Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Best Programs & Majors 2026

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Best Programs & Majors for International Students 2026

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)'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 Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) include Engineering (COPPE / Centro de Tecnologia), Medicine & Health Sciences (CCS), Mathematics — below, what each is genuinely known for, its career outcomes, and which international students it suits best.

Best & most popular majors

Engineering (COPPE / Centro de Tecnologia)

COPPE, founded 1963, is Latin America's largest engineering research and graduate centre — 13 programmes including ocean, nuclear, civil, biomedical and production engineering, with deep industry and energy-sector ties.

Medicine & Health Sciences (CCS)

UFRJ's largest centre, anchored by nine teaching hospitals including the historic Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho; a leading Brazilian medical and biomedical training base.

Mathematics

Strong national tradition linked to Brazil's elite mathematics community; alumni include Fields Medalist Artur Ávila and Wolf Prize winner Jacob Palis.

COPPEAD Graduate School of Business

The only business school tied to a Brazilian public university ranked among the Financial Times global top 100, offering internationally certified management programmes.

Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biosciences)

Research-intensive faculties across the mathematical and natural sciences, a core pillar of UFRJ's standing as a national research flagship.

Architecture & Urbanism (FAU)

Historic programme in the tradition of alumnus Oscar Niemeyer; strong national reputation in architecture and urban design.

Compare in the same discipline

Computer Science & Engineering in Brazil →Economics & Finance in Brazil →Medicine & Health Sciences in Brazil →Natural Sciences in Brazil →Business & Management in Brazil →Architecture & Design in Brazil →

Common questions

What are the best and most popular majors at Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)?

Engineering (COPPE / Centro de Tecnologia): COPPE, founded 1963, is Latin America's largest engineering research and graduate centre — 13 programmes including ocean, nuclear, civil, biomedical and production engineering, with deep industry and energy-sector ties. Medicine & Health Sciences (CCS): UFRJ's largest centre, anchored by nine teaching hospitals including the historic Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho; a leading Brazilian medical and biomedical training base. Mathematics: Strong national tradition linked to Brazil's elite mathematics community; alumni include Fields Medalist Artur Ávila and Wolf Prize winner Jacob Palis. COPPEAD Graduate School of Business: The only business school tied to a Brazilian public university ranked among the Financial Times global top 100, offering internationally certified management programmes. Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biosciences): Research-intensive faculties across the mathematical and natural sciences, a core pillar of UFRJ's standing as a national research flagship.

What kind of student fits Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)?

Portuguese-speaking students seeking a free, top-3 Brazilian university with strong engineering and science Engineering and technology students drawn to COPPE — Latin America's largest engineering graduate school — and the energy/offshore sector Aspiring researchers and academics targeting Brazil's deep public-research tradition in medicine and the natural sciences