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
~29,595 undergraduate + ~14,233 postgraduate students (≈43,800 total) across 11 academic centers (Wikipedia/official figures, consulted 2026-06-24)
Study abroad at UFSC (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina): overview
Study abroad at UFSC (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina) makes sense when the academic fit is stronger than the destination name alone. UFSC was founded in 1960 and is now one of Brazil's leading federal universities, with roughly 29,595 undergraduate and 14,233 postgraduate students (around 43,800 total) spread across 11 academic centers (Engineering/CTC, Agrarian Sciences/CCA, Biological Sciences/CCB, Communication and Expression/CCE, Education/CED, Health Sciences/CCS, Legal Sciences/CCJ, Philosophy and Human Sciences/CFH, Physical and Mathematical Sciences/CFM, Sports/CDS, and Socioeconomic Sciences/CSE). Useful proof points: ~29,595 undergraduate + ~14,233 postgraduate students (≈43,800 total) across 11 academic centers (Wikipedia/official figures, consulted 2026-06-24); Visible international or exchange community; confirm the current figure before deciding.; Engineering (CTC), Oceanography, Computer Science. Before choosing, confirm teaching language, faculty seats and housing near the campus.
Enrollment
~29,595 undergraduate + ~14,233 postgraduate students (≈43,800 total) across 11 academic centers (Wikipedia/official figures, consulted 2026-06-24)
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.
✅Requirements
Official nomination from home university's Exchange Coordinator; Passport copy; Academic transcript / proof of enrollment; Proof of Portuguese or English proficiency depending on chosen courses; Proof of health insurance valid in Brazil; Learning agreement / course plan
📨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 | — | — |
| 2nd semester | — | — |
Arrival Checklist
- Confirm official nomination through your home university's Exchange Coordinator.
- Check SINTER's current exchange calendar for exact nomination and application deadlines — these are not centrally published year-round and shift by cycle.
- Arrange health insurance valid in Brazil before arrival.
- Confirm the current semester's English-taught course list with your target department.
- Apply for VITEM IV (the mandatory study visa) — required for stays over 90 days or 15+ hours/week of coursework.
- Arrange your own housing — UFSC's PRAE subsidized housing is generally reserved for vulnerable Brazilian students, not incoming exchange students.
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