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Executive Master's in Fintech, Digital and Decentralized Finance

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Executive Master Degree Program in
Fintech, Digital and Decentralized Finance

Lead the digital transformation of finance.

The fast evolution of the financial sector, driven by digital and decentralized technologies, demands professionals who can capable of mastering the Fintech and Decentralized Finance ecosystem.

The Executive Master’s in Fintech, Digital and Decentralized Finance is designed to train specialists capable of applying cutting-edge solutions, such as blockchain, crypto-assets, smart contracts, DeFi, and machine learning applied to finance, converting technological disruption into strategic value for organizations.

The curriculum of this program combines a strong practical component, with case studies and development of applied projects, and a solid theoretical framework, allowing students to acquire strategic competencies to innovate in the financial sector.

🗓️ Applications are open until October 29th, 2026. To apply, click here.

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  • Vagas

    Format

    In-Person

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    Length and ECTS

    2 semester
    (60 ECTS)

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    Start Date

    March
    2027

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    Degree awarded

    Master's Degree

Partner Entities

  • Fidelidade
    Fidelidade
  • 3 Comma Capital
    3 Comma Capital
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    Legistabela
  • Metafiscal
    Metafiscal
  • Onstep
    Onstep Consulting II
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Curricular
Unit		 Program Annual Prize
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Who is it for?

This Executive Master’s degree in Finance is aimed at executives, managers, middle managers, technicians, and decision-makers from public and private institutions who wish to deepen their knowledge of Digital Finance, Fintech & InsurTech, Banking, and Insurance, applying emerging technologies such as blockchain, crypto assets, smart contracts, DeFi, and artificial intelligence to the transformation of the financial sector.

It is also suitable for professionals with relevant experience in the areas of Economics, Management, Finance, Mathematics, Data Science, Statistics, Engineering, Computer Science, and Information Management who wish to update or expand their skills and lead digital innovation processes in a rapidly evolving financial environment marked by technology and the decentralization of services.

A community of experienced professionals

Learning goes beyond the classroom. The diversity of experiences and organizations represented in the cohort promotes knowledge sharing, peer learning and the creation of a qualified professional network, opening up opportunities for collaboration beyond the program.

Fintech, Digital and Decentralized Finance
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Why specialize in Fintech?

In a rapidly evolving market, this Decentralized Finance (DeFi) course offers the perfect balance between scientific rigour and practical applicability. By choosing NOVA IMS to study digital finance and start-ups, you will have access to:

  • Mastery of emerging technologies: Understanding the impact of emerging technologies on the financial sector, including blockchain, crypto assets, artificial intelligence, and smart contracts.

  • Decentralized Finance: Developing strategic skills in Decentralized Finance (DeFi), including lending protocols, stablecoins, decentralized exchanges, and blockchain-based insurance.

  • Applied artificial intelligence: Integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning into predictive analysis, risk management, and decision-making in the financial sector.

  • Strategic business vision: Evaluating and applying Fintech and InsurTech solutions to transform traditional financial processes and promote innovative business models.

  • Regulatory and tax framework: Analyzing the regulatory and tax frameworks surrounding Fintech and DeFi, ensuring compliance and mitigating operational risks.

  • The Final Project can also serve as an opportunity to address a challenge relevant to the participant’s organization, transforming learning into a concrete application.

What makes this program unique

Benefits for your career

Learn to use blockchain, smart contracts, crypto-assets, and DeFi to create innovative financial architectures. Develop leadership and change management competencies, which are fundamental for leading teams in an environment marked by the decentralization of services. Impact on your organization.

Impact on your organization

Enable your company to optimize financial processes, reduce risks and reinforce operational security and transparency, in order to implement data-based strategies that drive growth, competitiveness, and sustainable value creation.

Partners

The decentralized finance master’s degree benefits from NOVA IMS’s strong connection to the financial sector and the innovation ecosystem, enabling participants to work on real‑world challenges from banks, insurers, fintechs and technology companies. This proximity ensures training that is fully aligned with the current needs of digital transformation in financial services.

Faculty

A faculty team with extensive experience and international recognition in finance, technology and innovation, ensuring scientific rigor and practical relevance, integrated within an institution that includes researchers ranked among the Top 2% Scientists worldwide.

Program Overview

The Executive Master's in Finance, Fintech and Digital and Decentralized Finance prepares professionals to lead digital transformation in the financial sector, combining technology, innovation, and strategic vision to generate real impact within organizations. In a context where blockchain, crypto assets, smart contracts, decentralized finance, and artificial intelligence are reshaping finance, this Executive Master equips leaders to transform technology into efficient, secure, and competitive financial solutions.

With a practical and interdisciplinary approach, the program combines:

  • Emerging Technologies applied to Finance, with a focus on blockchain, smart contracts, and crypto assets;
  • Fintech & InsurTech, exploring innovative business models and the digital transformation of financial services;
  • Decentralized Finance (DeFi), including protocols, stablecoins, decentralized exchanges, and new financial architectures;
  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, applied to predictive analytics, risk management, and decision-making;
  • Regulatory, Tax, and Risk Frameworks, ensuring security, compliance, and sustainability of digital financial solutions;
  • Leadership and Change Management, essential to drive teams and innovation in the financial sector.

This Executive Master’s in Fintech is not just about learning concepts; it is about transforming technology into financial innovation, data into strategic decision-making, and digitalization into sustainable economic value.

The course is taught in English and delivered in after-working hours, making it ideal for working professionals.

Study plan

The study plan of this executive program in fintech corresponds to 60 ECTS, in a total of 8 course units and a Final Project:

Course Units

  • Blockchain Technology & Smart Contracts
  • CryptoAssets
  • Decentralized Finance
  • DeFi Regulation, Taxation and Risk Managment
  • Final Work Project
  • Fintech & Insurtech: Digital Transformation of Financial Services
  • Leadership, Change and Impact
  • Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
  • New Horizons
Course Unit
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Admissions and fees

Applications are evaluated by the Admissions' Jury Panel of NOVA IMS, which seeks candidates with relevant professional experience, leadership skills, and a strong motivation to learn and apply advanced knowledge. This process ensures that each class is composed of professionals capable of contributing to a dynamic and collaborative learning environment.

Applications phase

Applications for this program are open between September 15th and October 29th, 2026. To apply, click here.

  • Application

    Entry Requirements

    To enter this program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

    • Hold a bachelor's degree;
    • Be proficient in English;
    • Have at least 5 years of professional experience relevant to the course or related areas.

    Application Fee

    The fee of the application is €51. The application can only be considered after the payment of the application fee, within the stipulated period, non-refundable in case of withdrawal or non-admission in the program.

  • Registration Fee

    After being admitted to the program and upon confirmation of enrollment, the applicant must make a payment of a pre-registration fee (around one week after the admission result announcement), deductible in this postgraduate program's tuition fee, non-refundable in case of withdrawal, with the following value:

    • €1.250 for applicants with a nationality from a European Union member country;
    • €2.500 for applicants of other nationalities, unless their registration fee is provided by an official entity.

    Upon registration, students should make the following payments:

    • €35 - for enrollment fee (the value is updated annually);
    • €3 - for annual school insurance (the value is updated annually).

  • Fees

    Tuition Fee

    The tuition fee of this executive master program is:

    • € 12.000, for applicants with a nationality from a European Union member country;
    • € 15.000, for applicants of other nationalities.

    Included in the tuition fee: parking and dinner.

    Tuition fee payment dates

    Tuition fees may be paid in full or in six installments, with the following payment dates:

    • Full payment: February 22 to 28, 2027.
    • Payment in six installments:
      • 1st installment: February 22 to 28, 2027 (equivalent to 25% of the tuition fee);
      • 2nd installment: April 25 to 30, 2027 (equivalent to 15% of the tuition fee);
      • 3rd installment: June 25 to 30, 2027 (equivalent to 15% of the tuition fee);
      • 4th installment: September 25 to 30, 2027 (equivalent to 15% of the tuition fee);
      • 5th installment: October 25 to 31, 2027 (equivalent to 15% of the tuition fee);
      • 6th installment: November 25 to 30, 2027 (equivalent to 15% of the tuition fee).

Discounts

  • Financial discount: students who choose to pay the tuition fee in a single payment have a 2,5% discount on the payable amount.
  • NOVA IMS’ alumni who have completed a bachelor's, postgraduate, master's, or doctoral degree at NOVA IMS have a 20% discount on tuition fee, cumulative with the financial discount.
  • Companies that finance the program to at least 2 employees, in the same academic year, have a 10% discount on the tuition fee. This discount is not cumulative with other discounts.
  • Companies that finance the program to 3 or more employees, in the same academic year, have a 20% discount on the tuition fee. This discount is not cumulative with other discounts.
  • Employees of Partner Entities of Executive Master's of NOVA IMS benefit from a 25% discount on the tuition fee, not cumulative with other discounts.
  • Would you like to fund your employees' participation? Contact us.

FAQ

Do you have a question? Explore the most frequently asked questions and find the answer here! If you still have unanswered questions, please contact us!

  • Frequently Asked Questions about the Executive Master's in Fintech, Digital and Decentralized Finance

    1. Is this Executive Master's in Fintech, Digital and Decentralized Finance suitable for professionals without experience in the financial sector?

    No, this Executive Master's in FinTech is designed for professionals with experience in the financial sector.
    The program is aimed at professionals with at least five years of experience in areas such as financial markets, asset management, risk management, financial management, regulation, technology applied to the financial system, members of boards of directors, among others.
    The program was designed to develop advanced competencies in financial technologies, blockchain and digital business models.

    2. What skills are developed in a Executive Master's in Fintech, Digital and Decentralized Finance?

    This program offers an in-depth exploration of the intersection between technology and finance, providing participants with a solid foundation to lead in a rapidly transforming financial sector.
    By leveraging blockchain technologies and smart contracts, Digital Finance (DiFi) and Decentralized Finance (DeFi) create a new platform for programmable and automated financial services, eliminating reliance on centralized trust and traditional intermediaries.
    The program covers a broad set of technologies that are structurally transforming the financial sector, including FinTech, InsurTech, Blockchain, crypto-assets (such as cryptocurrencies, tokens, digital and physical wallets, crypto funds, crypto ETFs and blockchain funds), DeFi, as well as machine learning and artificial intelligence.

    3. What is the difference between an Executive Master Degree and a Postgraduate program in Fintech, Digital and Decentralized Finance?

    The main difference lies in the depth and level of academic rigor.
    The Executive Master Degree in FinTech offers a more comprehensive and integrated structure, including an applied final project and a strong strategic orientation, and is aimed at experienced professionals.
    The Postgraduate Program, on the other hand, does not award an academic degree and has a more specific focus on skills development and professional upskilling.

    4. What differentiates this Executive Master's in Fintech, Digital and Decentralized Finance?

    This Executive Master's in Fintech, Digital and Decentralized Finance stands out for its practical orientation and strong focus on the application of emerging technologies in the financial sector.
    The program integrates finance, technology and digital innovation, with a strong connection to real-world contexts and the development of an applied final project.
    It is particularly distinguished by its approach to understanding and implementing blockchain solutions, digital assets and decentralized finance within organizations.

    5. Is this Executive Master's in Fintech, Digital and Decentralized Finance taught after working hours?

    Yes, this FinTech Executive Master Degree is taught in an after-work (part-time) format, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., during Fall Semester.
    It was designed for working professionals, enabling participants to balance their professional responsibilities with advanced training and to develop new competencies without interrupting their careers.

  • Applications

    When can I apply?

    It is only possible to submit the application during its applications phase. However, you can fill the application form at any time, submitting it when the applications phase starts.

    How can I apply?

    The applications are submitted online, in NOVA IMS’ Applications Portal.

    To submit their application, the applicants must register in the Portal, fill the form, upload your Curriculum Vitae, choose the program and pay the application fee in the Portal. The application process is the same for all the applicants, national or international.

    Which documents are required?

    The required documents for the application process are the Curriculum Vitae and the Academic Degree certificate (in DOC or PDF format).

    How do I convert a file to .PDF?

    Here is a list of websites where you can convert files to the pdf format, as a reference:

    Is there an application fee?

    The application fee is €51 in the academic year 2026-2027. The payment of the application fee will be made during the application process in the Applications’ Portal, through bank transfer/ATM reference, MBWay, PayPal or Visa. The application will only be considered successfully submitted after the payment of the application fee, within the stipulated time. It’s non-refundable in case of withdrawal or non-admission in the program.

    Can I apply to more than one program?

    You can apply to a maximum of 2 programs per application phase, by paying the application fee for each program, that is, the application to 1 program equals the payment of 1 application fee, the application to 2 programs equals the payment of 2 application fees.

    In the application form, a Tax Identification Number is requested. What is Tax Identification Number? I don’t have one, what should I put in that blank field?

    In Portugal, the Tax Identification Number is required to identify a taxable entity or person, in tax declarations or financial transactions. If you don’t have a Tax ID Number or similar, please put “999999999” in that field of the application form.

    What should I write in the field: “Goals/motivation to apply to this program”?

    In this field, please mention:

    • In which way your background (academic and professional) fits the program;
    • What are your short-term professional goals;
    • What are your expectations with the attendance of this program.

  • Admission

    How does the selection process work?

    The selection process is based on the assessment of each candidate’s academic and professional background. An additional interview may be conducted during the process. All candidates who reach the final stage will have a mandatory interview with the program coordinator(s).

    In case I am contacted for an interview, can it be held at distance?

    Yes, the interview can be held at distance, preferably via Teams.

    When will I know the result of the application?

    The result of the application will be known, through email, in the date to be announced in the confirmation of submitted application email and/or by the Admissions’ Jury/Programs Manager.

    I was admitted in the program. What’s the next step?

    In case of admission, the applicant must make the payment of the pre-registration fee (around 1 week after the result announcement), until its deadline, in NOVA IMS’ Applications Portal and upload the diploma or other certificate of his latest qualification (example: Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or PhD).

    Can I attend more than one program by academic year?

    Yes, you may attend two programs per school year, although it’s not recommended.

    I was admitted in two programs, but I only intend to attend one. What should I do?

    In case of admission to two programs, the candidate will have to choose, in the Application Portal, the program in which they intend to attend. After choosing the desired program and paying the pre-registration fee, you must select the option "Withdrawal" in the 2nd program in which you do not intend to attend. Thus, your vacancy is available to a candidate on the Waiting List.

    I'm on the Waiting List. Can I still be admitted?

    Since it is possible for candidates to apply for two programs per application phase, there will be cases where the same candidate has been admitted to both programs, but intends to join only one. In these cases and if the limit number of vacancies is not completed, the remaining vacancy will be assigned to a candidate on the Waiting List.

    I intend the invoice for the payment of the application / pre-registration fees.

    The Invoice-Receipt will be available in this Applications’ Portal up to 2 business days after the payment, in the tab "Billing/Treasury".

    I was admitted in the program, but I need visa. What should I do?

    NOVA IMS can issue a document that proves admission in the program, that will be sent to the student. The document will only be issued or provided after the payment of the pre-registration fee. Regardless of issuance the document, the student must contact the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate in their country to get more information.

  • Other Informations

    Is this program taught in Portuguese or English?

    The language of instruction is Portuguese; however, if there are foreign students or teachers, classes will be taught in English.

    Is it possible to park on campus?

    Parking is included in the tuition. There are several parking areas on campus and near NOVA IMS.

Applications and Contacts

Applications:

Applications for this program are open between September 15th and October 29th, 2026.
Apply now!

For more information about this course, please contact:

Renata Barateiro
Marketing and Admissions Coordinator for Executive Education
Marketing & Admissions Department

+351 213 828 619| +351 923 314 594

executive@novaims.unl.pt

Regulations and Accreditations

  • A3ES
  • DGES – Registration number R/A-CR 58/2025 on 24-02-2025.