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Study For Free At One Of The Best Universities In Brazil: 124 Free Technical And Undergraduate Courses At The Federal Institute For Those Leaving Elementary School And For Those Who Have Already Finished High School
If you’re thinking about transforming your life through education, this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. The Federal Institute of Minas Gerais (IFMG), one of the most respected public institutions in Brazil, has just opened 4,823 free spots in technical and undergraduate courses for the first semester of 2026. And the best part: there are options for those still leaving elementary school and also for those who have already completed high school and want a higher education diploma.
Applications open on August 4 and run until September 15, with opportunities available in 18 campuses spread across Minas Gerais. And this is not just any course: there are 124 options with modern infrastructure, quality teaching, and qualified professors. In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know to secure your spot, from how the selection process works to the details of each modality.
Public And Quality Education: What’s At Stake In This Announcement
It’s no exaggeration to say that the Federal Institutes are among the best alternatives for those seeking free and excellent education. It is part of the Federal Network of Professional, Scientific, and Technological Education, which is recognized by the Ministry of Education (MEC) as a benchmark for quality education in the country.
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Free technical courses from the Federal Institute: over 300 open spots to study Mechanics, Mechatronics, Automation, Administration, and Computer Science at IFSP
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Federal Institute will pay R$ 1,400 per month for those who take an online mechanics course in partnership with XCMG: opportunities include formal employment, no entrance exam, and an 18-month duration; see who can apply.
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Fiocruz offers a 100% online and free course: The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation and SUS have 10,000 spots for a 40-hour training program with a certificate recognized by MEC.
In the case of IFMG, the new 2026 announcement brings options for courses in strategic areas such as engineering, administration, mining, health, construction, information technology, automation, and much more. The idea is to train professionals ready for the job market while also democratizing access to education throughout the state of Minas Gerais.
Integrated Technical Courses: High School With Professional Training
If you’re finishing elementary school and want to leave school with a profession, this modality is for you. The integrated technical courses combine high school with technical training, all provided in-person and free of charge.
The selection will be done through an objective test with 48 questions covering content from grades 6 to 9 of elementary school. The evaluation will take place on October 26, at 1 PM.
Available options include:
- Technical in Administration
- Technical in Information Technology
- Technical in Mechanics
- Technical in Electroelectronics
- Technical in Mining
- Technical in Environmental Engineering
- Technical in Biotechnology
- Technical in Renewable Energy Systems
- And much more…
To see the complete list, access the announcement 786/2025.
Subsequent Technical Courses: Quick And Direct Training For The Job Market
Have you completed high school and want to learn a profession for free? Then the subsequent technical courses are the best choice. The selection is done through an electronic lottery, which will take place on October 22.
This modality offers an excellent opportunity for entry into the job market in areas such as:
- Technical in Logistics (EAD)
- Technical in Automotive Maintenance
- Technical in Occupational Safety
- Technical in Construction
- Technical in Jewelry
- Technical in Metallurgy
These are short-duration courses, highly focused on professional qualification. For more details, see the announcement 784/2025.
Free Undergraduate: Options In Bachelor’s, Licensure, And Technology
Those looking for a free undergraduate degree can also take advantage of this selection. IFMG offers over 30 undergraduate courses, including bachelor’s degrees, licensure, and technological courses. You can enter in three ways:
- Using the ENEM score (any edition from 2016 to 2025);
- Analysis of school history + online essay, scheduled for October 26;
- SISU, using the ENEM score from 2025.
Among the available courses are:
- Civil Engineering
- Administration
- Veterinary Medicine
- Computer Science
- Food Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Languages (Portuguese/English)
- Quality Management
- Pedagogy (New)
- Zoology
Want to see all of them? Check the announcement 785/2025.
Additionally, IFMG will also offer 707 spots through SISU, according to the official schedule on the MEC Acesso Único website.
Where Are The Spots? See The Participating Campuses
The courses are offered in 18 IFMG units in the following cities in Minas Gerais:
Arcos, Bambuí, Betim, Congonhas, Conselheiro Lafaiete, Formiga, Governador Valadares, Ibirité, Ipatinga, Itabirito, Ouro Branco, Ouro Preto, Piumhi, Ponte Nova, Ribeirão das Neves, Sabará, Santa Luzia, and São João Evangelista.
This ensures that students from various regions have access to quality training without needing to leave their municipality or at least very close to home.
How Much Does It Cost To Apply?
The application fees vary depending on the type of course:
- R$ 60 for integrated technical courses;
- R$ 30 for undergraduate courses;
- Free for subsequent technical courses.
The payment can be made via PIX, credit card, or GRU bill (exclusive for payments at Banco do Brasil), all within the Candidate Area.
Those studying in public schools or in economically vulnerable situations can request a fee waiver between August 4 and 20.
How To Choose Courses When Applying?
During the application, you can choose up to three courses at the same campus, but be mindful: if you are approved for your first choice, the others are automatically canceled. If you don’t achieve a sufficient score for the first, the system will consider the second, and so on.
If you are not selected for any, you still have a chance to enter the calls for remaining spots. Just be careful not to make risky bets: once called, you cannot refuse and wait for a better spot.
Want A Spot? Then Don’t Miss The Deadline!
If you’ve made it this far, you already know: the chance is in your hands. The applications for the 2026 selection process at IFMG will be from August 4 to September 15, and the entire process is done online. Visit the official IFMG website, choose your courses, consult the announcements, and make your application.
If you have any questions, you can directly contact IFMG:
Email: vestibular@ifmg.edu.br
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Parabéns , se eu tivesse uns 40 anos ia fazer um curso desse
Faça! Não limitemos conhecimento e sonhos realizados. Eu tenho 55 , se morasse em Minas , faria. Estou começando um curso técnico em Nutrição em Salvador , pelo estado. Abraço
Acho muito interessante, pois abre oportunidades para os jovens desenvolverem uma profissão.