Fast Facts
- Semester: Fall or Spring
- Housing: No student housing
- Language of Instruction: English (or Portuguese)
About the Program
Since Brazil has restructured its legal system in the past decade, it is an exciting time to study in the Global Law program at Direito GV. New fields and conceptions of law continue to emerge. Brazil’s international laws are shaped in response to the country’s increasing participation in the global market place. Direito GV also prides itself on its innovative teaching and researching methods in law.
Up to two NYU Law students may participate per year. Students must be second or third-year and have spent at least one full year at the NYU School of Law.
The Global Law Program courses are conducted in English. Portuguese language ability is not required. However, student may participate in a free Intensive Portuguese Language Course if they are interested. Students who are proficient in Portuguese may enroll in courses in Portuguese from the final two years of the undergraduate curriculum and the graduate curriculum. Further information about the law program can be found here.
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, with its metropolitan area ranking among the largest urban areas in the world housing over 10 million people. It is also the richest city in Brazil, and exerts global influence in commerce and finance as well as arts and entertainment.
The city has many renowned landmarks. The Immigrant's Hostel greeted millions of immigrants as they came to Brazil in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Downtown’s Paulista Avenue is the most important financial center of the country and Latin America. The city is home to the São Paulo Stock Exchange, which ranks second in the world in terms of market value. Brazil has also experienced a high influx of immigration. People of Italian, Portuguese, African, Arab, and Japanese descent make São Paulo particularly multi-ethnic.
Dates
Direito GV’s academic year starts in mid-February and ends in early December. NYU’s fall semester is Direito GV’s second semester, and our spring semester is their first semester, the following academic year.
Academic calendar for the courses based on semester (including final exams):
Spring semester: From mid-February to the end of June
Fall semester: From early August to mid December
Academic calendar for the courses based on terms, e.g. Global Law Program (GLP) (including final exams):
Term 1: February through April
Term 2: May through June
Term 3: August through September
Term 4: October through December
Courses and Credit
All Exchange students at DGV must take Introduction to Brazilian Legal Systems and two classes from their Global Law Program. The Global Law Program courses are taught in English. Students may also take classes in Portuguese from the final two years of the undergraduate curriculum and the graduate curriculum.
In addition to these classes, DGV offers a series of short-term courses on contemporary issues taught in English. These short-term courses will be conducted by both foreign and DGV professors.
DGV students typically take five classes per term. NYU students are required to take a minimum of four classes (each worth three credits). Prior to finalizing their courses for the semester, students must submit a list of courses to the Office of Global Programs for approval. Students are expected to take post-graduate level courses while at Direito GV. With permission, students can take classes in the final two years of the LLB curriculum.
Language Courses*: 30 hours of an Intensive Portuguese Language Course is offered for free in both August and February.
*The Portuguese Language Course is not mandatory and Direito GV does not give credits or certificate for this course.
NYU Law exchange students will receive credit for courses taken at Direito GV. However, these courses will not count towards the student's GPA. They will only appear on NYU transcripts as credits earned through the exchange program, rather than as individual courses at DGV.
Tuition and Living Expenses
Because this is a revenue-neutral exchange program, participating NYU Law students will pay New York University the normal tuition for a 12 credit-hour semester at NYU Law.
Below is a table that gives you some idea of how much you might spend personally and on everyday items in São Paulo.
- Housing single room at student’s apartment: R $1400
- Food: R $650
- Transportation: R $200
- Books and Supplies: R $160
- Personal Expenses: R $140
- Federal Police Registration (paid only once): R $189
- Total Monthly Expenses: R $2550
We estimate that you should budget at least US $1,300 per month for rent and living expenses, taking into account the fact that you are abroad and will therefore potentially spend more money than during a typical semester at NYU. If you are planning to travel around the country and South America, you will need to budget more for additional expenses.
Housing Information
Direito GV does not offer on campus housing. Students should contact the school in advance for assistance in finding accommodation. Direito GV recommends consulting these websites for short-term student housing options:
Note: We DO NOT recommend the Residential 9 accommodation, located at Av. 9 de Julho, 1084. We ask the students to avoid renting there as it is not a safe accommodation option.
Passport and Visa Requirements
All exchange students require a student visa for their stay in Brazil. A tourist visa is not valid for studying. Without the temporary student visa, it is impossible to enroll in any course. In addition, it is impossible to change a visa after arrival in the country. Information about getting a student visa can be found here.
Foreigner registration
Students with a student visa must register with the “Polícia Federal” at São Paulo within 30 days of your arrival in Brazil. Documents needed:
- Original visa (issued by a Brazilian Consulate or Embassy in foreigner’s country of origin)
- Passport and Certified photocopies of your passport from a Brazilian notary public
- Original of the Student Visa Application Form (signed by Brazilian Consulate or Embassy)
- Two sets of forms called “GRU-Guia de Recolhimento,” which can be downloaded here.
- Two 3x4 photographs with a white background
- “Registration Form” from the Polícia Federal
- All Visa Documents received from the Brazilian Consulate in your country
- Proof of student health insurance in the name of the student and showing coverage for the period expected to stay in Brazil
Once the student arrives at Direito GV, the International Affairs Office will provide more information regarding the registration process.
Information about getting your criminal record certificate legalized with The Hague Convention “Apostille” is available here.
The Brazilian Consulate is closed on Brazilian and American holidays. For further information or to contact them, please visit their website.
IMPORTANT: Requirements may vary according to the applicant’s citizenship, length of studies and nature of the course. It is the responsibility of the Brazilian host school to provide prospective students with detailed information regarding the visa requirements of their specific situation. To avoid inconveniences, you are strongly advised to contact Direito GV well before making any travel plans.
Access for Persons with Disabilities
Direito GV facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you are interested in the program and will need some special assistance due to a disability, please Office of Global Programs who will contact Direito GV to obtain information about the availability of needed services.