What Universidade Nova de Lisboa does

Universidade Nova de Lisboa (NOVA) is a public university established under Portuguese law in 1973, headquartered at Campus de Campolide in Lisbon. It operates nine organic units — Nova School of Business and Economics (NOVA SBE), NOVA Medical School, NOVA School of Law, NOVA Information Management School (NOVA IMS), Faculty of Sciences and Technology (NOVA FCT), Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (NOVA FCSH), Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier (ITQB NOVA), Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública (ENSP NOVA), and Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT) — plus the newly integrated Estoril Higher Institute for Tourism and Hotel Studies (ESHTE). It also runs an international campus in Cairo and a specialized NOVA Aerospace campus in Cascais, serving undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and executive education students through direct admissions portals, education fairs, and 100+ international mobility partnerships.

The university's underlying technology and platforms include 9 collaborative research laboratories, AI-powered adaptive microscopy (VirusAwareScopes, funded with €500K from CaixaResearch), flexible OLED technology on cellulose substrates, a NOVA Research Portal for collaboration matchmaking, the BANDUA mental-health platform under the National Programme for Promotion of Mental Health in Higher Education, the InNOVA sustainability tool, the Rede 1/4 student-housing platform, and a European Top 10 patent portfolio that includes spin-off technologies such as Cleocare, NanoJ-Fluidics (Pumpy), GeoCura, and PATRIMÓNIO CULTURAL 360°. The 2025 launch of the NOVA Oeiras Ocean Analytics Lab at Expo Osaka and the 2026 IAEdu free AI-education platform signal active expansion of applied AI capability across disciplines.

NOVA is funded through a hybrid model: Portuguese government block-grant funding regulated under national higher-education law, tuition fees for degree programmes (with FCT scholarships available for doctoral candidates), competitive research grants from European and national bodies (ERC, FCT, CaixaResearch, Marie Skłodowska-Curie, EIC Pathfinder), executive education and customised corporate training (Nova SBE Financial Times Top 10 for customised programmes), and revenue from a European Top 10 university patent portfolio via spin-offs, licensing, and technology transfer. Its go-to-market relies on direct student admissions, international recruitment missions, and partnerships such as the EUTOPIA alliance of 10 European universities, with strategic leadership under Rector Paulo Pereira (elected September 2025, confirmed May 2026).

Name

Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Legal name

Universidade NOVA de Lisboa

Website

https://unl.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Universidade Nova de Lisboa is a Lisbon-based public university founded in 1973, operating nine schools across business, science, technology, medicine, law, and humanities, serving undergraduate, graduate, executive, and international students through degree programmes, research, and innovation transfer.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools (EDAHAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems (EDAHAAAI)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• University research programs
• Executive education
• Doctoral training
• Innovation transfer

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisbon

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Fees: Revenue from undergraduate, master's, doctoral programmes and executive education across all nine schools and faculties.
2. Research Grants and Funding: European and national research funding including ERC grants, FCT funding, CaixaResearch grants, Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships, and other competitive research programmes.
3. Innovation and Technology Transfer: Revenue from spin-off companies, patents, licensing, and technology transfer activities including NOVA's European Top 10 patent portfolio.
4. Professional Services and Training: Customized executive education, pedagogical innovation programmes, entrepreneurship training, and continuing education through NOVA Open Academy and Formation in Entrepreneurship.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Universidade Nova de Lisboa is a public university operating nine schools and faculties that deliver undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and executive education programmes across sciences, humanities, business, law, medicine, health, and technology. It also conducts competitive research, manages technology transfer, spin-offs and patents, and offers continuing-education, cultural and well-being programmes such as NOVA Open Academy, NOVA Starters Academy and BANDUA.

Product overview

Universidade NOVA de Lisboa is a multi-school public university comprising 9 organic units: NOVA School of Business and Economics (ranked 8th globally by Financial Times), NOVA Medical School, NOVA School of Law, NOVA Information Management School, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, ITQB NOVA (chemistry/biology research institute), ENSP NOVA (public health school), and IHMT (tropical medicine institute). The university offers undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and executive education programmes across all schools. Beyond degree programmes, NOVA operates cultural initiatives (NOVA Cultura Programme), research platforms (NOVA Research Portal), entrepreneurship support (Starters Academy, impACT! Challenges), specialized campuses (NOVA Aerospace in Cascais), student well-being services (BANDUA mental health programme), and international programmes (SUPERNOVA for international students). The university also conducts significant AI research including AI-powered microscopy and sustainability analytics tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NOVA School of Business and Economics (NOVA SBE): School focused on business and economics education and research, ranked among the top business schools globally.
• NOVA FCT
• NOVA FCSH
• NOVA Medical School
• NOVA School of Law
• NOVA IMS
• ITQB NOVA
• NOVA Cultura
• NOVA Health
• EUTOPIA
• NOVA impACT! Challenges
• NOVA Starters Academy
• NOVA Aerospace
• BANDUA
• Rede 1/4
• PULSAR

Products and services

• NOVA School of Business and Economics (NOVA SBE) Flagship business school of NOVA offering undergraduate, master's, and executive education programmes in business and economics; ranked 8th best business school globally by the Financial Times and Top 10 for customized executive education.
• NOVA Medical School Medical school offering medical degree programmes and health-sciences research, with a new campus inaugurated in Carcavelos.
• NOVA School of Law Law school providing legal education and research across multiple areas of law for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• NOVA Information Management School (NOVA IMS) Information management school offering programmes and research in data science, business intelligence, and information systems.
• NOVA Faculty of Sciences and Technology (NOVA FCT) Faculty of sciences and technology offering engineering, natural science, and technology programmes and research; leads Europe's first Centre of Excellence for reducing pharmaceutical environmental impact.
• NOVA Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (NOVA FCSH) Faculty covering social sciences, humanities, and arts programmes and research.
• ITQB NOVA Research institute focused on chemistry, biological sciences, and technology, home to ERC-funded researchers including Ricardo Henriques working on AI-powered microscopy.
• ENSP NOVA - National School of Public Health National School of Public Health offering programmes in public health, health management, and epidemiology; hosts WHO Collaborating Centres.
• Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT) Institute focused on tropical medicine, global health, and parasitology research and education.
• NOVA Doctoral School (Escola Doutoral) University-wide doctoral school providing transversal training and interdisciplinary development to PhD students across all NOVA schools.
• NOVA Open Academy Open education platform offering continuing-education courses and training to the broader community beyond traditional degree programmes.
• NOVA Starters Academy Free entrepreneurship programme in its 17th edition supporting student startups and entrepreneurial initiatives.
• SUPERNOVA Foundation Programme Gateway programme for international students providing orientation and integration support, with 100 additional places announced for 2026/27.
• Sustainability for All Sustainability education programme open to students across all fields of study, in its 2nd edition.
• BANDUA Programme Mental health and well-being programme developed under the National Programme for Promotion of Mental Health in Higher Education, within the NOVA Saúde platform.
• NOVA Cultura Programme University-wide cultural programme disseminating, mapping and connecting cultural initiatives across the NOVA community and the wider city.
• NOVA Aerospace Campus Aerospace engineering campus launched in Cascais in July 2025 dedicated to aerospace engineering education and research.
• NOVA impACT! Challenges Innovation challenge competition supporting ideas with potential societal impact addressing global challenges.

Quantifiable outcome

• TOP 3 national university ranking in QS World University Rankings 2027
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Ordem dos Engenheiros (Portuguese Engineers' Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 November 2025Protocol signed between NOVA FCT and Portuguese Engineers' Association to strengthen institutional cooperation, promote engineering education, and create the Engineering Observatory for monitoring strategic topics.
• REDI - Network for Diversity and Inclusion LGBTIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 November 2025Partnership signed by Pro-Rector Elsa Peralta and REDI President João Mattamouros Resende to create more inclusive environments, integrated into NOVA Cultura and future Equality and Inclusion Office actions.
• EUTOPIA AllianceflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance of 10 European universities including NOVA, working collaboratively on building the European university of the future. Includes joint programmes like EUTOPIA Doctoral Summer School, Innovation Challenges, HEALTH hackathons, and IDEAS project.
• YERUN (Young European Research Universities Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOVA participates in YERUN network celebrating 10th anniversary, collaborating on European higher education policy and mobility.
• MetaRedS (Sustainability Network)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network dedicated to social responsibility coordinated by NOVA University Lisbon. MetaRedS present in 9 countries committed to promoting sustainability in higher education across diagnostics, governance, culture, and academic training aligned with 2030 Agenda.
• Caixa Geral de DepósitoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing staff and faculty with identification cards with banking features and partner benefits, available from September 2024.
• Fundação EDP (MAAT)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCultural partnership providing 15% discount on Maat museum admissions and 15% on Electra magazine and MAAT Friends programme for NOVA students, faculty, and staff. Teacher-led group visits get free admission.
• Orquestra Metropolitana de LisboaminorGTM or Marketing Partner30% discount on Metropolitana subscription for NOVA academic community members.
• Câmara Municipal de Lisboa / EGEACcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProtocol providing cultural discounts: 50% for students up to 25 years, 20% for students over 26 and faculty/staff. Free entry for Lisbon residents up to 23 years through Passe Cultura.
• Câmara Municipal de AlmadacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCultural protocol with student-equivalent discounts at municipal museums, galleries, and Auditorium Fernando Lopes Graça for NOVA community.
• Câmara Municipal de OeirascoreGTM or Marketing Partner25% discount on cultural events and exhibitions, reduced museum and gallery entry fees for NOVA community.
• Câmara Municipal de CascaiscoreGTM or Marketing Partner50% discount on Museum Quarter tickets for NOVA students, faculty, researchers, and staff through partnership with Cascais Foundation.
• Fulbright CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScholarship programme awarding grants to NOVA students and researchers for exchange with US institutions.
• Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMemorandum of Understanding renewed for strategic global health partnership, joint research initiatives.
• WHO (World Health Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerENSP NOVA hosts WHO Collaborating Centres contributing to global public health policy and research.
• Zhejiang UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelegation visit to strengthen international academic cooperation with Chinese university.
• University of SeoulcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional visit reinforcing academic collaboration with South Korean university.
• Estoril Higher Institute for Tourism and Hotel Studies (ESHTE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneral Council approved integration of ESHTE into NOVA, strengthening tourism and hospitality education.
• Rede 1/4coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit housing network connecting hosts with students, available on ODSlocal platform, addressing student housing needs.
• European University ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOVA participates in European university alliances for enhanced cooperation and funding opportunities.
• Cleantech for IberiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership towards decarbonisation initiatives and cleantech innovation.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University of Lisbon: Universidade de Lisboa is Portugal's largest public research university with comprehensive coverage across sciences, humanities, medicine and law. It is NOVA's primary domestic competitor for students, faculty and research funding within the same Portuguese public-system context.
• University of Porto: Universidade do Porto is a leading Portuguese public research university with broad disciplinary coverage and a strong international profile. It competes head-to-head with NOVA in national rankings, research output and international student recruitment.
• University of Coimbra: The University of Coimbra is one of Portugal's oldest and most prominent public research universities, with comprehensive graduate and professional programmes. It is a direct peer to NOVA in scale, mission and domestic ranking competition.
• Universidade Católica Portuguesa: Universidade Católica Portuguesa is Portugal's leading private non-profit university with comprehensive programmes across business, law, health and social sciences. It competes directly with NOVA for Portuguese and international students, particularly in graduate and executive education.
• University of Barcelona: The University of Barcelona is a comprehensive Spanish public research university of comparable scale and disciplinary breadth. It is a relevant Iberian peer to NOVA in internationalisation strategy, research output and European alliance participation.
• Autonomous University of Barcelona: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona is a comprehensive Catalan public research university with strong graduate programmes and research output. It serves as a useful Iberian comparator for NOVA's research and graduate-school strategy.
• University of Bologna: The University of Bologna is one of Europe's oldest public research universities with multi-campus operations and broad disciplinary coverage. It is comparable to NOVA in scale, research intensity and European alliance participation including EUTOPIA-style consortia.
• Utrecht University: Utrecht University is a leading Dutch public research university and fellow YERUN member, with comparable comprehensive graduate and professional schools. It is a relevant European peer for benchmarking NOVA's internationalisation and research quality.
• University of Geneva: The University of Geneva is a comprehensive public research university with strong internationalisation and partnerships including WHO. It is comparable to NOVA in size, disciplinary breadth and emphasis on international and policy-relevant research.
• IE University: IE University is a private Iberian university with globally ranked business and law programmes and strong international student recruitment. It competes with NOVA SBE and Nova School of Law for top international students and executive education clients in Iberia.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NovaUnl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/unlnovatv
• Facebookfacebook.com/UniversidadeNOVAdeLisboa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/universidade-nova-de-lisboa
• Instagraminstagram.com/universidade_nova_lisboa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Universidade Nova de Lisboa