Help Brazil / Education

Education

Asylum seekers and refugees have the right to Education in accordance with Law 9.474/1997 – Statute of Refugees. The Brazilian educational system includes several levels:

  • Early Childhood Education (0-6 years old), which includes kindergartens and preschools;
  • Elementary Education (7–14 years), divided from 1st to 9th grade, includes state and municipal schools;
  • Secondary Education (15-17 years), divided from 1st to 3rd years, also includes state and municipal schools.

In addition, refugees and asylum-seekers with university degrees can revalidate their degrees with the support of UNHCR and its partners.

Below you will find a series of information on how to access the Brazilian educational system.

Public Education for children and adolescents is free and divided into three levels, according to age:

Go to the school closest to your home to enrol your children. Take your personal identification documents! Find the school closest to you.

Please note that refugee children must be enrolled in school at all times, even if they do not have the complete documentation required. It is worth mentioning that the Brazilian refugee law determines that administrative procedures, such as enrollment in schools, must be facilitated for refugees.

I am over 18 years old and did not finish high school. Can I continue my studies in Brazil?

There is a specific government program for adults (over 18 years old) who have not completed Elementary or High School: Youth and Adult Education – EJA. EJA is offered by state and municipal schools in face-to-face and distance learning modalities.

What is technical education, and how can I apply?

The National Program for Access to Technical Education and Employment (Pronatec) was created by the Federal Government in 2011, through Law No. , projects and actions of technical and financial assistance.

More information on enrollment.

In addition to PRONATEC, refugees and migrants can take a technical course at SENAI. Check available courses, as well as the selection process according to your region.

How can refugees begin or continue university studies at a Brazilian university?

Asylum seekers and refugees can study at public and private universities in Brazil if they have already finished high school. It is advisable to have an advanced level of Portuguese, as most courses are not available in other languages.

Universities usually have different types of entrance exams. You should consult the requirements and documentation for each institution. The most common exam adopted is the ENEM, which is carried out annually by the National Institute of Studies and Research (INEP). For more information, see the  ENEM website.

Bahia

 ?? Federal University of Bahia (UFBA)
?? City: Salvador, Vitória da Conquista and Camaçari
?? Site: www.ufba.br/
?? Phone: (71) 3283.7820
?? Email: [email protected]

Federal District

?? University of Brasilia (UnB)
?? City: Brasilia
?? Site: http://www.unb.br/
?? Phone: (61) 3107-0254

Espírito Santo

?? Vila Velha University (UVV)
?? City: Vila Velha
?? Site: https://www.uvv.br/
?? Phone: (27) 99248-9654
?? Email: [email protected]

Minas Gerais

?? Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF)
?? City: Juiz de Fora
?? Site: https://www2.ufjf.br/noticias/category/concursos-ingresso/
?? Phone: (32) 2102-3911
?? Email: [email protected]

?? Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG)
?? City: Belo Horizonte
?? Site: https://www.ufmg.br/
?? Phone: (31) 3409-4162
?? E-mail:  [email protected]

?? Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM)
?? Cities: Uberaba and Iturama
?? Site: http://www.uftm.edu.br/
?? Email: [email protected]

Pará

?? Federal University of Pará (UFPA)
?? City: Belém
?? Site: https://portal.ufpa.br/
?? Email: [email protected]

Paraná

?? Federal University of Latin American Integration (UNILA)
?? Cities: Foz do Iguaçu
?? Site: https://portal.unila.edu.br/ingresso/refugiados
?? Email: [email protected]

?? Federal University of Paraná (UFPR)
?? City: Curitiba
?? Site: http://www.ufpr.br/portalufpr/

?? State University of Midwest Paraná (UNICENTRO)
?? City: Guarapuava and Irati
?? Site: https://www3.unicentro.br/
?? Phone: (42) 3621-1022

Pernambuco

?? Greater Recife Metropolitan College
?? City: Jaboatão dos Guararapes
?? Site: https://www.metropolitana.edu.br/
?? Phone: (81) 2128-0500 / 0800-500-0500
?? Email: [email protected]

Rio de Janeiro

?? Fluminense Federal University (UFF)
?? City: Niteroi
?? Site: www.uff.br
?? Phone: (21) 2629-2732; (21) 2629-2727; (21) 996240897
?? Email: [email protected] | [email protected] | [email protected] | [email protected]

Rio Grande do Sul

?? Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM)
?? City: Santa Maria
?? Site: https://www.ufsm.br/pro-reitorias/prograd/ingresse-na-ufsm/refugiados-e-migrantes

?? Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)
?? City: Porto Alegre
?? Site: http://www.ufrgs.br/ufrgs/inicial

Roraima

?? Federal University of Roraima (UFRR)
?? City: Boa Vista
?? Site: https://ufrr.br/
?? Email: [email protected]

São Paulo

?? Postgraduate Program San Tiago Dantas (UNESP – UNICAMP – PUC)
?? City: São Paulo
?? Site: https://www.santiagodantas-ppgri.org/

?? Catholic University of Santos (UNISANTOS)
?? City: Santos
?? Site: http://www.unisantos.br/portal/editais/editais-abertos/

?? State University of Campinas (UNICAMP)
?? City: Campinas
?? Site: https://www.unicamp.br/unicamp/
?? Phone: (19) 35216410
?? Email: [email protected] | [email protected]

?? Federal University of ABC (UFABC)
?? Cities: Santo André and São Bernardo
?? Site: http://www.ufabc.edu.br/
?? Phone: (11) 4996-0001 / (11) 2320-6120

?? Federal University of Sao Carlos (UFSCar)
?? City: San Carlos
?? Site: http://www.ufscar.br
?? Phone: (16) 3351-8152

?? Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP)
?? City: São Paulo
?? Site: https://www.unifesp.br/
?? Phone: (11) 3385-4101
?? Email: [email protected]

The revalidation of diplomas in Brazil is regulated by PORTARIA Nº 1.151, DE 19 DE JUNHO DE 2023.

Undergraduate university diplomas from universities outside Brazil need to be revalidated to be recognized in the country.

The requirements related to documentation, duration of the process and area of ​​study vary according to the universities and degrees. However, there are some common steps to follow in this procedure.

  • Find out which Brazilian public university offers courses in the same area of ​​knowledge as yours.
  • Check the price of the revalidation fee.
  • Verify that the revalidation process is fully operational and, if possible, get in touch with the course coordinator in advance to resolve other doubts.
  • Before starting the revalidation process, you must have:
    • copy of diploma and academic transcript;-pedagogical project or curricular organization of the course, indicating the contents or subjects and activities related to research and extension;
    • name of professors linked to the subjects studied;
    • other institutional information that may support the process, when available;
    • National Migration Registration Card (CRNM);
    • Individual Taxpayer Registry (CPF).
  • Some universities also require a Portuguese language proficiency certificate for immigrants. The CELPE-Bras is the only official Brazilian certificate of proficiency in Portuguese. More information, consult the CELPE-Bras website.

All revalidating institutions adopt the Carolina Bori Platform to carry out revalidation processes.

For refugees in Brazil, undocumented migrants, those who have a humanitarian visa, and other justified cases, who DO NOT have revalidation documentation, may take a test of knowledge, content and skills related to the course, as an exclusive form of assessment for the revalidation process.

The revalidation institution may also accept personal statements about your academic background and professional experience, recommendations from classmates who have obtained the same diploma, recommendations from professors who can provide information about your academic performance, recommendations from people or companies with whom you have worked who can provide information about your professional performance in the area of ​​training, and other documents.

For more information, see the Ministry of Education website.

ONLINE COURSES

Fluency Academy, in partnership with UNHCR, is offering online Portuguese courses for Spanish speakers. For more information, visit the organization’s website by clicking here.

ON-SITE COURSES

Some public institutions and civil society organizations offer free Portuguese courses for asylum seekers and refugees. Due to the high demand for these courses, some of them may have waiting lists. Search for one of the UNHCR partner organizations throughout Brazil for more information.

Below you will find a series of platforms with free online courses. To find out more information about the course, just click on the name of the organization.

Since 2003, UNHCR has implemented the Sérgio Vieira de Mello Chair (CSVM) in cooperation with national university centers. Over the years, the Chair has proven to be a key player in ensuring that refugees and asylum seekers have access to rights and services in Brazil, offering valuable support to the local integration process.

Currently, the CSVM comprises 54 Brazilian Higher Education Institutions, present in 17 states and the Federal District. For the list of institutions and their contact details, please visit the Sérgio Vieira de Mello Chair (CSVM) page.

Newly Updated!

New education opportunities are available for forcibly displaced people! For details, check the Announcement page.

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