Why Study In Brazil for Indian Students? Would you like to live and study in one of the most visited countries in the world? Brazil is one of the most famous destinations in South America thanks to its diverse fauna, soccer, irresistible beaches, and the joy of its people.
But in addition to offering endless tourist activities and entertainment, this vast South American nation is also an attractive academic destination with a strong network of university institutions.
If you want to know more about this face of Brazil that you did not know, we invite you to read this complete guide.
How to Study In Brazil for Indian Students? What do you need?
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For many people, Brazil is one of the world’s most colourful and diverse countries. Its beautiful beaches and dense Amazon jungle have internationally marked the nation’s image.
From a tourist point of view, it is evident that this South American country has thousands of places and activities to offer.
However, Brazil has also recently become popular for attractive academic opportunities for foreigners. Considering that we are talking about a country with a developing economy, its number of higher education institutions is quite striking.
According to the 2018 QS World University Rankings, Brazil has the highest number of ranked universities in Latin America. This makes it the most important academic destination in the region, with 80 of the best 400 institutions in Latin America.
So, if you are thinking of studying abroad or want to offer your child a better future, studying in Brazil is a promising alternative that you should consider. Its educational system is simple in the eyes of international students, and it grants different degrees to future professionals.
You may need to apply for a student visa to study in Brazil as a foreigner. Other visas can serve you depending on your nationality and the length of your stay. In general, the visas that you may require are:
- Temporary Visa IV (Student). It is the primary visa that all foreigners must process if they want to study in Brazil on a regular program, do an exchange of study, research or internship. The visa has an initial validity of 1 year.
- Visitor Visa (VIVIS). This visa allows you to enter and stay in Brazil for up to 90 days. You can study and do other activities during your visit, as long as there is no financial remuneration.
In this issue of visas, there is an important fact that you should know if you live in Latin America. If you are from one of the member countries of the Residence Agreement for Mercosur Nationals, you do not need a visa to enter Brazil.
The list of countries in the agreement includes Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Paraguay. The visa waiver is valid for 90 days. Past that time, citizens of these countries can apply for a Temporary Residence Visa (VITEM XIII).
One of Brazil’s most exciting academic opportunities is courses to learn Portuguese. As the primary language of the country and the 6th most spoken in the world, we assure you that studying Portuguese will give you many advantages.
We know that you still have many questions and doubts, but do not worry that this guide on studying in Brazil is just beginning, and DS Hub will tell you everything you are interested in knowing before embarking on your trip.
How Much Does It Cost To Study Abroad In Brazil?
Before discussing universities, the admission process, and visas, we think studying the cost of living in Brazil is convenient. In the financial field, this South American country is one of the cheapest to live in.
Making an estimated calculation, a person needs $781 dollars to cover their expenses in Brazil for 1 month.
This figure is much lower than that of other countries such as Canada, the United States, or Australia. Still, it must understand that Brazil’s education level is not yet comparable to that of these first-world nations.
However, subsequent in neighbouring countries such as Venezuela, Argentina, and Peru, the academic offer in Brazil is quite competitive.
Tuition prices are between $2,000 and $10,000 a year, so it is a very strong candidate for foreigners who cannot afford expensive tuition.
The official currency is the Real (R$), and according to some economists, it is the strongest currency in Latin America despite the economic crises that the country has gone through.
Each student is different, so it is difficult to determine a general budget since the expenses vary greatly depending on the university and the city where you live.
Despite being the capital, Brasilia is not the most expensive city in Brazil. Still, it is below other more populated cities such as São Paulo, Porto Alegre, and Rio de Janeiro.
Can you study in Brazil for free?
The university and secondary sector in Brazil is constantly growing. The government and some independent organizations fund financial support programs and scholarships for students who need it most.
In most cases, the scholarships are intended for the poorest students who want to enter a private institution.
There is not much information about international scholarships to study in Brazil.
If you need financial aid or want to reduce your study expenses, we recommend you review the offer of scholarships or exchange programs in your country of residence.
Study at the University in Brazil
Studying at the University in Brazil is an unforgettable and rewarding experience. The nation has more than 2,000 higher education institutions, all recognized by the Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC).
In recent years, many universities, such as the QS, have positioned themselves in world rankings.
In this 2021 list, the Brazilian university with the highest position (115) is the University of São Paulo (USP), the largest in the public sector, with more than 90,000 students enrolled and 11 campuses.
Another university that deserves to be mentioned is the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), the second best in Latin America according to the QS Top Universities.
This institution promotes research in the country and offers a wide range of postgraduate courses. It is positioned among the 50 best in the world in Dentistry, Agriculture and other careers.
Bachelor’s degrees in Brazilian universities are known as “Bacarelado” and last between 3 and 6 years. Those interested in training as teachers can choose a bachelor’s degree between 3 and 4 years.
You can also study for a technical degree based on specialized professional courses lasting at least 2 years. These programs tend to be compared to technical degrees in the United States.
To guarantee quality and excellence, the postgraduate degrees of the Universities in Brazil are evaluated every 2 years by CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior), the Brazilian Federal Agency for the Support and Evaluation of Postgraduate Education.
What will Universities ask of you?
To understand how the university admission system works in Brazil, you need to know that public higher education institutions are managed by the Ministry of Education (MEC) and use the Unified Selection System (SISU).
SISU is a unified selection system through which public universities (such as USP) offer vacancies to students who participate in the National High School Examination (Enem).
The Enem is not only the most critical test to study in Brazil but also the admission method adopted by public, federal and even private universities.
The exam takes place once a year, and students who have already finished their secondary studies and those who are in their last year can participate.
When it comes to requirements, we always recommend contacting the university directly. Many factors influence the list of necessary documents, such as the type of institution, the country you apply to, and the program you choose.
However, so that you can prepare yourself and keep in mind what you may need to study in Brazil, here are some general requirements:
- Present the ENEM. It is the most popular selection method. It usually takes place in November and consists of a written essay + other tests with 45 multiple-choice questions each.
- Present the Vestibular Examination. It is another kind of admission exam managed by institutions such as FUVEST, CESPE or VUNESP. The University of São Paulo and the University of Brasilia (along with other institutions) often use this test to determine the knowledge acquired by students in different subjects during their primary and secondary education.
- Demonstrate your proficiency in Portuguese. The vast majority of undergraduate and postgraduate programs available in Brazil are taught in its official language. For this reason, all international students must demonstrate their command of the language through the Certificate of Proficiency in the Portuguese Language for Foreigners (CELPE-Bras).
Important
Depending on your chosen institution and career, you may have to meet other requirements to be accepted. Please, request more information from the academic provider of your interest to be sure of the documents you must have.
What is the process to be accepted?
In case you are going to present the ENEM, the process to be accepted into a Brazilian university would be the following:
- Register on the SISU platform. First of all, you must create an account on the SISU platform. Remember that you can only register in this system if you participated in the last National Secondary Education Examination (ENEM) and obtained a grade higher than 0 in the essay. To register, you must create an account with the gov. br domain. If you don’t have one, click here to create one. When finished, you can register on the SISU platform by entering this link.
- Confirm your data. You will have to confirm your data so that SISU recognizes your registration and you can start the process.
- Choose up to two study options and select the vacancies of your interest. After the data confirmation stage, you will be ready to choose up to two study options. Then, all available vacancies will appear on the screen according to your chosen option. You can search for openings by course name, institution, or region. If you want more details about the program, click on it.
- Choose the modality. The next step is to select the modality in which you prefer to study the course. Read the information carefully to avoid confusion.
- Confirm the information and complete the registration. Finally, the system will ask you to look at the information you added and see the documents that the university will ask for if you are accepted. Thus, your registration in the SISU will be complete.
While registration to study in Brazil is still open, you can modify the information registered on the SISU platform. You must keep in mind that each course requires a specific minimum score in the ENEM so that you can be accepted.
For example, to study Medicine, you may have to have a minimum average grade of 560, while in Natural Sciences, a grade equal to or greater than 400 might suffice.
The minimum score in the selected group also depends on other factors. Such as the modality, the number of places and the total number of qualifying students.
For more information about the admission process to study in Brazil, visit the website of the university of your interest.
Do you want to study in this Latin American paradise? Below we explain how to do it, the types of visas, their requirements and the process that you must carry out to study abroad.
Study Visa in Brazil
Temporary Visa IV (Student)
The Temporary Visa IV (Student) is the main visa you must have if you want to study a regular program in Brazil for more than 3 months. This visa has many other sub-categories, as it can be granted for different situations and purposes.
If you want to make sure that the Temporary Visa IV (Student) is the one that corresponds to you, we recommend you visit the following page and see the complete list.
A critical aspect of this visa is that it is granted for a specific program and university. In other words, if you were to change courses or institutions, you would have to apply for a new visa.
You should also consider that it is not possible to renew a student visa after it has expired (they are usually valid for 1 year). If the program you will study in Brazil lasts longer, you will have to leave the country and reapply for the visa like the first time.
What I need?
- Application form.
- Passport or other valid official travel documents.
- A recent colour photograph. The measurements and other specifications must be explained when initiating your request.
- Itinerary of your trip to Brazil. You may be asked to reserve a plane ticket or the means of transport you plan to travel to Brazil. Remember that only the reservation is needed, and you should not buy the ticket until the visa has been approved.
- A criminal record certificate (if you are over 18 years old) was apostilled or legalized. Applicants of legal age who want to study in Brazil with this visa must have a criminal record certificate issued no later than 90 days before the date of application. You must present a certificate if you have lived in several countries in the last 12 months.
- Proof of financial resources + affidavit. You must show that you can take care of your living expenses in Brazil. For this reason, the authorities require proof of financial solvency, such as a bank account or credit card statement from the last 3 months. The account or card must be in your name. If you are a scholarship student, then you must bring proof that the organization or institution will pay for your education.
- Certificate of completion of secondary studies, apostilled or legalized.
- Proof of having passed the ENEM, the Vestibular Examination or another admission test. Regardless of the admission method used to study in Brazil, you will need to present proof that you have passed the institution’s admission test.
- Copy the edict showing the institution’s selection process where you were accepted. This document must contain the minimum grade to pass, the subjects evaluated, and the level you obtained in the Portuguese proficiency evaluation.
- University acceptance letter or proof of enrollment. The signature must likely be certified if you were admitted to a Private University.
Important. The requirements listed above may vary depending on your country of residence and the course you are studying in Brazil. Other requirements may apply for exchange, graduate, high school, religious studies, medical or internship programs.
If you are under 18, your parents or legal guardians must submit additional documents in your application.
Process
- Find the consular representative of Brazil in your country. Before starting the process, you should first find the Brazilian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. To speed up this process, visit this page.
- Fill out the online form. The next step is to fill out the online visa application form. You can find it by clicking here.
- Scan the necessary documents and submit them. When filling out the form, several required documents must be scanned and uploaded to the online platform. However, the original documents and the receipt created at the end of the form must be submitted to the corresponding Brazilian consular office.
- Wait for the decision. The Brazilian authorities generally decide on visas to study in Brazil within 180 days of applying.
- Get ready to study in Brazil. Now that you have your visa sticker on your passport, you can make all the preparations to travel to Brazil and study for up to 1 year. Remember that when the visa expires, you must travel to your country of residence and apply again.
Can you study and work?
No, studying and working with a Temporary IV (Student) Visa in Brazil is not possible. You must apply for a specific visa to carry out a paid activity.
Visitor Visa (VIVIS)
Are you considering doing a short course in Brazil that lasts less than 3 months? Then you may need to apply for a Visitor Visa (VIVIS).
As we mentioned in the introduction, many countries in Latin America do not need a visa to enter Brazil and stay in the country for up to 90 days.
To find out if you need a Visitor Visa or not and to know other details about entering Brazil, open the following link.
What I need?
- Application form.
- Valid passport, valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Brazil.
- Work certificate. This document must express your position, function and the time you have worked in the company. In addition, the certificate must have some kind of record that guarantees its validity.
- Proof of monetary funds. For the Brazilian authorities to verify that you can support yourself during your stay in Brazil, you need to bring documents that prove it, such as a bank account statement from the last 3 months.
- A recent colour photo with a white background (2×2 inches).
- Certificate of studies. It is possible that if you are going to study in Brazil for a maximum of 90 days. You will have to present an acceptance letter or document that explains the reason for your visit. What type of program will you study, and if you have already been accepted into it?
- Reservation of plane tickets and other means of transport. Necessary not to buy the ticket until the Visitor Visa (VIVIS) has been approved. Only the reservation of the round trip ticket is needed.
- Accommodation test. Like a hotel reservation or a letter signed by the person who will receive you in Brazil. A “cartório must recognize the signature”, and proof of the host’s address must also be presented, such as a water bill or bank correspondence.
- Apostilled criminal record certificate. The Brazilian authorities need to verify that you do not have a criminal record in your country of residence. Therefore, you must obtain a certificate of these records a maximum of 3 months before the visa application and apostille it.
- Pay the consular fee ($80 dollars). Proof of payment is also required.
Important
All documents, such as work certificates, studies, and criminal records, must be signed by a notary or cartório, depending on the country where they are issued.
Process
- Find the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate in your country. To apply for your Visitor Visa (VIVIS) to study in Brazil, the first step is finding the consular office representing Brazil in your country.
- Fill out the online form. When you know where you have to take the documents, it is time to fill out the Brazilian visa form online. Read the instructions carefully and then click on the blue button that says “Start Novo Requirements“.
- Scan the necessary documents and submit them. You must have the required documents scanned when filling out the online form. Then, you must deliver them together to the office that corresponds to you. You may need to submit original documents.
- Wait for the request response. Each request may have a different processing time. Depending on the number of documents submitted and your profile as an applicant, the period for the authorities to decide may vary.
- Everything is ready to travel to Brazil. Do you already have your Visitor Visa (VIVIS) to study in Brazil? Perfect! Now all that remains is to prepare for your trip, enter Brazil and enjoy your stay of up to 3 months.
Can you study and work?
No, one of the conditions to apply for a Visitor Visa (VIVIS) is that the reason for entering Brazil is not for paid activities.
In which Universities can I study in Brazil?
There is a large number of public and private universities waiting for you in Brazil.
To give you an idea of which institutions make up the university offer in this South American country, we leave you a list of the most important ones:
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
- Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul.
- (USP) University of São Paulo.
- University of Brasilia.
- State University of Campinas (UNICAMP).
- (UNESP) State University of São Paulo.
- Federal University of Minas Gerais.
- Federal University of Parana.
- Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul.
- Federal University of Santa Catarina.
- Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo.
- State University of Ceara.
- Veiga de Almeida University.
- Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná.
The most sought Public Universities in Brazil
- The most sought Public Universities in Brazil
- Federal University of Santa Catarina
- Federal Fluminense University
- State University of Campinas
- Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Private Universities with the best international agreements
Visa to Study Portuguese
Would you like to learn Portuguese in Brazil? To enrol in a language course, there is no special visa. In other words, if you want to study this language in the only country in the Americas that has it as its mother tongue, you should consider the duration of the course and your country of residence when applying for a visa.
As you already know, many Latin American countries do not need a visa to enter Brazil and stay there for up to 90 days.
However, some nations like the Dominican Republic need a visa to enter Brazilian territory.
A temporary visa will be required for any program or course that lasts more than 90 days. This visa has many categories depending on the purpose of the visit.
Where can I study Portuguese in Brazil?
Brazil is the largest Portuguese-speaking country in the world, that is, the one with the largest population of Portuguese-speaking inhabitants.
This is the official language and is practically the only one used in schools, businesses, the media and administrative arrangements.
For this reason, it seems that the best decision you can make is to take a Portuguese course. To be accepted into an undergraduate or graduate program, you will most likely need to demonstrate your proficiency and command of the language.
Some of the institutions where you can study Portuguese in Brazil are:
- Trend(s) Language Solutions. The language centre is located in Belo Horizonte, one of Brazil’s most touristic and emblematic cities. Learn Portuguese from the hands of expert tutors who will enhance your conversation skills while discussing current issues and gaining insight into Brazilian culture.
- Caminhos Language Center . One of the most famous Portuguese schools in Rio de Janeiro. Their academic offer is very varied, and they focus their teaching model on communication through exclusive study materials. Have a blast while enjoying an authentic Brazilian experience and learning the local language simultaneously.
- ESL-Languages. Experienced language academy with an international presence. It offers Portuguese courses at its educational centre in Salvador de Bahía, a city in northwestern Brazil famous for its beautiful colonial architecture.
What are the language institutes or academies going to ask you for?
We often see that each institution or language academy establishes its admission requirements; in this case, it is no exception.
Depending on your chosen centre, the conditions for enrolling in a Portuguese course in Brazil may vary.
Although we cannot tell you for sure what documents or requirements you must meet, you will likely need to have the appropriate visa depending on the duration of the course.
Some academies, such as the Caminhos Language Center, help intensive course students with the Student Visa procedures.
If you have a basic knowledge of Portuguese, you will have to take a level test to find out which class best suits your profile.
What is the process to be accepted?
All the main language academies in Brazil have a web platform where international students can pre-register.
After filling out the form, choosing the course, the modality, and paying the fee, all that remains is to prepare the documents for your visa in case you need it.
Study in Brazil Scholarships
To study in Brazil as a foreigner, some scholarships and support programs seek to reward the most distinguished students and those with socioeconomic difficulties.
There is no online system to search for scholarships according to the institution, level of study or nationality, so we present the most relevant ones:
- OAS Scholarships. It is funded by the Organization of American States (OAS) and aimed at students from any member state who want to study for a Master’s or Doctorate in one of the Brazilian institutions participating in the program.
- FAPESP Scholarships. Support program sponsored by the São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (FAPESP). The scholarships are aimed at international students with a Ph.D. degree in technology and scientific production.
- GCUB Scholarships. The Coimbra Group of Brazil (GCUB) and the World Health Organization (WHO) financed the program. The purpose of these scholarships is to provide a helping hand to foreigners who want to study for a Doctorate or Master’s degree in Brazil in areas such as Medicine, Physics, Chemistry and Letters.
Study and Work in Brazil
In Brazil, you cannot study and work with a Student Visa. Fortunately, the low cost of living compared to other countries and affordable tuition means that getting a job is not a high priority.
However, if you want or need to do so, you will need a Temporary V Visa (For paid work).
This visa is aimed at all foreigners who want to carry out a paid activity in Brazil. To apply, you must have a work permit previously approved by the Brazilian Ministry of Labor. For more details about this procedure, please visit the following page.
Have you finished your studies and want to stay and work in Brazil?
We know that after studying for a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate in Brazil, the chances of wanting to stay and work are high.
If we hit the mark, you should know that to work in this South American country; you must first have an employment contract.
When an authorised company requests, you can start the procedures to change your immigration status in Brazil or request the necessary permission to carry out a paid activity.
If you still do not have a job offer, you can see the vacancies available on portals such as Catho or Universia.
We feel committed to international education. We have a team of expert advisers available to answer all your questions, regardless of your chosen academic destination.
