Final call: Sisu 2026 applications close Friday, January 23, offering record 274,800 places
Final call: Sisu 2026 applications close Friday, January 23, offering record 274,800 places
Prospective students aiming for higher education in Brazil face an imminent deadline as registrations for the Sisu (Unified Selection System) 2026 are set to conclude this Friday, January 23. This year’s edition marks a historic milestone, presenting the largest number of opportunities ever recorded by the Ministry of Education (MEC), with 274,800 vacancies available across 7,388 courses at 136 public institutions nationwide. The program serves as a crucial gateway, leveraging Enem scores to allocate coveted spots in federal and state universities, reflecting a commitment to broad access and diverse academic pathways for the upcoming academic year.
The Sisu 2026 process, a cornerstone of Brazil’s public university admissions, is designed to be accessible and streamlined, guiding applicants through an online platform. This year’s significant expansion in available positions underscores the government’s ongoing efforts to increase access to quality higher education across the country, encompassing a wide array of disciplines and geographical locations. The final hours before the deadline are critical for thousands of hopeful students finalizing their choices and ensuring all application requirements are met.
Eligibility criteria have been refined to offer more flexibility, allowing a broader pool of candidates to participate in the competitive selection process. The emphasis remains on academic merit, assessed through performance in the National High School Exam, while simultaneously addressing socioeconomic disparities through robust affirmative action policies.
Key Dates and Enrollment Process
The application window for Sisu 2026 officially closes at 11:59 p.m. BRT on Friday, January 23, making prompt action imperative for all interested candidates. The entire registration procedure is conducted exclusively online, ensuring a standardized and efficient process for participants from diverse backgrounds.
Candidates must navigate to the Portal Único de Acesso ao Ensino Superior to complete their applications. This centralized online platform is designed to guide users through each step, from initial registration to final course selection, emphasizing clarity and ease of use in the high-stakes environment of university admissions.
Sisu 2026: A Record-Breaking Opportunity
The Sisu 2026 offering represents an unprecedented expansion in public higher education, with 274,800 spots distributed nationwide. This significant increase provides a wider range of choices for students across various fields, from humanities to exact sciences and health.
The vacancies are spread across 7,388 distinct courses, housed within 136 public institutions, including federal and state universities. This comprehensive network ensures that opportunities are available in major urban centers as well as more remote regions, fostering regional development and access to quality education.
Eligibility and Application Details
To qualify for Sisu 2026, applicants must have completed high school and taken any of the last three editions of the Enem (2023, 2024, or 2025). A crucial requirement is that candidates must not have scored zero in the Enem essay portion to be considered eligible for selection.
The application itself is free of charge, removing financial barriers for prospective students. During the process, applicants can select up to two distinct course options, allowing for strategic choices based on their academic interests and projected scores.
Furthermore, a mandatory socioeconomic questionnaire must be completed as part of the application. This data helps in the implementation and monitoring of affirmative action policies, which are central to the Sisu framework and aim to promote equity in higher education access.
Leveraging Enem Scores
A significant enhancement for this year’s Sisu is the expanded flexibility regarding Enem exam scores. Students now have the option to utilize their results from any of the three most recent editions of the exam: 2023, 2024, or 2025. This allows candidates to submit their best performance.
The Sisu system is programmed to automatically identify and apply the highest weighted average score from the selected Enem editions for the chosen course. This intelligent selection process ensures that each candidate’s application is optimized, maximizing their chances of admission based on their strongest academic achievement.
Affirmative Action and Financial Aid
The Sisu 2026 program continues its robust commitment to social equity, with more than 54% of all available vacancies reserved for affirmative action initiatives. These quotas ensure that underrepresented groups have dedicated pathways to higher education, fostering a more diverse and inclusive academic environment.
For students pursuing teaching careers, the Pé-de-Meia Licenciaturas program offers a substantial financial incentive. This initiative provides a monthly stipend of approximately $210 (equivalent to R$1,050) throughout the entire undergraduate program, supporting future educators and addressing critical shortages in the teaching profession.
Expanding Academic Paths
MEC has particularly highlighted an expansion of course offerings in high-demand fields such as technology and in-person licentiate programs. This strategic focus aims to meet evolving market needs and strengthen the foundational academic disciplines vital for national development.
The increase in technology courses reflects the growing demand for skilled professionals in innovation and digital sectors. Simultaneously, the emphasis on in-person licentiate degrees reinforces the commitment to robust teacher training and the importance of traditional classroom instruction.
Leading Institutions and Programs
Among the institutions offering the highest number of Sisu vacancies, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), the Fluminense Federal University (UFF), and the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB) stand out. These universities consistently attract a high volume of applicants.
Popular courses like Pedagogy, Administration, and Mathematics lead the ranking in terms of available spots. These fields continue to be fundamental for a wide range of career paths and attract a significant portion of incoming university students.
Beyond Sisu: Prouni Scholarships
While Sisu focuses on public university admissions, other complementary programs also open doors to higher education. Prouni (University for All Program) is scheduled to open its applications for 594,000 scholarships for the first semester of 2026.
Prouni provides partial and full scholarships in private higher education institutions, based on Enem scores and socioeconomic criteria. This program offers another significant avenue for students who may not gain admission through Sisu or prefer private sector options.
The official results for the Sisu 2026 regular call are slated for release on January 29, as per the published notice. Applicants are advised to monitor the Portal Único de Acesso ao Ensino Superior for updates.
Sisu 2026, university admissions, Brazil higher education, Enem scores