Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) Best Programs & Majors 2026

Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) Best Programs & Majors for International Students 2026

Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio)'s strongest programs and what each is genuinely known for — beyond marketing copy. With BrightKey's view on which serves international students best.

The best and most popular majors at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) include Economics (Departamento de Economia), Computer Science (Departamento de Informática), Engineering (Centro Técnico Científico) — below, what each is genuinely known for, its career outcomes, and which international students it suits best.

Best & most popular majors

Economics (Departamento de Economia)

Internationally renowned and one of Latin America's leading economics departments, with a top research-and-PhD programme; alma mater/employer of multiple Brazilian Central Bank presidents and finance ministers.

Computer Science (Departamento de Informática)

Ranked #1 in Brazil in THE's 2023 computer-science ranking and the birthplace of the Lua programming language (created at PUC-Rio in 1993).

Engineering (Centro Técnico Científico)

Strong, research-led engineering faculties (incl. electrical, mechanical, civil and production) backed by applied-research institutes such as the Petrobras-linked Tecgraf Institute.

Law (Direito)

One of Brazil's most respected law schools, a traditional pipeline into Rio's legal profession, judiciary and public service.

Design (Departamento de Artes e Design)

A leading Brazilian design programme, well regarded across product, graphic and digital design and tightly linked to Rio's creative industries.

International Relations (Instituto de Relações Internacionais)

A prominent IR institute in Brazil, research-active in foreign policy and global studies and a strong route into diplomacy and international organisations.

Compare in the same discipline

Economics & Finance in Brazil →Computer Science & Engineering in Brazil →Law in Brazil →Architecture & Design in Brazil →Humanities & Liberal Arts in Brazil →

Common questions

What are the best and most popular majors at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio)?

Economics (Departamento de Economia): Internationally renowned and one of Latin America's leading economics departments, with a top research-and-PhD programme; alma mater/employer of multiple Brazilian Central Bank presidents and finance ministers. Computer Science (Departamento de Informática): Ranked #1 in Brazil in THE's 2023 computer-science ranking and the birthplace of the Lua programming language (created at PUC-Rio in 1993). Engineering (Centro Técnico Científico): Strong, research-led engineering faculties (incl. electrical, mechanical, civil and production) backed by applied-research institutes such as the Petrobras-linked Tecgraf Institute. Law (Direito): One of Brazil's most respected law schools, a traditional pipeline into Rio's legal profession, judiciary and public service. Design (Departamento de Artes e Design): A leading Brazilian design programme, well regarded across product, graphic and digital design and tightly linked to Rio's creative industries.

What kind of student fits Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio)?

Aspiring economists and policy/finance professionals wanting one of Latin America's top economics departments and its Central Bank/finance pipeline Computer science and engineering students drawn to a #1-in-Brazil CS department (birthplace of Lua) and applied research like the Tecgraf/Petrobras institute Brazilian and Latin American students who can afford a selective, well-resourced private alternative to the free public universities