Universidade NOVA de Lisboa was founded on the 11th of August 1973 and is the youngest of Lisbon’s three state Universities. Integrated within a framework of expansion and diversification of higher education, the University adopted a new model within the Portuguese system that stressed interdisciplinary approaches, technological developments while, at the same time, safeguarding offerings in traditional academic domains including medicine, sciences, and humanities.
The mission of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa is to serve society on a local, regional and global level. As a university institution that wishes to be a reference, it is focused on the following plans:
- An international profile with an emphasis on second and third cycles, but founded on solid first cycles, focused on its students and providing them rigorous knowledge, creativity, critical spirit, and sense of citizenship and justice that enables professional success and leadership
- A collaborative investigation, responsible and internationally relevant, concentrating on interdisciplinary areas and including an investigation targeting the resolution of problems that affect society
- A service that promotes solidarity and sustainable development in the health, economic, technological, cultural, and social plans, founded in the region of Lisbon and compromised on a national and international level, dedicating special attention to the countries where the Portuguese Language is spoken
- A wide base of inter-institutional participation, oriented to the integration of different scientific cultures to create innovative synergies for teaching and research.
Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (NOVA) offers to all its students a vibrant and relaxed atmosphere in a suitable environment, characterized by a high international profile and a close relationship among teachers and students.
In addition to a wide academic offer of study cycles (bachelors, masters, and PhDs) in Portuguese, which turns NOVA into a natural destination for students from PALOP and Brazil, it has a considerable number of programs in English, which makes it a reference institution for students of other nationalities, as well.
Foreign students can study at NOVA through:
- Applying to a pre-university program
- Enrolling in a complete study cycle to obtain a degree
- Applying to mobility programs
Currently, 3022 foreign students are studying at NOVA – 2119 are part of a complete study cycle and 903 are exchange students for short mobility periods. Many study programs offered by the University are characterized by an international component that allows those who attend them to experience the culture, to know the level of development, and to learn the best practices of other regions and countries. In the future, NOVA will continue expanding this international profile, attracting more and more foreign students and contributing, in this way, to create a true ecosystem of interculturality, mutual knowledge, understanding, and respect.
Universidade Nova de Lisboa (NOVA) was created 43 years ago, shortly before the Carnation Revolution. However, NOVA only began its development after that event because many Portuguese professors - who already developed intensive academic activities in other countries such as, England, France, the United States, Germany, Belgium, Italy, and many others - returned to Portugal. Together, these professors covered all of the scientific areas that are still today NOVA's areas of expertise (from Medicine to Economics, Engineering to Social Sciences and Humanities) and, in some cases, attracted foreign colleagues with whom they had previously developed professional relationships before returning to Portugal. Therefore, it can be said that the adoption of a very strong international profile is part of NOVA's DNA.
NOVA’s international profile has developed naturally over the years and, more rapidly, in the last 12 years, with the emergence of several international mobility programs, to which NOVA has been successfully applying by itself or through partnerships with Portuguese or foreign Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
Universidade NOVA de Lisboa has a unique set of research and teaching competencies in health, in Portugal. NOVA’s scientific expertise covers a wide range of areas, going from basic research, the molecule, to health policies, on the population and patient’s bedside. A major challenge to Universidade NOVA de Lisboa is to take the significant potential that exists to further development in research, teaching, and contribution to society. Increasing general awareness of the activities developed by each research center and of the interests and competencies of the University’s researchers and faculty staff is also a central element to capitalize on this potential.
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