The university began as the Higher College of Agriculture and Veterinary Science created in 1922 but with classes only beginning in 1927.

The university has a highly regarded Graduate School as well, offering 36 Master's degree programs and 24 for at PhD level.

[2] Viçosa has had a longstanding relationship with Purdue University (USA) and its College of Agriculture, which continues to this day.

In the 1950s and 1960s, numerous members of Purdue's faculty stayed in Brazil for several years to help build and strengthen the program at Viçosa.

The Office of International Affairs (DRI, Portuguese: Diretoria de Relações Internacionais) is responsible for managing these agreements.