Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP)

The Federal University of São Paulo, known in Portuguese as the Universidade Federal De São Paulo or UNIFESP, is a public university in Brazil. From its foundation until 2005, UNIFESP was a health science specialist university. Its mission was to develop students into health professionals and contribute to medical research. The original core of the university was the Paulista School of Medicine, dating back to 1933. In 1994 the school was transformed from a private institution into a federal one. The university headquarters are located in Vila Clementino, São Paulo. Over the decades the university has grown significantly, accumulating hundreds of buildings around the Vila Clementino area. They include the São Paulo Hospital, the largest hospital in Brazil. Graduate students gain work experience in this busy, comprehensive medical institution. The hospital also provides health services for underprivileged people. In 2005 the university expanded to outside of São Paulo, establishing campuses in Santos, Diadema, Guarulhos, São José dos Campos and Osasco. Several of these campuses offer courses in academic fields beyond UNIFESP’s traditional medical background, such as philosophy, history and economics. Over 50 courses are available to study at UNIFESP. São Paulo is one of the most populous cities on the planet. Its 11 million residents work hard and play hard, with 24-hour bars and the most productive economy in Brazil. As the capital of São Paulo state, the city is one hour’s drive from the Paulista Coast, with its stunning beaches and abundant seafood.