The Federal University of Santa Maria was the first federal university to be established outside of a Brazilian capital. This marked an important milestone in the process of decentralizing public higher education in Brazil and contributed to the state of Rio Grande do Sul becoming the first federative state to host two federal universities. UFSM is situated in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in the Camobi neighborhood, within the Prof. José Mariano da Rocha Filho university city, which serves as the primary hub for its academic and administrative activities. Additionally, UFSM maintains three satellite campuses outside its main location: one in Frederico Westphalen, one in Palmeira das Missões, and another in Cachoeira do Sul.

The university’s current structure encompasses twelve University Units: Arts and Languages Center, Education Center, Exact and Natural Sciences Center, Ipê Amarelo Early Childhood School, Multidisciplinary Space of UFSM in Silveira Martins, Physical Education and Sports Center, Polytechnic School, Technical Industrial School of Santa Maria, and the Technology Center.

UFSM provides undergraduate courses and degrees, comprising technology-focused undergraduate, licentiate, and bachelor’s degree programs. Furthermore, the institution offers graduate programs, including doctoral, master’s, specialization, and postdoctoral programs. In the realm of basic and technical education, UFSM provides technical courses, courses integrated with high school, regular high school, and early childhood education programs.