student, faculty, and researcher exchange. PUC-Rio provides a variety of programs for international undergraduate and graduate students, including exchange and short-term programs, as well as double degree programs.
Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC)
Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC), also known as the Federal University of ABC, was founded in 2005 in Santo André, a municipality in the So Paulo metropolitan zone. When it was opened, the university drew international notice for being the first in Brazil to solely hire academics with doctorates. According to SCImago Institutions Rankings, it was the only university in Brazil with an impact factor in scientific publications above the global average for the second consecutive year in 2011. The Federal University of ABC has an unusual approach to undergraduate education.
