Brazil continues to attract international students, and one major point of appeal is that public higher education institutions generally do not charge tuition. International applicants should still check each university’s admission route, language requirements, visa rules, and living costs before applying.
Brazilian nursing education has gone through several reforms, including the 1994 minimum curriculum for nursing courses and later curriculum guidelines that shaped today’s undergraduate nursing programs. In this article, we will look at how to study nursing in Brazil.
Nowadays, students can choose from many accredited universities that offer strong nursing education and opportunities for research, internships, and professional development. Nursing programs in Brazil generally combine classroom study, laboratory work, supervised practice, and internships in health services, with a focus on Brazil’s health system and regional health needs.
What Degrees are there for Nursing in Brazil?
International students who want to study nursing in Brazil can find bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, depending on the university. Undergraduate nursing programs usually include supervised practice and internships. Public universities generally do not charge tuition for undergraduate courses, but admission requirements and application routes vary by institution and by applicant category.
Students may complete an undergraduate nursing degree at one university and then apply for master’s or doctoral study at another institution in Brazil or abroad, subject to each program’s admission rules.
Cost of Studying Nursing
Public universities in Brazil generally offer tuition-free undergraduate education, and some public graduate programs also do not charge tuition. For example, the University of São Paulo states that its undergraduate courses are free of charge, and its graduate courses do not charge enrollment or monthly fees, although graduate selection processes may charge a limited application fee.
International students may enter through regular university admission processes or through official cooperation programs such as PEC-G, depending on nationality, eligibility, and language requirements. Students should budget for living expenses, housing, books, health insurance, visa-related costs, and possible application or selection fees.
Private university tuition varies widely by institution, course, city, and degree level. Because fees change frequently, applicants should confirm current tuition directly on the private university’s official fees page before applying.
Requirements to Study Nursing in Brazil
Admission requirements vary by university. For many undergraduate degree-seeking applicants, admission is through an entrance exam such as the vestibular, and some institutions also use Brazil’s national high school exam, ENEM, or specific international admission routes. At the University of São Paulo, for example, undergraduate degree-seeking students from abroad may sit the FUVEST vestibular, and the exams are held in Portuguese and in Brazil.
Because requirements differ by institution and by applicant status, prospective students should consult the official admissions page of each university before starting the application process.
In What Languages Do You Study Nursing in Brazil?
Most public undergraduate nursing programs in Brazil are taught in Portuguese. Applicants should expect admissions processes, classes, clinical activities, and university communications to require a strong command of Portuguese. At USP, Portuguese is the main language of instruction, and the FUVEST entrance exams are held in Portuguese.
Exchange students may find a limited number of courses in other languages at some institutions, but full nursing degree programs should generally be planned as Portuguese-language study. Students who do not yet meet the required level of Portuguese should check whether they can take a preparatory Portuguese course or apply through programs that include Portuguese-language preparation.
Best Nursing Schools in Brazil
1. The University of São Paulo
The University of São Paulo is one of Brazil’s leading universities for nursing. Its School of Nursing offers a full-time Bachelor of Science in Nursing that lasts four years, with 4,170 hours and 37 compulsory subjects distributed across eight semesters. The school selects 80 students each year through FUVEST.
The undergraduate curriculum emphasizes the relationship between theory and practice, supervised practical activities, and training for Brazil’s Unified Health System. The curriculum is organized into three cycles: the Cycle of Needs, the Cycle of Care, and the Cycle of Professional Practice, which includes the end-of-course paper. Students who want the teaching qualification may take additional education-related subjects and supervised training, extending the course to nine academic semesters.
At the graduate level, USP’s School of Nursing offers master’s and Ph.D. programs in areas such as health care, adult health nursing, nursing management, and interunit doctoral study.
2. The Medical School of São Paulo State University (UNESP)
São Paulo State University’s Botucatu Medical School offers an undergraduate nursing program in Botucatu. Official course listings identify the program as a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and the course is offered in person in Botucatu. The program has traditionally been offered full time.
The course covers key areas of nursing and health sciences and prepares students for professional practice through classroom study, laboratory activities, and practice in health services. Nursing students study subjects such as biophysics, biochemistry, epidemiology, pharmacology, bioethics, and other areas connected to patient care and public health.
UNESP also offers graduate study in nursing. The Graduate Program in Nursing at Botucatu Medical School offers master’s and doctoral degrees, so students who complete undergraduate training may continue into graduate study if they meet the program’s selection requirements.
3. University of Brasília
The University of Brasília offers nursing study at the undergraduate level and through its Graduate Program in Nursing. The undergraduate nursing course at the Faculty of Ceilândia is structured around Brazil’s National Curriculum Guidelines and combines theory, practice, and health-service experience.
The undergraduate course has a minimum completion period of 10 semesters. Current course documents list the maximum completion period as 18 semesters, so students should check the latest curriculum page before applying.
Graduates may work in Brazil’s health services network, continue into research, or pursue graduate study. The University of Brasília’s Graduate Program in Nursing offers academic master’s and doctoral study for nursing and related health professionals.
4. Federal University of Juiz de Fora
The fourth school in this list is the Federal University of Juiz de Fora. Its undergraduate nursing course provides knowledge in biological and health sciences, humanities, social sciences, and nursing, with a focus on fundamentals, assistance, administration, and nursing teaching.
The program includes lectures, fieldwork, laboratory practice, and internships focused on care for children, teenagers, women, adults, and older adults. Practical activities take place in settings such as primary health care units, polyclinics, and hospitals under faculty supervision.
Federal University of Juiz de Fora also allows nursing graduates to pursue a teaching degree. This can prepare nurses to teach in elementary and secondary education, participate in hygiene and health programs, and contribute to the training of nursing technicians. At the graduate level, UFJF’s Graduate Nursing Program offers master’s training, and its nursing doctorate was approved by CAPES in 2024, with doctoral regulations and selection notices now available.
I hope this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Scholarships Page and Open Courses Page for International Students.
