Universidade de São Paulo

The University of São Paulo (USP) is the largest public university in Brazil and located in Brazil's most populous city. Founded in 1934, USP now offers over 180 undergraduate programmes and 260 postgraduate programmes, as well as nearly 1000 extracurricular programmes. In 2020, the student population at USP numbered 90,000 across its collection of campuses.

  • Students must have the equivalent of at least two years of college-level Portuguese or a B2 level in the Common European Framework of Languages to be eligible for this exchange.  
  • Students who are not studying Portuguese language nor who are native speakers will need to sit a language test around March if successfully awarded a place. Failure to pass the test with a B2 will result in you not being able to proceed with the exchange.  
  • There is limited capacity for courses in Economics, Business, Accountancy, Architecture and Urbanism 

Available Exchanges

USP hosts the University-wide exchange. 

Restricted Subject Areas

  • The School of Engineering (Escola Politécnica) requires exchange students to enroll in a number of subjects that correspond to at least 12 credits;  
  • Ribeirão Preto School of Economics, Administration, and Accounting (Faculdade de Economia e Administração de Ribeirão Preto – FEARP) requires applicants to enroll in a number of subjects that correspond to at least 16 credits;  
  • The School of Architecture and Urbanism (Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo – FAU) and the School of Economics, Business and Accountancy (Faculdade de Economia, Administração e Contabilidade – FEA) receive each semester a large number of applications and have limited capacity to admit exchange students. USP highly recommends that students intending to apply for such schools consider the possibility of alternatively applying for other schools as well.   

This exchange is not suitable for those studying Economics. 

Your responsibilities

  • The information provided here serves as a guide.
  • It is your responsibility to research whether the partner provides appropriate courses for your degree programme.
  • Even if there are no restrictions on your degree subject, this does not mean that there are appropriate courses for you.

You can find the course catalogue showing your course options on the USP website.  

 


Guaranteed accommodation?

No

University accommodation  

USP does not provide housing facilities for exchange students within the campuses. The search for accommodation must be carried out by the students themselves according to their economic conditions and interests. 

Private accommodation  

USP strongly recommends that students take part in the USP iFriends programme for them to get assistance with finding accommodation. 

All exchange students have access to the university restaurants. Several campuses offer free bus transportation. 


Visa and immigration requirements  

Non-Brazilian nationals need a visa in order to study in Brazil. Providing the Acceptance Letter at the Brazilian diplomatic representation in their home country is a mandatory step for students to request the appropriate Student Visa. 

The visa process will vary from country to country, and your own citizenship will influence the visa process you need to undertake. You must make sure to enter your host country on the appropriate visa.   

How much it will cost to go on exchange to USP?

A site like Numbeo or Custo de Vida may be helpful in understanding the cost of living. Numbeo estimates the cost of living to be around £750 a month.  

Keep in mind other costs, such as flights to Brazil which could cost as much as £2000   

The cost of a visa cost is around £150, but be aware that there may be other related expenses such as travelling to an embassy or consulate.  

You may also be required to pay administrative fees at your host institution. This can include paying for your transcript to be sent to us at the end of your exchange. 

Health insurance  

Exchange students need to provide evidence of medical insurance or an appropriate valid travel medical insurance policy for registration upon arrival. Students must purchase their health/travel Insurance before travelling to Brazil, and it must cover the entirety of their stay in Brazil. 

International students will have access to the Brazilian Public Health System only in cases of emergency. 


First Semester: 

  • Duration: February to June 
  • Holidays: July 

Second Semester: 

  • Duration: August to December 
  • Holidays: January 

 


USP has provided the following document for prospective international students and researchers.


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