Portugal Proposes English Proficiency and Math Requirements for University Admission

Portuguese universities may soon require incoming students to demonstrate minimum competency in English, mathematics, and literacy under proposed legislation that would fundamentally alter access to higher education in a country where language barriers remain a significant challenge for many graduates.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation presented a draft decree to university and polytechnic representatives this week outlining new "entry requirements" for all levels of tertiary education, from short-cycle courses through doctoral programs.

What the Proposal Requires

According to the draft Legal Framework for Degrees and Diplomas, institutions would need to establish minimum standards for:

• Literacy and numeracy – "Adequate levels to operate in a knowledge-based society"
• English proficiency – Sufficient "to access international academic literature"
• Language skills – Based on "recognized international benchmarks"

Each institution would define specific thresholds for different degree levels, but the standards must align with internationally recognized frameworks—likely the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for languages and Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) benchmarks for literacy and numeracy.

The Skills Gap Driving Reform

The proposal responds to mounting evidence that Portuguese students increasingly reach university without foundational skills needed for academic success. Recent OECD assessments show Portugal's 15-year-olds scoring below EU averages in mathematical literacy, while university professors increasingly report students struggling with academic English despite its dominance in scientific literature.

For international students and immigrants, the requirements could paradoxically create advantages. Many arrive already meeting or exceeding proposed English standards, particularly those from English-speaking countries, India, or nations with strong English-medium education systems.

However, recent arrivals from Brazil, Angola, or other Portuguese-speaking countries—historically a significant share of foreign students—might face new hurdles if English requirements are set high, despite having no language barrier for instruction.

How This Affects Admissions

The draft doesn't specify whether universities would:

• Administer their own entrance exams
• Accept standardized tests like TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge certificates
• Require minimum scores on the existing national secondary exams
• Offer bridging programs for students who don't initially qualify

Those details would be left to each institution, potentially creating a patchwork system where admission requirements vary significantly between universities and even programs within the same institution.

Political and Practical Obstacles

The proposal faces opposition from student unions and some academic staff who argue minimum requirements could:

• Disproportionately affect students from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Reduce access to education for those from under-resourced secondary schools
• Create administrative burdens without addressing underlying problems in K-12 education

Critics point to Portugal's already-low university enrollment rates compared to Northern European countries and worry new barriers could worsen the gap.

Proponents counter that admitting students without requisite skills sets them up for failure, with high dropout rates already plaguing Portuguese universities—particularly in STEM fields where mathematical preparation is critical and literature is predominantly in English.

Timeline and Next Steps

The Ministry of Education presented the draft for consultation but hasn't announced a timeline for parliamentary submission. If passed, implementation would likely be phased, beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year at the earliest.

Universities would need time to:

• Develop assessment mechanisms
• Create or approve bridging programs for near-miss candidates
• Train admissions staff on new requirements
• Update international recruitment materials

For prospective students—foreign or domestic—currently in secondary school, the message is clear: English proficiency and mathematical skills are becoming non-negotiable parts of Portuguese higher education, regardless of your chosen field of study.

The proposal aligns Portugal with practices already common in Northern Europe, where English-medium programs routinely require language certification and mathematics prerequisites extend beyond STEM fields into social sciences and business programs.

Related reading: Universities Push Back as Government's Degrees-and-Diplomas Reform Adds Numeracy and English Tests

Background: See the IES route for recognising a foreign academic degree.