The Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG) has announced the resumption of its traditional vestibular entrance examination after a 16-year hiatus. The process will operate in a hybrid model alongside the national Sistema de Seleção Unificada (SiSU), which relies on scores from the Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (ENEM). This development marks a significant shift for the federal university located in Rio Grande do Sul, allowing prospective students greater flexibility in how they seek admission to its undergraduate programs.

Background on FURG and University Admissions in Brazil

FURG, a public federal institution with campuses in Rio Grande, Santa Vitória do Palmar, Santo Antônio da Patrulha, and São Lourenço do Sul, serves a diverse student body across southern Brazil. Like many federal universities, it has relied primarily on SiSU for admissions in recent years, a system introduced to standardize access through ENEM scores. The return to a university-specific vestibular reflects a broader trend among approximately 20 federal and state universities seeking greater autonomy in filling vacancies and tailoring selection to their institutional needs.

The traditional vestibular, last offered by FURG around 2010, typically involves institution-designed exams focused on high school curriculum content. Its revival comes amid discussions about enrollment challenges, including unfilled spots in some programs and the desire to attract candidates who may perform better on customized assessments rather than the standardized national exam.

Details of the Hybrid Model

Under the new hybrid approach, FURG will allocate 1,084 vacancies—representing about 40 percent of its total undergraduate spots—to the vestibular process. The remaining 60 percent will continue to be filled through SiSU and ENEM scores. Candidates may apply through both pathways simultaneously. Those approved in both must select one offer, preventing double-counting of spots.

The vestibular exam itself will emphasize comprehension, interpretation, analysis, and integration of knowledge across disciplines, drawing directly from high school content. It consists of 80 objective multiple-choice questions on specific subjects plus two short discursive responses, each between five and 10 lines, focused on text comprehension and production. The test will run on December 6, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at all four FURG campuses, regardless of the chosen course or campus.

Registration is set at R$ 85.00. The full edital with program details, weights, and quotas will be released in August 2026, with inscriptions open from August through October. Further information will be available via the Comissão Permanente do Processo Seletivo (Coperse) at coperse.furg.br.

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Stakeholder Perspectives and Rationale

Reitora Suzane Gonçalves highlighted the measure as a way to expand access while maintaining participation in the national SiSU system. Earlier planning discussions indicated an approximate split of 30 percent for the vestibular and 70 percent for SiSU, though the final allocation stands at 40/60. The hybrid format aims to address vacancies that sometimes remain unfilled after SiSU rounds, allowing complementary selections without replacing the unified national process.

University administrators note that own vestibular processes can better align with institutional priorities and regional contexts. Press conferences included input from Vice-Reitor Ednei Primel and Pró-Reitora de Graduação Simone Freire, underscoring transparency and community engagement with local schools and preparatory courses.

Critics of exclusive reliance on ENEM/SiSU have pointed to potential mismatches between standardized testing and specific program demands, while supporters of the hybrid model praise the added options for students. The change aligns with similar initiatives at other Brazilian public universities seeking to balance national standardization with local autonomy.

Implications for Students and Institutions

For prospective students, the hybrid system offers dual pathways: the established SiSU route via ENEM or the new FURG-specific exam. This flexibility may benefit candidates who excel in subject-specific testing or prefer an institution-led process. Quotas for affirmative action, including for Black, Indigenous, and low-income students, will apply across both modalities in line with federal legislation.

Administratively, FURG gains tools to manage enrollment more precisely, potentially reducing the need for later complementary calls. The model supports broader goals of widening participation in higher education in the region, where geographic and socioeconomic barriers can limit access.

Longer term, the resumption could influence how other universities approach admissions, contributing to a diversified national landscape. It also highlights ongoing debates about the role of ENEM as the dominant gateway versus institution-specific evaluations.

Future Outlook and Preparations

With the edital expected in August, students, teachers, and preparatory course providers are advised to monitor coperse.furg.br for updates on content, sample questions, and registration. The December 2026 exam date positions successful candidates for potential entry in the 2027 academic year.

FURG continues to participate fully in SiSU 2026 cycles, offering thousands of vacancies through the national system. The hybrid vestibular represents an evolution rather than a replacement, preserving the benefits of a unified national process while introducing targeted options.

Observers expect this development to be watched closely by other federal institutions considering similar autonomy measures. As Brazil's higher education sector navigates enrollment dynamics, funding pressures, and quality assurance, FURG's approach may serve as a case study for balanced selection strategies.

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Practical Guidance for Applicants

Those interested should prepare for both pathways where possible. ENEM remains central for SiSU, while the vestibular will test high school-level knowledge with an emphasis on analytical skills. Review official channels for the full program of studies once released.

International readers or those tracking Brazilian higher education trends can view this as part of a wider pattern of universities reclaiming aspects of admissions control after years of national standardization. The hybrid format balances accessibility with institutional agency.