Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
ISCTE English requirements
From the ISCTE Business School 2026/2027 selection criteria, the MFamily admission requirements and ISCTE's undergraduate qualifications page.
| Programme | IELTS | Other routes |
|---|---|---|
| Business School master's taught in English | Certificate accepted, no minimum stated | Native speaker, English-taught bachelor's, TOEFL or Cambridge |
| MFamily (Erasmus Mundus) | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 88, Cambridge CAE grade B or CPE grade C |
| Bachelor (international competition) | B1 in the language of instruction |
Honour statement and exemptions
Business School applicants can also sign an honour statement that their English is at least B2, as a temporary measure until proof is provided. MFamily exempts native speakers and graduates of English-taught degrees; its IELTS and TOEFL scores are valid for two years.
Bachelor's candidates from Portuguese- or English-speaking countries, and Spanish speakers, are exempt from the B1 proof.
Free test: are you at ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
How to check
Because most ISCTE master's pages state no IELTS number, ask the programme office which score it expects if you have no English-taught degree.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your ISCTE programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS does ISCTE need?+
Business School master's accept an IELTS certificate without a stated minimum; the MFamily master's asks IELTS 6.5.
Can I apply to ISCTE without IELTS?+
Yes, with an English-taught bachelor's, as a native speaker, or temporarily with a signed B2 honour statement for Business School master's.
Does ISCTE accept Duolingo?+
Duolingo is not named on the ISCTE pages we read.
What English do ISCTE bachelor's need?+
B1 in the language of instruction for the international competition.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for Portugal
- Instituto Superior Técnico IELTS requirement
- ISEG Lisbon IELTS requirement
- How long is IELTS valid?
- All 3112 guides
Guide updated on 30 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy