7 Tuition-Free / Cheapest Universities in Brazil
Brazil is the largest country in both South and Latin America with its capital in Brasilia. It is the world’s 5th largest country by area and 7th most populous country, with an economy described as middle-income developing mixed economy, it is the 3rd largest economy in America and one of the tourist destinations, with affordable and free tuition institutions.
Brazil has seven free tuition universities which are listed below
- University of Sao Paulo
Year of establishment – 1934
Location – Brasilia
Website – https://www.usp.br
This is the largest university in Brazil, with roots traced to the Sao Paulo school of law established in 1827. It’s tuition-free and Brazil’s most prestigious university in Latin America.
- University of Campinas
Year of establishment – 1962
Location – Campinas
Website – https://www.unicamp.br
Is a highly regarded tuition-free government-owned university for both Brazilians and international students? It is the 2nd ranked the best university in Brazil, offering 70 undergraduate and 153 postgraduate programs.
- Federal University of Minas Gerais
Year of establishment – 1970
Location – Belo Herizonte
Website – https://www.ufmg.br
Is the largest federal education institution in Brazil, tuition-free, and the main campus is in Belo Horizonte while other campuses at Montes Claros and Tira dentes house 75 undergraduate and 123 postgraduate programs?
- The Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
Year of establishment – 1934
Location – Porto Alegre
Website – https://www.furg.br
Is a government-owned tuition-free university, with roots traced to the Escola de Farmiacia e Quimica in 1895. Is the 4th largest university in Brazil, known best for its clinical and health education degrees.
- Federal University of Catarina
Year of establishment – 1960
Location – Florianopolis
Website – https://en.ufsc.br
Is the 5th largest university in Brazil, government-owned and tuition-free. Its forerunner is the Polytechnic institute of Florianopoli’s existence since 1917 before it became the first state university in 1960.
- University of Brasilia
Year of establishment – 1962
Location – Brasilia
Website – https://international.unb.br
This is a top federal University in Brazil, tuition-free and offering 61 undergraduate and 76 postgraduate programs. The admission process is competitive but fair, owing to her high standards of quality education.
- Sao Paulo State University
Year of establishment – 1976
Location – Sao Paulo
Website – https://www.international.unesp.br
A tuition-free government-owned university inspired by the university of California system is one of Brazil’s best universities have 23 campuses across the country housing 171 undergraduate and 62 postgraduate programs.
Studying in Brazil on a budget — what the fees above actually mean
Tuition is only one line in the budget, and on its own it is a poor guide to whether you can afford to study in Brazil. A country with low tuition and high living costs can end up more expensive than one with higher tuition and cheap accommodation. Work out the total annual cost before you compare anywhere.
How to check a tuition figure before you rely on it
Fee figures on any website — including this one — go out of date. Universities revise tuition annually, and governments change policy. Before you rely on a number:
- Open the university’s own website and find the fees page for international or non-national students. That is the only figure that counts.
- Check the academic year the figure applies to. A 2023 fee table tells you very little about what you will pay in 2026/2027.
- Confirm whether the price is per year, per semester or per credit. Per-credit pricing is common and makes cheap-looking programmes expensive.
- Check whether international students pay a different rate. In many systems local and EU students pay far less than everyone else.
- Email the admissions office and keep the reply. A written quote protects you.
A live example of why this matters: Norway’s public universities were free for everyone until 2023, when parliament introduced cost-covering fees for non-EU/EEA students — and non-European enrolment fell by roughly 80% within two years. In June 2025 the government proposed letting institutions set their own fees again, including at zero, from August 2026. Anyone relying on a five-year-old “tuition-free” article would have got it badly wrong in both directions.
Entry route: Brazil requires a student visa or study permit obtained after admission. Expect an interview at the embassy or consulate for some countries, proof that you can fund the full programme, and evidence of ties to Nigeria. Visa refusal rates for Nigerian applicants can be high, so prepare your financial documentation carefully and honestly.
Language of instruction: most degree programmes in Brazil are taught in the local language, with a smaller selection available in English — usually at postgraduate level. Check the language of instruction for your specific programme before anything else, because this single detail rules out more applicants than tuition cost does. Where an English-taught programme exists, ask whether an IELTS or TOEFL waiver applies to Nigerian degree holders.
Build a realistic total-cost budget
Before applying to any institution in Brazil, price all of the following. Applicants routinely underestimate the second half of this list:
- Tuition for international students, for the correct academic year
- Application and acceptance fees, which are usually non-refundable
- Accommodation — on-campus versus private rent can differ enormously
- Living costs — food, transport, data, utilities
- Health insurance, which is compulsory in most study destinations
- Visa or permit fees, plus biometrics and courier charges
- Flights, and a return flight if the visa requires proof of one
- Proof of funds — money you must show you hold, on top of what you actually spend
- Document costs — transcripts, notarisation, apostille, translation, courier
- The naira exchange rate, and how a further depreciation would affect year two
How to bring the cost down honestly
- Apply for scholarships in parallel, not afterwards. Most funding deadlines fall before or alongside admission deadlines, not after.
- Look at government scholarships from Brazil itself. Many countries fund international students directly, and these are often less competitive than the famous named awards.
- Ask about assistantships and tuition waivers at postgraduate level. Teaching or research assistantships can cut or eliminate tuition.
- Ask about fee instalments. Many institutions allow termly payment, which matters when you are converting naira.
- Check student work rights on your visa — how many hours, and whether you may work at all. Never plan a budget that depends on illegal work.
- Compare smaller cities. Rent outside the capital is often the single biggest saving available.
A warning about agents
No agent can guarantee you admission or a visa. If someone promises either in exchange for money, walk away. Legitimate agents are paid by institutions, publish their registration details, and will never ask you to send money to a personal account. Apply directly to the university wherever you can — almost every institution accepts direct applications, and it is free or cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Can Nigerians study in Brazil?
Yes. Nigerian students are admitted to institutions in Brazil subject to meeting the academic entry requirements, the language requirement and the immigration rules set out above.
Is the cheapest university the best choice?
Not automatically. Check that the institution is recognised by the national regulator in Brazil and, if you plan to return home or move on, that its degrees are accepted where you intend to work. A cheap degree from an unrecognised institution costs you everything.
Do I need IELTS to study in Brazil?
It depends on the programme and the institution. Where teaching is in English, many institutions waive the test for applicants whose previous degree was taught in English — which covers most Nigerian graduates. Always confirm in writing before paying for a test.
How much money do I need to show?
That is set by the immigration authorities, not the university, and it changes. Check the official government source for Brazil shortly before you apply, because the figure is usually updated annually.
Can I work while studying?
Some countries permit limited part-time work on a student visa and some do not. Confirm the rule for your specific visa type, and treat any earnings as a supplement rather than the basis of your budget.
Related guides
- Full list of universities in Brazil
- International scholarships for Nigerians
- Best scholarships for Nigerians and Africans
- More study-abroad and scholarship guides
Tuition fees, visa rules and proof-of-funds thresholds change every year. Always confirm the current figures on the official university and government websites for Brazil before you apply or pay anything.