Universidade Christus

Unichristus was established in 1994 as a secular, private higher education institution. The roots of the educational group "Christus" reach back to 1951; when Christus Highschool was founded, which is recognized today all over Brazil for its educational excellence. Within more 30 years of existence, Unichristus has grown rapidly to help meet the increasing demand for higher education in the state of Ceará. In 2012, the institution was recognized as University Centre by the Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC), being the first institution in the state receiving this status. In 2021, Unichristus ranked 2nd best among more nearly 400 University Centres in Brazil according to the Quality Index (IGC) of the MEC.

Unichristus counts about 5.200 undergraduate and about 1350 postgraduate students, 550 lecturers/academic staff members, and 420 administrative staff members in six different campuses in Fortaleza. Its study programs constantly rank among the best in the country, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Education. Currently (2025) the institution offers 23 different undergraduate and more than 90 postgraduate training programs in Business, Health Sciences, Law, Engineering, and Technology. The first four master’s programs – healthcare education, minimally invasive robotic surgery, dental sciences, and law – started between 2014 and 2017. The first three doctoral programs were authorized by the Brazilian Ministry for Education in 2024 and will start in 2025. Unichristus aims to achieve the status of a comprehensive university (Universidade) within the next years by expanding its postgraduate programs and research activities.