Flats, rooms and residences near the URFJ

Flats and rooms for students near the UFRJ

First, we’ll tell you about the locations of the UFRJ campuses, so that you can then consider the most convenient neighbourhoods to live near.

Where’s the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro located?

The following are the main campuses of this Brazilian institution:

The main campus in the University City

The main campus of this institution is located in the University City (Cidade Universitária) of Rio de Janeiro in the island of Fundão, north of the city centre.

It’s a very large campus that occupies a large part of the island, exceeding five million square metres!

This campus is home to many of the university's main faculties, institutes and centres, as well as the rector's office, libraries, laboratories, the UFRJ Technology Park, student residences, university restaurants, hospitals, museums and extensive green and sports areas. For example, there are football pitches, an athletics track, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and rugby and hockey facilities.

Praia Vermelha Campus

It’s located in the Botafogo neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro, very close to other institutions.

The following classes are taught here and are based here:

• The Institute of Psychology
• The Institute of Psychiatry
• The Deolindo Couto Institute of Neurology
• The Phelippe Pinel Institute
• The UFRJ Science and Technology Cultural Centre
• The Brazilian Centre for Physics Research
• The School of Social Work
• The UFRJ Publishing House Bookshop

Duque de Caxias Campus

As its name suggests, it’s located in the Santa Cruz da Serra neighbourhood of the city of Duque de Caxias, north of Rio.

The classes taught here are mainly related to the fields of biotechnology, biophysics, and nanotechnology. There are also several laboratories.

Macaé - Polo Universitario: Centro Multidisciplinar Campus

This campus is located in Macaé, another city in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

The following institutes are based here:

• Multidisciplinary Chemistry
• Polytechnic
• Food and Nutrition
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Medical Sciences
• Nursing

Best neighbourhoods to live near the UFRJ

It depends on which campus you’re going to. Bear in mind that Rio de Janeiro is a very large city.

Ilha do Governador

Living on this island is one of the most popular options among students who want to be close to the main campus of UFRJ and enjoy peace and quiet. People usually choose between areas such as Jardim Guanabara and Moneró. However, keep in mind that Ilha de Governador doesn’t have much nightlife or things to do, so you’ll have to go to other parts of Rio for that.

Botafogo and Flamengo

These neighbourhoods in the South Zone are very popular with students because they have lots of shops, restaurants, underground stations, and leisure facilities. They’re ideal, above all, for students from the Praia Vermelha Campus, which is in Botafogo, but also has good bus connections to the Fundão Campus.

Tijuca

This is another viable option if you’re looking for slightly lower prices than in the South Zone, with good connections to the centre and the rest of the city. It’s not always the best option if you’re commuting to the campus everyday, but it can work if you find a location close to the metro or the correct bus routes, such as in Saens Pena.

Student residences near the UFRJ

The UFRJ has its own student residences, known as “Residência Universitária” that’s inside of the campus of the University City (Ilha do Fundão). The spots are limited and they’re usually given to students from low-income backgrounds or that come from other cities/regions. The advantages are that they’re either free or very low cost, located on campus, and offer a university canteen and basic services. The disadvantage is that there’s high demand and not everyone manages to get a place.

On the other hand, there are the so-called "Repúblicas", which are organised by the students themselves outside the university. They function like a shared flat: everyone pays their share of the rent and expenses, and they’re usually located in neighbourhoods close to the UFRJ or in well-connected areas. The experience is more independent, although less structured than in an official residence.

As for private student residences, there are a few options, but it’s not the most common type of accommodation to find.

Erasmus in the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Some details to bear in mind about an exchange at this Brazilian institution:

• Most courses are offered in Portuguese, so it’s advisable to have a good level of the language (such as A1). However, this level may vary depending on the course.
• The university has a Superintendência de Relações Internacionais (SRI), which organises welcome activities and integration programmes for international students, including Internationalisation Week with talks, fairs and social events.
• In the Praça da Prefeitura Universitária, there are often concerts, food fairs, and sporting activities open to the entire student community.

FAQ about the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro