Exchange guide UFMG
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at UFMG in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
City
Belo HorizonteCountry
BrazilInternational
Visible international or exchange community; confirm the current figure before deciding.
Enrollment
UFMG's official open-data portal publishes current undergraduate enrollment (2025/2) and postgraduate student datasets (2025); check the latest releases for current totals.
Study abroad at UFMG (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais): overview
Study abroad at UFMG (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais) offers a public research-university setting in Belo Horizonte, with its main campus in Pampulha beside Oscar Niemeyer's UNESCO-listed modernist complex. Its faculties include Engineering, Law, Economics, Medicine, Architecture and Philosophy and Human Sciences. UFMG's official open-data portal publishes current undergraduate and postgraduate enrollment datasets; check the latest releases for current totals. International students can apply through an active agreement or as free movers. Portuguese proficiency is not required for mobility, but B1 is recommended for courses taught in Portuguese. DRI shares private-housing listings, while university-residence places prioritize specific reciprocal programs; confirm course availability and housing arrangements before choosing.
Enrollment
UFMG's official open-data portal publishes current undergraduate enrollment (2025/2) and postgraduate student datasets (2025); check the latest releases for current totals.
International Mix
Visible international or exchange community; confirm the current figure before deciding.
Why students choose it
Best for students who want Engineering (Escola de Engenharia), Law (Faculdade de Direito), Economics (FACE) and are willing to check language, seats, campus rules and housing before choosing.
Language of instruction: Portuguese (primary), English-taught options vary by department; confirm current offerings with DRI before finalizing a learning agreement
Exchange & application at UFMG (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais)
Start with home-university nomination, then application, Learning Agreement, insurance and course approval. At UFMG (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais), rules can sit at faculty level, so validate courses before promising yourself a timetable.
Exchange document
UFMG facsheet 2025.pdf
Host-university document shared through UAB partner materials. Check the academic year and faculty scope before applying.
✅Requirements
Study Plan using the DRI/UFMG model; passport identification page; current official academic transcript; Letter of Intent for practical, research or internship activities; proof of enrollment for free-mover applications only
📨Nomination Process
Your home university nominates first; the host university then opens or confirms the application steps.
🧭Orientation Week
Events hub: https://www.ufmg.br/dri/
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | 2026-10-15 | 2026-10-15 |
| 2nd semester | — | — |
Arrival Checklist
- Confirm official nomination through your home university's Exchange Coordinator.
- For first-semester 2027 mobility, submit nominations and applications between 1 September and 15 October 2026; ask DRI for the next second-semester window.
- 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.
- Use DRI's international-housing catalogue to compare private rentals. University-residence places prioritize specific reciprocal programs; arrange private housing directly with the provider.
Academics & courses at UFMG (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais)
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
UFMG 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 DRI 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 UFMG (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais)
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 | UFMG is a federal public university — tuition is free for exchange students under cooperation agreements managed by DRI. Some departments may have small inci… |
| Full degree student | BRL 0-0/year | As a federal public university, UFMG charges no tuition for full-degree students, including foreign students admitted under cooperation programs like PEC-G (… |
BRL 0-0/semester
UFMG is a federal public university — tuition is free for exchange students under cooperation agreements managed by DRI. Some departments may have small inci…
BRL 0-0/year
As a federal public university, UFMG 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 UFMG (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais)
Housing near UFMG (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais) should move in parallel with the application. Compare residence, private room, transport route and contract terms before arrival.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Belo Horizonte
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at UFMG (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais)
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
DRI (Diretoria de Relações Internacionais)
Central point for nomination/application processing, orientation, and visa guidance for incoming exchange students.
UFMG Library System
Access to faculty and central libraries across the Pampulha campus for enrolled exchange students.
Restaurante Universitário (bandejão)
Subsidized cafeteria on the Pampulha campus offering low-cost meals to enrolled students.
Student life at UFMG (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais)
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) — UFMG's central student union
- Department-level academic centers (Centros Acadêmicos, one per course)
- Atlética sports leagues and intramural tournaments
Buddy Program
DRI's incoming-exchange-student buddy network (availability varies by semester)
Sports & Recreation
- Football, volleyball and athletics leagues via UFMG's Atlética groups
- Access to the Pampulha campus's sports facilities for enrolled students
Public Groups & Communities
DRI International Students orientation mailing list / social channels
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend DRI'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 Pampulha or Itapoã if not already settled before arrival.
- Join DRI's buddy program (if offered that semester) and at least one student club.
Key exchange dates at UFMG (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais)
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