University of São Paulo
Universidade de São Paulo
Brazil's largest public university: tuition-free, entered via the FUVEST exam, and behind nearly 20% of Brazil's science.
- Tuition
- Free
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1934
- QS World Ranking
- #133
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Mixed
About USP
The University of São Paulo (USP) was created in 1934 and is a public university funded by the State of São Paulo. It is Brazil's largest public university, with 324 undergraduate programmes in every area of knowledge, more than 60,000 undergraduates and around 30,000 postgraduate students in 266 programmes, and it is responsible for almost 20% of Brazil's scientific output.
USP is organised into 43 teaching and research units, from the Faculty of Law (Faculdade de Direito) and the Faculty of Medicine to the Escola Politécnica, FEA (economics and business) and FFLCH (philosophy, letters and human sciences). Most are on the Cidade Universitária campus in the city of São Paulo, with further campuses in Bauru, Lorena, Piracicaba, Pirassununga, Ribeirão Preto and São Carlos.
Undergraduate and postgraduate programmes charge no tuition, for Brazilian and foreign students alike. The price of entry is competition: most places are filled through the FUVEST vestibular, a two-phase exam in Portuguese held in Brazil, alongside ENEM-based selection and the Provão Paulista. USP suits students who are ready to study in Portuguese and prepare seriously for a tough entrance exam.
Scientia vinces
“Through knowledge you will conquer” — university motto
Why students choose USP
No tuition or enrolment fees for undergraduate or postgraduate programmes, for Brazilian and international students.
324 undergraduate programmes across 43 units, from the historic Faculty of Law to the Escola Politécnica and Faculty of Medicine.
USP produces almost 20% of Brazil's scientific output.
Alumni include presidents Fernando Henrique Cardoso and Michel Temer and neuroscientist Miguel Nicolelis.
Admissions
Entry in 2027 (FUVEST Vestibular 2027)
Selectivity
USP publishes no overall admission rate. FUVEST 2027 offers 8,147 places: 4,888 in open competition, 2,053 for public-school students and 1,206 for public-school students who self-identify as Black, brown or Indigenous. Further places are filled through ENEM-USP and the Provão Paulista.
Typical entry requirements
| Brazilian secondary education (ensino médio) | Completion of secondary school and a competitive FUVEST score for the chosen programme; quota places for public-school and PPI students |
|---|---|
| Foreign secondary qualifications | International degree-seeking applicants sit the same FUVEST vestibular, in Portuguese and in Brazil; the PEC-G programme offers places to students from partner countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean |
| English language | No English test is required. Teaching is in Portuguese, and the FUVEST exam is in Portuguese; USP recommends at least B1 Portuguese for exchange students. |
Deadlines
- FUVEST 2027 registration Non-binding Next deadline · In 3 days9 October 2026, 12:00 (Brasília time)
Opened 17 August 2026; fee R$228.
- FUVEST 2027 first phase Non-binding In 26 days1 November 2026
80 multiple-choice questions, 5 hours; for the first time also held in Fortaleza.
- FUVEST 2027 second phase Non-binding In ~2 months6-7 December 2026
Written exams for candidates who pass the first phase.
Dates are from FUVEST's announcement for Vestibular 2027 (entry in 2027). ENEM-USP and Provão Paulista have separate calendars.
How to apply
Register with FUVEST online and pay the fee (R$228 for Vestibular 2027), choose a programme, and sit the first phase (multiple choice) and, if selected, the second phase (written). Places are offered in successive enrolment calls by score. Alternatively, apply through ENEM-USP using ENEM scores or through the Provão Paulista for São Paulo public-school students.
What admissions looks for
- A high score on the FUVEST exam relative to other candidates for the same programme.
- Strong performance across disciplines: the first phase increasingly tests the ability to connect knowledge from different areas.
- Written ability in Portuguese for the second-phase essays and discursive questions.
- Eligibility for the reserved places for public-school and PPI students, if applicable.
Tips for applying to USP
- 1 Register before the 9 October 2026 deadline and check the programme's quota options when you choose your course.
- 2 Use FUVEST's free guides (Guia de Provas, Guia de Carreiras) and its new mock exam (Simulado FUVEST) to prepare for the 80-question format.
- 3 International applicants should plan to be in Brazil for both exam phases and to study fully in Portuguese.
- 4 If you are from a PEC-G partner country in Africa, Latin America or the Caribbean, look into that programme, which offers full undergraduate places at Brazilian universities.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in BRL
USP charges no tuition at any level, for Brazilian and international students. The main cost of applying is the FUVEST registration fee (R$228 for Vestibular 2027), and the university publishes data on its permanence and inclusion programmes for students who need support.
- Free for all undergraduate and postgraduate students
- Tuition
- R$228
- FUVEST 2027 registration fee
- 2,053 public-school + 1,206 public-school PPI
- Reserved FUVEST places (2027)
Academics
Law (Faculdade de Direito)
Alumni include President Michel Temer and Fernando Haddad, who took his law degree, master's and PhD at USP.
Medicine (Faculdade de Medicina)
Trained physician-writer Drauzio Varella and neuroscientist Miguel Nicolelis; a second medical school runs in Ribeirão Preto.
Engineering (Escola Politécnica and EESC São Carlos)
Two major engineering schools, in São Paulo and São Carlos.
Economics and Business (FEA)
USP's faculty of economics, administration, accounting and actuarial science.
Social Sciences and Philosophy (FFLCH)
Where Fernando Henrique Cardoso earned his PhD and philosopher Marilena Chaui took her master's and doctorate.
Research
- USP is responsible for almost 20% of Brazil's scientific production.
- 266 postgraduate programmes with around 30,000 students.
- Specialised research institutes include the Instituto de Estudos Avançados, Instituto de Medicina Tropical and Instituto Oceanográfico.
Schools & faculties
- Faculdade de Direito (Law)
- Faculdade de Medicina (Medicine)
- Escola Politécnica (Engineering)
- Faculdade de Economia, Administração, Contabilidade e Atuária (FEA)
- Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH)
- Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo (FAU)
- Escola de Comunicações e Artes (ECA)
- Instituto de Matemática e Estatística (IME)
- Instituto de Física (IF)
- Instituto de Relações Internacionais (IRI)
- Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC)
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP)
Student life
Most students in the capital study at the Cidade Universitária, a large, green campus with faculties, museums and the Praça do Relógio, whose 176,000 square metres were landscaped by USP professors to recreate six of São Paulo State's plant ecosystems. The Faculty of Law remains in its historic building at Largo São Francisco downtown, and campuses in São Carlos, Ribeirão Preto, Piracicaba and other cities have their own student communities. Classes are in Portuguese, and with more than 60,000 undergraduates there is a huge range of groups and activities.
- Praça do Relógio and its clock tower, with 4,000 native Atlantic Forest seedlings planted around the square.
- The Brasiliana library complex on the São Paulo campus.
- Campuses in seven cities across São Paulo State.
- A bell that is a replica of the 'Cabra' bell of the University of Coimbra, donated for São Paulo's fourth centenary.
Housing. Most students live at home or rent privately; the university's permanence programmes support eligible students.
Location
São Paulo is Brazil's largest city and economic centre, a huge, diverse metropolis. The main Cidade Universitária campus is in the west of the city, reached by metro and bus, while the Law faculty sits in the historic centre. Living costs are high by Brazilian standards and commutes can be long, so many students live near campus.
Nearest airport: São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
Notable alumni
- FH Fernando Henrique CardosoSociologist and President of Brazil; PhD from USP
- MT Michel TemerPresident of Brazil; law graduate
- FH Fernando HaddadMayor of São Paulo and Brazil's finance minister; LL.B., master's in economics and PhD from USP
- MN Miguel NicolelisNeuroscientist and pioneer of brain-computer interfaces
- DV Drauzio VarellaPhysician, writer and science communicator
- MZ Mayana ZatzGeneticist, L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science laureate
Frequently asked questions
Is USP free for international students?
Yes. USP charges no tuition or enrolment fees for undergraduate or postgraduate programmes, for Brazilian and foreign students alike. You pay only the FUVEST registration fee (R$228 for 2027).
How do I get into USP?
Most places are filled through the FUVEST vestibular: for 2027 entry, register by 9 October 2026, sit the first phase on 1 November and the second phase on 6-7 December. Some places use ENEM scores or the Provão Paulista.
Can foreigners apply to USP?
Yes, by sitting the same FUVEST vestibular, which is in Portuguese and held in Brazil. Students from partner countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean can also use the PEC-G programme.
Does USP teach in English?
No, Portuguese is the main language of instruction, so you need solid Portuguese to follow classes.
How many places does FUVEST offer?
FUVEST 2027 offers 8,147 places at USP: 4,888 in open competition, 2,053 for public-school students and 1,206 for public-school students who self-identify as Black, brown or Indigenous.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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