Portugal is an appealing option for international students seeking to earn a degree in a country with a rich academic history and vibrant culture. Its universities combine longstanding traditions with contemporary teaching and research.
Portuguese is Portugal’s official language. However, selected university programs are taught in English. The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) measures reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills in English. Some Portuguese university programs accept TOEFL scores as evidence of English proficiency.
Let’s look at some programs at universities in Portugal that accept TOEFL scores.
TOEFL Scores Accepted at Universities in Portugal
English-language requirements in Portugal are generally set by individual programs rather than by universities as a whole. The table below lists six program-specific examples. Applicants should always confirm the latest requirements on the official program page before applying.
| PROGRAM / INSTITUTION | CURRENT TOEFL OR ENGLISH REQUIREMENT |
|---|
| Communications Engineering and Data Science (CoDaS) – Técnico Lisboa, University of Lisbon | TOEFL iBT: minimum overall score of 92, including a minimum Writing score of 22 |
| Master’s programs – Nova School of Business and Economics | Minimum CEFR level B2 for most master’s programs; minimum CEFR level C1 for the International Master’s in Finance and International Master’s in Management. The current admissions page accepts TOEFL certificates but does not publish a numeric TOEFL iBT minimum. |
| Hospitality and Tourism Management Rosen College dual degree – Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon | TOEFL iBT: minimum score of 80 |
| Archaeological Materials Science (ARCHMAT) – University of Évora | TOEFL iBT: minimum score of 87 |
| Marine Biological Resources – Erasmus Mundus – University of Algarve | TOEFL iBT: minimum score of 87 |
| International Master Degree in Applied Ecology – University of Coimbra | TOEFL iBT: minimum score of 92 |
1. Técnico Lisboa – University of Lisbon
Técnico Lisboa, officially Instituto Superior Técnico, was founded in 1911. It is the largest school of Architecture, Engineering, Science and Technology in Portugal, with campuses in Lisbon, Oeiras, and Loures.
Técnico offers more than 80 academic programs across the first, second, and third cycles of study. It is one of five European universities participating in the Master’s Programme in Communications Engineering and Data Science (CoDaS), an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s program. The other partner universities are Aalto University, Grenoble INP-UGA, TU Braunschweig, and UPC BarcelonaTech.
Applicants using TOEFL to demonstrate English proficiency for the current CoDaS program must have a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 92 overall, including a minimum Writing score of 22.
2. Nova School of Business and Economics
- Master’s English Requirement
- English Requirement: minimum CEFR level B2 for most master’s programs; minimum CEFR level C1 for the International Master’s in Finance and International Master’s in Management
Nova School of Business and Economics is a Portuguese business school affiliated with NOVA University Lisbon. Its current master’s portfolio includes programs in Business Analytics, Economics, Finance, Impact Entrepreneurship and Innovation, International Development and Public Policy, International Finance, International Management, and Management.
Nova SBE’s current master’s admissions page requires an English certificate at a minimum CEFR level of B2 for most master’s programs. Applicants to the International Master’s in Finance and International Master’s in Management must provide a certificate at a minimum CEFR level of C1.
Nova SBE lists TOEFL among its recommended English exams and accepts the TOEFL iBT Home Edition. However, its current admissions page does not publish a numeric TOEFL iBT equivalent for its CEFR requirements.
3. ISTE – University Institute of Lisbon
Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon is a public university established in 1972. It has campuses in Lisbon and Sintra. Its current academic directory lists five schools: Iscte Business School, the School of Social Sciences, the School of Sociology and Public Policy, the School of Technology and Architecture, and the School of Applied Digital Technologies.
Of particular note is its Hospitality and Tourism Management Rosen College dual-degree option, offered in partnership with the University of Central Florida. Graduates receive a Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management degree from UCF and a master’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Iscte.
Applicants using TOEFL for the Rosen College dual-degree option must have a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 80. The official page also notes that UCF’s Rosen College may conditionally admit a strong candidate with a lower score if the candidate successfully completes UCF Global’s Intensive English course.
4. University of Évora
The University of Évora was the second university established in Portugal. With the consent of Pope Paul IV, expressed in the papal bull Cum nobis in April 1559, the university was created and formally inaugurated on November 1 of that year.
Among its graduate offerings is Archaeological Materials Science (ARCHMAT), a two-year, 120-ECTS Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s program. It focuses on the scientific study and conservation of archaeological materials.
Applicants using TOEFL to demonstrate English proficiency for ARCHMAT must have a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 87.
5. University of Algarve
The University of Algarve has three campuses: Gambelas and Penha in Faro, and one campus in Portimão.
Two relevant English-taught master’s programs are Marine Biological Resources – Erasmus Mundus and Applied Ecohydrology – Erasmus Mundus.
Applicants using TOEFL for the Marine Biological Resources program must have a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 87. The Applied Ecohydrology program requires a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 80.
6. University of Coimbra
Another Portuguese institution accepting TOEFL scores for selected programs is the University of Coimbra. Founded in 1290 by King D. Dinis, it is the oldest Portuguese-speaking university and one of the oldest universities in the world. After relocating between Lisbon and Coimbra over the centuries, it was permanently established in Coimbra in 1537.
One relevant option for English-speaking international students is the International Master Degree in Applied Ecology.
Applicants using TOEFL to demonstrate English proficiency for this program must have a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 92.
FAQs about Studying in Portugal
What Type of TOEFL Exam is Accepted in Portugal?
Selected Portuguese university programs accept the TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test). ETS states that TOEFL scores are accepted by more than 13,000 institutions in over 160 countries. Because each institution and program sets its own score requirements, applicants should check the official program page before applying.
Portugal combines a rich culture and academic heritage with contemporary English-taught programs. By reviewing the official requirements for each program, international students can identify options that match their academic goals and English proficiency.
Hopefully, this article on universities in Portugal accepting TOEFL scores was helpful. If you are interested, check out the available courses in Europe for international students and the Europe Scholarships Page!
