Market report Brazil

Market Report Brazil – The Brazilian Study Abroad Market

Brazil remains one of the largest and most resilient outbound student markets globally. According to the latest UNESCO mobility figures, over 89,000 Brazilian students were studying abroad in tertiary and other education sectors, with total outbound numbers rising toward an estimated 110,000 when language study and short-term programs are included. This places Brazil among the most important source markets for international education providers, particularly across the Americas and Europe.

Outbound mobility from Brazil is driven by a combination of structural and demographic factors. Despite periodic economic volatility, demand for international education has continued to grow, underpinned by strong career motivations, limited capacity at top domestic universities, and the perceived value of international credentials in Brazil’s labor market.

English language study and short-term programs play a critical role in Brazil’s outbound mobility profile. Demand for English Language Teaching (ELT) and pathway programs remains especially strong, driving substantial student flows to English-speaking destinations. For many Brazilian students, language study serves as an entry point to longer-term undergraduate or postgraduate education abroad.

At the destination level, Brazil’s outbound mobility is becoming increasingly diversified. Regional and linguistic ties remain influential, with Argentina and Portugal continuing to attract large numbers of Brazilian students. At the same time, Australia, Ireland, Canada, and New Zealand have gained importance, reflecting shifting student preferences toward English-speaking environments, post-study opportunities, and flexible study pathways. This diversification also mirrors broader recruitment strategies and affordability considerations.

Brazil’s demographic profile supports strong long-term growth potential. Approximately 44% of the population is aged between 5 and 34, creating a large and sustained pipeline of prospective international students. As demand continues to rise for English proficiency, globally recognized degrees, and international career pathways, outbound mobility from Brazil is expected to remain robust through 2026 and beyond.

Overall, Brazil represents a high-volume, growth-oriented study abroad market, characterized by strong demand across language, undergraduate, postgraduate, and short-term study segments, and increasing diversification across destinations. For international institutions and recruiters, Brazil offers both scale and long-term strategic opportunity.

Market Report Brazil – Brazilian Education System

Education is compulsory in Brazil between ages 6 and 14, and is free of charge at state schools.

Education is divided into three levels, with grades in each level:

• Pre-school education (educação infantil) is found in public institutions and private institutions.
• Basic education (ensino básico) is found in public institutions and private institutions, and mandatory for those between the ages of 6 and 17. It consists of Elementary school (ensino fundamental) and High school (ensino médio)
• Higher education (ensino superior) (including graduate degrees) is found in public institutions and private institutions.

Secondary education

Unlike the European system, Brazil does not have a strict distinction between primary and secondary education. Education is compulsory for nine years; this phase is called Fundamental Education (Ensino Fundamental) and are divided into two levels:

• Ensino Fundamental I.
• Ensino Fundamental II.

During the Ensino Fundamental I, children study mathematics, Portuguese, science, arts, history, geography and physical education. During Ensino Fundamental II, pupils also study at least one other compulsory language.

Upper secondary education (Ensino Médio) is for young people aged 15 to 18. On top of the core curriculum subjects studied during Ensino Fundamental, students will also study philosophy and sociology.
(source: angloinfo.com)

Admission to higher education

A High school diploma (Ensino Médio) is a prerequisite for entering higher education (i.e. a bachelor program), as is a competitive vestibular entrance examination.

Higher Education system

Higher education in Brazil is organized into universidades, universidades especializadas, centros universitários, centros universitários especializados, faculdades, faculdades integradas, institutos superiores, escolas superiores, and centros de educaçao tecnológica.

Students at Brazilian universities can choose from three types of courses:

• Bachelor’s degrees, which qualify participants to become professionals such as lawyers or architects.
• Licentiate degrees, which allow students to become teachers.
• Technology degrees, which provide specialized knowledge in a professional field.

Bachelor/ Bacharel. / Graduação
Graduação programs take 4 to 6 years to complete and result in a Bacharel degree. The university teacher-training program usually has a nominal duration of 4 years. After completion of the program, students are awarded the Licenciado degree (Licenciatura).

Master/ Mestrado
The Mestrado program has a duration of 18 to 24 month and leads to a Mestre degree. The entrance requirement for this program is a Bacharel/Licenciado, an entrance examination (which can include a written test and an interview) and a small proposal of the student’s research project. Knowledge of English, and in some cases of Spanish and French, is also tested.

PhD / Doutorado
A Mestre degree grants admission to the PhD-phase, the doutorado. The doutorado usually takes 4 years following a mestrado. The program consists of 1 year of classes, followed by 3 years of research that results in a dissertation (dissertaçao/tese). After completion of the program, a Doutor diploma is awarded.

Latest Moroccan Higher Education study abroad stats

At this point close to 110,000 Brazilian students are studying abroad in higher education. This includes degree mobility and language study and short-term programs (source: UNESCO). The most popular study abroad destinations among students from Brazil are:

IB schools in Brazil

• Escola do Futuro – Sao Paulo – https://www.escoladofuturo.com.br/
• ESFERA Escola Internacional – Sao Paulo – https://www.escolaesfera.com.br/pt/
• St. Paul’s School – Sao Paulo – https://www.stpauls.br/
• British College – Sao Paulo – https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/en/our-schools/brazil/sao-paulo/british-college
• The British School – Rio de Janeiro – https://www.britishschool.g12.br/
• Centro Internacional de Educacao – Rio de Janeiro – www.ciei.g12.br/
• American School of Brasilia – https://www.eabdf.br/
• Brasilia International School – Brasilia – https://www.brasiliainternationalschool.com/
• The British School of Brasilia – https://britishschoolbrasilia.org/
• Colegio 7 de Setembro – Fortaleza – https://www.c7s.com.br/
• International School of Curitiba – Curitiba – https://iscbrazil.com/

Scholarships for Brazilian students