The great reality is that not only the capital, but the State of São Paulo as a whole, end up being references in the issue related to university life. This is due to the fact that the State of São Paulo has most of the best public and private universities in the country. Among them, Unicamp and USP end up having great notoriety in the university “representation” of Brazil abroad. Despite this, in view of all the chaos that is common in large metropolises, and especially in a megalopolis like the capital of São Paulo, it is always a good way to get to know comfortable places to study in São Paulo.
Therefore, check out a little about some of the main universities present in the State of São Paulo, and later learn about some places to study in Sao Paulo, but which can also exclude you from the hustle and bustle of São Paulo.
1- University of São Paulo (USP)
Founded in 1934, USP is the largest university in Brazil and one of the largest and best in Latin America. It is also responsible for more than 20% of Brazilian scientific production and has been recognized by different world rankings for the excellence of its professors and students. USP is one of four universities maintained by the Government of the State of São Paulo, together with Unicamp (State University of Campinas), Unesp (São Paulo State University) and Univesp (Virtual University of São Paulo).
With more than 180 undergraduate courses, it is very difficult that the course you want is not offered by USP.
In the center of the capital, we have the most traditional faculty of USP, founded in 1827, still during the Empire, the historic Faculdade de Direito do Largo de São Francisco. A Uliving it has units close to several courses offered by USP, such as Pinheiros and Centro.
If you are looking to study at the most traditional and renowned college in São Paulo, with courses in all areas of knowledge, USP may be the right place for you. But don't get left behind! To be part of the USP students, you need to take one of the entrance exams. Fuvest, organized by the University Foundation for the Vestibular, is responsible for selecting most of the students. Sisu, the Unified Selection System, is carried out based on the Enem (National High School Examination).
Both have quota systems for self-declared black, brown and indigenous students or those coming from the public school system.
2- Mackenzie Presbyterian University
Mackenzie began its school activities in 1870, when a couple of Presbyterian missionaries, George and Mary Ann Chamberlain, founded a primary school. The fame of the school reached the American lawyer John Theron Mackenzie, who, even though he had never been to Brazil, left in his will a donation to the American Presbyterian Church, so that a superior college of Engineering could be built on the site of the school. Then came the name used until today: Mackenzie.
As expressed in its name, Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie is a private, philanthropic and confessional higher education institution. Non-profit, the university has the objective of educating human beings for the full exercise of citizenship, in an environment of reformed faith. But despite this, there is no religious purpose behind their operations.
Mackenzie is often named as one of the best private colleges in Brazil, ranking 4th in the 2019 Folha University Ranking. The main campus is in São Paulo, in the Higienópolis neighborhood. But there are also two others, in Campinas and Barueri.
3- State University of Campinas (Unicamp)
Founded in 1962 by former USP professors, Unicamp is the most promising research and teaching university in Brazil. If you intend to be a top researcher, Unicamp should definitely be considered.
Unicamp accounts for almost 10% of all academic production in Brazil and maintains leadership among Brazilian universities with regard to patents and the number of articles published per capita. There are more than 33 students and 66 undergraduate courses offered. In addition, the college represents a considerable share of economic and social activities in Campinas.
Despite the image of the surveys being linked to the private sector, Unicamp is a public school, therefore free, and its admission is carried out through a specific entrance exam and for some courses it is also possible to enter through the SISU.
In 2022 the Uliving arrived in the city with student housing to assist in the search for a student apartment ready to rent and live in. If your dream college is in Campinas, you can also count on Uliving to rent rooms and student housing to further enhance your university experience.
4- UniSantos (H2)
The Catholic University of Santos is a community institution of higher education, with headquarters located on the Dom Idílio José Soares campus. UniSantos is a private, confessional and philanthropic college. It is especially marked by its social responsibility, through projects and services offered free of charge to the population. Its main objective is to expand spaces of knowledge, with the intention that it is shared and socialized beyond the classroom.
With 29 courses in total and more than 41 students, it is a good option for those looking for student housing on the beach. The student housing Uliving arrived in Santos in August 2021, with furnished studios and apartments for students ready to move in, enjoy!
Discover 5 comfortable places to study in São Paulo
Within an almost industrial logic of production and consumption, the capital of São Paulo has a very large acceleration of relations, in which many times it ends up entering an almost frenetic climate, in which all you need is to switch off a little to be able to study . So, check out some good places to study in São Paulo below.
1- Mário de Andrade Library – Center
Located at Rua da Consolação, number 94, the Library named after the famous Brazilian poet and novelist is the largest in the city of São Paulo. In addition to offering a series of spaces and tables where you can sit down to carry out your activities, the place has a collection of more than 3 million items, including books, periodicals, audiovisual materials and more.
Another positive point is that in addition to being close to the subway station, the place offers several lectures and events free of charge for the population. Previously, the great differential was the fact that it was open 24 hours a day, but currently its opening hours are limited. On weekdays it opens from 9:00 to 21:30. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, it opens at the same time but closes at 19:30 pm.
2- Le Pain Quotidien – Vila Madalena
Located at 138 Wisard Street, Le Pain Quotidien is a world-renowned chain of bakeries and restaurants. Its menu is quite varied and it's a great place to have a hearty breakfast. Despite this, this network of bakeries offers very comfortable and cozy facilities so that its customers can enjoy a nice meal, but also manage to read a book, or carry out some other activity on site.
Thinking about it, they offer free wifi, which allows you to use that space for work meetings, with college friends and even to form a small study group. Like most places in the city of São Paulo, you may not find silence there for most of the day, but the environment is quite comfortable and it's nothing that a simple headset can't soften.
Its opening hours are from 7:00 am to 18:00 pm, from Monday to Monday.
3- Santo Grão, Oscar Freire unit – Jardins
Santo Grão has a different footprint from the previous example, although it also offers cozy and versatile environments that make it possible from carrying out work and studies through books or computers, it is also a great environment for university integration.
Its opening hours are very long and during practically the whole day, you can have access to a quality service, good food, cozy atmosphere and contact with nature, perfect conditions for carrying out academic work and also reading.
Opening hours: 07:30 to 00:00 – Monday
07:30 to 1:00 - Tuesday to Thursday
07:00 to 02:00 – Friday
08:00 to 02:00 – Saturday
08:00 to 00:00 – Sunday
Location: Rua Oscar Freire, 413 – Jardim Paulista
4- São Paulo Cultural Center – Paradise
The São Paulo Cultural Center has a more youthful feel and allows you to stay in the Cultural Center environment itself, or go to a library located there. That is, you have varied options of places that can be used for a good outdoor reading, but you can also opt for quieter places like the library itself. In addition, free Wi-Fi access is available on site, which further expands the conditions for you to spend your day there doing work or college activities.
It operates from: 10:00 am to 22:00 pm – Every day except Sundays, which is closed.
Location: Rua Vergueiro, 1000 – Paraíso
5- Villa-Lobos Park Library – Alto de Pinheiros
With several cultural events and permanent programs, the Parque Villa-Lobos Library has renovations in its collection quite frequently. This makes it a great place to study, but also to rent books, films, and other types of research materials. In addition, this location is concerned with accessibility issues, making it possible for PCDs to have the same or similar experiences as others.
Its location is: Avenida Queiroz Filho, 1205 – Alto de Pinheiros.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday and holidays, from 9:30 am to 18:30 pm.
Now that you know some comfortable places to study in São Paulo, explore these locations and catch up on your studies!