Universidade de São Paulo
São Paulo, Brazil • Founded 1934 • World Rank #43
Overview
Founded in 1934, the Universidade de São Paulo (University of São Paulo) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large metropolis of São Paulo (population range of over 5,000,000 inhabitants), Sao Paulo.
This institution also has branch campuses in Bauru, Lorena, Piracicaba, Pirassununga, Ribeirão Preto, São Carlos and Santos. Officially recognized by the Ministério da Educação, Brazil (Ministry of Education of Brazil), Universidade de São Paulo (USP) is a very large-sized coeducational Brazilian higher education institution.
Universidade de São Paulo (USP) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 90-year-old Brazilian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations.
The acceptance rate range is 0-9% making this Brazilian higher education organization an extremely selective institution.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. USP also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Where Universidade de São Paulo is located and how to contact its offices. Disability and accessibility information is usually held by a separate student services office worth contacting directly.
Academic Details
Universidade de São Paulo's scale, faculty balance, and academic recognition. Staff-with-doctorate share often signals research culture more reliably than headline research output figures.
Academic Structures
How Universidade de São Paulo structures its academic side — by faculty, school, and unit — is detailed below. The structure affects everything from credit transfer to cross-faculty modules.
Unit 48 items
- Bauru School of Dentistry
- Center for Marine Biology
- Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Faculty of Philosophy, Languages and Literature, and Human Sciences
- Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto
- Institute of Advanced Studies
- Institute of Architecture and Urbanism
- Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences
- Institute of Biosciences
- Institute of Brazilian Studies
- Institute of Chemistry
- Institute of Energy and Environment
- Institute of Geosciences
- Institute of International Relations
- Institute of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
- Institute of Mathematics and Statistics
- Institute of Physics
- Institute of Psychology
- Institute of Tropical Medicine
- Law School
- Lorena School of Engineering
- Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture
- Oceanographic Institute
- Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing
- Ribeirão Preto Law School
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School
- School of Animal Science and Food Engineering
- School of Architecture and Urbanism
- School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities
- School of Communications and Arts
- School of Dentistry
- School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto
- School of Economics, Business Administration and Accounting at Ribeirão Preto
- School of Economics, Business and Accounting
- School of Education
- School of Engineering
- School of Medicine
- School of Nursing
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto
- School of Physical Education and Sport
- School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto
- School of Public Health
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science
- São Carlos Institute of Chemistry
- São Carlos Institute of Physics
- São Carlos School of Engineering
Degrees
Universidade de São Paulo's degree portfolio is grouped by level below. Each tier reflects different time commitments, academic depth, and career outcomes — useful when matching a programme to your current study stage.
Other 158 programs
- Accountancy
- Actuarial Science
- Administration
- Advertising and Publicity
- Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Education
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agriculture
- Anaesthesiology
- Animal Husbandry
- Applied Mathematics
- Applied Physics
- Arabic
- Architecture
- Armenian
- Art Education
- Art History
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biomedicine
- Biotechnology
- Business Administration
- Cardiology
- Cell Biology
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Chinese
- Civil Engineering
- Clinical Psychology
- Communication Arts
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Dentistry
- Dermatology
- Design
- Ecology
- Economics
- Education
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Endocrinology
- Energy Engineering
- English
- Entomology
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Management
- Epidemiology
- Experimental Psychology
- Fashion Design
- Food Science
- Foreign Languages Education
- Forensic Medicine and Dentistry
- Forestry
- French
- Gastroenterology
- Genetics
- Geochemistry
- Geography
- Geology
- Geophysics
- German
- Gerontology
- Greek
- Hebrew
- History
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Hydraulic Engineering
- Immunology
- Information Sciences
- Information Technology
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Italian
- Japanese
- Jewish Studies
- Journalism
- Latin
- Latin American Studies
- Law
- Library Science
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Marine Science and Oceanography
- Marketing
- Materials Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mathematics Education
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Media Studies
- Medicine
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Meteorology
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Mineralogy
- Mining Engineering
- Molecular Biology
- Music
- Music Education
- Naval Architecture
- Neurology
- Nuclear Engineering
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Occupational Therapy
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Oral Pathology
- Orthodontics
- Orthopaedics
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Paediatrics
- Pathology
- Pedagogy
- Periodontics
- Petroleum and Gas Engineering
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Physical Education
- Physical Engineering
- Physical Therapy
- Physics
- Physiology
- Plant Pathology
- Pneumology
- Portuguese
- Production Engineering
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Public Relations
- Publishing and Book Trade
- Radiology
- Rehabilitation and Therapy
- Russian
- Science Education
- Social Policy
- Social Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Sociology
- Soil Science
- Spanish
- Speech Therapy and Audiology
- Sports
- Statistics
- Surgery
- Theatre
- Tourism
- Toxicology
- Transport Engineering
- Tropical Medicine
- Urology
- Veterinary Science
- Visual Arts
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministério da Educação, Brazil.
Bauru (Campus) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Periodontics
Lorena (Campus) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Bioengineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Physical Engineering
- Production Engineering
Piracicaba (Campus) 10 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Education
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agriculture
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Environmental Management
- Food Science
- Forestry
- Nuclear Engineering
- Science Education
Pirassununga (Campus) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Animal Husbandry
- Bioengineering
- Food Science
- Materials Engineering
- Veterinary Science
Ribeirão Preto (Campus) 23 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Administration
- Applied Mathematics
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Dentistry
- Economics
- Law
- Library Science
- Medicine
- Music
- Music Education
- Nursing
- Pedagogy
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Psychology
- Science Education
- Sports
Santos (Campus) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Mining Engineering
- Petroleum and Gas Engineering
São Carlos (Campus) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Applied Mathematics
- Architecture
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Physics
- Town Planning
Marine Biology (Centre) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Marine Biology
- Marine Science and Oceanography
Common Career Paths
- Biologist
- Lab Technician
- Research Scientist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Architecture and Urbanism (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Architecture
- Design
- Town Planning
Common Career Paths
- Architect
- Urban Planner
- Interior Designer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Economics, Administration and Accountancy (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Administration
- Economics
Common Career Paths
- Economist
- Policy Analyst
- Financial Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Education (Faculty) 11 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Agricultural Education
- Art Education
- Education
- Foreign Languages Education
- Health Education
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Mathematics Education
- Music Education
- Pedagogy
- Physical Education
- Science Education
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Civil Law
- Commercial Law
- Criminal Law
- Forensic Medicine and Dentistry
- International Law
- Labour Law
- Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Medicine (Faculty) 16 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anaesthesiology
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- Endocrinology
- Forensic Medicine and Dentistry
- Gastroenterology
- Gerontology
- Immunology
- Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Occupational Therapy
- Oncology
- Pneumology
- Surgery
- Tropical Medicine
- Urology
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Odontology (Faculty) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Periodontics
- Stomatology
Pharmaceutical Sciences (Faculty) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biochemistry
- Nutrition
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Philosophy, Arts and Humanities (Faculty) 27 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anthropology
- Arabic
- Armenian
- Art History
- Arts and Humanities
- Chinese
- Comparative Literature
- Design
- English
- French
- Geography
- German
- Greek
- Hebrew
- History
- Italian
- Japanese
- Jewish Studies
- Latin
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Russian
- Social Sciences
- Sociology
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Editor
- Cultural Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Public Health (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Epidemiology
- Nutrition
- Public Health
Common Career Paths
- Public Health Officer
- Epidemiologist
- Health Policy Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Animal Husbandry
- Pathology
- Veterinary Science
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Advanced Studies (Institute) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Environmental Studies
- History
- International Studies
Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Science (Institute) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Geophysics
- Meteorology
Common Career Paths
- Physicist
- Research Scientist
- Data Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Biomedical Sciences (Institute) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biomedicine
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Pathology
Common Career Paths
- Biomedical Engineer
- Medical Device Specialist
- Clinical Engineer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Biosciences (Institute) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biochemistry
- Biomedicine
- Biophysics
- Botany
- Ecology
- Genetics
- Physiology
- Zoology
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Brazilian Studies (Institute) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Latin American Studies
- Literature
- Portuguese
Chemistry (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Chemistry
Common Career Paths
- Chemist
- Lab Researcher
- Quality Control Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Energy and Environment (Institute) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Ecology
- Energy Engineering
- Environmental Management
Geosciences (Institute) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Geochemistry
- Geology
- Mineralogy
- Petrology
- Science Education
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
International Relations (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- International Relations and Diplomacy
Mathematics and Statistics (Institute) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Mathematics
- Statistics
Common Career Paths
- Data Analyst
- Statistician
- Actuary
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Oceanography (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Marine Science and Oceanography
Physics (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Physics
Common Career Paths
- Physicist
- Research Scientist
- Data Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Psychology (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Psychology
Common Career Paths
- Psychologist
- Counsellor
- Clinical Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Tropical Medicine (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Tropical Medicine
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Arts, Sciences and Humanities (School) 15 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Management
- Fashion Design
- Gerontology
- Health Education
- Information Sciences
- Marketing
- Molecular Biology
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Physical Education
- Science Education
- Social Policy
- Sports
- Tourism
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Communications and Arts (School) 14 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Cinema and Television
- Documentation Techniques
- Fine Arts
- Journalism
- Library Science
- Music
- Painting and Drawing
- Performing Arts
- Public Relations
- Publishing and Book Trade
- Radio and Television Broadcasting
- Sculpture
- Theatre
- Tourism
Common Career Paths
- Journalist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Content Strategist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Nursing (School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Nursing
Common Career Paths
- Registered Nurse
- Clinical Nurse
- Public Health Nurse
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Physical Education and Sport (School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Physical Education
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Polytechnic (School) 14 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Engineering
- Hydraulic Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Naval Architecture
- Production Engineering
- Sanitary Engineering
- Structural Architecture
- Technology
- Transport and Communications
- Transport Engineering
How to apply to Universidade de São Paulo
The standard application path for Universidade de São Paulo, broken into five practical steps with the documents and channels you will need at each stage.
- 1 Browse the programme catalogue
Start by browsing Universidade de São Paulo's available programmes. Match your prior qualifications to a suitable degree level (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
- 2 Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Before applying to Universidade de São Paulo, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for Brazil.
- 3 Get your documents ready
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with Universidade de São Paulo's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
- 4 Apply through the official channel
Lodge your application through the official website (www5.usp.br). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.
- 5 Reach out and track your application
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +55 (11) 3091 3500. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Universidade de São Paulo
Common questions about Universidade de São Paulo answered concisely, with each answer grounded in the institution's published data.
How old is Universidade de São Paulo?
The institution opened in 1934 (approximately 92 years ago).
Where is Universidade de São Paulo located?
Universidade de São Paulo is located in São Paulo, Brazil.
Is Universidade de São Paulo public or private?
Universidade de São Paulo operates as a public institution.
What is the student enrolment at Universidade de São Paulo?
Student enrolment at Universidade de São Paulo is around over-50,000.
What is Universidade de São Paulo's ranking?
Universidade de São Paulo holds rank #43 globally and #1 in Brazil.
What is Universidade de São Paulo's academic structure?
The institution comprises 48 academic units.
Is Universidade de São Paulo officially recognised?
Universidade de São Paulo is accredited by Ministry of Education.
What is Universidade de São Paulo's official website?
The institution's website is www5.usp.br.
Members of Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF)
Sabbatical exchange agreements among Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) members create faculty mobility patterns. Students benefit indirectly through visiting-faculty courses and cross-institutional supervision arrangements.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Nearby institutions to Universidade de São Paulo often share sports, residence, and student-life facilities through regional consortia. The shared infrastructure can shape your day-to-day experience meaningfully.
Universities Often Compared with Universidade de São Paulo
International branch campuses are common among universities at Universidade de São Paulo's tier. Peer institutions often operate in similar geographies, signalling comparable global ambition.
