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Best universities in Brazil 2024

Find the best universities in Brazil using Times Higher Education’s World 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ Ranking 2024 data

October 13 2023
Best universities in Brazil

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Top nine universities in Brazil

Scroll down for the full list of universities in Brazil

Brazil Rank 2024World 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ Ranking 2024World 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ Ranking 202351¹ú²úÊÓÆµCity/State
1201–250201–25051¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of São PauloSão Paulo
2351–400401–50051¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of CampinasSão Paulo
=3601–8001001–1200Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)São Paulo
=3601–8001001–1200Federal 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro
=3601–800601–800Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulRio Grande do Sul
=6801–1000801–1000Federal 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Minas GeraisMinas Gerais
=6801–10001001–1200Universidade Federal de Santa CatarinaSanta Catarina
=6801–1000601–800Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)São Paulo
=6801–1000801–1000Pontifical Catholic 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio)Rio de Janeiro

Brazil is the largest country in Latin America and the fifth largest country in the world, with a population of more than 211 million people. Its official language is Portuguese, which is spoken by 98 per cent of the population.

It has more than 7,200km of coastline, 2,000 beaches and the world’s largest rainforest (and a quarter of the world’s total rainforest area). Anthropologists estimate that there are 60 undiscovered tribes in these dense jungles.

Its cities are similarly world renowned – from São Paulo, the largest city in the world, to Rio de Janeiro, home of the 2016 Olympic Games, to Brasilia, the utopian-esque capital designed by Oscar Niemeyer. 

It is among the world’s fastest growing major economies, with economic reforms that are constantly pushing it forward on the international stage.

Below are some of the best universities to study at in Brazil based on the Times Higher Education World 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ Rankings 2024.

Top five universities in Brazil

=3.ÌýUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

The Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul originates from the Escola de Farmácia e Química in 1895 and consolidating into the Universidade de Porto Alegre in 1934. It was renamed Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in 1947 and became a federal university in 1950. It is one of Brazil's largest federal universities, with over 27,000 undergraduate students, 9,300 graduate students, and more than 2,500 professors.

Located primarily in Porto Alegre, the university has four campuses and numerous buildings, including 29 colleges divided into 94 departments. The university offers an extensive array of facilities, including 500 laboratories, 33 libraries, 37 lecture halls, museums, botanical gardens, and a prominent national hospital, the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre.

=3.ÌýFederal 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Rio de Janeiro

The Federal 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Rio de Janeiro is one of Brazil's largest universities. It was established in 1792 with laboratories, libraries, and hospitals among its many facilities. The university operates across multiple campuses in Rio de Janeiro, with its primary focus on Ilha do Fundão, offering a wide range of services for students.

The university offers a diverse range of undergraduate courses, exceeding 170 options, along with opportunities for postgraduate and research students. UFRJ actively engages in international cooperation, welcoming international students to study in Rio.

The university has a notable list of successful alumni, including writer Jorge Amado, Nobel Peace Prize nominee Osvaldo Aranha, and physician Oswaldo Cruz.

=3.ÌýUniversidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)

Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) founded in 1976, is one of Brazil's largest public universities with 24 campuses across the state. It excels in research, particularly in health, engineering, humanities, and social sciences. 

It is one of three public universities in Brazil which offers a free education to its students. 

The university is made up of a number of colleges, institutes and technical colleges. 

Unesp's campuses host various contemporary artworks, historical artifacts, museums, farms, hospitals, and libraries.

2. 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Campinas

Opened in 1966, the 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Campinas is based in the São Paulo state region, although it has affiliate campuses in Limeira and Paulínia.

It has established itself as a primary medical and scientific research centre and produces a large amount of patented material.

International undergraduates will need to sit an exam to gain admission, which will require a strong understanding of Portuguese.

Alumni of UniCamp include the actor Petrônio Gontijo, historian and gay rights activist Luiz Mott, and economist Paulo Renato Souza.

1. 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of São Paulo

Founded in 1934, the 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of São Paulo was the result of the collaboration of the Faculdade de Direito do Largo de São Francisco (Law), the Polytechnic School (Engineering) and the Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (Agriculture).

It is Brazil’s largest public university and one of the biggest higher education institutions in Latin America. The city of São Paulo is home to four of its 11 campuses; the others are in Bauru, Lorena, Piracicaba, Pirassununga, Ribeirão Preto and two in São Carlos.

The university campuses include 70 libraries, five affiliated hospitals, 24 museums and galleries, two theatres, a cinema and its own student-run TV channel. A large proportion of Brazilian scientific papers are produced at the university, too.

Notable alumni include the former president of Brazil Michel Miguel Elias Temer Lulia, the writer, professor, sociologist and literary critic Antonio Candido de Mello e Souza, and Guido Mantega, Brazil’s former finance minister.


Top universities in Brazil 2024

Click each institution to view its World 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ Rankings 2024Ìý±è°ù´Ç´Ú¾±±ô±ð

Brazil Rank 2024World 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ Ranking 2024World 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ Ranking 202351¹ú²úÊÓÆµCity/State
1201–250201–25051¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of São PauloSão Paulo
2351–400401–50051¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of CampinasSão Paulo
=3601–8001001–1200Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)São Paulo
=3601–8001001–1200Federal 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro
=3601–800601–800Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulRio Grande do Sul
=6801–1000801–1000Federal 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Minas GeraisMinas Gerais
=6801–10001001–1200Universidade Federal de Santa CatarinaSanta Catarina
=6801–1000601–800Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)São Paulo
=6801–1000801–1000Pontifical Catholic 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio)Rio de Janeiro
=101001–12001201–1500Federal 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of São CarlosSão Paulo
=101001–1200801–1000Pontifical Catholic 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS)Rio Grande do Sul
=121201–15001201–150051¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of BrasíliaBrasília, Federal District
=121201–15001201–1500Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)Rio de Janeiro
=121201–15001201–1500Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC)São Paulo
=121201–15001201–1500Universidade Federal da BahiaBahia
=121201–15001501+Universidade Federal do °ä±ð²¹°ùá (UFC)°ä±ð²¹°ùá
=121201–15001201–1500Federal 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Espírito SantoEspírito Santo
=121201–15001201–1500Federal 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of ³Ò´Ç¾±Ã¡²õ³Ò´Ç¾±Ã¡²õ
=121201–15001201–1500Federal 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of LavrasMinas Gerais
=121201–15001201–1500Universidade Federal do ±Ê²¹°ù²¹²Ôá (UFPR)±Ê²¹°ù²¹²Ôá
=121201–15001501+Federal 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of PernambucoPernambuco
=121201–15001201–1500Federal 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN)Rio Grande do Norte
=121201–15001201–1500Federal 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Santa MariaRio Grande do Sul
=121201–15001201–1500Federal 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of UberlândiaMinas Gerais
=121201–15001201–1500Federal 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of ViçosaMinas Gerais
=121201–15001201–1500Pontifícia Universidade Católica do ±Ê²¹°ù²¹²Ôá±Ê²¹°ù²¹²Ôá
=121201–15001201–1500Unisinos 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµRio Grande do Sul
=281501+1501+Catholic 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of BrasíliaFederal District
=281501+1501+51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Caxias do SulRio Grande do Sul
=281501+1501+°ä±ð²¹°ùá State 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ°ä±ð²¹°ùá
=281501+NRCentro Federal de Educação Tecnológica Celso Suckow da Fonseca (CEFET-RJ)Rio de Janeiro
=281501+1501+Universidade do Estado de Santa CatarinaSanta Catarina
=281501+1501+Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy RibeiroRio de Janeiro
=281501+1501+Universidade Estadual de Maringá±Ê²¹°ù²¹²Ôá
=281501+1501+Universidade Estadual do Oeste do ±Ê²¹°ù²¹²Ôá (Unioeste)±Ê²¹°ù²¹²Ôá
=281501+1501+Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA)Rio Grande do Sul
=281501+1501+Federal 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of ItajubáMinas Gerais
=281501+1501+Universidade Federal de Juiz de ForaMinas Gerais
=281501+1501+Universidade Federal do ²Ñ²¹°ù²¹²Ô³óã´Ç (UFMA)²Ñ²¹°ù²¹²Ô³óã´Ç
=281501+1501+Federal 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Mato Grosso do SulMato Grosso do Sul
=281501+1501+Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP)Minas Gerais
=281501+1501+Federal 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of ±Ê²¹°ùá±Ê²¹°ùá
=281501+1501+Federal Rural 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of PernambucoPernambuco
=281501+1501+Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-AridoRio Grande do Norte
=281501+801–1000Universidade Federal de SergipeSergipe
=281501+1501+Fluminense Federal 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµRio de Janeiro
=281501+1001–120051¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Fortaleza (UNIFOR)°ä±ð²¹°ùá
=281501+1201–1500Londrina State 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ±Ê²¹°ù²¹²Ôá
=281501+1501+Mackenzie Presbyterian 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµSão Paulo
=281501+1501+Universidade Nove de Julho (Uninove)São Paulo
=281501+1501+51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of PernambucoPernambuco
=281501+1501+Pontifical Catholic 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Minas GeraisMinas Gerais
=281501+NRState 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of BahiaBahia
=281501+1501+State 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Ponta Grossa±Ê²¹°ù²¹²Ôá
=281501+1501+State 51¹ú²úÊÓÆµ of Santa CruzBahia
=281501+1501+Universidade Tecnológica Federal do ±Ê²¹°ù²¹²Ôá (UTFPR)±Ê²¹°ù²¹²Ôá

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