Exchange guide UFRN
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at UFRN in Natal, Brazil.
Study abroad at UFRN (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte): overview
Study abroad at UFRN (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte) means joining a federal public university serving nearly 50,000 students across five campuses in Rio Grande do Norte. Its 2026–27 international factsheet lists 117 undergraduate, 88 master's and 43 doctoral programs in Technology and Exact Sciences, Health and Biological Sciences, and Humanities and Social Sciences. Incoming exchange mobility is arranged through home-university cooperation agreements; where none exists, the home institution can contact SRI to establish one. Exchange students admitted through these mobility agreements pay no tuition or annuities. Sufficient Portuguese is required to follow classes and complete coursework. Confirm current application dates with SRI, since its published pages currently differ, and arrange accommodation before arrival.
Enrollment
Nearly 50,000 students across five campuses; the 2026–27 factsheet lists 117 undergraduate, 88 master's and 43 doctoral programs.
International Mix
Visible international or exchange community; confirm the current figure before deciding.
Why students choose it
Best for students interested in programs across Technology and Exact Sciences, Health and Biological Sciences, or Humanities and Social Sciences who will confirm Portuguese requirements, course seats and housing before choosing.
Language of instruction: Portuguese (primary), Limited English-taught options — varies by department, confirm with SRI before finalizing a learning agreement
Exchange & application at UFRN (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte)
Start with home-university nomination, then application, Learning Agreement, insurance and course approval. At UFRN (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte), rules can sit at faculty level, so validate courses before promising yourself a timetable.
✅Requirements
Foreign Student Application Form; academic transcript; letter explaining the choice of UFRN as host institution; referral letter from the home institution; passport copy; sufficient Portuguese to follow classes and complete coursework
📨Nomination Process
Your home university nominates first; the host university then opens or confirms the application steps.
🧭Orientation Week
Events hub: https://sri.ufrn.br/
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | — | — |
| 2nd semester | — | — |
Arrival Checklist
- Confirm official nomination through your home university's Exchange Coordinator.
- Check the current SRI application instructions and ask SRI to confirm the deadline: its English incoming-mobility and academic-mobility pages currently list different first-semester dates.
- Arrange health insurance valid in Brazil before arrival.
- Confirm the current semester's English-taught course list with your target department.
- Check Brazil's consular visa rules for your nationality and study period: studies up to 90 days may require a Visitor Visa (VIVIS), while longer study stays generally require VITEM IV; regular courses under VITEM IV normally require at least 15 hours per week, with exceptions assessed by the consular authority.
- Arrange your own housing — UFRN does not guarantee housing for incoming exchange students.
- Sign up for SRI's 'Exchange Fellow' buddy program when offered for your intake semester.
Academics & courses at UFRN (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte)
Academics combine credits, calendar, seats and faculty-level rules. Check prerequisites, real teaching language and course-list changes before final enrolment.
📝Course Registration
Exchange students submit a learning agreement before arrival and finalize course registration during orientation week, subject to seat availability in the host department.
🎓Credit System
UFRN uses a Brazilian credit-hour system; confirm conversion to your home university's ECTS or credit equivalent with both institutions before departure.
💯Grading System
Brazilian 0–10 grading scale; request an official conversion table from SRI or your host department for your home university's records.
✍️Exam Culture
Attendance is generally tracked and can affect final grades; assessment mixes written exams, papers and continuous coursework depending on department.
📚Library Access
Library, digital resources and study spaces after activating the university account.
Tuition & fees at UFRN (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte)
Separate exchange, full-degree tuition, insurance, housing and living costs. Official fees vary by programme and student category, so use the university page as the final check.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | BRL 0-0/semester | UFRN is a federal public university — tuition is free for exchange students under cooperation agreements managed by SRI. Some departments may have small inci… |
| Full degree student | BRL 0-0/year | As a federal public university, UFRN charges no tuition for full-degree students, including foreign students admitted under cooperation programs like PEC-G (… |
BRL 0-0/semester
UFRN is a federal public university — tuition is free for exchange students under cooperation agreements managed by SRI. Some departments may have small inci…
BRL 0-0/year
As a federal public university, UFRN charges no tuition for full-degree students, including foreign students admitted under cooperation programs like PEC-G (…
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at UFRN (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte)
Housing near UFRN (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte) should move in parallel with the application. Compare residence, private room, transport route and contract terms before arrival.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Natal
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at UFRN (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte)
Use the international office, faculty coordinator, library, wellbeing services and student groups from week one. Asking early prevents small admin issues from becoming blockers.
International student insurance purchased before departure
Brazilian private health plans available locally after CPF registration
Campus services
SRI (Secretaria de Relações Internacionais)
Central point for nomination/application processing, orientation, visa guidance and the 'Exchange Fellow' buddy program for incoming exchange students.
Biblioteca Central Zila Mamede
UFRN's main library on the Lagoa Nova campus, with study spaces and lending access for enrolled exchange students.
Restaurante Universitário (RU)
Subsidized cafeteria on the Lagoa Nova campus offering low-cost meals to enrolled students.
LabSis (Laboratório Sismológico)
Brazil's national seismology monitoring laboratory, hosted at UFRN — open to research collaboration for geoscience students.
Student life at UFRN (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte)
Student life depends on repeatable routines: associations, sport, exchange groups or faculty channels. Join repeated groups early instead of waiting for campus life to happen automatically.
Student Clubs
- DCE (Diretório Central dos Estudantes) — UFRN's central student union
- Department-level academic centers (Centros Acadêmicos, one per course)
- Atlética sports leagues and intramural tournaments
Buddy Program
SRI's 'Exchange Fellow' buddy program for incoming exchange students
Sports & Recreation
- Football, volleyball and athletics leagues via UFRN's Atlética groups
- Access to the Lagoa Nova campus's sports facilities for enrolled students
Public Groups & Communities
SRI International Students orientation mailing list / social channels (@ufrninternational)
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend SRI's international orientation session.
- Finalize course registration and confirm your learning agreement.
- Register for a CPF and open a digital bank account (Nubank or similar).
- Arrange housing in Lagoa Nova, Capim Macio or Candelária if not already settled before arrival.
- Join SRI's 'Exchange Fellow' buddy program and at least one student club.
Key exchange dates at UFRN (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte)
The critical dates are nomination, application, fee or registration steps, course selection, housing, arrival and exams. Keep resit periods or admin closures visible before booking return travel.
-
1
Nomination
Previous semester
Home university
-
2
Application and courses
After nomination
International office
-
3
Arrival and orientation
1-2 weeks before classes
Welcome calendar