Throughout its over 50 years of existence, the university has undergone significant growth, strengthening the quality of undergraduate and graduate education while maintaining its role as an agent of community development.

At that time, colleges functioning in the city of Juiz de Fora were officially integrated by the government to constitute a university.

In the earlier years, the courses offered were Medicine, Engineering, Economic Science, Law, Pharmacy and Dentistry.

The UFJF Historical Archive was founded in 1985 and represents an important source for local, regional and national history research, functioning as a documentation and educational center.

Since the 1990s, the university is also committed to promoting and establishing, with great success, Junior Enterprises specialized in different areas and formed exclusively by undergraduate students.