Everything you need to know

First step: Make sure your Home University is a Nova SBE partner (list available on our website) and  that you meet all our Admissions requirements. All incoming exchange students must present one of these documents to fulfill our language requirement:

• English Level:
  • IELTS, minimum grade 6
  • TOEFL iBT (online version is acceptable), minimum grade 80
  • CFE, minimum grade 170
  • CAE Advanced, any passing grade
  • CPE, any passing grade
  • High School or Bachelor's fully taught in English (stamped and signed declaration, issued by the institution)
  • B2 level of English certified by the home university (stamped and signed declaration)

Note that the documents must be in English to be considered.

At the Masters’ Level, students are required to hold a Bachelors’ degree or at least 180 ECTS, otherwise, the nomination will not be accepted.

Recommendations: Nova SBE courses demand the use of quantitative techniques, so applicants should have had exposure to adequate quantitative subjects in their previous academic studies.

Second Step: Once you are formally nominated by your home school, you will receive an automatic email with a link to fill in your online application.

Nominations* (for partner schools)	Fall February 1 - April 20	Spring August 1 - October 1
Applications (for students)	Fall February 1 - April 27	Spring August 1 - October 10

*All nominations and candidate information submissions for the exchange programs must be submitted through our online platform. Please be aware that any alterations made to the platform out of the mentioned periods will be excluded.

Third Step: After your application is reviewed, and if you are accepted, you will receive your acceptance letter and welcome email separately. This process is gradual and generally students only receive an answer after the application period closes.

Below you can find the list of courses available for exchange students. Please be aware that the academic offer changes each semester and that we cannot guarantee enrolment in specific courses, so we do not advise exchanges for students on their last semester with specific course requirements. All enrolments are subject to the enrolment process and available slots. You should also make sure your academic background meets the requirements defined for each course.

• Bachelor's Course Offer - Fall 2025
• Bachelor's Course Offer - Spring 2026
• Master's Course Offer - Fall 2025
• Master's Course Offer - Spring 2026

Exchange students have access exclusively to the list of courses mentioned below and can be enrolled in a maximum of 31.5 ECTS. Students may only attend the level of courses they were nominated as (e.g. Bachelors’ can only participate in Bachelor level courses), and no exceptions will be allowed.

At Nova SBE, each semester is divided into two trimesters:

• Fall semester (S1): T1 and T2 courses
• Spring semester (S2): T3 and T4 courses

Trimestral courses are worth 3,5 ECTS, while Semestral courses are valued at 7 ECTS. This is valid for both Bachelor and Master level courses.

At the Bachelors’ level, exchange students are offered courses in the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd year from both Economics and Management programs. Note that the starting dates for classes across different academic years may differ, so be sure to check the Academic Calendar when selecting your courses and scheduling your flights.

At the Masters’ level, students have access to a wide range of elective courses available from various programs (Management, Finance, Economics).

To get a glimpse of what the listed courses will cover, check UNL’s Course Catalog. Please be aware that some information may be outdated. You will have access to the full syllabi once you receive your Nova SBE credentials.

Once you receive your Acceptance Letter, the most exciting step begins: You may start planning your semester at Nova SBE! Where is some information that may help you through this time:

Academic Calendar

Accommodation and Visas – We are aware of how stressful it can be to deal with bureaucratic procedures when planning to live abroad for a semester, such as getting a Visa and housing in an unknown location. Our Life at Nova team is dedicated to helping you through this journey. For information on these topics and more, check this link.

Learning Agreements – In case you need to have your Learning Agreement signed by Nova SBE, please note we will only be available to do so after the course offer for the intended semester has been published and ideally after the first round of enrollments.

Contact information for Learning Agreements:

 

• Responsible Person’s name: Beatriz Narra
• Nova School of Business & Economics - PLISBOA03 (Erasmus Code)
• Telephone number: (+351) 213 801 689
• Email: international.mobility@novasbe.pt
• Carcavelos Campus Address: Rua da Holanda, 1; 2775-405 Carcavelos, Portugalde)

Who can apply to study at Nova SBE as an exchange student?

You can come to Nova SBE through one of our bilateral agreements, as an Exchange student and nominated by your home university or as a Freemover student. For more information on Freemovers, click here. In case you wish to come to Nova SBE under one of our agreements, make sure to refer to your home university, since they oversee student nominations.

Which documents will I have to submit for my Application Form to be valid?

Students will have to submit a copy of their ID document, a passport like photograph, the English Certificate and their most updated Transcript of Records (it can be an unofficial version).

Does Nova SBE have language or GPA entry requirements for incoming students?

Nova SBE requires students to present a valid English Certificate, within the ones listed under How to Apply. There is no minimum GPA to join our Exchange Program.

Can I apply even if I don’t have the language certificate yet?

No. When you fill in your application, you must already have a document to prove your English Level.

Does Nova SBE offer scholarships to Exchange students?

Unfortunately, Nova SBE does not offer scholarships to Incoming students. Make sure to check with your home institution to see if they provide any financial support.

Who can I contact if I have questions before arrival?

If you have been accepted and have doubts before your arrival, make sure to read the information available on our website. If this does not answer your questions, please contact us through masters@novasbe.pt or bachelors@novasbe.pt .

Do I need a visa to study at Nova SBE?

Please check the Life @ Nova’s section of the website for further information.

​What happens if my visa is delayed?

You should immediately inform the International Mobility Team through masters@novasbe.pt or bachelors@novasbe.pt to confirm what your options can be.

Do I need health insurance?

We highly recommend incoming exchange students to have a health insurance plan valid throughout the entire stay, for example:

EU students: European Health Insurance Card (EHIC),

Non-EU students: private international health insurance.

For more information, please consult Life at Nova Welcome Guide.  

 

Is there on-campus accommodation?

On-campus housing is available, as well as alternative options amongst Nova SBE’s list of partners. We provide resources, recommended platforms, and guidance to help students find accommodation in the Lisbon/Cascais area. For more information, visit the Life at Nova website.

When should I arrive in Portugal?

You should arrive before the Welcome Week and ideally a few days earlier to settle into your accommodation. Late arrivals may impact your ability to participate in the information sessions or the beginning of classes.

Can I arrive after the semester has already started?

Late arrivals are strongly discouraged. Important academic information and orientation activities take place at the start of the semester. If you expect delays, you should contact us as early as possible.

Is transportation between Lisbon and the campus easy?

Yes. Our campus is a 10–15-minute walk from the nearest train station and is connected by frequent trains to Lisbon and Cascais. For more tips, visit the Life at Nova website.

Can I travel during the semester?

You may travel during your semester. However, please note that your travels must not interfere with academic obligations such as group works, evaluations, exams, etc. Travelling will not be accepted as a justification for missing classes or evaluations.

How does course selection and enrollment work?

For more information on the enrolment process for Bachelor courses, please check the Incoming Bachelor’s Student Guide. For more information on the enrolment process for Master courses, please check the Incoming Master’s Student Guide.

When will next semester’s offer be published?

Please visit the Course Offer section, where you will find the most updated course offer published. The one for next semester will always be uploaded to our website as soon as possible, and in time for the enrollment process.

Are Incoming students allowed to enroll in courses outside of the published course offer?

No, Incoming students can only enroll in courses listed on the published course offer.

How many ECTS can I be enrolled in?

At Nova SBE, there is not a minimum amount of ECTS an incoming student must be enrolled in. However, please keep in mind there is a limit of 31.5 ECTS per student.

How many hours is each ECTS at Nova SBE worth?

1 ECTS at Nova SBE equals a total of 28 hours, including contact hours.

What should I consider before enrolling in courses?

Students are advised to check each course’s schedule and exam dates, to make sure there are no overlaps. If your courses end up overlapping, make sure to correct that during the Add&Drop period, as no changes will be allowed afterwards.

Can I make changes to my course enrollments after the Add&Drop period?

No. Changes to your enrollments and study plan will not be allowed after the Add&Drop period.

Is attendance mandatory at Nova SBE?

It depends on each course and the Professor. However, at Nova SBE, we encourage students to attend their classes and lectures regardless.

Can I take Portuguese language courses during my exchange?

Nova SBE does not offer language courses but it is possible FCSH’s Portuguese Language Course, which is available for incoming students. Please be aware that Nova SBE does not manage these courses.

Can I add the Nova FCSH course to my Learning Agreement? Will it be included in my Transcript of Records?

This course can be added to your Learning Agreement, however, since it is not taught at Nova SBE, this course will not appear on our Transcript. You will receive a separate transcript for that course.

Can I take courses that are taught in Portuguese?

Yes, incoming exchange students can register for courses taught in Portuguese, if they are included in the course offer. However, at least B2 level of Portuguese within the CEFR Scale is recommended.

Most Bachelor's and Master's courses at Nova SBE are taught in English, and exchange students are strongly encouraged to prioritize English-taught courses to ensure a smooth academic experience.

Is there a Welcome Week?

Yes. For the Fall Semester, this event will take place at the end of August, whilst for the Spring Semester, it will be hosted on the last days of January. Attendance is not mandatory but highly recommended. It helps students integrate faster, complete administrative steps, understand academic procedures, and meet fellow exchange students and the Nova SBE community.

Does Nova SBE charge administrative fees?

Yes. Nova SBE charges 36,50€ for administrative fees and school insurance, which are mandatory for all students.

Is there support for students with special needs?

Yes. Students with physical, learning, medical or other conditions should contact the International Mobility Office early after being accepted so that appropriate support can be arranged.

Will I receive a student card?

Yes. After completing your arrival and registration through the link provided in the welcome email, you will, near the start of your semester, receive an email informing you that your student card is ready for collection at the Santander branch on campus.

Are there student clubs or organizations I can join?

Yes! Nova SBE offers a wide variety of student clubs and organizations you can join. They cover areas such as academic interests, professional development, social causes, entrepreneurship, sports, and cultural activities.  For more tips, visit the Life at Nova website.

How can I request Proof of Enrollment at Nova SBE or a Certificate of Attendance?

These documents will be made available on our internal student portal close to the beginning of the semester, where you can download the documents.