Academic Year
The academic year at UFJF is divided into two semesters: the first from the second week of March to the second week of July, and the second from the second week of August to the third week of December. Additionally, some departments may offer winter and summer intensive courses, in July and January, respectively.
Enrollment Procedure
To enroll in the courses of their choice, students must go to the International Relations Office as soon as they arrive at Juiz de Fora or get in contact with the Incoming Coordinator through email:incoming.sri@ufjf.edu.br
Incoming students can also consult about courses, enrollment procedures and related issues with our Incoming Exchange Programs Coordinator through email: incoming.sri@ufjf.edu.br
Grading System
Courses offered by UFJF’s departments may require different kinds of assignments, tests and exams. To be approved, the student must get a final grade of at least 60 points in a total of 100. Each professor is free to choose the evaluation method s/he thinks is more adequate to the course being taught, however, some general rules apply:
1. Students must be given at least three different evaluations and none of them may be responsible for more than 40% of the final grade.
2. Students have the right to take a “second call” exam if they are not able to take the exams in the regular calendar. Professors may require a formal document stating the reason why the student missed the examination.
3. Besides obtaining a minimum of 60 points, students must also comply with a minimum attendance requirement of 75% of classes.
Transcript
Since students usually travel back to their home countries as soon as the semester ends, transcripts may not be available to the student by the time of their departure. Hence, the International Relations Office sends the transcripts to the home institution by mail. We also send to the student’s email a scanned copy.
Student ID
UFJF Student ID is the passport for all the services offered by the university – the library system and the university restaurant, for example. To obtain the ID, the students must visit the university restaurant after their registration is complete in the Integrated Academic Management System (SIGA).
Other Activities
In addition to courses, international students and visitors may engage in research and extension activities carried out at UFJF. Students should speak directly to professors so as to check the opportunities available during the period of their stay.
Buddy Program
UFJF has implemented a program to help foreign students to socialize with brazilian students and get better acquainted with our campus and facilities as well as with life in Juiz de Fora. UFJF’s Buddy Program is adapted from the Erasmus experience in the Portuguese University of Évora and has been improving greatly since its implementation in March, 2015.
The UFJF community welcomes you our university. We are delighted that you have chosen to attend our Institution. Being an international student at UFJF is a great experience. This handbook is intended to give you important information you will need to prepare for your trip to Brazil, your stay in Juiz de Fora and your academic program at UFJF. We look forward to being a helpful part of your UFJF experience.
https://www.ufjf.br/sri-foreign-student/files/2015/03/Manual-do-estudante-estrangeiro-em-ingles.pdf
Housing Options
We strongly recommend students to make a previous reservation in some type of accommodation before their arrival at Juiz de Fora, either temporary or permanent. The rental conditions vary, depending on the quality and location of the accommodation, between R$ 400 and R$ 900 a room per month. UFJF does not provide yet accommodation, but we suggest you look for accommodation in neighborhoods near UFJF.
Popular neighborhoods for students: São Mateus, São Pedro, Centro, Granbery.
LOOK OUT! You can also check the websites easyquarto.com.br and bomnegocio.com. There is also the independent group Interchange Student Network (REI) on Facebook that can help you find an accommodation.
Dining Options
UFJF offers for both Brazilian and international students the possibility of having lunch and dinner in the University Restaurant. The meal costs R$1.40 and, in order to access the restaurant, the student must have UFJF’s Student ID.
Additionally, since it is a university city, Juiz de Fora offers both in the downtown area and in the university surroundings many low-price dining options for both lunch and dinner. The city has hundreds of buffet restaurants where diners pay for the weight of their plates (self-service restaurants). The average price of a meal in one of those restaurants is R$40/kg, drinks and dessert not included.
Besides buffet restaurants and cafeterias, Juiz de Fora also has a variety of upscale restaurants offering both international and typical Mineira cuisine options. The average price of a meal in such restaurants is R$70 per person, tips and drinks included.
Taking the bus
Each region in Juiz de Fora has different colors of buses. Many green buses pass through UFJF Campus. Bus fares are all the same and cost R$2.75. You need to sign for the driver to stop. To get out of the bus, you must pull the cord in the ceiling of the bus or press the red/orange button. A whistle will blow and the bus will stop in the next bus stop. Inside UFJF, free gray buses circulate from 8h30am to 5h30pm, Mon-Fri. The bus lines that pass through UFJF Campus are:
LOOK OUT! There is an app made by students that can inform you about all bus lines and its timetables. Download: Busão JF (android only). You can download the app CittaMobi (android and apple) which is similar but have a GPS system included.
Alternatively, visitors may take taxis. Taxi fares in Juiz de Fora are quite cheap, about R$3 per kilometer, with an extra fee of R$4.50 applied to the total amount. Hence, a taxi ride from downtown to the UFJF campus will cost something between R$16 and R$20. You can also use Uber (android and apple) to travel through the city.