
SUPERNOVA Foundation Programme
Lisbon, Portugal
DURATION
1 up to 2 Semesters
LANGUAGES
English, Portuguese
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
EUR 3,570 / per semester
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Introduction
“One of the best academic experiences I’ve had in my life”
Rahim Bouguerra, Former SUPERNOVA student at NOVA
Have you recently finished high school and dreamed of studying in Europe?
SUPERNOVA is the right fit for you!
This course will assist students from different countries adapt to the European education system. With this programme, you will develop your language and academic skills at an appropriate level for successful progression to an undergraduate course at one of the best and most reputable young universities in the world, NOVA University Lisbon.
The best part? Students are guaranteed progression to the first year of a relevant undergraduate programme at Nova University Lisbon and its European Partner Universities, provided they meet the progression criteria.
Click here to apply!
Why choose SUPERNOVA
- Prepare the pathway for an international University degree.
- Prepare the transition to the European university system by increasing autonomy and adjusting working methods.
- Improve or acquire Portuguese and English language competencies.
- Facilitate the subsequent entrance into one of the academic programmes at NOVA or its partner Universities
- Access optional courses in different academic areas.
- Live in Lisbon, Portugal, a city with a top quality of life in one of the safest countries in the world.
Why choose NOVA
- Ranked in the top 9 in Europe in the QS World University Rankings 2021 among universities founded less than 50 years ago.
- The Times Higher Education Ranking By Subject 2021, has ranked NOVA first national position in Business and Economics, Arts and Humanities and Top 10 among young European universities in Business and Economics, Clinical and Health, and Education.
Choose when and how:
SUPERNOVA can be taken either Online or On-Campus, with differentiated costs, and can be carried out in one of two periods of the year.
SUPERNOVA is organized into two-semester modules:
- The Spring semester (applications from July to October) – Classes between February and June.
- The Fall semester (applications from January to April) – Classes between September and January.
More advanced candidates may complete the program in only one semester (either Fall or Spring). Candidates requiring a longer period of adjustment may have to follow two semesters of SUPERNOVA
Remain Focused on Your Journey to Greatness. Be Part of Nova University!
Click here to book a meeting with us!

Student Testimonials
Curriculum
Mathematics
Requires passing Mathematics and either Programming or Data Science
- Mathematics (Portuguese at NOVA School of Science & Technology)
- Mathematics (French at Paris Cergy)
- Applied Mathematics to Risk Management (Portuguese at NOVA School of Science & Technology)
- Applied Mathematics (English at IE)
Life Sciences and Technology
Requires passing Chemistry or Physics and Biology
- Biochemistry (Portuguese at NOVA School of Science & Technology)
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (French at Paris Cergy)
- Biology and Earth Sciences (French at Paris Cergy)
- Biomedical Engineering (Portuguese)
- Cell & Molecular Biology (Portuguese at NOVA School of Science & Technology)
- Earth Sciences (French at Paris Cergy)
Health
Requires passing Mathematics, Biology, Principles of Chemistry/Physics or two of any subjects offered
- Medicine * (Portuguese at NOVA Medical School)
- Psychology (Portuguese at ISPA)
- Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences (Portuguese at ISPA)
- Global Public Health (English at Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública)
- Nutrition Sciences (Portuguese at NOVA Medical School)
*Disclaimer: It is important to clarify that the admission of international students to the Medicine program is subject to the decision of the Ministry of Education.
Natural Sciences
Requires passing Mathematics, and Physics
- Physics (French at Paris Cergy)
- Physics/Chemistry (French at Paris Cergy)
- Earth Sciences (French at Paris Cergy)
Digital Technology
Requires passing Mathematics and either Programming or Data Science
- Information Systems (English, at NOVA Information Management School)
- Data Science (English, 3 years at NOVA Information Management School)
- Data Science (English, 4 years at Paris Cergy)
- Digital Management (English at Ca’ Foscari)
- Hospitality, Innovation and e-Tourism (English at Ca’ Foscari)
Chemical Technology
Requires passing Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology
- Conservation Restoration (Portuguese at NOVA School of Science and Technology)
- Applied Chemistry (Portuguese at NOVA School of Science and Technology)
- Science and Technologies for Cultural Heritage (Italian at Ca’ Foscari)
- Chemical and Biochemical Engineering (Portuguese)
Economics and Management
Requires passing Mathematics with a 14/20 approval rate and Microeconomics
- Economics (English, at NOVA School of Business and Economics)
- Management (English, at NOVA School of Business and Economics)
Hard Engineering
Requires passing Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry
- Civil Engineering (Portuguese at NOVA School of Science & Technology)
- Materials Engineering (Portuguese at NOVA School of Science & Technology)
- Micro and Nanotechnology Engineering (Portuguese at NOVA School of Science & Technology)
- Environmental Engineering (Portuguese at NOVA School of Science & Technology/English at NOVA Cairo)
- Industrial Engineering and Management (Portuguese at NOVA School of Science & Technology/English at NOVA Cairo)
- Electrical and Computer Engineering (Portuguese at NOVA School of Science & Technology)
- Physics Engineering (Portuguese at NOVA School of Science & Technology)
- Geological Engineering (Portuguese at NOVA School of Science & Technology)
- Computer Science (Portuguese or English at NOVA School of Science & Technology, or in French at Paris Cergy)
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (English at IE)
- Mechanical Engineering (Portuguese at NOVA School of Science & Technology)
- Food Engineering (Portuguese at Universidade do Algarve)
- Bioengineering (Portuguese at Universidade do Algarve)
Law
Requires passing Introduction to Social Sciences Methods and Introduction to Law and Democracy
- Law (Portuguese, or in English at IE University)
*To be confirmed
Disclaimer: All students are responsible for ensuring the level of fluency in the language required in the degree program they have chosen
Additionally, students must attend the following classes:
- Club of Ideas, available both in Portuguese and English
- Compulsory English language course, except for candidates who can certify level B2 or above according to the CEFR, or
- Compulsory Portuguese language course, except for candidates who can certify level B2 or above according to the CEFR.
Ideal Students
You will fit right into the SUPERNOVA's family at NOVA if you:
- Love to be around a multicultural environment
- Have always dreamed of studying at a top ranked University in Europe
- Are eager to learn and to achieve academic success
- Love to meet new people and to be around a mutual help environment
- Are looking to create memories for a lifetime
Additionally, in order to join us, you must meet the following requirements:
- High School diploma or an official declaration from the School attesting when the candidate will be finishing High school.
- All applicants must have a minimum fluency of B2* in at least one of the following languages: Portuguese or English. It depends on the language of instruction of the bachelor´s degree you want upon completion of the program.
- Candidates who are completing/have completed only the 1st year of their higher education degree.
- The age target is from 17 to 25 years old. From the ages of 25 to 30, applications are subjected to a deeper evaluation. Applicants beyond 30 years old are not eligible for the foundation programme
Educational Systems requirements:
Cambridge Assessment (A LEVELS & AS LEVELS)
The SUPERNOVA Foundation Programme requires a minimum of 3 A or 7 AS Levels. Additionally, the IGCSE certificate does not meet the minimum requirements for admission. Furthermore, NOVA University highly recommends that students take courses relevant to their chosen program of study. If a student cannot provide proof of relevant coursework, they may be required to fulfil additional academic requirements.
Ensino Médio (Brazil)
The SUPERNOVA Foundation Programme welcomes students from Ensino Médio in Brazil. The shared cultural and historical ties between Portugal and Brazil are significant and play an important role in shaping our relationship. From language to traditions, this proximity has fostered a strong sense of familiarity and connection between our two nations.
We are looking for an average grade of 50% out of 100%, or 5 out of 10. NOVA University highly recommends that students take courses that are relevant to their chosen program of study. If a student is unable to provide proof of relevant coursework, they may be required to fulfil additional academic requirements.
International Baccalaureate (IB Diploma)
The SUPERNOVA Foundation Programme requires a minimum grade of 24 out of 45. Specific subjects may be required depending on the bachelor.
Ensino Secundário (Angola)
The SUPERNOVA Foundation Programme welcomes all Angolan students! From a country that shares the same language as Portugal, we can say that there are many Angolan students who have already gone through the program!
We are looking for an average grade of 10 out of 20, or 50% out of 100% Specific subject grades may be required depending on the bachelor.
US High School Diploma
We are looking for a minimum grade of C Specific subject grades may be required depending on the bachelor. In order to graduate with a US Diploma, the Portuguese Ministry of Education mandates that students must provide transcripts from their final three years of high school, which include Years 10, 11, and 12.
Other Educational Systems
Due to the international nature of the program, SUPERNOVA takes pride in welcoming students from all over the world! To this end, we are always seeking students from other educational systems who have achieved minimum grades of 50% out of 100%. Specific subject grades may be required depending on the bachelor.
Gallery
Rankings
Universidade NOVA de Lisboa stands out in the main international rankings. These results acknowledge the efforts developed by NOVA as an institution with internationally competitive research and teaching excellence, able to ensure high levels of professional success to its students.
![]() | NOVA was ranked in the top 9 in Europe in the QS World University Rankings 2021 among universities founded less than 50 years ago. |
![]() | The Times Higher Education Ranking By Subject 2021, ranks NOVA first national position in Business and Economics and Arts and Humanities and Top 10 among young European universities founded less than 50 years ago in Business and Economics, Clinical and Health, and Education. |
![]() | According to the QS Top 50 under 50 ranking, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa is in 8th place among young European universities, founded less than 50 years ago.NOVA ranks again in the top 8 in the five areas of knowledge evaluated by QS by subject:
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![]() | TheTimes Higher Education University Impact Rankings monitor the performance of universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). NOVA ranks in the following positions among young European institutions:
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| Leveraged in the 5 Palmes prestige of Nova SBE (only 39 European institutions hold this distinction among the worldwide top 100 Business Schools), 5 Schools from NOVA University have ranked programs, being clearly the best Portuguese University.
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Admissions
Program Outcome
What students can pursue after finishing the Foundation Programme:
NOVA School of Science and Technology (NOVA FCT): (Lectured in English and Portuguese)
- Cell and Molecular Biology;
- Biochemistry ;
- Conservation Restoration;
- Geological Engineering
- Mathematics
- Applied Chemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Micro and Nanotechnology Engineering
- Electrotechnical and Computer Engineering;
- Physics Engineering;
- Computer Science (Lectured in Portuguese)
- Computer Science and Engineering (Lectured in English)
- Mechanical Engineering
- Chemical and Biochemical Engineering.
NOVA Information Management School (NOVA IMS): (Lectured in English)
- Data Science
- Information Management;
- Information Systems;
NOVA School of Social Sciences and Humanities (NOVA FCSH): (Lectured in Portuguese)
- Anthropology;
- Archaeology;
- Political Science and International Relations;
- Communication Sciences;
- Language Sciences;
- Musicology;
- Portuguese Studies;
- Philosophy;
- Geography and Regional Planning;
- History;
- History of Art;
- Languages, Literature and Cultures;
- Sociology (Daytime and After-work schedule);
- Translation.
NOVA Medical School (NMS | FCM): (Lectured in Portuguese)
- Nutrition Sciences
NOVA School of Law (NOVA Direito): (Lectured in English and Portuguese)
- Law
NOVA School of Business and Economics (NOVA SBE): (Lectured in English)
- Economics;
- Management
NOVA Cairo (Lectured in English)
- Environmental Engineering;
- Industrial Engineering and Management
- Applied Mathematics to Risk Management
Ca' Foscari University (Lectured in English and Italian)
Fully taught in English
- Hospitality, Innovation and e-Tourism
- Digital Management
- Philosophy, International and Economics
Studies
Fully taught in Italian (on-line ex-post exam non-required)
- Lingue, Civiltà e Scienze del Linguaggio (Language, Civilization and the Science of Language)
- Lingue, Culture e Società dell’Asia e dell’Africa Mediterranea (Language, Culture and Society of Asia and Mediterranean African)
- Conservazione e Gestione dei Beni e delle Attività Culturali (Conservation of Cultural Heritage and Performing Arts Management)
- Scienze e Tecnologie per i Beni Culturali (Science and Technologies for Cultural Heritage)
Cergy Paris University (Lectured in English and French)
Taught in English and French (2-3 slots for the following programs:)
- Data Sciences (Taught in English)
- Langues Littérature et Civilisation étrangère (some courses are in French)
- LLCER Anglais
- LLCER Espagnol
- Langues étrangères appliquée (some courses are in French)
- LEA Anglais-Allemand
- LEA Anglais-Chinois
- LEA Anglais Japonais
Taught in French :
- Licence Informatique
- Licence Mathématiques
- Licence mention Mathématiques, parcours pluridisciplinaire (L3)
- Licence Physique
- Licence Physique, chimie
- Licence Sciences de la Terre
- Biochimie et biologie cellulaire
- Biologie générale et sciences de la Terre
- Licence Géographie et aménagement (French C1 recommended)
- Licence Histoire (French C1 recommended)
- Lettres modernes (French C1 recommended)
Algarve University (Lectured in Portuguese)
- Landscape Architecture;
- Bioengineering;
- Biology;
- Marine Biology;
- Biotechnology;
- Pharmaceutical Sciences;
- Food Engineering;
- Hotel Management;
- Marine and Coastal Management;
- Mathematics applied to Economics and Management;
- Tourism
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.