History
- 1946 - PUC-Rio acquired the status of university.
- 1960 - First main frame computer installed exclusively for academic purpose in a Brazilian university.
- 1963 - Creation of the first graduate courses.
- 1991 - Creation of the International Programs Office, now, International Program Central Coordination Office (CCCI).
- 2014 - PUC is granted the status of a public non-state institution.
Education
Academic Centers and Departments:
- Center for Theology and Human Sciences (CTCH)
- Center for Science and Technology (CTC)
- Center for Social Sciences (CCS)
- Center for Biology and Healthy Sciences (CCBS)
Research
The Graduate and Research Central Coordination Office has the following objectives:
- Ensure the conditions for maintaining and developing the hallmark of academic excellence of the graduate programs and research at PUC-RIO.
- Ensure that graduate courses and research activities are integrated into the other activities of the University, and respond to the challenges faced by scientists and intellectuals of our time as well as to Brazilian society in particular.
- Promote and optimize PUC-RIO's graduate programs and research activities.
- Guarantee appropriate conditions for professors, researchers and graduate students to develop their academic work.
Career
PUC-Rio encourages the integration of students in the labor market, in the best possible condition. CCESP is the unit in charge of disseminating internship offers, trainee programs and jobs, as well as promoting activities to connect undergraduates with companies.
Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) Key Statistics & Highlights
- #571 Ranking
- 22 Scholarships
- 800 Academic Staff
- 15,084 Students
- Private Institution Type
Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) Overview
Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) Scholarships
Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio). Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Mar 2027
Voice Talent Online Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
$1,500 Annual Students’ Presentation Crafting Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
11 Jan 2027
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
22 Jun 2026
Lawyers of Tomorrow Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
01 Nov 2026
Francesca Norris Memorial Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
01 Nov 2026
Financial Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
Creative BioMart Scholarship Program
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
BOC Sciences Chemistry Scholarship Program
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
International Conference Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Nov 2026
Type Rating Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 11.4% Brazil
Top 15.7% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
QS World University Rankings
571
By TopUniversities
Climbed 40 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 595 | 611 | 571 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
801
By Times Higher Education
Dropped 200 places compared to 2025
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 801 | 601 | 801 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
1354
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 43 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1203 | 1311 | 1354 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Housing services
The Gávea campus, where most undergraduate courses and most graduate work take place has a built area of approximately 82 thousand square meters and is located in the Tijuca Forest area in the Southern part of Rio de Janeiro
The campus offers:
- Restaurants, cafeterias, bookstores and ATMs
- There are 4 libraries on campus, the CENTRAL LIBRARY and a specialized library per academic center
- Community service projects
- The PILOTIS, an open meeting area for concerts, political debates and fairs
- A large number of city bus lines make it easy to get to campus
- FREE Internet access provided
- RIO DATACENTRO (RDC) is the computer center
- SOLAR GRANDJEAN DE MONTIGNY, PUC-RIO's Cultural Center
Library services
The library network of PUC-Rio holds quite a varied collection with 182.505 titles, corresponding to 458.077 volumes of books, monographs, theses, dissertations and periodicals and about 142.000 e-books and a great number of international e-theses and dissertations. Online access is available.
ICT services
RDC manages the computing resources for public use at PUC-Rio.
- It manages and maintains the University's corporate network (optical fiber, wire and wi-fi), that interconnects all departmental data networks and provides Internet access for them.
- It offers 13 laboratories equipped with last generation microcomputers in broadband connection to the Internet.
Medical services
Among the facilities there is also one dealing with basic health assistance.
Campus life
PUC-RIO is located near the forest and the beach.Its campus is a pleasant green area with a stream running through it; small monkeys and squirrels can be seen jumping up in the trees.
Sports facilities
PUC-RIO has 3 sports areas where many sports are played, such as football (soccer), volleyball and capoeira. In addition, both international students and the regular students are allowed to swim at one of the most famous clubs in town, the Flamengo Football (soccer) Club. It is located within walking distance of campus.
Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
Brazil Country
Rio de Janeiro City
Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) Student Reviews & Awards
3.7
Based on 6 reviews
- 5 Star 4 Reviews
- 4 Star 0 Reviews
- 3 Star 0 Reviews
- 2 Star 0 Reviews
- 1 Star 2 Reviews
Experiência muito positiva! Ótima Pós graduação
Tive uma experiência ótima na pós online de forma síncrona. Conteúdo excelente e fácil de adaptar para a minha rotina
1/5
6º semestre de Ciências Contábeis
Minha experiência no 6º semestre de Contabilidade e no 3º estágio tem sido de grande crescimento. Unir a teoria à prática do dia a dia é o que mais gosto. Resumo minha jornada acadêmica e profissional como desafiadora, prática e muito gratificante.
1/5
good university
I enrolled in the Software Architecture program at PUC to deepen my technical expertise in system design and scalability. During my time there, I completed 50% of the curriculum, focusing on core modules such as Microservices, Design Patterns, and Distributed Systems. Although I have currently paused my enrollment to focus on intensive professional projects and international career goals, the academic foundation I built has been instrumental in my approach to software engineering.
Studied here? Share your experience