South America has an alluring charm that many students find hard to resist. Its pull may even be strong enough that you are considering earning a degree there. Have you thought about pursuing a university program in Brazil?
While there are many highly ranked universities in Brazil, English-taught options can be difficult to find. Most Brazilian institutions primarily use Portuguese as the language of instruction, but this article highlights schools that offer selected programs or courses in English.
Top Universities for English-taught Programs in Brazil
1. Universidade de São Paulo
- Study Program
- English-taught options: Graduate-level courses within Master’s and Ph.D. study
Established in 1934, the University of São Paulo, or Universidade de São Paulo, is a public state university and the largest institution dedicated to higher education and research in Brazil. It is also one of Brazil’s most internationally visible universities and continues to rank strongly in Latin America.
This institution offers programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. However, most undergraduate activities are carried out in Portuguese; therefore, fluency in Portuguese is important for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree at USP.
For graduate students, USP does not list full English-taught degree-granting programs on its public English-course page, but it does provide a database of graduate disciplines offered in English. These are individual courses only, so students may still need to take Portuguese-taught courses to complete a full degree program.
2. Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo
- Bachelor’s Program
- English-taught options: Bachelor’s in Business Administration; Master’s in International Management
The Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo, or FGV São Paulo School of Business Administration, is one of Brazil’s most internationally recognized business schools. It was established in 1954 through the joint efforts of the Brazilian government and business community, with the cooperation of Michigan State University. Since then, it has developed into a prominent institution for business and public management education.
Studying at the Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo is a strong way to connect with the world while pursuing a degree in Brazil. The school has an extensive international network, including CEMS and double-degree partners, and it is accredited by three leading international business school certification organizations: AACSB, EFMD, and AMBA.
The school offers an undergraduate program in Business Administration with Portuguese or English as the language of instruction. At the graduate level, its Pre-Experience Master – Master in International Management is also taught in English.
3. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
- Study Program
- English-taught options: Bachelor’s-level courses for international students on academic mobility
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais is a leading public Brazilian university and one of the strong institutions in Latin America. Founded in 1927, it has a student body of around 50,000 people across undergraduate programs, graduate programs, and research activities.
If you plan to undertake an exchange or mobility program at this university, you might be interested in its Minor in International Studies. Introduced in August 2019, the program is taught entirely in English or Spanish. Courses are at the undergraduate level and may cover different areas of knowledge, including life sciences and health, humanities, applied social sciences and arts, and exact and technological sciences.
4. Federal University of ABC
- Study Program
- English-taught options: Undergraduate and graduate courses; availability varies by term
The Federal University of ABC, or Universidade Federal do ABC, is a federal public institution created by law in 2005. Although relatively young, it is known for its interdisciplinary academic model, science and technology focus, and strong research profile. Times Higher Education also notes that UFABC only hires academics with Ph.D. qualifications.
The university is working to expand its internationalization efforts. Its 2025–2030 Internationalization Plan includes a strategy to establish a regular and gradually expanding offering of undergraduate and graduate courses taught in English.
Exchange students at the Federal University of ABC may find English-taught courses at undergraduate and graduate levels, but course availability can vary by academic term as the university continues to expand its English as a Medium of Instruction initiatives.
We hope that this article on the best English-taught universities in Brazil was helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students.
