STEP 1 - ONLINE APPLICATION:
Submit your application with all required documents (and any program-specific motivation video).
Motivation letter: 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.)
Videos:
- IMF/IMM: 3-minute motivation video (see above).
- CEMS MIM: follow the CEMS-specific instructions above.
International Applicant/Student: If you are applying from outside of the European Union, please consider that visa processing times can take longer than three months after your first interview with the Consulate. We recommend that you start the visa application process as soon as you receive confirmation of your admittance at Nova SBE. Remember that the responsibility for initiating and following the visa application process is entirely yours. Nova SBE does not influence the issuing time to process the visa.
STEP 2 - INTERVIEW:
General Admission: Candidates may have to attend an interview with either Alumni or Nova SBE’s Faculty assigned to examine the information provided in the application and evaluate the applicant’s eligibility and suitability for the program. The interview is required by the Master’s Admissions Committee in case of need.
IMF and IMM: A pre-screening of the candidates’ CV and application form is done, followed by the evaluation of the videos. ue to high volume and limited places, not all applications proceed to video review. Selected candidates may be invited to an interview with the International Master’s Team. Early applications are recommended.
Double Degrees: Applicants already admitted to a Nova SBE Master’s and pre-screened for a Double Degree may be interviewed Jan–May (sometimes with the partner school). Places are very limited.
CEMS MIM: Candidates admitted into a Nova SBE Master’s degree will go through a specific selection process for the CEMS MIM. This process starts with a pre-screening of the candidates’ CV and application form, and is then followed by the evaluation of the videos. Given the limited number of slots and high number of applications in the program, not all applications will go through the video review. Those successfully screened will be invited for an assessment interview scheduled between January and May (depending on the application round).
STEP 3 - DECISION:
After evaluating the application, the Admissions Committee will make the final decisions based on all the information at its disposal.
The Admissions Committee is chaired by the Deputy Dean, responsible for Pre-Experience Programs, and includes, among other operational members, the Academic Director of each Master's program, the Executive Director of Pre-Experience Programs, the Director of Student Affairs, the Head of Admissions, the Director of Institutional Relations and International Development and the Director of the Quality Department.
When assessing applications, the following elements are considered: final classification of the degree (or previous degree held, or classification at the date of submission of the application for the degree attending), school of origin, curriculum vitae, internship or other experiences (national or international), extracurricular and volunteering experiences, GMAT/GRE, language proficiency, letter of motivation/objectives and profile of the candidate for the specific program to which one is applying.
All applications are reviewed based on the submitted elements, and assigned a final score through which the candidates’ ranking is determined..
Occasionally, for each program, and/or intake, and/or for each application phase, the ranking formula may be reviewed.
When reviewing an application, the Admission Jury will make one of the following decisions:
- Accept (in this case, you will receive an official offer letter).
- Exclude (this can happen if your application has missing documents or incorrect information; you may submit a new application in a later round).
- Reject (application did not reach the ranking score required for admission, based on the elements submitted; you may reapply in a later round, either to the same program - if you have new supporting elements, as for instance GMAT/GRE results -, or to a different program)
- Waiting list: In this case we need more time before making a final decision. Applicants can expect to remain on the waiting list until June of 2026. No further documentation or updated information is required while on the waiting list.
Additionally, and for the Master’s in Management only, candidates initially applying for the Fall intake may be offered a Spring intake place, depending on visa constraints and/or seat availability for the Fall semester.
After a final decision on all candidates, the Admissions Committee will produce a final report with the list of admitted and rejected candidates.
Decisions are communicated individually to each candidate by email. Candidates are responsible for checking their emails regularly during this process (including spam and the trash folder).
If candidates do not receive any communication from the School, they should send an email or call the Admissions Team. If you applied for CEMS MIM or a Double Degree, those teams will contact you directly about assessment/interview scheduling.
Candidates who receive an offer letter and miss the acceptance deadline will forfeit their place. The deadline will be communicated in the offer email.
STEP 4 - ENROLLMENT:
Admitted candidates will have to pay a 1499€ fee. This fee includes a non-refundable enrollment fee (1250€), and a donation for Nova SBE’s scholarship fund (249€). If you do not wish to include the donation, you must opt-out when completing the enrollment form (you may find more information regarding the donation here). The non-refundable enrollment fee will be deducted from the total tuition fee.
No exceptions or late payments are accepted.
Enrollment in CEMS MIM and Double Degrees requires an additional non-refundable €1,500 (on top of the €1,250 Master’s enrollment fee), also deducted from total tuition.
Postponements
To secure a place and request a postponement, pay the enrollment fee and email leadyourfuture@novasbe.pt before the 2nd tuition-installment deadline (which will be communicated via email). You’ll receive a form to complete and must provide a valid reason with proof (English or Portuguese). Missing the deadline or an unsuccessful request will require a new application. A re-entry fee may apply.