Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul official logo

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Porto Alegre, Brazil Founded 1934 World Rank #457

Overview

English Name: Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
Local Name: Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
Acronyms: UFRGS
Founded: 1934
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
World Rank: #457
Rank in Brazil: #6
Colours: Blue and red
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul academic facilities
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Established in 1934, the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Porto Alegre (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Rio Grande do Sul.

This institution also has a branch campus in Tramandaí. Officially recognized by the Ministério da Educação, Brazil (Ministry of Education of Brazil), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) is a very large-sized coeducational Brazilian higher education institution.

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) 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 89-year-old Brazilian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations.

International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.

UFRGS also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Where to find Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, plus its phone, email, website, and social media links. Confirm the published channels here are current before sending application materials.

Address: Avenida Paulo Gama 110 Bairro Farroupilha
Postal Code: 90040-060
Other Sites: Also campus Litoral Norte
Phone: +55 (51) 3308 3142
Fax: +55 (51) 3308 3973
Social Media:

Academic Details

Academic statistics for Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul — including its student body and academic staff numbers. Read these alongside rankings; institution scale changes how rankings should be interpreted.

Academic Year: March to November (March-June; August-November)
Accrediting Agency: Ministry of Education
Admission Requirements: Secondary school certificate and entrance examination
Student Enrollment: 35
Academic Staff Range: 2,500-2,999
Campus Setting: Urban
Memberships & Networks
Conselho de Reitores das Universidades Brasileiras (CRUB) Rede Nacional de Extensão (RENEX)

Academic Structures

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul's internal academic organisation — faculties, schools, and constituent units — is broken down below. Each unit handles a specific subject cluster and houses its own programmes and faculty.

Unit 13 items
  • Faculty of Agronomy
  • Faculty of Architecture
  • Faculty of Dentistry
  • Faculty of Economics
  • Faculty of Law
  • Faculty of Library Science and Communication
  • Faculty of Medicine
  • Faculty of Pharmacy
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
  • School of Administration
  • School of Engineering
  • School of Nursing
  • School of Physical Education

Degrees

Also teaching qualifications

Other 73 programs
  • Accountancy
  • Actuarial Science
  • Administration
  • Agricultural Engineering
  • Agriculture
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Architecture
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Biochemistry
  • Biology
  • Botany
  • Business Administration
  • Chemistry
  • Communication Studies
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Engineering
  • Dentistry
  • Design
  • Development Studies
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Engineering Management
  • Environmental Studies
  • Finance
  • Food Science
  • Food Technology
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • Health Administration
  • Health Sciences
  • History
  • Journalism
  • Law
  • Library Science
  • Literature
  • Mathematics
  • Mathematics Education
  • Medicine
  • Museum Studies
  • Music
  • Neurosciences
  • Nursing
  • Nutrition
  • Painting and Drawing
  • Performing Arts
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physical Education
  • Physics
  • Physiology
  • Psychiatry and Mental Health
  • Psychology
  • Public Administration
  • Public Health
  • Regional Planning
  • Regional Studies
  • Religious Music
  • Rural Studies
  • Sanitary Engineering
  • Sculpture
  • Social Sciences
  • Social and Community Services
  • Sociology
  • Statistics
  • Surgery
  • Surveying and Mapping
  • Theatre
  • Urban Studies
  • Veterinary Science
  • Visual Arts
  • Water Management

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Ministério da Educação, Brazil.

Agronomy (Faculty) 7 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Agriculture
  • Agronomy
  • Forestry
  • Horticulture
  • Plant and Crop Protection
  • Soil Science
  • Zoology
Architecture (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.

Dentistry (Faculty) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Dentistry
  • Surgery

Common Career Paths

  • Dentist
  • Oral Surgeon
  • Dental Researcher

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Economics (Faculty) 4 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Accountancy
  • Actuarial Science
  • Economics
  • International Relations and Diplomacy

Common Career Paths

  • Economist
  • Policy Analyst
  • Financial Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Education (Faculty) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Curriculum
  • 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) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Law

Common Career Paths

  • Lawyer
  • Legal Consultant
  • Compliance Officer

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Library Science and Communication (Faculty) 5 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Advertising and Publicity
  • Journalism
  • Library Science
  • Museum Studies
  • Public Relations

Common Career Paths

  • Journalist
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Content Strategist

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Medicine (Faculty) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Medicine

Common Career Paths

  • Physician
  • Medical Researcher
  • Clinical Specialist

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Pharmacy (Faculty) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Pharmacy

Common Career Paths

  • Pharmacist
  • Clinical Pharmacist
  • Pharmaceutical Researcher

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Veterinary Science (Faculty) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Veterinary Science

Common Career Paths

  • Veterinarian
  • Animal Health Specialist
  • Wildlife Researcher

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Arts (Institute) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Music
  • Theatre
  • Visual Arts
Basic Health Sciences (Institute) 4 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Biochemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Physiology

Common Career Paths

  • Research Scientist
  • Lab Technician
  • Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Bioscience (Institute) 7 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Biology
  • Biotechnology
  • Botany
  • Ecology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Zoology

Common Career Paths

  • Research Scientist
  • Lab Technician
  • Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

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.

Food Science and Technology (Institute) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Food Science
  • Food Technology

Common Career Paths

  • Research Scientist
  • Lab Technician
  • Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

GeoSciences (Institute) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Earth Sciences
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • Mineralogy
  • Paleontology
  • Petroleum and Gas Engineering

Common Career Paths

  • Research Scientist
  • Lab Technician
  • Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Hydrology Research (Institute) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Water Science
Informatics (Institute) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Information Sciences
Letters (Institute) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Arts and Humanities
Mathematics (Institute) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Mathematics

Common Career Paths

  • Data Analyst
  • Statistician
  • Actuary

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Philosophy and Humanities (Institute) 5 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Arts and Humanities
  • History
  • Philosophy
  • Political Sciences
  • Social Sciences

Common Career Paths

  • Researcher
  • Editor
  • Cultural Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

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.

Administration (School) 5 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Administration
  • Business Administration
  • Finance
  • Health Administration
  • Public Administration
Engineering (School) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Electronics and Automation
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Physical Engineering

Common Career Paths

  • Engineer
  • Project Manager
  • Technical Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Nursing (School) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Nursing
  • Public Health

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 (School) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Dance
  • Physical Education
  • Physical Therapy

Common Career Paths

  • Teacher
  • Educational Administrator
  • Curriculum Specialist

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Programs Offered

The programmes available at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul are organised by level. Most institutions cluster intake decisions by faculty, so application timelines often run in waves through the year.

Bachelor's Degree

9 programmes

Browse 9 programmes at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul for undergraduate entry. Each combines core theory with the credits needed to progress toward honours or a master's.

Biblioteconomia Library Science Online
Delivery: Online
Ciências Biológicas Education & Teaching Online
Delivery: Online
Ciências Da Natureza Para Os Anos Finais Do Ensino Fundamental Education & Teaching Online
Delivery: Online
Ciências Sociais Education & Teaching Online
Delivery: Online
Computação E Robótica Educativa Education & Teaching Online
Delivery: Online
Desenvolvimento Rural Business Administration Online
Delivery: Online
Geografia Education & Teaching Online
Delivery: Online
Letras - Inglês Education & Teaching Online
Delivery: Online
Pedagogia Education & Teaching Online
Delivery: Online

How to apply to Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

A short guide to applying to Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul — five steps covering the path from programme selection to confirmation of receipt.

  1. 1
    Identify the right programme

    Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul offers 9 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.

  2. 2
    Check entry requirements

    Each programme at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.

  3. 3
    Prepare your application documents

    Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.

  4. 4
    Submit via the institution

    Apply directly via Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul's online portal at www.ufrgs.br. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.

  5. 5
    Get in touch with admissions

    After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +55 (51) 3308 3142. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

The questions below summarise Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul's vital institutional details — useful as a quick reference before drilling into specific sections.

How old is Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul?

The institution opened in 1934 (approximately 92 years ago).

In which city is Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul?

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul is based in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Is Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul public or private?

It is a public higher-education institution.

How many students study at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul?

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul has approximately 35,000-39,999 students.

Where does Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul stand in university rankings?

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul is ranked #457 globally and #6 in Brazil.

What is Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul's academic structure?

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul has 13 academic units.

Is Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul accredited?

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul is accredited by Ministry of Education.

What is Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul's official website?

The institution's website is www.ufrgs.br.

Top-Ranked Universities in Brazil

Top universities in Brazil typically offer the most generous institutional scholarships. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul's scholarship range relative to these benchmarks reflects funding capacity.

Members of Conselho de Reitores das Universidades Brasileiras (CRUB)

Joint research grants among Conselho de Reitores das Universidades Brasileiras (CRUB) members create funded collaborations that often extend to graduate-student opportunities. The network listed below collaborates regularly with Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul.

Faculties at Nearby Universities

Students considering Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul often compare it against universities in the same region. Below are nearby institutions with comparable academic departments and student support structures, useful for cross-shortlisting.

Where Else to Study Education & Teaching

Accreditation portability differs for Education & Teaching programmes across Brazil. Professional accreditation (where applicable) matters more than institutional accreditation for regulated career paths.

Universities Often Compared with Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Below: institutions that students typically weigh against Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul when finalising their shortlist. The comparison set reflects scale and prestige; specific programme fit still needs separate verification.

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