Exchange guide UnB
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at UnB in Brasília, Brazil.
Study abroad at UnB (Universidade de Brasília): overview
Study abroad at UnB (Universidade de Brasília) offers a federal public-university setting in Brazil's capital. Its 2026–27 fact sheet lists approximately 34,506 undergraduate, 4,385 master's and 3,219 doctoral students across four campuses, as well as 26 institutes, colleges and schools and 35 research centers. Students may apply through a partner agreement or as International Visiting Students subject to available places. UnB teaches with an hour-based workload rather than credits, and recommends B1 Portuguese without requiring a certificate. Exchange students pay no tuition; limited Colina residence places can be requested in the application, but plan a housing alternative.
Enrollment
Approximately 34,506 undergraduate, 4,385 master's and 3,219 doctoral students (UnB 2026–27 factsheet).
International Mix
Visible international or exchange community; confirm the current figure before deciding.
Why students choose it
Best for students who want to study at a federal university in Brasília and will confirm Portuguese, course availability and housing before choosing.
Language of instruction: Portuguese (primary), Limited English-taught options — varies by department, confirm with INT before finalizing a learning agreement
Exchange & application at UnB (Universidade de Brasília)
Start with home-university nomination, then application, Learning Agreement, insurance and course approval. At UnB (Universidade de Brasília), rules can sit at faculty level, so validate courses before promising yourself a timetable.
Exchange document
UnB Fact Sheet 2026-2027
Host-university document shared through UAB partner materials. Check the academic year and faculty scope before applying.
✅Requirements
Learning Agreement; passport copy; current home-university transcript; nomination letter for the partner route; CV; statement of financial support; graduate applicants may also need a research project and copies/transcripts of prior degrees; Portuguese sufficient to attend classes (B1 recommended, no certificate required)
📨Nomination Process
For the agreement route, your home institution nominates you and submits the application; the International Visiting Student route does not require an agreement and depends on available places.
🧭Orientation Week
Events hub: https://int.unb.br/en/academic-exchange/
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | — | — |
| 2nd semester | — | — |
Arrival Checklist
- Choose the route with INT: the agreement route requires home-institution nomination; the International Visiting Student route has no agreement and depends on available places. Because INT's page also mentions partner nomination generally, confirm the nomination rule for your route.
- INT's pages disagree on the first-semester 2027 cutoff (6 or 15 November 2026). Before making plans, confirm with INT which date applies to your route and the second-semester deadline; a separate nomination date is not published.
- Arrange health insurance valid in Brazil before arrival.
- The 2026–27 factsheet recommends B1 Portuguese and says no proficiency certificate is required; verify your course language with the host program.
- Use UnB's hour-based workload: plan 240–360 class hours for the semester (minimum 180, maximum 450); each subject is normally 60 contact hours.
- INT's arrival guidance lists Student Visa IV, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says studies or exchanges up to 90 days require a Visitor Visa (VIVIS) when a visa is required and longer study stays generally require VITEM IV. Confirm the correct category for your nationality and duration with INT and the consulate before applying.
- Request a place at Colina in the application if desired; INT's current guide lists 20 spaces across four apartments, so also plan a private-housing fallback.
Academics & courses at UnB (Universidade de Brasília)
UnB measures study load in class hours, not credits. Check prerequisites, the current calendar, available seats and teaching language with the host program before final enrolment.
📝Course Registration
The Learning Agreement should propose at least six courses; the program coordinator must approve each subject. After arrival, students confirm selections, and INT recommends effectively attending around four courses.
🎓Credit System
UnB does not use credits; it measures study load in class hours. Each course is normally 60 contact hours. The recommended semester load is 240–360 hours (minimum 180, maximum 450), with no exact ECTS conversion.
💯Grading System
UnB uses the mention scale SR, II, MI, MM, MS and SS (0.0, 0.1–2.9, 3.0–4.9, 5.0–6.9, 7.0–8.9 and 9.0–10.0 respectively); ask your home institution how it converts these marks.
✍️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 UnB (Universidade de Brasília)
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 | UnB is a federal public university — tuition is free for exchange students under cooperation agreements managed by INT. Some departments may have small incid… |
| Full degree student | BRL 0-0/year | As a federal public university, UnB charges no tuition for full-degree students, including foreign students admitted under cooperation programs like PEC-G (u… |
BRL 0-0/semester
UnB is a federal public university — tuition is free for exchange students under cooperation agreements managed by INT. Some departments may have small incid…
BRL 0-0/year
As a federal public university, UnB charges no tuition for full-degree students, including foreign students admitted under cooperation programs like PEC-G (u…
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at UnB (Universidade de Brasília)
Housing near UnB (Universidade de Brasília) should move in parallel with the application. Compare residence, private room, transport route and contract terms before arrival.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Brasília
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at UnB (Universidade de Brasília)
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
INT (Secretaria de Assuntos Internacionais)
Central point for nomination/application processing, orientation, and visa guidance for incoming exchange students.
Biblioteca Central (BCE)
UnB's main library on the Darcy Ribeiro campus, with study spaces and lending access for enrolled exchange students.
Restaurante Universitário (RU)
Subsidized cafeteria on the Darcy Ribeiro campus offering low-cost meals to enrolled students.
Fazenda Água Limpa (FAL)
UnB's experimental farm and field station, used by agronomy, biology and ecology programs for fieldwork.
Student life at UnB (Universidade de Brasília)
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) — UnB's central student union
- Department-level academic centers (Centros Acadêmicos, one per course)
- Atlética sports leagues and intramural tournaments
Buddy Program
INT's incoming-exchange-student buddy network (availability varies by semester)
Sports & Recreation
- Football, volleyball and athletics leagues via UnB's Atlética groups
- Access to the Darcy Ribeiro campus's sports facilities for enrolled students
Public Groups & Communities
INT International Students orientation mailing list / social channels
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend INT'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 Asa Norte or Sudoeste if not already settled before arrival.
- Join INT's buddy program (if offered that semester) and at least one student club.
Key exchange dates at UnB (Universidade de Brasília)
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