How to apply to university in Brazil
As well as its unique culture, Brazil has a growing reputation for higher education – particularly in agriculture, engineering, medicine and social sciences
Mauricio de Albuquerque Leite
This guide aims to equip you with the necessary information to assist students interested in pursuing study opportunities in Brazil, a country with a growing reputation for quality higher education – as well as a unique culture.
Understanding Brazil’s higher-education system
Brazil’s higher-education system includes public and private institutions. Public universities are generally highly competitive and often offer tuition-free education. Private institutions typically charge tuition fees. Courses are primarily taught in Portuguese.
How to apply to university in Brazil
1. Identify suitable programmes
Encourage students to research programmes aligned with their academic interests on university websites. Major Brazilian universities often have international student sections, usually in English. Examples include the University of São Paulo (USP), the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and the State University of Campinas (Unicamp).
Guide students to explore fields where Brazil has a strong academic reputation, such as engineering, agriculture, medicine and social sciences.
2. Investigate application requirements
Application processes vary significantly between universities. Generally, students will need to complete an online application form.
Requirements often include academic transcripts from their secondary education, standardised test scores (though these are not always mandatory for international undergraduates), a statement of purpose and sometimes letters of recommendation.
3. Fill in application forms
Most application forms will be online and in Portuguese. Students can use online translation tools if necessary, but accuracy is important.
Pay close attention to deadlines, which can vary by institution and programme.
How to apply for a student visa for Brazil
International students require a student visa to study in Brazil. This process typically involves:
Acceptance letter: the student must first be accepted into a Brazilian educational institution. The institution will usually provide an official acceptance letter.
Visa application at the Brazilian consulate: once accepted, the student needs to apply for a student visa at the Brazilian consulate or embassy in their home country.
Required documentation: common documents include a valid passport, the acceptance letter from the Brazilian institution, proof of financial means to support their studies and stay, a visa-application form, passport-sized photos, and potentially a criminal-record certificate. Specific requirements can vary, so direct consultation with the Brazilian consulate is crucial.
Registration in Brazil: upon arrival in Brazil, students will likely need to register with the Federal Police (Polícia Federal) and obtain a Foreign National Registration Card (Carteira Nacional de Registro Migratório – CNRM).
Funding opportunities for international students
While fully funded scholarships specifically for undergraduate international students are not always abundant, students can explore the following:
University-specific scholarships: some Brazilian universities offer partial scholarships or tuition waivers to international students. This information is usually available on the international-student or financial-aid pages of the university website.
Government programmes: occasionally, the Brazilian government or specific states offer scholarships for international students, though mostly at postgraduate level. These opportunities are usually announced through the Ministry of Education (Ministério da Educação – MEC) or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministério das Relações Exteriores – Itamaraty).
External scholarship databases: encourage students to search international scholarship databases that may list opportunities for studying in South America.
Supporting your students
Language preparation: advise students to begin learning Portuguese early, as it will be essential for their studies and daily life.
Cultural preparation: encourage students to research Brazilian culture to help with their transition.
Connecting with current students: if possible, try to connect prospective students with current international students in Brazil for first-hand insights.
Keeping up to date: remember to advise students to check the most up-to-date information directly from Brazilian universities and consulates.