Erasmus guide NOVA University Lisbon
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at NOVA University Lisbon in Lisbon, Portugal.
Study abroad at NOVA University Lisbon: overview
Study abroad at NOVA University Lisbon makes sense when the academic fit is stronger than the destination brand alone and you are honest about everyday logistics. NOVA University Lisbon (Universidade NOVA de Lisboa) is a Portuguese public research university founded in 1973, with around 20,000 students across nine schools and faculties covering sciences, social sciences, law, economics, medicine, and technology. Useful proof points: 20,000 students; Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.; Business and Economics (NOVA SBE), Law (NOVA Law), Social Sciences and Humanities. Before choosing, confirm teaching language, faculty seats and housing near the campus.
Enrollment
20,000 students
International Mix
Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.
Why students choose it
Best for students who want Business and Economics (NOVA SBE), Law (NOVA Law), Social Sciences and Humanities and are willing to check language, seats and campus rules before choosing. In lisbon, housing and the daily route matter as much as reputation.
Language of instruction: Portuguese (primary for most schools); English primary at NOVA SBE Carcavelos campus
Exchange & application at NOVA University Lisbon
Start with home-university nomination, then application, Learning Agreement, insurance and course approval. At NOVA University Lisbon, rules can sit at faculty level, so do not promise yourself courses before they are validated.
✅Requirements
Candidates must be nominated by their home institution's international office. A minimum GPA of around 3.0/4.0 or equivalent is typically required. English B2 or Portuguese B1 depending on course selection. Verify specifics with your home university.
📨Nomination Process
Your home institution nominates you directly via bilateral agreement. After nomination, the host school sends the application package. Self-applications not accepted.
🧭Orientation Week
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | May 15 | June 15 |
| 2nd semester | October 30 | November 30 |
Arrival Checklist
- Confirm enrollment and collect your student card at the school's international office.
- Register at local municipality (Junta de Freguesia) if staying over 3 months.
- Register for courses via the online academic portal.
- Set up institutional email and intranet access.
- Attend mandatory orientation at your NOVA school.
- Apply for NIF at Finanças and open a Portuguese bank account.
Academics & courses at NOVA University Lisbon
Academics combine ECTS credits, exam calendars and faculty-level rules. Check prerequisites, the real teaching language of each course and whether course lists can change before enrolment.
📝Course Registration
NOVA SBE has a highly international English catalogue; NOVA IMS is data-science heavy; FCT NOVA is engineering with more Portuguese.
🎓Credit System
ECTS-based; 30 credits/semester.
💯Grading System
Portugal uses a 0–20 scale. Pass mark is 10. Grades 14+ are considered good; 18–20 is distinction. ECTS grade equivalencies on official transcript issued by the international office.
✍️Exam Culture
NOVA's nine schools each set rules: NOVA SBE Carcavelos uses heavy continuous assessment (50–70% from cases, group work, mid-terms) plus a final; FCT NOVA follows classic engineering structure with final exams weighted 70–100%; NOVA Law uses written exams and oral defences. Mandatory attendance varies by school but 75% minimum is common. Recurso (resit) in February and July for failed modules.
📚Library Access
Library, learning platform and study spaces normally activate after enrolment.
Tuition & fees at NOVA University Lisbon
For exchange, separate home tuition, local admin fees, insurance and living costs. Full-degree tuition is a different category and must be checked on the official fee page.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | EUR 0 tuition (admin EUR 25–50) | Portuguese universities waive exchange tuition under Erasmus or bilateral agreements. Administrative fees €25–50 plus mandatory student insurance (~€15–30/ye… |
| Full degree – international | EUR 1,050–14,000/year (faculty-dependent) | NOVA varies hugely: NOVA FCSH/IEM (humanities) ~€1,050/year. NOVA SBE (business school, private): €7,000–14,000/year. NOVA Medical ~€5,000–7,000. NOVA FCT (s… |
| Full degree - EU/EEA | Check official fee page | Full-degree fees depend on programme, credits and region; do not mix them with exchange status. |
| Full degree - non-EU/EEA | Check official fee page | Non-EU/EEA students can face different programme rules; verify the official page. |
EUR 0 tuition (admin EUR 25–50)
Portuguese universities waive exchange tuition under Erasmus or bilateral agreements. Administrative fees €25–50 plus mandatory student insurance (~€15–30/ye…
EUR 1,050–14,000/year (faculty-dependent)
NOVA varies hugely: NOVA FCSH/IEM (humanities) ~€1,050/year. NOVA SBE (business school, private): €7,000–14,000/year. NOVA Medical ~€5,000–7,000. NOVA FCT (s…
Check official fee page
Full-degree fees depend on programme, credits and region; do not mix them with exchange status.
Check official fee page
Non-EU/EEA students can face different programme rules; verify the official page.
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at NOVA University Lisbon
Housing near NOVA University Lisbon should move in parallel with the application. Compare residence, private room, transport route and contract terms before arrival.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Lisbon
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at NOVA University Lisbon
Use the international office, faculty coordinator, library, wellbeing services and student groups from week one. Asking early prevents small admin mistakes from becoming blockers.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes. Valid health coverage is required for the exchange period.
🇪🇺EHIC Accepted
Yes
🏥Campus Clinic
Use university student health/wellbeing services first for local care routing, prevention, counselling, and referrals.
🧠Mental Health
Most universities route students through student health, wellbeing, or counselling services. Ask early, not only during exam stress.
EHIC (EU)
Varies by status / nationality
Confirm exact plan eligibility with the host university International Office before arrival.
Private student plans €25-40/month
Varies by status / nationality
Confirm exact plan eligibility with the host university International Office before arrival.
Campus services
Student Life (Nova)
Nova University Lisbon student life portal: sports, culture, entrepreneurship events, leisure activities, and campus life resources for all enrolled students.
Psychological Support (Nova FCT)
Nova FCT Psychological Support and Vocational Counselling Office: psychological and vocational counselling for students, mental health initiatives, and wellbeing programmes.
Student life at NOVA University Lisbon
Student life depends on repeatable routines: associations, sport, ESN or faculty groups. Do not wait for the campus to do all the work; join repeated channels early.
Student Clubs
- NOVA Investment Club
- NOVA Consulting Club
- Debate Society
- SBE Finance Club
Buddy Program
ESN NOVA Lisboa buddy system
Sports & Recreation
- NOVA SBE beach volleyball and surfing in Carcavelos
- FCT NOVA sports in Caparica
Public Groups & Communities
ESN NOVA Lisboa - main Erasmus onboarding.
NOVA SBE Students' Association - highly active in Carcavelos campus life.
Your First 2 Weeks
- Identify your specific NOVA school - 9 separate campuses.
- Attend Welcome Week at your school.
- Join ESN NOVA.
- Apply for NIF; open Portuguese bank account.
- Get Navegante Jovem (Carcavelos line included).
Key exchange dates at NOVA University Lisbon
The critical dates are nomination, application, fee or registration steps, course selection, housing, arrival and exams. Keep resit periods visible before booking return travel.
-
1
Fall/full-year nomination & application
Nomination by May 15; application by June 15
Check NOVA incoming pages after home institution nominates.
-
2
Spring nomination & application
Nomination by October 30; application by November 30
Confirm intake timing with home institution international office.
-
3
Nomination window (Autumn intake)
April – May
Home university must formally nominate before host opens the application portal.