Exchange guide UFSC
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at UFSC in Florianópolis, Brazil.
City
FlorianópolisCountry
BrazilInternational
Visible international or exchange community; confirm the current figure before deciding.
Enrollment
26,458 undergraduate + 12,417 postgraduate students in the official 2024 report (38,875 higher-education students in total).
Study abroad at UFSC (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina): overview
Study abroad at UFSC (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina) offers a federal public-university setting in Florianópolis. Its official 2024 report lists 26,458 undergraduate and 12,417 postgraduate students. Incoming exchange students must be nominated by an active partner institution; free-mover applications are not accepted. UFSC requires non-native Portuguese speakers to provide evidence of intermediate proficiency and does not provide student housing, although SINTER shares private rental listings. For first-semester 2027 mobility, nominations close on 16 October and student applications on 18 October 2026; confirm course availability, the required study workload and accommodation before choosing.
Enrollment
26,458 undergraduate + 12,417 postgraduate students in the official 2024 report (38,875 higher-education students in total).
International Mix
Visible international or exchange community; confirm the current figure before deciding.
Why students choose it
Best for students who want Engineering (CTC), Oceanography, Computer Science and are willing to check language, seats, campus rules and housing before choosing.
Language of instruction: Portuguese (primary), Limited English-taught options — varies by department, confirm with SINTER and the host school before finalizing a learning agreement
Exchange & application at UFSC (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina)
Start with home-university nomination, then application, Learning Agreement, insurance and course approval. At UFSC (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina), rules can sit at faculty level, so validate courses before promising yourself a timetable.
Exchange document
Fact-Sheet-UFSC-2023.pdf
Host-university document shared through UAB partner materials. Check the academic year and faculty scope before applying.
✅Requirements
Complete academic transcript in Portuguese or English; certificate of enrollment at the home institution; proof of intermediate Portuguese proficiency for non-native speakers (accepted certificate or self-declaration); signed Learning Agreement; nomination from an active partner institution
📨Nomination Process
Your home university nominates first; the host university then opens or confirms the application steps.
🧭Orientation Week
Events hub: https://sinter.ufsc.br
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | 2026-10-16 | 2026-10-18 |
| 2nd semester | — | — |
Arrival Checklist
- Confirm official nomination through your home university's Exchange Coordinator.
- For first-semester 2027 mobility, your home institution must nominate you by 16 October 2026 and your application is due by 18 October; the home institution confirms by 19 October.
- Arrange health insurance valid in Brazil before arrival.
- Upload the transcript, home-institution enrollment certificate, intermediate-Portuguese evidence and signed Learning Agreement required by SINTER.
- Plan at least 12 hours per week of undergraduate courses; UFSC's FAQ notes that proof of 15 weekly study hours may be requested for the National Migratory Registry.
- For an in-person semester, confirm the student visa requirement with SINTER and the Brazilian consulate. Brazil's visa category depends on study duration and nationality; studies up to 90 days may require VIVIS, while longer study stays generally require VITEM IV.
- Find housing independently: UFSC does not provide exchange accommodation, but SINTER publishes private rental listings.
Academics & courses at UFSC (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina)
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
UFSC 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 SINTER 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 UFSC (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina)
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 | UFSC is a federal public university — tuition is free for exchange students under cooperation agreements managed by SINTER. Some departments may have small i… |
| Full degree student | BRL 0-0/year | As a federal public university, UFSC charges no tuition for full-degree students, including foreign students admitted under cooperation programs like PEC-G (… |
BRL 0-0/semester
UFSC is a federal public university — tuition is free for exchange students under cooperation agreements managed by SINTER. Some departments may have small i…
BRL 0-0/year
As a federal public university, UFSC 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 UFSC (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina)
Housing near UFSC (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina) should move in parallel with the application. Compare residence, private room, transport route and contract terms before arrival.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Florianópolis
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at UFSC (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina)
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
SINTER (Secretariat for International Relations)
Central point for nomination/application processing, orientation, and visa guidance for incoming exchange students.
Biblioteca Universitária (BU)
UFSC's main library on the Trindade campus, with study spaces and lending access for enrolled exchange students.
Restaurante Universitário (RU)
Subsidized cafeteria on the Trindade campus offering low-cost meals to enrolled students.
Student life at UFSC (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina)
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) — UFSC's central student union
- Department-level academic centers (Centros Acadêmicos, one per course)
- Atlética sports leagues and intramural tournaments
Buddy Program
SINTER's incoming-exchange-student buddy network (availability varies by semester)
Sports & Recreation
- Football, volleyball and athletics leagues via UFSC's Atlética groups
- Access to the Trindade campus's sports facilities for enrolled students
Public Groups & Communities
SINTER International Students orientation mailing list / social channels
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend SINTER'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 Trindade or Córrego Grande if not already settled before arrival.
- Join SINTER's buddy program (if offered that semester) and at least one student club.
Key exchange dates at UFSC (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina)
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