How a Brazilian University Became a Global Research Powerhouse Without Charging Tuition

Cultures · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in 1934 to modernize Brazil, the University of São Paulo has grown into the nation's largest public university. It produces over a quarter of Brazil's high-quality scientific papers while remaining entirely tuition-free, fueled by state funding and a unique, decentralized structure that spans eleven campuses across the state.

The University of São Paulo (USP) emerged in 1934 as a deliberate effort to provide Brazil with modern administrative and educational institutions. Its foundation, spearheaded by Armando de Sales Oliveira, integrated existing professional schools—such as the 1827 Law School and the 1893 Polytechnic School—with a newly created Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Languages. This core faculty was designed to train future teachers and experts, drawing inspiration from the French academic model and recruiting prominent European intellectuals like Claude Lévi-Strauss and Fernand Braudel to establish new research standards.

The university's structure is defined by its autonomy. It operates as a collection of independent schools and institutes, each managing its own curriculum and research lines. While this decentralization fosters specialized expertise, it has also drawn criticism for creating excessive fragmentation and duplicating efforts across departments. Despite these internal tensions, the institution has remained a central pillar of Brazilian intellectual life, playing a vital role in the country's democratization during the late 20th century, even as it endured the persecution of its faculty during the military dictatorship.

Today, USP is a massive academic ecosystem. It manages 42 libraries, 24 museums, and five hospitals, including the largest hospital complex in Latin America. Admission is highly competitive, typically requiring the rigorous FUVEST entrance exam, though the university also utilizes the national ENEM system. With 247 undergraduate and 239 graduate programs, it consistently ranks among the world's top institutions, producing a significant portion of Brazil's scientific output while maintaining a commitment to public access by charging no tuition to its students.

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