About Brazil

There is one British Council test centre in Brazil's capital Brasilia. Besides the capital, there are several other IELTS test centres across the country.

Background of Brazil

Brazil offers a vast higher education landscape with over 5 million students enrolled in more than 23,000 programs. Over 2,000 public and private institutions provide internationally recognized programs. While many Brazilian universities rank among the world's top 500, private institutions comprise about 76% of the higher education system, offering courses lasting from 2 to 6 years.

Brazil's educational history includes early institutions from the 17th century and later specialized schools in engineering and medicine, which evolved into modern universities. The proportion of people with a higher education degree in Brazil rose to 20.5% in 2024. Brazil is also a notable origin country for international students, with over 16,000 Brazilian students studying in the U.S. in 2023/2024.

English requirements in Brazil

To study in English at one of the universities in Brazil you may need proof of English proficiency. There are several standardised English tests that you can take to prove your English level, such as the PTE (Pearson Test of English), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), CAE (Cambridge Advanced English) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System), offered by British Council and IDP. IELTS is the most popular of these tests, with British Council offering more than 1,000 test locations and being accepted by more than 11,500 organisations worldwide.

4 most popular study destinations for students in Brazil