The aim of this observational and cross-sectional study was to discover the perception of quality of life among 84 undergraduate medical students at the University of Brasilia, Brazil. Data was collected using a specific questionnaire on sociodemographic, academic and health factors; and the employment of the WHOQOL-bref instrument measuring quality of life. Statistical analyses included descriptive analyses of frequency, central tendency and dispersion, and an inferential analysis of comparison between domains. The perception of quality of life suggested that the domain with the highest average score was that of social relations and the psychological domain received the lowest average score. Features including ability to concentrate,, sleep, amount of energy, ability to carry out daily activities and work, leisure opportunities, and negative feelings (bad mood, desperation, anxiety and depression) negatively influenced the participants' quality of life. These aspects are closely linked to a student's performance during the education process and their accomplishment of academic activities.