Higher Education

The higher education in Brazil is offered by universities, university centers, schools, higher education institutes and technological education centers. The citizen has the option of three undergraduate programs´s types: Bachelor’s degree, teaching licensure and technological education. The post-graduation programs are divided into lato sensu (specializations and MBAs) and stricto sensu (Master’s and PhD degrees).

Besides the presential education, in which the student is supposed to have a minimum 75% attendance in classes and evaluations, there is also the possibility of graduation through distance education. According to this modality, the student receives textbooks, activity books and has the Internet support. The presence of the student is not necessary in the classroom. There are also the semi-presential programs, with some classes performed in the classroom and also at distance.

Julio Oliveira Enlarge

• The student can choose between the bachelor’s degree, graduate and technology education

The National Policy on Higher Education is planned and coordinated by the Secretariat for Higher Education, a body of the Ministry of Education. It is also responsible for the maintenance, supervision and development of the federal higher education institutions and the supervision of the private higher education institutions, as determined by the Law of Guidelines and Bases for National Education.

In order to assess the quality of the undergraduate programs in the country, the National Institute for Educational Studies and Research (Inep) and the Ministry of Education (MEC) use the General Index of Courses (IGC), whose publication occurs once a year, soon after the publication of the Nacional Exam of Student Performance (Enade) results. The IGC reference is the weighted average of the grades achieved in undergraduate ant post-graduation programs of each higher education institution. For further information, click here (content in Portuguese)

Means of Entrance

The citizen interested in studying at the Brazilian higher education institutions has several means to enter them. The “vestibular” (entrance examination) is the most traditional means and assess the student’s knowledge on the subjects studied in the Secondary school. It can be applied by the institution itself or specialized companies. The Middle School National Exam (Enem), another voluntary means to enter the higher education programs, also brings objective questions on the content learned in the Secondary school and a writing test – over 300 institutions use the results of this examination as part of the selection process.

The Secondary School Periodic Evaluation is another means to enter the higher education programs, which takes place in a gradual and progressive manner, with tests applied at the end of each secondary school grade. Besides, several institutions apply tests, examinations and assessments of knowledge focused on the area of the program the student intends to pursue. Some colleges and universities also opt for selection processes based on interviews or on the applicant’s personal and professional information, like education level, courses taken, school record or professional background and performance.

Promisaes

The Milton Santos Access to Higher Education Project (Promisaes) has the purpose to foster the technical-scientific and cultural cooperation between Brazil and other countries – particularly the African countries – in the education and culture areas. The program provides financial support (in the amount of a monthly minimum wage) for foreign students participating in the Student Graduation Agreement Program (PEC-G), regularly enrolled in undergraduate programs at federal higher education institutions.