🇧🇷 How to apply to university in Brazil
Applications go through Sisu (Sistema de Seleção Unificada), using ENEM scores. Programmes usually start: February–March (first semester); some institutions also admit for the second semester.
Checked on 20 October 2026 against the official sources listed below.
The essentials
- Application system
- Sisu (Sistema de Seleção Unificada), using ENEM scoresMost public universities fill places through Sisu with ENEM results; others, and private institutions, run their own selection (vestibular).
- When programmes start
- February–March (first semester); some institutions also admit for the second semester.
- International applicants
- There is no single route for foreigners: students from partner countries can apply through PEC-G, and others sit ENEM or the university's own selection like Brazilians.
- Language
- Portuguese — most programmes are taught in it; each institution or programme call sets any proof required.
Sisu for 2027 entry runs after the ENEM 2026 results, usually in January; its dates weren't published when checked. Each university's own vestibular has its own calendar.
| Date | What | Who | Intake | Source | Calendar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 November 2026 –15 November 2026 | ENEM 2026 exam days (8 and 15 November) | Candidates registered for ENEM 2026 (registration closed in June 2026) | 2027 entry | Inep — Enem 2026 cronograma |
A window shows its opening date above its closing date. Individual universities and programmes can set earlier dates of their own — always confirm on the official page before you rely on a date. The calendar file adds each date as an all-day event with a reminder a week before.
Your checklist
The usual steps for an international student applying to a bachelor's in Brazil, in order. Tick them off as you go — your ticks stay in this browser, with no account.
Next steps
Sources
Written by CollegeMatcher in our own words from these official pages, checked on 20 October 2026. Dates change every year.