Federal University of Minas Gerais

Federal University of Minas Gerais is a public research university located in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. It is the largest and oldest university in the state of Minas Gerais, and is consistently ranked among the top universities in Brazil and Latin America.

The history of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) can be traced back to the 19th century, when the first institutions of higher education were founded in the state of Minas Gerais. In 1839, the School of Pharmacy was established in Ouro Preto, the state capital at the time. In 1875, the School of Mining was created, and in 1892, the School of Law was established. In 1927, these three schools were merged to form the University of Minas Gerais (UMG). The UMG was initially funded by the state government, but in 1949, funding was delegated to the Brazilian government. The name UFMG (including Federal) was not adopted until 1965.

In the 1940s, a large area in the Pampulha region of Belo Horizonte was selected as the site for the construction of University City. The first buildings in University City were inaugurated in 1951, and the campus has continued to grow and develop ever since. UFMG has played an important role in the development of the state of Minas Gerais and Brazil as a whole. Its graduates have gone on to become leaders in business, government, and academia. UFMG is also a major cultural and economic force in Belo Horizonte and the surrounding region.

Federal University of Minas Gerais is ranked as the #6 top university in Brazil during 2025. This is the same rank as last year.