There are moments that change everything. For many young people around the world, the SUPERNOVA Foundation Programme is that turning point: a unique opportunity to discover new paths, gain confidence and start designing their academic future with ambition and purpose.
Inspired by the cosmic phenomenon that transforms the universe around it, NOVA University Lisbon’s pre-university programme offers international students a transformative experience and solid preparation for higher education in Europe. Spanning two semesters (spring and fall), it combines academic excellence, career guidance and intercultural experience.
Since 2023, SUPERNOVA has opened doors to direct admission at NOVA and partner universities upon meeting the progression criteria. Students who successfully complete the programme can apply for their first year of studies at institutions such as Ca’ Foscari University (Venice), CY Cergy Paris Université, Lancaster University (UK), the University of Algarve or NOVA’s new campus in Cairo.
And long live the summer!
As a complement to the annual academic programme, NOVA launched the SUPERNOVA Summer School in 2022: an intensive, immersive programme for students wishing to experience the European university environment over a shorter period.
The most recent edition took place from 6th to 19th July 2025 in Lisbon and brought together thirteen students from seven different countries. During this time, they visited seven NOVA schools — ITQB NOVA, NOVA Medical School, ENSP NOVA, Nova SBE, IHMT NOVA, NOVA FCT and NOVA School of Law — gaining first-hand experience of the university’s academic diversity and reflecting on their own interests and aspirations.
However, SUPERNOVA’s Summer School extends beyond the classroom. Based at the Livensa Living – University City residence, participants shared cultural experiences and took part in activities such as surfing and paintballing.
Applications are open!
Now that the summer edition has concluded, the SUPERNOVA team is preparing for the next stages: the Fall Semester 2025, which is about to begin, and the spring 2026 semester, for which applications are open until 31 October.
With a flexible duration of between six months and one year, and courses taught in Portuguese and/or English by NOVA professors, the programme attracts students from an increasingly diverse range of countries (PALOP, Brazil, the USA, Russia, Morocco, Tunisia, Bangladesh and the United Kingdom), confirming with each new edition that academic excellence knows no borders.