University of São Paulo
The University of São Paulo is one of the largest and most important institutions of higher education and research in Brazil and Latin America. Founded in 1934, USP is a public state institution (it does not charge tuition fees) and has campi placed in seven towns spread throughout the state of São Paulo. With its education and research activities in all academic fields, USP offers 245 undergraduate programs, 227 graduate programs (both master’s and doctorate (PhD) degrees) and 888 extracurricular programs. In total, there are about 90,000 students enrolled in 48 Schools (faculties and institutes) which make up USP. Furthermore, the university houses four important museums which receive over half a million visitors per year. In addition, USP runs health centers and three major hospitals. It also works in partnership with Hospital das Clínicas in Ribeirão Preto and Hospital das Clínicas of São Paulo, the latter considered one of the leading hospitals in Latin America.
Over 85% of the almost 5,900 academic staff members are full time employees. This reinforces the university’s commitment to achieving excellence in terms of its personnel and in generation of knowledge.
USP’s scientific productivity totals an average of 27,500 publications per year including indexed scientific journals, books, reports, etc. This represents a significant proportion of the country’s output.
The university is concerned with the application of the discoveries made within its research centers and laboratories and their effective transfer to society in general. For this reason many members of the USP community are in permanent partnership with industries, companies, offices and health centers specialized in the development of projects and products, as well as in the application of new techniques and technologies.
The university also plays an important role in South America, since it attracts many students, professors and technicians from the neighboring countries and from all parts of the world. It is an institution that evolves rapidly in its intent towards greater internationalization and this has been accompanied by its ever growing visibility on the world stage. It has signed more than 570 cooperation and exchange agreements with important institutions in the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia and Oceania, and is constantly working towards increasing this number. The university currently receives about 2,000 foreign students per year and sends abroad a similar number as part of its student mobility program
University of São Paulo is one of the most prestigious higher education and research institutions in Brazil and figures amongst the best universities in the world. With several campi distributed over seven cities (Bauru, Lorena, Piracicaba, Pirassununga, Ribeirão Preto, São Carlos and São Paulo) within the state of São Paulo, USP has over 90,000 undergraduate and graduate students and 5,900 faculty members. The schools of USP cover most of the disciplines and provide the students with a study and research fertile environment.
Origins
USP was founded in 1934 upon the unification of several preexisting schools. The newly created Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Literature and the School of Physical Education of the State of São Paulo were integrated together with the schools of Law, Medicine, Engineering, Pharmacy and Dentistry as well as the “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture. It came into existence during the government of Getúlio Vargas, subsequent to the Constitutionalists Revolution of 1932.
In the early days, a large number of foreign professors was invited from abroad to lecture, bringing with them new standards of research from Europe. They aided in transforming USP into an essential driving force behind the progress of the nation and, during its first twenty years of existence, several new schools were established.
Finally, in the year of 1960, in the city of São Paulo, the “Cidade Universitária” was inaugurated. This resulted in the unification of the majority of the schools and faculties in one campus.
Subsequently, the University has expanded in both size and quality of its output. Today the University has 48 schools, 4 major museums, hospitals and has become an internationally recognized center of reference in many fields of research.
USP is:
Comprehensive. The individual schools encompass all academic areas and include 245 undergraduate programs and 227 graduate programs.
Productive. Its scientific production corresponds to at least 30% of all that is produced in Brazil.
Pioneer. It holds a highly respectable position in the most important international rankings of teaching and research institutions.
Tuition free. The university does not charge its students for tuition.
Traditional. Its schools are amongst the oldest higher education establishments in the country. They have been responsible for generating knowledge since the early nineteenth century.
Prestigious. Having an undergraduate or graduate diploma from USP facilitates the access to excellent job opportunities in Brazil and abroad.
Extensive. It occupies a total area of approximately 76,314,505m2, of which 1,757,178m2 correspond to University buildings.
The university faculty has had international presence from USP’s very beginning, particularly in certain fields of research. Some of the most outstanding examples include Claude Lévi-Strauss (FRA), David Bohm (USA), Miguel Rolando Covian (ARG), Vilem Flusser (ČSFR), Ernst W. Hamburger (GER), Roger Bastide (FRA), Fritz Köberle (AUS), William Hamilton (UK), Lucien Lison (BEL), Giuseppe Occhialini (ITA), Giuseppe Ungaretti (ITA), Gleb Wataghin (UKR-ITA) and André Weil (FRA).
USP schools: besides the main campus and some additional schools spread over the city of São Paulo, six other campi are located in the cities of Bauru, Lorena, Piracicaba, Pirassununga, Ribeirão Preto and São Carlos. For many fields of interest, it is possible for a student to choose in which campus to study and do research.
The university has an active role in disseminating science, culture and quality health care for citizens around the country. Strongly integrated with the local community, USP runs several hospitals, museums and public services that directly benefit the population. These range from scientific and cultural activities to innovative health care and therapy. Furthermore, most of the services provided by USP are free of charge.
Students
Undergraduate Programs
Programs |
245 |
Yearly enrollment |
11,502 |
Application for the Admission Exam |
132,993 |
Enrolled students |
57,543 |
Number of degrees awarded |
7,154 |
Graduate Programs
Regular Students |
||
Master’s program |
Doctorate program |
Total |
11,546 |
11,351 |
22,897 |
Special Students* |
4,639 |
Degrees awarded in 2010 |
|
M.Sc. |
Doctorates |
3,584 |
2,260 |
Graduate Programs |
227 |
Master’s |
Doctorate degree |
214 |
211 |
Scientific Production
In Brazil |
18,312 |
International |
8,674 |
Indexed publications (ISI-USA) |
8,20 |
Cultural and Outreach Activities
Museums (numbers of visitors/year) |
|
Paulista Museum (historical) |
331,886 |
Museum of Contemporary Art |
76,317 |
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology |
24,027 |
Museum of Zoology |
98,061 |
Total |
530,291 |
Continued Education |
|
Programs |
Enrolled students |
888 |
27,837 |
International Relations
The International Relations Office of Universidade de São Paulo develops and implements policies that seek to favor the internationalization of the institution.
Amongst its attributions, the International Relations Office:
Supports each of the individual schools’ local international offices in their efforts towards greater internationalization.
Provides information about travel opportunities for the wider USP community, including undergraduate and graduate students, professors and technical-administrative personnel.
Fosters academic international cooperation.
Selects, prepares and discloses information about programs and initiatives concerned with academic cooperation.
CCInt – International Relations Office
Address
Rua do Anfiteatro, 197 – Cidade Universitária | |
São Paulo / SP – Brazil |
ZIP Code: 05508-060 |
http://www.usp.br/ccint |
e-mail: ccint@usp.br |
Phone: +55 (11) 3091-2249 |
Fax: +55 (11) 3814-7342 |
Visit www.usp.br