UFMG Law School offers Ph.D. in Law and Master’s in Law degrees.

Ph.D. in Law Program

The Ph.D. in Law degree is designed to prepare graduates for careers as legal scholars and professors through a doctoral program aimed at the production of academic research and writing under the close supervision of a faculty member. It is directed at students who wish to pursue advanced studies in law and to contribute with original research to the development of law as an academic field.

The Ph.D. in Law Program has a duration of eight academic semesters (four years), in which students will enroll in courses and take part in academic activities designed to help them acquire the background and research skills needed to complete a dissertation in their field of interest. The courses and other academic activities should be completed in the first four semesters (two years). Ph.D. students will also gain experience in the classroom trough a teaching assistantship Program. In the third year, students should present a reviewed dissertation prospectus and begin work on the research and writing. The dissertation may take the form of a book-length manuscript and must be approved in a panel of five professors, of which three faculty members and two external reviewers. It can be written in Portuguese, English or Spanish.

There is no fee or tuition for Ph.D. students at UFMG. The Program also offers scholarships students can apply for and support for participation in national and international conferences.

Applications for admission to the Ph.D. in Law Program are available every July and August. The selection process happens between September and November. The academic year starts in March. Applications and interviews are made online, in English, Spanish or Portuguese. The details are available in the admissions menu.

Any questions about the program may be directed to pos@direito.ufmg.br.

Master’s in Law Program

Master’s in Law degree Program is design to prepare graduates for academic research in the legal field. It is specially thought for those aiming a future Ph.D. degree and careers as professors and researchers. The Program requires production of academic research and writing under the close supervision of a faculty member.

The Master’s in Law Program has a duration of four academic semesters (two years), in which students will enroll in courses and take part in academic activities designed to help them acquire the background and research skills needed to complete a thesis in their field of interest. The courses and other academic activities should be completed in the first two semesters (one years). Master students will also gain experience in the classroom trough a teaching assistantship Program. In the second year, students should present a reviewed thesis prospectus and begin work on the research and writing. The thesis may take the form of a small book-length manuscript and must be approved in a panel of three professors, of which two faculty members and one external reviewer. It can be written in Portuguese, English or Spanish.

There is no fee or tuition for Master students at UFMG. The Program also offers scholarships students can apply for and support for participation in national and international conferences.

Applications for admission to the Master’s in Law Program are available every July and August. The selection process happens between September and November. The academic year starts in March. Applications and interviews are made online, in English, Spanish or Portuguese. The details are available in the admissions menu.

Any questions about the program may be directed to pos@direito.ufmg.br.

UFMG Law School

Founded in 1892, the UFMG Law School is a beacon of legal knowledge. As the oldest higher education institution in Minas Gerais, it has witnessed and shaped the evolution of Brazilian legal thought for over a century, standing out for its high-quality scientific production and its contribution to the development of legal knowledge and practices in the country. Throughout its history, it has been a space for debate and reflection on the major themes of law and social life, training researchers, professors, and professionals with a strongly humanistic vision and committed to democracy and social justice.

Its Ph.D. in Law Program was founded in 1931. It is the oldest operating Doctoral program in Brazil. It brings together an exceptional faculty and student body, with an attentive eye not only to the most pressing discussions and problems of our time, but also to the future of critical and socially engaged knowledge production in the field of Law. PPGD UFMG (Ph.D. and Master’s in Law Programs at UFMG) leads contemporary reflection in the field of Law in Brazil. Of its 80 permanent faculty members, 10 are CNPq research productivity fellows. A record among Graduate Programs in Law in Brazil. Its faculty members are authors of a vast and highly qualified scientific production. Books published in Brazil and abroad, with significant national and international reach. Articles published in the most prestigious scientific journals.

Belo Horizonte

The UFMG Law School is strategically located in the city of Belo Horizonte, the capital of the State of Minas Gerais. Belo Horizonte, or simply BH (Beagá), is a city of 2.5 million inhabitants, comprising the third largest metropolitan area in the country. It is known in Brazil as the capital of bars, for its vibrant nightlife, its gastronomy, its carnival, and the hospitality of its residents. The city is an important cultural hub, with museums, theaters, and art spaces that celebrate the rich history and creativity of Minas Gerais. The modernist architecture of Oscar Niemeyer is present in several important urban spaces, such as Praça da Liberdade, the Pampulha Architectural Complex, and the headquarters of the Minas Gerais State Government. Surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, and beautiful landscapes, it is an hour’s flight from the cities of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Brasília. It is 100 kilometers from Ouro Petro, a jewel of Brazilian colonial architecture, and 30 kilometers from one of the most beautiful and important contemporary art museums in the world, Inhotim.

For international students, Belo Horizonte presents itself as an appealing option, boasting a lower cost of living and a safer environment compared to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The city offers an excellent quality of life, with a diverse range of cultural, gastronomic, and leisure activities, in addition to being an ideal starting point for exploring the beauty of Minas Gerais and Brazil. The Law School is situated in a privileged area of the city, surrounded by safe and pleasant neighborhoods such as Savassi, Lourdes, and Funcionários.