Key Facts
- ✓ The Unified Selection System (Sisu) 2026 offers over 14,200 spots in Ceará's public higher education institutions.
- ✓ For the first time, candidates can use their best scores from the last three Enem editions: 2023, 2024, and 2025.
- ✓ The Federal University of Ceará (UFC) is the largest provider, with 6,408 spots across 110 courses in the capital and interior.
- ✓ Registration is exclusively online via the Portal Acesso Único from January 19 to January 23, 2026.
- ✓ The regular selection results will be published on January 29, with enrollment beginning on February 2.
Quick Summary
The Unified Selection System (Sisu) 2026 has officially opened its registration period, marking a pivotal moment for thousands of students across Ceará. This federal government initiative, managed by the Ministry of Education, provides access to public higher education institutions based on scores from the National High School Exam (Enem).
For the current edition, the state of Ceará offers a substantial number of opportunities, with over 14,200 spots available across its most prestigious universities and technical institutes. This represents a significant portion of the more than 274,000 vacancies distributed nationwide, highlighting the program's scale and importance for the region's educational landscape.
The Numbers Breakdown
The distribution of vacancies in Ceará reveals a strong presence of federal institutions. The total of 14,223 spots is divided between federal universities and technical education centers, ensuring a diverse range of academic paths for applicants.
Specifically, federal universities account for 8,543 spots. These are allocated among three major institutions: the Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), the Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afro-Brasileira (Unilab), and the Universidade Federal do Cariri (UFCA). Complementing this, the Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Ceará (IFCE) contributes an additional 5,680 spots to the total.
The breakdown of vacancies by institution is as follows:
Leading Institutions & Courses
The Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC) stands out as the largest provider of opportunities in the state, responsible for nearly half of all Sisu spots in Ceará. Its extensive offer includes 6,408 vacancies distributed across 110 courses in both the capital and the interior.
Among the most sought-after programs at UFC are those with high demand and strategic importance. The three courses with the largest number of vacancies are Medicine, Agronomy, and Civil Engineering, reflecting both traditional academic excellence and regional development needs.
At the Universidade Federal do Cariri (UFCA), the focus is on practical and business-oriented fields. The institution offers 1,293 spots, with the highest number of vacancies concentrated in Administration, Accounting Sciences, and Civil Engineering. Meanwhile, the Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afro-Brasileira (Unilab) provides 842 spots, primarily for courses in Humanities (interdisciplinary bachelor's and teaching degrees), Public Administration, and Agronomy.
The Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Ceará (IFCE) offers 5,680 spots with a strong emphasis on technology and engineering. The courses with the most vacancies include Environmental and Sanitary Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Physical Education, and Physics.
A Major Change for 2026
This year's selection process introduces a significant change that expands opportunities for candidates. For the first time, the Sisu system will accept scores from the three most recent editions of the National High School Exam (Enem).
Applicants can now use their best scores from the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Enem editions. This new rule provides greater flexibility, allowing students who may have underperformed in a single exam to leverage their best performance across multiple years. It represents a more inclusive approach to student selection, acknowledging that academic potential can be demonstrated over time.
Key Dates & Deadlines
The registration window for Sisu 2026 is open for a limited time. All applications must be submitted through the Portal Acesso Único during the specified period.
The official timeline for the selection process is as follows:
- Registration Period: January 19 to January 23
- Regular Result Announcement: January 29
- Enrollment: Starting February 2
- Waiting List Interest Manifestation: January 29 to February 2
Candidates are advised to complete their registration within the five-day window and prepare for the immediate release of results, which will be followed by a short period for enrollment and waiting list management.
Looking Ahead
The Sisu 2026 edition in Ceará represents a critical gateway for students aspiring to enter public higher education. With over 14,200 spots available and the new flexibility of using three Enem editions, the process is more accessible than ever.
Prospective students should act quickly to secure their registration before the January 23 deadline. The upcoming results on January 29 will set the stage for the academic year, making this a defining moment for thousands of young people across the state.
