Check the application rounds and key dates for the Master’s programs at Nova SBE. Make sure to plan ahead and submit your application within the desired round.

Note: All dates are subject to change. The final enrollment deposit deadline is the deadline stated in each candidate’s acceptance email.

Please Note: Payment submitted after 5:00 pm (Lisbon Time) will be automatically considered as applications for the next round. Maximum decision response times are counted from the first day of the round in which the application was submitted.

Spring Intake

The only program with a Spring Intake is the Master’s in Management – candidates may apply for the Spring 2028 intake during this application period.

Ready to apply? Before you get started, here are a few important things to know to help you avoid mistakes and keep your application on track.

1. Your Application, Your Choices

One round. One program. One application.

You can submit one application per round, choosing one Master's program at a time.

Didn't get the result you hoped for? If your application is rejected or excluded, you may reapply in a subsequent round, including to the same programme, provided you can submit additional supporting documents (e.g., GMAT results, transcript of BSc grades with improvements, corrected documents), where applicable.

You may also submit a new application in a later round before receiving the outcome of your previous application. However, the following rules apply:

• One admission decision at a time: You cannot hold two admission decisions within the same application round.
• Accepting an offer: If you accept an offer from a previous round, any subsequent application will be automatically excluded.
• Complete application: Each application must include all required documents and any programme-specific materials, such as a motivation video and English certificate.
• Application fee: A non-refundable application fee of €51 is required for each application.

Multiple applications within the same round: If you submit more than one application within the same round, only the first application submitted will be considered. Any subsequent applications within that round will be automatically excluded, and the application fee is non-refundable.

When will I hear back?

You will receive your admission decision by email within the timeline applicable to your application round. Decisions may take up to 8 weeks from the first day of the round, except for Round 1, where the process may take up to 4 weeks.

For more information, please refer to the Rounds & Deadlines section above.

2. Applying for More Than Just a Master's?

Scholarships

Interested in financial support? Make sure to apply for a scholarship at the same time and through the same form as your Master's application.

Scholarship decisions will be communicated before enrollment fee (P1) payment deadline.

Explore Scholarships & Funding

Workstreams

Interested in a workstream? Workstream preferences must be indicated in the application form when applying to the Master’s in Management.

For more information about the available workstreams, visit the Master’s in Management programme page.

CEMS MIM

Applying to CEMS? Your official offer letter email will include your pre-selection result.

If pre-selected, you'll be invited to a dedicated online Assessment Center.

Discover the CEMS selection process

Double Degrees

Applying for a Double Degree? Your official offer letter email will include your pre-selection result. Pre-selected applications will then be reviewed by the Nova SBE Double Degrees Team and the partner school. Final admission is subject to an interview and the applicable selection requirements.

Explore Double Degrees

3. Before You Hit Submit

A few things to double-check:

• Use Google Chrome for the best application portal experience.
• Using a @t-online.de email? Please choose another email address. We've identified recurring submission issues with this domain.
• Read this page carefully before completing your application form to ensure you understand all requirements and instructions.
• Check your preview carefully. Once you move past the preview step, you won't be able to make changes to your application.

Please note: Take your time reviewing your information. A final check can help prevent avoidable issues.

4. Payments & Enrollment

How can I pay?

Application and Enrollment Fee must be paid through the designated form.

Accepted payment methods:

• Credit Card (excluding American Express)
• PayPal

You're responsible for ensuring that your payment is successfully processed. If needed, check with your bank or financial institution before the deadline.

Payment Responsibility

It is the candidate's sole responsibility to ensure that all application and tuition fees are successfully processed and received within the established deadlines. Candidates must verify that their chosen payment method is valid and authorized by their bank or financial institution.

Payment failures, declined transactions, or delays caused by banking or payment processing issues do not exempt candidates from meeting the applicable deadlines. The final payment deadlines are those communicated to each candidate in their admission offer email. Failure to complete the required payment(s) by the specified deadline(s) will result in the loss of the admission offer.

Visa Information for International Applicants

If you are applying from outside the European Union and require a visa, please note that processing may take more than three months after your first consular interview.

We strongly recommend starting the visa application process as soon as you receive confirmation of your admission to Nova SBE.

Important: You are responsible for initiating and following up on your visa application. Nova SBE cannot influence visa processing times or guarantee when a visa will be issued.

Need Help? We're Here.

Have a question about your application?

Contact our Admissions Team:

Email: leadyourfuture@novasbe.pt

Phone: +351 213 801 699

A quick heads-up: We aim to respond to enquiries within 48 hours, working hours. During busy application periods, however, high volumes of emails and calls may result in longer response times.

Please do not wait for a reply before submitting your application or any required corrections. Contacting the Admissions Team does not extend application, correction and/or payment deadlines.

Before contacting us, we recommend reviewing the information available on this page, as it may already answer your question.

Enrollment requirement: Students must provide an official Bachelor’s degree certificate within the first month of classes.

Important: Missing mandatory documents may lead to exclusion from the round. Documents not originally in Portuguese and/or English must be submitted with a certified translation.

Mandatory for All Master’s Programs

• Portrait / ID format Photo
• ID Document Scan (must match the document used in the application; Portuguese Citizens must upload their Citizen Card)
• CV in English
• Official transcript with full course list and grades (in English or Portuguese), including the student identification, School logo/name and Bachelor's Program name*
• One-page motivation letter in English**
• English Certificate (minimum B2; C1 for IMF and IMM)
• Application fee receipt may be requested

*Nova SBE Bachelor’s students may upload the transcript downloaded from NETPA.

** Tell us about your motivation, interests, values, and ambitions. Show extracurriculars, leadership/teamwork, why Nova SBE, and what you’ll bring to our community. Keep it specific to this application. (Personal statements are not accepted in place of a motivation letter.)

English Proficiency Proof  

Please refer to the English Language Requirements for accepted certificates, required levels and exemption criteria.

Optional Documents

• Reference letter
• GMAT/GRE
• Additional language certificates
• Bachelor’s diploma (when available)

Please note: If the diploma is not in Portuguese or English, upload a Diploma Supplement, official English transcript, or certified translation.

Program–Specific Documents

In addition to the general application requirements, some programmes require mandatory documents, qualifications or application materials. Please review the requirements for your chosen programme carefully.

Important: Missing mandatory programme-specific documents or failure to meet the requirements may result in automatic exclusion. If corrections are required, the Admissions Team will contact you with instructions and deadlines. Please refer to the Application Corrections section below for further details. The opportunity to correct missing or incomplete information is not guaranteed.

International Master’s in Finance (IMF) & International Master’s in Management (IMM)

English language proficiency

Please refer to the English Language Requirements for accepted certificates, required levels and exemption criteria. The minimum required level for IMF and IMM is C1.

Second language

If English is your mother tongue, you must provide a certificate demonstrating proficiency in another language at a minimum A2 level.

Professional experience

• Minimum of 12 weeks of cumulative professional experience.
• Proof must be submitted in English.
• Volunteering does not count towards the minimum requirement.

Motivation video

Submit a video in English answering the following question:

• Reflecting on your professional experience so far, is there a moment you would choose to revisit or approach differently? Describe the experience, when it took place and what your role was. Explain why it stands out and how it has shaped your mindset, perspective and the skills you will bring to the programme.

Video submission requirements

• Maximum duration: 3 minutes. Any content beyond the time limit will not be considered.
• You must appear on camera and address all parts of the question.
• Upload your video to YouTube with visibility set to Unlisted.
• Add the video link to your application form.

Please refer to the Eligibility application page for more details.

CEMS Master’s in International Management (CEMS MIM)

For all CEMS MIM-specific application requirements and required documents, including the motivation video, language requirements and accepted certificates, please refer to the CEMS MIM application page.

Double Degrees

English language proficiency

Please refer to the English Language Requirements for accepted certificates, required levels and exemption criteria. The minimum required level for Double Degrees is C1.

International Experience Requirement for Double Degrees

• Proof in English of at least two consecutive months of international study, work or volunteering experience.

• The experience must take place outside your country of citizenship and the country where you completed high school.

• Eligible experiences include completing a full Bachelor’s degree abroad, an exchange semester, internships, work experience and volunteering.

In some cases, experience in a third country is required. For example, a German citizen who completed high school in Switzerland and earned their Bachelor’s degree in Germany must provide evidence of international experience in another country.

Motivation letter

Submit a motivation letter in English tailored to each Double Degree you are applying for, addressing both questions:

1. How has your path so far prepared you for the Double Degree you are applying for? Include specific experiences.

2. What are your future goals, and how are they connected to the programme?

Important: You must submit a separate motivation letter for each Double Degree add-on you apply for. Failure to provide the required information may result in automatic exclusion.

Applicants must upload at least two motivation letters: one for the Master's programme and one for the Double Degree program.

For the Nova SBE Social Mobility Scholarship and Continuity Scholarship, applicants must provide the following financial documentation:

1. Household income declared in Portugal

• IRS Model 3 for the latest available fiscal year, complete and fully identified.

• Shared custody: Documentation from both legal guardians is required.
• Individual tax returns: Candidates must also submit the IRS Model 3 of all other household members, unless they provide proof of financial independence, autonomous subsistence and no financial ties to others.
• IRS-exempt households: Alternative documents demonstrating household income and financial circumstances are required.

2. Household income declared outside Portugal

• Official tax documentation for the most recent fiscal year, issued by a governmental or certified authority, showing household composition, gross annual income and current financial circumstances.

• Individual tax returns: Tax documents from every household member must be submitted.
• Financial independence: Candidates submitting only their own tax return must provide proof of autonomous subsistence, no financial ties to other household members, and a declaration of honour.

All documents must be in Portuguese or English. If written in another language, they must be translated by a certified translation agency or translator and must include the entire document - partial or autonomous translations are not accepted.

3. Submission

 All scholarship documentation must be combined into one single PDF and uploaded to the designated field in the application form.

For more information visit:  Scholarships and Funding for Master’s Programs

Every application goes through a competitive selection process. Depending on the programme and candidate profile, additional assessments or interviews may be required.

General Master's Admissions

Applications are ranked according to the selection criteria detailed in the Decisions section. Due to the high number of applications, not all candidates proceed to individual document validation, places are limited, so early applications are encouraged.

International Master's in Finance (IMF) & Management (IMM)

The selection process may include:

1. CV and application pre-screening – uploded on the application form.

2. Video assessment for shortlisted candidates – uploaded on the application form.

CEMS MIM

Candidates admitted to a Nova SBE Master's programme may undergo pre-screening, video assessment (uploded on the application form) and an online Assessment Center.

Double Degrees

Candidates receive their pre-selection outcome with their official admission offer letter. Shortlisted applications are subsequently reviewed by the Nova SBE Double Degrees Team and the partner institution.

Master's in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MIEI)

Interviews may be required for specific candidate profiles, as determined by the Admissions Committee.

Workstreams

Workstream application outcomes are communicated in the official admission offer letter.

Important Information:

Interviews are conducted by application round and exclusively at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. Candidates cannot request an interview.

Candidates selected for interviews or additional assessments will be contacted directly by Nova SBE with further instructions.

Admission Decisions

How is my application assessed?

The Admissions Committee evaluates each application based on the submitted materials and all relevant information available. The following criteria are considered:

• Academic background: Final degree classification, or the classification obtained to date if the degree is still in progress, and the institution attended.
• Experience & involvement: CV, internships, professional experience (national or international), extracurricular activities and volunteering.
• Skills & qualifications: GMAT/GRE results, language proficiency and quantitative skills, including mathematics and statistics.
• Motivation & programme fit: Motivation letter, objectives, videos, interviewsand the candidate’s overall profile and suitability for the programme.

Each application receives a final score that determines the candidate’s position in the ranking. The ranking formula may vary by programme, application round or intake.

Who makes the decision?

Final admission decisions are made by the Admissions Committee, chaired by the Deputy Dean responsible for Pre-Experience Programmes.

The Committee includes, among other operational members, the Academic Director of each Master’s programme, the Executive Director of Pre-Experience Programmes, the Director of Student Affairs, the Director of Business Development, the Head of Admissions, the Director of Institutional Relations and International Development, and/or the Director of the Quality Department.

What decision can I receive?

Accepted: Congratulations! Your official admission offer will be sent by email, including your enrollment deposit (P1) deadline.

Important

• Your place is only secured once the required deposit has been successfully paid.
• Failure to pay by the deadline stated in your acceptance email will result in the withdrawal of your offer, and the place will be allocated to another candidate.
• A place released following non-payment will be offered to a candidate on the Waiting List or to an eligible candidate in a subsequent application round.

Rejected: Your application did not achieve the ranking score required for admission. You may reapply in a later round, including to the same programme, or choose a different program.

Excluded: Your application did not meet the applicable eligibility or documentation requirements. If your application is eligible for corrections, the Admissions Team will contact you with instructions and deadlines. Where permitted, you may submit a new application in a later round.

Waiting List: Your application remains under consideration, subject to available places and enrollment confirmations. Further information is provided below.

Spring intake: Candidates applying for the Master's in Management Fall intake may be offered a place for the Spring intake, depending on visa constraints and seat availability.

Please Note: Nova SBE may use automated or AI-assisted tools to support the assessment of application documents and videos.

Any adverse decision, including exclusion, will be made in accordance with applicable admissions regulations and legal requirements.

Application Corrections

What happens if my documents need correcting?

Following the initial ranking process, selected candidates may receive an email from the Admissions Team requesting corrections or additional documentation to verify their eligibility for a Master’s program.

Depending on the program and the candidate’s profile, this may include:

• Identification document
• CV
• ID photo
• English language certificate
• Academic transcripts
• Proof of employment or internship experience (IMF and IMM applicants)

The Admissions Team may correct minor administrative errors in submitted documents, such as:

• Typos in names
• Errors in dates of birth
• Incorrect letters or digits in identification document numbers

Correction Requests & Submission Window: Please refer to the Rounds & Deadlines section for the applicable correction period and deadlines.

If contacted, you must follow the instructions and submit the requested documents within the specified deadline.

Important information:

• Corrections are requested only from candidates selected for document validation.
• All document corrections must be made directly in the application form. Log in to your application account to access and update your documents.
• Only corrected versions of documents previously submitted will be considered. New documents or additional application materials will not be accepted during the correction period.
• Documents submitted by email, post or in person will not be accepted.
• Nova SBE communicates directly with candidates, not third parties.

Need assistance with your corrections?

Due to the high volume of emails and calls, the Admissions Team may not be able to review or respond to individual enquiries before the correction deadline. Responses may arrive after the correction period has ended.

Contacting Admissions or awaiting a response does not extend or suspend your correction deadline.

Waiting List

When will I receive an update?

Waiting List decisions are generally communicated after the ranking process has been completed and admission results have been shared with candidates who are not on the Waiting List in the relevant round.

Final decisions depend on available places, including enrollment confirmations and deposit payments.

Waiting List Decision Dates: Waiting list decisions will be communicated at the end of the overall admissions process, expected between June and July.

Do I need to submit anything else?

No additional documents are required while you remain on the Waiting List, unless Nova SBE contacts you with specific instructions.

Important: Candidates on the Waiting List for a Nova SBE Master's programme will no longer be considered for CEMS MIM or Double Degree program.

You're in! What's next?

Congratulations on your admission to Nova SBE! To secure your place, complete your enrollment and pay the required deposit by the deadline stated in your official acceptance email.

1. Secure Your Place

Once admitted, you must complete the enrollment form and pay the applicable enrollment fee (P1).

Standard enrollment fee: €1,499*

The donation is voluntary. If you do not wish to contribute, you can opt out directly in the enrollment form.

* The enrollment fee may vary depending on nationality and programme. Please check the applicable fees for your Master's.

Payment Responsibility

It is your sole responsibility to ensure that your payment is successfully authorized, processed and received by Nova SBE within the established deadline.

Payment failures, declined transactions or delays involving your bank or payment provider do not exempt you from meeting the deadline.

Please note: Late payments and exceptions are not accepted.

Important: If the required enrollment deposit is not paid by the deadline indicated in your acceptance email, your admission offer will be withdrawn, and your place may be offered to another candidate.

2. Additional Fees for CEMS MIM & Double Degrees

If you are admitted to CEMS MIM or a Double Degree, an additional €1,500 non-refundable enrollment fee applies. This amount is paid on top of the Master's enrollment fee and is deducted from your total tuition fee.

3. After Enrollment

Can I reserve or defer my place?

No. Study places cannot be reserved or deferred, whether before or after payment of the enrollment fee.

What if I need to interrupt my studies?

Once enrolled, you may request a temporary interruption of studies through Academic Services, but only after paying the second tuition instalment (P2).

All requests are subject to Nova SBE's academic regulations and formal approval.

Your next steps

• Submit your official Bachelor's graduation certificate within the first month of classes.
• Follow the instructions provided in your Welcome Email.
• Check the deadlines for any remaining tuition payments.

General Admissions Regulations for Master's Cycle of Studies at Nova SBE.