florianopolis

Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Situated on a paradisal island surrounded by 43 stunning beaches and conveniently located in Trindade, a neighborhood located only 15 min from the city centre, the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina is an idyllic place to study for those with intermediate Portuguese.

A short bridge connects the island to the mainland, but the island maintains its incredible biodiversity and connection to nature. The Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina is a public university that was founded in 1962, has 11 campuses, and is located in Florianópolis, the capital of the Brazilian State of Santa Catarina. 

Key information

Language

Portuguese

Semester

Fall, Winter, Academic year

Program type

Exchange

Application information

Application status

Open October 1, 2024 

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2025-2026 applications

Fall 2025 and Winter 2026
Priority deadline: January 5, 2025

University-specific additional requirements

No academic reference required - see the Eligibility section below.

2026-2027 applications

Open October 1, 2025

Program details

UFSC offers a wide range of subjects, such as Biological Sciences, Sport Science, Veterinary Science, Agriculture & Forestry, Geography, Sociology, Communication & Media Studies, Politics & International Studies (incl Development Studies), Geology, Environmental, Earth & Marine Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics, Physics & Astronomy, Chemistry, Economics & Econometrics, Business & Management, Accounting & Finance, Psychology, General Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Art, Performing Arts & Design, Languages, Literature & Linguistics, History, Philosophy & Theology, Architecture, and Computer Science.

For more details please consult the course catalogue. The language of instruction is Portuguese, so an intermediate level (B1) of Portuguese language is required. 

45 hours of teaching would be equivalent to 1 UCalgary course (3 units). Students are recommended to take at least the equivalent of 4 UCalgary courses. 

  • First semester runs from March to July
  • Second semester runs from August to December

Please consult the academic calendar for details.

  1. Costs

    Exchange students pay their tuition and academic fees to the University of Calgary. Other expenses are paid directly to the service provider.

    UFSC has a cost of living page for Florianópolis. Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations etc in your budget planning.

    Florianópolis cost comparison vs. CalgaryClick Here

  2. Funding

    Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you on exchange?  
    Since you remain a degree seeking student at UCalgary while on exchange you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are eligible to receive from the university as well as student loans.

    Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund (based on a funding-first model where students apply prior to committing to a global learning program) and the Global Learning Award (students apply after being accepted to a global learning program; the amount varies year-to-year as the money is split among chosen recipients). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.

UFSC provides a list of off-campus housing options for international students as there is no university arranged housing for exchange students. 

This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at the U of C, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

An intermediate level of Portuguese language (B1) is required, as the language of instruction is Portuguese.

 

There is lots of water sports available on Santa Catarina Island with lots of history as well! See the attractions page for Florianópolis.

There is a study buddy program at UFSC, which pairs local students with new international students. They can pick you up at the airport, invite you to the welcome day, and organize activities with you throughout the semester.


Have questions?

Global Learning 101

Please watch this short YouTube playlist before reaching out or booking an appointment. In these videos, you will learn much of the basics about Global Learning, which may answer your initial questions.

Watch Global Learning 101

Academic Advising

Before applying to study abroad, you should ask your academic advisor how this program might align with your degree (e.g. best time to go, what courses you need).

After you are accepted, you should ask your academic advisor more specific questions about courses/transfer credits. It’s also recommended to follow up with your advisor again once you return to Calgary.

Find your academic advisor

Global Learning Advising

If you have questions, please reach out to our office! We offer drop-in advising for general inquiries, and if you have questions about this specific program or any others, you can book an appointment with the responsible advisor.

Please use the link below to find the most up-to-date information about our current advising options.

View the Global Learning Advising page

The advisor for the program is: Saniya Korhalkar

How to Apply

Download the application guide

This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.

Application guide

Identify three programs of interest

We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.

Check requirements and deadlines

These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.

Start your application

Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!

Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.

APPLY NOW

International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.

For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.

If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.

Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.