About

Academic recognition

DEGREE AND DIPLOMA RECOGNITION

The recognition in Portugal of higher education degrees and diplomas awarded by foreign higher education institutions is regulated, since January 1st 2019, by Decree-Law no. 66/2018 .

There are three types of recognition in Portugal:

AUTOMATIC RECOGNITION

What is it?
This form of recognition generically recognises a higher education foreign degree or diploma with identical level, objectives and nature to the Portuguese degrees of licenciado, mestre and doutor and the short cycle professional higher technical diplomas, that are included in the list of degrees and diplomas approved by the commission for the recognition of foreign degrees and diplomas.

To which Degrees/Diploma does this apply?
Verify here if it applies to your degree/diploma
Check this  table.

How and where can I request this recognition?
 Online form 

What documents are needed?
It should be attached to the online form:

• Copy of the Diploma or certificate issued by the foreign higher education institution,
• Proof document of the final average, as well as official information of the grading scale in which it was assigned and the passing grade (only If the conversion of the GPA to the Portuguese scale of classification is needed).

Cost?
40€ (without conversion of the final grade) or 60€ (with conversion of the final grade)

How long does it take?
A maximum of 30 days after the full completion of all necessary steps for the application and payment.

LEVEL RECOGNITION

What is it?
It is the act that allows to recognize by comparability, in an individualized way, a degree or diploma of foreign higher education as having a level corresponding to an academic degree or Portuguese higher education diploma.

How and where can I request this recognition?
 Online form 

What documents are needed?
It should be attached to the online form:

• Copy of the Diploma or certificate issued by the foreign higher education institution;
• Transcript of records with your Grade Point Average (GPA);
• Syllabus;
• Final work - Monography (Bachelor), Dissertion (Master) or Thesis (Ph.D) in pdf (if applicable);

Cost?
Level recognition without conversion of the final grade:

• Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral degree (obtained in EU countries): €268.00
• Bachelor's or Doctorate (obtained in non-EU countries): 650,00 €
• Master's degree (obtained in non-EU countries): 520,00 €

Level recognition with conversion of the final grade:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree (obtained in EU countries): 298.00 €
• Bachelor's degree (obtained in non-EU countries): 680,00 €
• Master's degree (obtained in non-EU countries): 550,00 €

How long does it take?
Maximum of 90 working days after full process instruction and payment.

SPECIFIC RECOGNITION

What is it?
It is the act that allows the recognition of a degree or diploma from a foreign higher education to be identical to a Portuguese academic degree or higher education diploma, through a casuistic analysis of the level, duration and programmatic content, in a certain area of formation, branch of knowledge or specialty.

How and where can I request this recognition?
 Online form 

What documents are needed?
It should be attached to the online form:

• Copy of the Diploma or certificate issued by the foreign higher education institution;
• Transcript of records with your Grade Point Average (GPA);
• Syllabus;
• Final work - Monography (Bachelor), Dissertion (Master) or Thesis (Ph.D) in pdf (if applicable);

Cost?
Specific recognition (with final grade assigned by the jury):

• Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees (obtained in EU countries): €268
• Bachelor's Degree and PhD (obtained in non-EU countries): 650€
• Master (obtained in non-EU countries): 520€
• Specific Recognition for medicine: 1.500,00 €

How long does it take?
Maximum of 90 working days after full process instruction and working.

REQUEST FOR CONVERSION OF THE FINAL GRADE, separately submitted
(Bachelor and Master): 60,00 €

 Nova fee table currently in force. 

Note:

• If the documents are written in a foreign language other than Spanish, French and English, an official Portuguese translation must be submitted.
• DGES platform only allows you to upload files up to 8 MB If the file exceeds 8 MB, you must compress or split the file, using, for instance, the iLovePDF service for those actions.

Contacts:
Reitoria da Universidade Nova de Lisboa
UAA – Academic Affairs Unit
Campus de Campolide
1099-085 Lisboa
Telefone: 213715600
Opening hours: 10 am to 4:30 pm (working days)

Accomodation

NOVA's Social Welfare Services have three university residences, preferably for the use of Portuguese students and foreign students:

• Fraústo da Silva Residence;
• Alfredo de Sousa Residence;
• Lumiar Residence.

As part of the funds obtained through the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), NOVA University of Lisbon has begun a period of renovation of its university residences to improve and modernize these spaces, providing students with comfortable and affordable accommodation options.

This overhaul will be phased. In the first phase, the Fraústo da Silva Residence (on the Caparica Campus, Almada) and the Lumiar Residence are being renovated. During the construction period, the Alfredo de Sousa Residence (on the Campolide Campus) will be in operation, preferably to house scholarship students and refugees. Partnerships and protocols have been set up with other organizations to meet accommodation needs.

Applications

Applications comply with the Regulations for Application to Accommodation in NOVA's Halls Residence. Students can apply through online forms. The dates are set annually.

Facilities for students with special educational needs

NOVA's Social Welfare Services provide support to students with special educational needs, with the goal of promoting their autonomy and inclusion in the academic environment.

For more information, please visit SASNOVA website.

Accommodation Services Office

Phone: +351 213 715 600
E-mail: alojamento@unl.pt

Language courses

NOVA Language Institute

The NOVA Language Institute (ILNOVA) at NOVA School of Social and Human Sciences provides its services to undergraduate and postgraduate courses of NOVA, to the general public and to companies and executives. Above all, ILNOVA is proud of its highly qualified teaching staff with native speakers. 

For further information, please visit ILNOVA.

Portuguese Language Courses for foreigners

NOVA School of Social and Human Sciences organises Portuguese Language Courses aimed at students that wish to learn and enhance their knowledge of the Portuguese language. The courses are also intended for Erasmus and Erasmus Mundus students.

The courses are organised in six learning levels, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and can be of six-month duration, summer or intensive courses.

Mobility students

International exchange programmes

Universidade NOVA de Lisboa offers to all its students a vibrant and relaxed atmosphere in a suitable environment, characterised by a high international profile and a close relationship among teachers and students.

The growing participation in several mobility programmes with Universities from all continents has been a driving factor of the internationalisation strategy of NOVA.

For more information about the several mobility exchange programmes in which NOVA is involved, please visit the International webpage.

Registration and enrolment

Exchange students should enrol as soon as possible. To do so, they should contact the International Mobility Office and the Department Coordinator at their Academic Unit/School.

After registration, they will receive a student card, which will entitle them to the same rights as any other Portuguese student: access to canteens, libraries, documentation centres and price reductions for books, among others.

National Health Service

Students from the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland are eligible to use the European Health Insurance Card, which will give them access to the Portuguese health system with the same rights of a national citizen. To benefit from the card’s advantages, the students should request it before coming to Portugal, in their country. Students coming from countries outside EEA should make sure that they have health insurance, before travelling and arriving to Portugal.

School insurance

All NOVA students, either Portuguese or in a mobility programme, benefit from school insurance, offered at enrolment. For more information, please contact the academic services of each Academic Unit/School.

This insurance is guaranteed to Erasmus students after enrolling in the International Mobility Office of the host Academic Unit. It is worth highlighting that, if an accident occurs, the student should immediately contact this Office.

For more information about this and other international mobility programmes, please contact:

International Mobility Office

Phone.: +351 213 845 207
E-mail: erasmus@unl.pt

Practical information

Scholarships

At NOVA, no student will be deprived of their right to a quality education due to financial constraints. No dream will be postponed due to lack of resources. To this end, the Social Action Services of NOVA University Lisbon (SASNOVA) award scholarships and emergency aid to economically disadvantaged students, in order to make it possible for them to complete and continue their studies. The way scholarships are awarded is defined by the legislation in force, namely through the rules established by the Directorate-General for Higher Education.

In addition, the Scholarships for Access to the Cycle of Studies were launched in 2023. NOVA students, nationals or stateless persons, foreigners with tax residence in Portugal or with refugee status, enrolled in the 1st year of any study cycle, who are in financial need and who are not beneficiaries of the scholarships awarded by the Directorate-General for Higher Education, or whose support is insufficient, are covered by these scholarships.

For further information, please contact:

Financial Support and Scholarships Office
Phone: +351 213 715 600 
E-mail: bolsas@unl.pt

Internships

The ERASMUS Programme promotes the mobility of students for a traineeship (work experience) at a company abroad. Given that, all the students enrolled in a full degree course or other recognized qualification level (up to the doctoral level) are eligible. Also recently graduated students can take part in an internship. They must be selected by their respective Faculty/Institute/School of NOVA during their final year of study and must attend and complete their internship abroad within one year from the conclusion of their respective degree.

In 2021 the NOVA Generação NOVA Scholarships were released , this new support consists in helping those with financial difficulties via donation in kind.

For more information on the Erasmus+ Programme, please contact:

International Mobility Unit
Phone: +351 213 845 207 
E-mail: erasmus@unl.pt

Human Development Office

The Human Development Office promotes the development of students' personal and social skills and their well-being.

Within the scope of its area of activity, it develops volunteer programs and also accompanies students with specific educational needs, supporting their integration and adaptation at the University.

Human Development Office
E-mail: gdh@unl.pt

Childcare Service

NOVA offers its entire academic community (pupils, students, researchers and staff) a family-friendly lifestyle with a Pre-School Education Center located on the Caparica Campus and various activities to occupy the children of NOVA employees, teachers, researchers and students during non-school hours.

Childcare Service
E-mail: apoioinfancia@unl.pt

Meals

NOVA students have access to these units, as well as the catering units of other public higher education establishments in Lisbon: the University of Lisbon and the Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon.

SASNOVA catering units

• Rectory Cafeteria;
• Campolide Canteen;
• Canteen of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities;
• Canteen of the Faculty of Science and Technology.

The SASNOVA canteens serve macrobiotic meals.

The full meal consists of a dish, soup, bread, drink and a dessert. The prices and closing times for the canteens can be found here.

Food Services Office
Phone: +351 213 715 600
E-mail: alimentacao@unl.pt

Health

SASNOVA provides health services to students in order to contribute to their well-being. By prior appointment, students can have access to multiple specialty services. 

In 2021, it was launched an on-line mental health support platform called The Bridge. It gives students the possibility of reading informative contents and having access to mental health technicians.

For more information on appointments, prices and schedules, visit SASNOVA website or use the following contacts:

Health Office
Phone: +351 213 715 600
E-mail: saude@unl.pt

Sports

SASNOVA contributes to students’ well-being by increasing sports activities, promoting and encouraging all sports activities.

For further information, please visit Sports website or use the following contacts:

Sports Office
Phone: +351 213 715 600
E-mail: desporto@unl.pt

School insurance

Information about the school insurance is available in the Mobility Students section of this guide.

Facilities available to students

Libraries

NOVA has several Libraries and Documentation Centers scattered through the different Academic Units. The addresses can be found in the Practical Information section of each Academic Unit in this guide.

In addition to these, Lisbon offers a wide number of libraries where it can be found books and other educational material in several languages.

Extracurricular activities

NOVA University Lisbon offers its entire student community a range of other activities including sports, leisure, entrepreneurship events, cultural moments and various challenges with our partner universities in EUTOPIA, the alliance of universities of which NOVA is a member. There are also specific activities for students in each unit.

Students' unions

Six Academic Units of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa have students' unions. In addition to these, there is an Academic Federation. More information can be found by visiting the unions’ websites or by using the following contacts:

NOVA School of Science and Technology Students' Union
Quinta da Torre
2829-516 Caparica
Phone.: +351 212 949 678
E-mail: info@ae.fct.unl.pt

NOVA School of Social and Human Sciences Students' Union
Avenida de Berna, 26-C 
1069-061 Lisboa
Phone.: +351 217 908 300
E-mail: ae@fcsh.unl.pt

Nova School of Business and Economics Students´ Union
Campus de Carcavelos
Rua da Holanda, n.º 1,
2775-405 Carcavelos
Phone.: +351 211 919 005
E-mail: geral.su@novasbe.pt

NOVA Medical School Students' Union
Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, n.º 130
1169-056 Lisboa 
Phone.: +351 218 803 095
E-mail: aefcml@fcm.unl.pt

NOVA Law School Students' Union
Campus de Campolide
Travessa Estêvão Pinto
1099-032 Lisboa
Phone.: +351 213 847 400
E-mail: presidencia@ae.fd.unl.pt 

NOVA Information Management School Students' Union
Campus de Campolide
Travessa Estêvão Pinto
1099-032 Lisboa
Phone.: +351 218 828 610
E-mail: geral@novaimssu.pt 

Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Students' Union
Av. Padre Cruz
1600-560 Lisboa
Phone.: +351 964 300 131
E-mail: direcao.aeensp-nova@ensp.unl.pt 

Other practical information

There are several study spaces for students in Lisbon:

1. Sala de Leitura, Belém

The Reading Room of the Belém Cultural Centre is located on the 1st floor. It has a general bibliographic collection, with a focus on Literature and Visual Arts, for those who need to consult some books between studies. There are 40 seats for reading and studying, four computers with internet access and a newspaper reading area - this one is free to access. To access Sala de Leitura you will need to enrol and obtain a reader's card in advance, free of charge and valid for one year.

2. Orlando Ribeiro Municipal Library, Lumiar

It is part of the Lisbon library network and is located in Telheiras, to provide the neighbourhood with a space to promote reading for all ages. The space has all the services of a library, with its own quiet place to study without distractions and with computers if you need support. The library also has a music library, for specialised support in the field of music, especially in everything related to Portuguese music.

3. Gulbenkian, São Sebastião

We've lost count of the times we've seen people lying in the Gulbenkian gardens reading. This makes us believe that these gardens are one of the most conducive to such activity, with several quiet corners where you can stay and prevent some ducks from biting your book leaves. If you prefer something more serious, the Gulbenkian Art Library is also available, although it is restricted to students and professionals and requires a reader's card.

4. Alcântara Library, Alcântara

Housed in the former Palacete dos Condes de Burnay, it has been open to the public since 2020. It is the third largest in the city's network of public libraries, an intervention that was carried out by architect Margarida Grácio Nunes. With five floors (the last one overlooking the neighbourhood and the Tagus), the library has a shop, a multipurpose room, a space for families, a gallery and a garden where a fountain that continues to drink from the Ribeira de Alcântara has been maintained.

5. Caleidoscópio, Campo Grande/Entrecampos/Alvalade centre

It was once a tourism office, a cinema and a shopping centre. Caleidoscópio is now a study centre of the Universidade de Lisboa, a space already well known by many students. It is located in the Campo Grande garden, on the top floor of McDonalds. Under normal circumstances, it is open 24 hours a day, every day, and has 175 seats, free WiFi and printing equipment. On weekends and public holidays, it is open between 08.00 and 06.00. The space is open to the entire university community, upon presentation of the student card.