Career Colleges and Vocational Schools in Brazil

In Brazil, vocational training is called professional and technological education (educação profissional e tecnológica, EPT). According to the Ministry of Education (MEC), it has existed in the country since 1909 and is part of the national education law (LDB). It covers three levels: initial and continuing training or professional qualification courses, technical courses at secondary level, and professional and technological education at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

It is a large sector. The 2025 School Census of the education research institute Inep counted 3.1 million enrolments in professional education. Courses are taught in Portuguese.

How vocational education works

Technical courses at secondary level (educação profissional técnica de nível médio) lead to a technical qualification and can be taken in three ways, according to the MEC:

• integrated: for students who have finished fundamental education, combining secondary school and the technical course at the same institution with a single enrolment
• concurrent (concomitante): for students starting or already in secondary school, with a separate enrolment for each course
• subsequent (subsequente): courses only for people who have already completed secondary school

At higher-education level, the graduação tecnológica is a practical, focused undergraduate degree designed for quick entry into the job market. According to Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty), these courses last on average two to three years and lead to the title of Tecnólogo. Examples in computing include Systems Analysis and Development and Digital Games.

Vocational education is offered by the Federal Network of Professional, Scientific and Technological Education, by the state and federal-district networks, by the national apprenticeship services (Serviços Nacionais de Aprendizagem) and by private institutions. The Federal Network, created by Law 11,892 of 2008, offers public and free EPT in every state. It has 755 units linked to 39 federal institutes (institutos federais), two federal centres of technological education (Cefets), the Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR), 22 technical schools attached to federal universities and the Colégio Pedro II. The federal institutes offer secondary education, technical courses and higher education.

Admission for international students

To start a technical course at secondary level you need to have completed fundamental education (integrated and concurrent forms) or secondary education (subsequent form); for a graduação tecnológica you need to have completed secondary education. Admission procedures and calendars vary by institution, and good Portuguese is essential, since teaching is in Portuguese.

Many international students come to Brazil not for a full course but for a short programme, an internship or volunteering. Brazilian Experience, based in Curitiba, is an example of an organisation that arranges such stays. Founded in 2009, it states that it has worked with more than 20 agencies, universities and international mobility institutions, and it offers internships abroad, faculty-led programmes for universities, international service learning, volunteering and leadership programmes.

Foreigners who come to Brazil for a regular course, an internship (estágio) or a study exchange should as a rule apply for a temporary student visa, VITEM IV, at the Brazilian consulate for their place of residence. The documents depend on the country and the course, so check them with the consulate (checked October 2026).

Costs and funding

Courses in the Federal Network are public and free. State networks, the national apprenticeship services and private institutions set their own conditions and fees, so check them with each provider. Exchange and internship programmes run by private organisations have their own prices.

How to choose a course

• Your level: a qualification course, a secondary-level technical course or a graduação tecnológica
• Form of study: integrated, concurrent or subsequent for technical courses
• Provider: a federal institute, a state school, a national apprenticeship service or a private institution
• Language: check that your Portuguese is good enough for the course
• Purpose: a full qualification, or a short stay such as an internship or volunteering programme
• Visa: check that the programme allows you to obtain the student visa you need

Frequently asked questions

Is vocational education free in Brazil?

In the Federal Network of Professional, Scientific and Technological Education, yes: it offers public and free courses. Other providers, such as private institutions, may charge fees.

What is a graduação tecnológica?

A practical undergraduate degree focused on a specific occupation. It lasts on average two to three years and leads to the title of Tecnólogo.

Can I do an internship in Brazil as a foreign student?

Yes. As a rule, foreigners who come to Brazil for an internship (estágio) apply for the VITEM IV temporary visa at a Brazilian consulate. Organisations such as Brazilian Experience arrange internships for international students.

Do I need to speak Portuguese?

For a full technical course or a graduação tecnológica, yes, because teaching is in Portuguese. Short exchange or volunteering programmes may have different requirements, so check with the organiser.