About the program
1. About PEC-G
2. Portuguese language (PEC-PLE)
3. Regulation
4. Participating countries
5. Participating institutions
6. Testimonials from former students
The Brazilian Program for Exchange Students - Undergraduate Level (PEC-G) offers foreign students free admission vacancies for complete graduation in Brazil. Courses are available in all fields of knowledge. There are no charging fees or admission tests.
PEC-G is a modality of the Brazilian Program for Exchange Students (PEC), an official program of the Brazilian government.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) and the Ministry of Education (MEC) coordinate the program, in partnership with the participating Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
Benefits
- Free admission vacancy for a full degree;
- Medical, dental and pharmaceutical assistance through the Brazilian public health system (SUS);
- Receive your diploma legalized or apostilled free of charge, at the Brazilian embassy or consulate where you applied for the program;
- In some cases, scholarships from the Ministry of Education (MEC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) and other aid from the Higher Education Institution (HEI).
Application and requirements
Application is completely free and takes place every year at Brazilian embassies and consulates in participating countries.
Nationals of Caribbean countries can also apply at the Brazilian Delegation to the Organization of American States (OAS), in Washington/USA.
More information soon.
All applicants must prove proficiency in Portuguese language to join the PEC-G. One of the ways to do this is to obtain the Celpe-Bras certificate, the official exam that measures your fluency in Brazilian Portuguese. The tests take place in several countries, including Brazil.
If you need the Celpe-Bras certificate to participate in the PEC-G Program and cannot take the exam in your country, you must apply for the Brazilian Program for Exchange Students - Portuguese as a Foreign Language (PEC-PLE), in addition to the PEC-G.
As a PEC-PLE student, you will spend your first year in Brazil taking a free Portuguese language and Brazilian culture course to obtain your Celpe-Bras certificate. After obtaining the certificate, you will be able to start your undergraduate course as a PEC-G student.
Regulation
Click here to read the legislation on PEC-G and PEC-PLE (in Portuguese).
Countries that have an educational, cultural or scientific and technological cooperation agreement with Brazil can participate in the PEC-G.
Currently, there are 74 participating countries. Click here to see the list (in Portuguese).
Click here to see the list of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) participating in the PEC-G (in Portuguese).
Testimonials from former students
“I can safely say that undertaking the PEC program at the prestigious University of Brasilia (UnB) provided me with a solid academic training that is second to none. Brazil’s leading scholars, diplomats, and international relations specialists trained me. This background afforded me further academic scholarships offered by the OAS and the International University of Japan.”
Ian Walcott, from Barbados, graduated in International Relations at the University of Brasilia
“(…) I got an opportunity to achieve my dreams through the PEC-G Program. I have developed intellectually and socially. At UFAL I had the opportunity to participate in the World Health Organization (WHO) research program coordinated by the university. Brazilian culture is diverse and it was so enjoyable being part of it. All in all my stay there was something I will never forget.”
Mary Akoth Adeka, from Kenya, graduated in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Alagoas
“(...) I had the opportunity to participate in innovative research projects and collaborate with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds. This diversity enriched my worldview and helped me understand the importance of international cooperation. (...) Today, I work as a Data Scientist, a profession that requires advanced analytical and technological skills. The knowledge acquired during my time in Brazil has been fundamental to my success in this highly competitive field. (...) My hope is that stories like mine continue to inspire other international students to pursue their dreams through PEC-G.”
Mauricio Garcia Bimbu, from Angola, graduated in Computer Science at the Federal University of Ceará
“In addition to the high academic level, due to the possibility of studying at one of its best universities, my stay in Brazil allowed me to develop skills that became a valuable differentiator in the job market, such as mastery of a third language, cultural experience and independence. (...) I am extremely grateful for this opportunity that opened many doors for me and from which I continue to reap the benefits to this day.”
Aline Beatriz Pérez Zúñiga, from Mexico, graduated in Tourism at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte
“PEC-G is offered to several countries, but it is especially important for Guinea-Bissau, as it helps to qualify the workforce and improve the quality of services when Brazilian graduates return to the country, placing the country in the path to sustainable development. For me, it was a door of opportunities to dream (...). Furthermore, I began to participate in the national debate and influence discussions in my country."
Rui Jorge Semedo, from Guinea-Bissau, writer, graduated in Social Sciences at the Federal University of Roraima
“(...) I record my enormous debt of gratitude to the Federative Republic of Brazil, for the opportunity to pursue free university studies and get to know Brazil's cultural wealth, whose influence was decisive in my training as an economist and has been a source of inspiration for the public service I had the privilege of offering in Bolivia."
Mauro Alberto Bertero Gutiérrez, from Bolivia, ambassador, graduated in Economics from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul