The Federal University of Juiz de Fora — UFJF in Portuguese — is one of the main public research universities in the state of Minas Gerais. Its main campus, built in the mid-20th century on the southern outskirts of the city centre, has a campus museum, a library open to visitors, and regular public cultural events including art exhibitions and free concerts.
The presence of some 25,000 students gives the city a vitality uncommon for a place of its size. The neighbourhoods closest to the university, particularly São Mateus, have a concentration of bars, cheap restaurants, and independent bookshops that makes for good evening wandering. During term time the university campus itself often has free events — check notice boards at the main entrance.