Degree in
Data Science

The Degree in Data Science teaches you how to extract meaningful knowledge from large volumes of data by combining statistics, programming, and artificial intelligence. Throughout the program, students learn to build models, apply algorithms, and interpret results with real-world impact.

Data Science is a rapidly growing field, increasingly in demand across all industries. This degree provides a strong foundation for a versatile and innovative career, with a practical, forward-looking approach.

At NOVA IMS, you’ll learn from Portugal’s leading experts in data science at a school that has been a pioneer in the field for over 35 years.

A new phase of applications under the International Student Status is open until July 24^th.

Apply here

Duration

3 years (6 semesters)
Schedule

Daytime
Start

September
2025

Career Opportunities

The Bachelor's Degree in Data Science prepares you for rapid entry into the job market, with career opportunities across a wide range of sectors, including technology, banking, insurance, retail, telecommunications, healthcare, energy, industry, pharmaceuticals, and public administration.

Main career paths include:

Big Data Analyst
Data Scientist
Data Engineer
Artificial Intelligence Systems Specialist
Machine Learning Specialist
Specialist in the development of Automatic Learning Algorithms
Technical and Managerial Positions in Public Administration

Studying Data Science

Mauro Castelli | Coordinator of the Bachelor Degree

Why Data Science?

Alexandra Pinto

Bachelor’s in Data Science, Class of 2024

Ilona Nacu

Bachelor’s in Data Science, Class of 2024

Carolina Shaul

Bachelor’s in Data Science, Class of 2024

Bruno Moreira & Ilona Nacu | 2nd Year Students of Data Science

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Despite being the most recent, the Degree in Data Science is exceptionally well-structured and stands out for its constant pursuit of innovation and ongoing updates. Undoubtedly, the high practical content makes it much more interesting and enriching for students. By the time we graduate, we are highly qualified and ready to enter the job market, with a solid understanding of the knowledge needed.

The Data Science Degree is perfect for those looking for a mix of programming, mathematics and statistics, all in ideal amounts. The course is practical and hands-on, showing us what it will be like to work in the real market, introducing us to current topics and delving into different domains as the degree progresses. The project topics are diverse, showing us how versatile our field really can be. The faculty is up to date with the latest trends and news in the industry and is available for questions and suggestions. Although I've been satisfied with the degree since the beginning of my academic career, the course has managed to capture me more and more over the semesters.

I can assure you that the bachelor’s degree in Data Science at NOVA IMS is incredibly useful and enriching. In addition to being extremely practical, the teachers are always available to help, prioritizing the interaction and interest of the students.

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Who is it for?

This degree is intended for all final-year students who aspire to become data scientists. Thus, the study cycle is suitable for all students who wish to obtain in-depth training in the most recent techniques of data science and artificial intelligence, based on automatic logical reasoning, data management methods and techniques, as well as machine learning applications.

The course aims to train highly specialized professionals who will enable organizations to take advantage of the huge volume of data they currently have at their disposal.

For information about the International Student Access, please click here.

Program Goals

The Bachelor's Degree in Data Science prepares students to work in one of today's most promising areas, developing technical and analytical skills that enable them to transform data into useful knowledge.

This course offers solid training in the fundamentals of data science and artificial intelligence, enabling students to keep up with rapid technological developments and continually update their knowledge throughout their careers.

In this context, the Data Science graduate should:

Understand the theoretical foundations of statistics, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence methods;
Identify and understand the most efficient algorithm for each specific problem;
Design and develop state-of-the-art data science algorithms;
Work closely with IT specialists to integrate Data Science algorithms into existing systems;
Identify underlying patterns and extract useful information from the large volume of heterogeneous data that exists in organizations;
Be proficient in commonly used statistical procedures, frameworks, machine learning techniques and systems;
Stimulate interest in keeping up with scientific advances in the field of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

Program Structure

The course lasts three years (six semesters) and classes start in September 2025.

The study plan corresponds to 180 ECTS, of which 150 ECTS correspond to mandatory curricular units (the first five semesters) and 30 ECTS correspond to optional curricular units (the last semester of the course), which will be chosen by each student from a wide range of curricular units available.

See study plan

Admissions and Fees

Formula of Applicants Grade

Secondary School Grade: 50%
Entry Exam Subjects: 50%

Minimum Grades

Applicants Grade: 100
Entry Exam Grade: 95

Prerequesites

None

Vacancies

Course and Establishment Codes

Establishment Code: 0906 - Universidade Nova de Lisboa - Instituto Superior de Estatística e Gestão de Informação

Course Code: L188


Entry Exam Subjects (One of the following):
19 - Mathematics A and 02 - Biology and Geology
19 - Mathematics A and 04 - Economy
19 - Mathematics A and 07 - Physics and Chemistry
19 - Mathematics A and 09 - Geography
19 - Mathematics A and 10 - Descriptive Geometry
19 - Mathematics A and 18 - Portuguese

NOTICE: The exams presented are valid for admissions in the 2025/26 academic year, through the National Call for Access to Higher Education.

General Quota Last Entry Grade 2024-2025

1^st Phase - 17.78

Achievement Awards

^(*) Not cumulative with the award given to the highest application average in each bachelor's degree. / Award granted to students admitted through the National Call for Access to Higher Education (CNA) and subject to enrollment and registration in the 1st year of one of the NOVA IMS' bachelor's degrees.

The undergraduate students who achieve a high level of academic performance each year will have access to the following awards⁽¹⁾:


	Approved ECTS	Average (Values)	Award
At the end of the 1^st year of Enrollment	equal or greater than 60	equal or greater than 16,5	697€ (2)
At the end of the 2^nd year of Enrollment	equal or greater than 120	equal or greater than 16,5	697€ (2)
At the end of the 3^rd year of Enrollment	equal or greater than 180	equal or greater than 16,5	€3.000 off (3)

⁽¹⁾Prize applied to students admitted in 2025/26 academic year.

⁽²⁾ Amount to be deducted from tuition fees in the following academic year.

⁽³⁾ The value of the tuition for a master's degree to be attended at the NOVA IMS, if admission and enrollment occur in the year immediately following the completion of the bachelor's degree. Not cumulative with Alumni discount. Cumulative with financial discount.

Excellence awards given by the Members of AD NOVA IMS and other supportive entities (4)

All students who stand out during their academic path for their academic excellence in various course units and programs are also recognised.

AD NOVA IMS Member

Best Application Grade

€1.000

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Curricular Unit	Program	Annual Prize Value

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Supportive Entities

Best student of the Course Unit

€3.000
Best Student of Undergraduate and Master Degree Programs

Scholarship with Value to be Defined
Best Application Grade

€1.000 ⁽⁵⁾
Bolsa Young Talent

€ 697

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Curricular Unit	Program	Annual Prize Value

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⁽⁴⁾ Prizes in force in the school year 2024/25.

⁽⁵⁾Award granted to students admitted through the National Call for Access to Higher Education (CNA) on the 2025/2026 academic year and subject to enrollment and registration in the 1st year of one of the NOVA IMS bachelor’s degrees.

Scholarships

The NOVA IMS programs, offer a unique learning experience, combining theory with the application of the best and most innovative teaching practices.

If you are interested in studying at NOVA IMS and want to explore scholarship and award opportunities, this page is your starting point to discover the options available in the different programs.

Know more about it here.

Tuition Fee

The annual fee set for the academic year 2025/26, for the students of the National Call for Access to Higher Education, is €697. This payment can be made in full or in ten instalments.

For the students of the International Student Call, the annual fee for the academic year 2025/26 is €7.500. This payment can also be made in full or in five instalments.

Students (national or international), when registering for a school year, must take into account that the full payment of the tuition fee fixed for that school year is due (the monthly fees are a payment facility), even if they cancel their registration or withdraw from the course.

For more information, please consult the Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of the page.

Faculty and Program Coordinator

The Data Science program coordinator is Professor Mauro Castelli.

To see all teaching staff for this program, click here.

Calendar, Timetable and Exams

Academic Calendar

See here the academic calendar for the 2024-25 academic year.
See here the academic calendar for the 2025-26 academic year.

Timetable

Click here to see the timetable for the 2025-26 academic year.

Exams

Click here to see the exams calendar of the 2024-25 academic year.

FAQ

What is the language of instruction of the course?

The course is taught in English. Nowadays, being comfortable with the English language is a competitive advantage, which makes a difference in the global job market.

NOVA IMS students have all the support to quickly adapt to the language and can always speak in Portuguese when they are unable to express themselves.
Where is NOVA IMS located?

NOVA IMS is located on the Campolide Campus, in Lisbon. Watch the campus tour made by NOVA IMS Students here.
What is the schedule?

The Bachelor´s Degree will work on daytime , 5 days a week.
Where can I see an overview of undergraduate programs?

You can watch it here and for more information click here.
What is the cost of the tuition and enrollment fee for the students of the National Contest?
The value of the Annual Fee for 2025/2026 is €697. The student, enrolling in a school year, has to consider that full payment of the fee fixed for that year (monthly instalments facilitate payment) is due, although they may unsubscribe/fold the course.

The payment of tuition fees can be made as follows:

At once (€697), until October 8^th, 2025 or in 10 installments:
- 1^st Installment: September 27^th to October 8^th, 2025: €69,70 (to be received upon registration);
- 2^nd Installment: November 1^st to 8^th, 2025: €69,70;
- 3^rd Installment: December 1^st to 8^th, 2025: €69,70;
- 4^th Installment: January 1^st to 8^th, 2026: €69,70;
- 5^th Installment: February 1^st to 8^th, 2026: €69,70;
- 6^th Installment: March 1^st to 8^th, 2026: €69,70;
- 7^th Installment: April 1^st to 8^th, 2026: €69,70;
- 8^th Installment: May 1^st to 8^th, 2026: €69,70;
- 9^th Installment: June 1^st to 8^th, 2026: €69,70;
- 10^th Installment: July 1^st to 8^th, 2026: €69,70.
For students who have applied for the Merit (SAS / UNL) scholarship, the payment of tuition fees should only be made after the delivery of the final decision about the case, and if the scholarship is granted, the payment must be made afterwards. The student has, in these cases, a period of 15 days to rectify the situation.

To apply for the scholarship, the student must register on-time and deliver the declaration of honor (paper provided by the Academic Services) on how he/she is applying for this benefit.

For further enquiries please contact the Admissions office at the NOVA rectory.

Upon registration, the students should make the following payments:
- €69,70 - for 1^st installment of tuition fee;
- €35 - for annual enrollment fee;
- €1,40 - for annual school insurance.
The enrolment fees are updated annually in the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa table of emoluments, published in the Official Portuguese Government Gazette (Diário da República).
What is the cost of the tuition and enrollment fee for the students of the International Student Contest?
The annual fee set for the academic year 2025/26, for the students of the International Student Contest, is €7500.

This payment can be as follows:

Full payment (€7500), unit October 1^st, 2025, or in 5 installments:
- 1^st installment: September 1^st to 8^th, 2025: €1500;
- 2^nd installment: November 1^st to 8^th, 2025: €1500;
- 3^rd installment: January 1^st to 8^th, 2026: €1500;
- 4^th installment: March 1^st to 8^th, 2026: €1500;
- 5^thinstallment: May 1^st to 8^th, 2026: €1500.
Are there special access quotas?
There are several special quotas, beyond to the general quota, to which certain percentages of vacancies are allocated, intended for candidates who meet the conditions of each quota. These are:
- Candidates from the Autonomous Region of the Açores;
- Candidates from the Autonomous Region of Madeira;
- Portuguese Emigrant Candidates and family members who live with them;
- Military Candidates Under Contract;
- Candidates with Disabilities.
I completed secondary education abroad or at a foreign school. Can I apply for the national contest?

Yes, however there are some conditions that are important to know. For more information, you should contact Direcção-Geral do Ensino Superior.
What is the application process for the international student?

Candidates who do not have the nationality of a Member State of the European Union and who have not lived in Portugal for more than two consecutive years can apply for a Bachelor's degree at NOVA IMS under the International Student status. The application process is different from the National Contest for Access to Higher Education. For more information, click here.
What is ObipNOVA?

ObipNOVA is the Observatory of Graduates’ Transitions into Work at NOVA. The ObipNOVA analyses the graduates of all the study cycles: bachelors, masters and doctorates. Every year, a series of phone surveys are conducted to evaluate the professional activity of those who graduated in the previous year. The more recent data is related to 2020 graduated students.
What are the Regulations and Accreditations for this course?
Regulations:
- Regulation n.º 820/2021, on September 1^st (in Portuguese);
- Partial Time Student Regulation (in Portuguese).
Accreditations:
- Submission of the application - New study cycle (in Portuguese);
- External Review Team Final Report (CAE) (in Portuguese);
- Decision of the A3ES Board of Directors (in Portuguese);
- A3ES Deliberation.

Support and Funding

^{https://recuperarportugal.gov.pt/}

resumo do conteudo da tabela
Curricular Unit	Program	Annual Prize Value

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Data Science

Degree inData Science

Duration

3 years (6 semesters)

Schedule

Daytime

Start

September 2025

Career Opportunities

Studying Data Science

Who is it for?

Program Goals

Program Structure

Admissions and Fees

Formula of Applicants Grade

Minimum Grades

Prerequesites

Vacancies

Course and Establishment Codes

General Quota Last Entry Grade 2024-2025

Achievement Awards

Excellence awards given by the Members of AD NOVA IMS and other supportive entities (4)

AD NOVA IMS Member

Supportive Entities

Scholarships

Tuition Fee

Faculty and Program Coordinator

Calendar, Timetable and Exams

FAQ

What is the language of instruction of the course?

Where is NOVA IMS located?

What is the schedule?

Where can I see an overview of undergraduate programs?

What is the cost of the tuition and enrollment fee for the students of the National Contest?

What is the cost of the tuition and enrollment fee for the students of the International Student Contest?

Are there special access quotas?

I completed secondary education abroad or at a foreign school. Can I apply for the national contest?

What is the application process for the international student?

What is ObipNOVA?

What are the Regulations and Accreditations for this course?

Support and Funding

Degree in
Data Science

September
2025