How can international students apply for an exchange program at UFRJ?
International students cannot apply directly to the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) for an exchange. UFRJ's exchange program works only through agreements and partnerships with international higher education institutions, and the university explicitly states that it does not accept "free movers." If your home university has an exchange agreement with UFRJ, you apply through your home institution's international office — not through UFRJ itself.
Who is eligible
Eligibility depends on your home institution's agreement with UFRJ, not on an individual application to UFRJ. Two conditions follow from the university's stated policy:
- Your home institution must have a partnership or agreement with UFRJ. UFRJ reports partnerships with over 200 international institutions across every continent.
- You must be nominated or processed through your home institution's international office. UFRJ directs prospective exchange students to contact that office for information.
If your home university has no agreement with UFRJ, the exchange route described here is not available to you.
Step-by-step: how the application works
- Check whether your home institution has an agreement with UFRJ. Ask your international office directly, or check your institution's list of partner universities.
- Contact your home institution's international office. This is the step UFRJ itself specifies for students seeking an exchange experience at UFRJ.
- Follow your home institution's nomination and application procedure. Your home office manages the exchange process and communicates with UFRJ on your behalf.
- Prepare for Portuguese-language coursework. All courses at UFRJ are offered in Portuguese. Most schools and institutes accept exchange students with an A1 proficiency level, though this may vary depending on the courses you choose. UFRJ advises referring to its incoming students officer for details, and notes that free Portuguese conversation classes are offered to all incoming students.
Key facts to plan around
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Application route | Through the international office of your home institution |
| Direct applications | Not accepted ("free movers" are not accepted) |
| Partnership base | Agreements with over 200 international institutions |
| Language of instruction | Portuguese (all courses) |
| Typical minimum proficiency | A1 for most schools and institutes; varies by course |
| Language support | Free Portuguese conversation classes for incoming students |
Academic calendar
- 1st semester (Fall): March – July
- 2nd semester (Spring): August – December
- Summer break: about two months (January/February)
- Winter break: about two weeks (July)
Breaks may vary depending on the program.
Courses and levels
UFRJ's course list covers undergraduate (graduação), master's (mestrado), and PhD (doutorado) programs. Because course availability and language expectations can differ by school or institute, confirm the specific courses you plan to take with your home international office and with UFRJ's incoming students officer before committing.
Common sticking points
- No agreement, no exchange. The most common blocker is a home institution without a UFRJ partnership. There is no individual application path around this.
- Assuming you apply to UFRJ directly. UFRJ states it does not accept free movers, so a direct application is not the correct route.
- Underestimating Portuguese. Courses are taught in Portuguese. An A1 level is accepted by most schools and institutes, but this can vary by course, so check before selecting classes.
- Calendar mismatch. UFRJ's first semester runs March–July and the second August–December, which may not align with your home institution's academic year.