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Postgraduate Program in Generative AI for Business

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Postgraduate Program in
Generative AI for Business

The Postgraduate Program in Generative AI for Business at NOVA IMS has been designed to equip managers and professionals to understand, assess, and strategically apply generative artificial intelligence within their organizational contexts. 

Throughout the program, participants develop the skills to drive innovation, create intelligent solutions, and tackle complex challenges across multiple industries using generative models. The curriculum covers architectures, prompt engineering, and practical applications of generative AI, with a strong emphasis on ethical considerations and real-world implementation in both business and research contexts.

Applications for the 2026/27 academic year are now closed. Applications for the 2027/28 academic year will open in January 2027, and further information will be published shortly. If you would like to continue investing in your professional development this year, explore our programs with applications open until October 29th, available here.

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  • Vagas

    Format

    After Working Hours

  • Media

    Length and ECTS

    2 semesters
    (60 ECTS)

  • Semestres

    Attendance

    2 to 3 times a
    week

  • Lingua2

    Start Date

    September 2027

Goals

The goal of this program is to train technical staff and managers to:

  • Understand of the capabilities and limitations of generative AI;

  • Critically evaluate AI solutions and assess their business impact, using appropriate analytical tools;

  • Design strategies for AI-driven innovation,  transformation, and competitive advantage;

  • Make responsible and ethical decisions in the adoption and use of AI;

  • Implement generative AI projects, gaining hands-on experience aligned with organizational goals.

Study plan

The study plan for this program consists of 12 course units, corresponding to a total of 60 ECTS. 

  • Foundations (18.5 ECTS)

    Generative AI Foundations (7.5 ECTS)

    Introduces the fundamental concepts behind AI, machine learning, and deep learning in a non-technical way. Explains what large language models (LLMs) and generative AI systems are, how they are trained at a high level, and what they can and cannot do. Covers key terminology, architectures, and business implications through case examples and interactive demonstrations.

    Teacher: Vítor Santos (Associate Professor)

    AI Tools for Business Professionals (7.5 ECTS)

    Practical, hands-on exploration of no-code and low-code platforms for generative AI. Students learn to use tools such as ChatGPT, DALL·E, Microsoft Copilot, MidJourney, and Runway to solve business problems. Focus on building AI-augmented workflows, crafting effective prompts, and integrating APIs and automation platforms without coding.

    Teacher: Américo Rio (Invited Assistant Professor)

    Digital transformation and generative AI Strategy (3.5 ECTS)

    Equips students with frameworks to evaluate how generative AI acts as a catalyst for digital transformation, creating new business models, enhancing competitiveness, and reshaping industries. Covers innovation management, organizational transformation, and change leadership in digitally enabled organizations. Students learn to design strategies for AI-driven transformation, integrate generative AI into broader digital initiatives, and anticipate future trends in the evolving AI economy.

    Teacher: Manuela Aparício (Assistant Professor)

  • Core Generative AI for Business (19.5 ECTS)

    Generative AI Applications (7.5 ECTS)

    Explores how generative AI is transforming sectors such as marketing, finance, healthcare, education, consulting, and the creative industries. Students analyze case studies of successful implementations, identify opportunities for disruption, and assess challenges in adoption. Guest speakers from industry bring real-world perspectives.

    Teacher: Manuel Dias (Adjunt Lecturer)

    Prompt Engineering and Interaction Design (4 ECTS)

    Focuses on the skill of crafting effective prompts to generate useful outputs from LLMs and multimodal systems. Students practice prompt refinement, chaining, and evaluation techniques. Emphasis is placed on developing business solutions — from drafting reports and marketing campaigns to customer service automation. The module also introduces vibe coding as an AI-assisted software development approach where natural language prompts are used to generate functional code. Students will explore how LLMs can accelerate software prototyping and automation by transforming business requirements into executable code.

    Teacher: Hugo Silva (Invited Assistant Professor)

    Data-Driven Decision Making with Generative AI (4 ECTS)

    Equips students with the skills to critically assess and leverage generative AI outputs for effective business decision making. Covers methods to interpret and validate AI-generated insights, and introduces KPIs and metrics for accuracy, quality, and business value. Students learn how to integrate ROI and benchmarking frameworks into decision processes, evaluate trade-offs under uncertainty, and apply GenAI insights to domains such as marketing, finance, and operations. Practical exercises focus on turning AI outputs into actionable recommendations that drive strategic and operational outcomes.

    Teacher: Nuno António (Assistant Professor)

    Agentic AI and Autonomous Business Systems (4 ECTS)

    Explores the emerging paradigm of agentic AI, where large language models are embedded into autonomous agents capable of planning, reasoning, and executing tasks across multiple steps. Students learn how agent frameworks (e.g., LangChain, CrewAI, Microsoft Autogen) enable orchestration of workflows and multi-agent collaboration. Case studies highlight applications in customer service automation, procurement, knowledge management, and market simulation. Practical sessions include designing and testing simple agent pipelines, evaluating trade-offs between autonomy and human oversight, and developing strategies for integrating agentic AI into business processes responsibly.

    Teacher: Américo Rio (Invited Assistant Professor)

  • Ethics, Governance, and Human Factors (10.5 ECTS)

    Ethics and Responsible AI (3.5 ECTS)

    Analyzes the ethical challenges of generative AI: bias, misinformation, intellectual property, authorship, labor market impact, and societal risks. Discusses frameworks for responsible AI development, with reference to global debates and controversies. Students debate ethical dilemmas and develop recommendations for responsible adoption.

    Teacher: Joana Neves (Assistant Professor)

    AI Governance and Regulation (3.5 ECTS)

    Focuses on the legal and regulatory frameworks shaping generative AI, with particular attention to the EU AI Act, intellectual property law, and sector-specific compliance. Covers corporate governance issues such as auditability, accountability, and transparency. Students learn to navigate regulatory environments and design governance frameworks for their organizations.

    Teacher: Bruno Horta Santos (Adjunct Lecturer)

    Human-Centered AI and Change Management (3.5 ECTS)

    Examines how to design generative AI systems that are usable, trustworthy, and aligned with human needs. Covers user experience (UX) principles, human-AI interaction, and co-creation. Also emphasizes change management practices to lead AI adoption inside organizations, including workforce training, communication, and managing resistance.

    Teacher: Guilherme Victorino (Assistant Professor)

  • Professional Practice & Capstone (11.5 ECTS)

    AI Project Management & Implementation (4 ECTS)

    Teaches how to scope, plan, and manage generative AI projects from a business perspective. Topics include vendor selection, risk management, ROI evaluation, and integration into existing processes. Students learn to collaborate effectively with technical teams and external partners to ensure successful implementation.

    Teacher: António Monteiro (Invited Teaching Assistant)

    Capstone Project in Generative AI for Business (7.5 ECTS)

    A culminating applied project in which students design and present a generative AI solution for a real-world business problem. Projects may take the form of a business plan, a proof-of-concept prototype, or a sectoral case study. Students work under faculty and/or industry mentorship and are evaluated on creativity, feasibility, and strategic impact.

    Teacher: Américo Rio (Invited Assistant Professor)

Faculty

Length and timetable

The program lasts 2 semesters. The classes will start in September 2026, ending in June 2027, and run during After-Working Hours (after 6:30 p.m.), 2 to 3 times a week.

Timetable

The timetable for the 2026-27 academic year is here. 

Admissions and fees

  • Applications and admission

    1st application phase

    Applications for the 2027/28 academic year will open in January 2027. Further information will be published soon.

    Entry Requirements

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

    • Hold a bachelor's degree in a compatible field (completed by September 2027);
    • Be proficient in English (spoken and written).

    How to Apply and Selection Process

    To apply, you need to access the NOVA IMS' Applications Portal and follow these steps:

    • Fill in the form available in the user area, namely:
      • Personal, academic and professional background;
    • Upload a copy of a valid identification document - mandatory for international applicants (non-European);
    • Upload your Curriculum Vitae;
    • Upload your Qualification Certificate - if you do not have the certificate at the time of submitting your application, you can still complete the process, provided that you agree to submit the original certificate at a later stage, when requested by NOVA IMS Services;
    • Although it is not necessary to attach any other documents, the applicant has the option of including other documents that they consider relevant to enrich their application;
    • Choose the program;
    • Present the goals and motivation for applying to the program (limit 1,000 characters, including spaces);
    • Pay the application fee. After this last step, the applicant will receive an email confirming their submitted application.

    The selection process is based on the analysis of academic and professional curriculum. The members of the Admissions’ Jury Panel may decide to hold an interview with all or some applicants - face-to-face or videoconference.

    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.

  • Tuition Fees, Pre-enrollment and Payment Dates

    Tuition Fee

    The tuition fee of this postgraduate program is:

    • € 5.100, for applicants with a nationality from a European Union member country;
    • € 6.100, for applicants of other nationalities.

    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).

    Tuition fee payment dates

    The tuition fee may be paid in full or in four installments.
    The pre-enrollment fee is deductible from the total tuition fee.

    Payment dates are as follows:

    • Full payment: September 25th to 30th, 2026;

    • Payment in four installments - each installment corresponds to 25% of the remaining tuition fee amount, after the pre-enrollment fee has been deducted:
      • 1st.  installment September 25th to 30th, 2026;
      • 2nd. installment November 25th to 30th, 2026;
      • 3rd. installment February 22nd to 28th, 2027;
      • 4th. installment April 25th to 30th, 2027.

    Tuition fees for the 2027/28 academic year will be updated soon.

  • Discounts and special conditions

    • 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 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.
    • Members of the Ordem dos Engenheiros – Região Sul, have 15% discount on tuition fees. This discount can be extended to members' spouses and descendants upon presentation of valid documentation. For more information, please contact admissions@novaims.unl.pt. This discount is not cumulative with other financial discounts.

FAQ

  • Applications

    When can I apply?

    It is only possible to submit the application during its applications phase. The date of the call for applications is available in the Admissions and Fees page of each program. 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 only mandatory document during the application process is the Curriculum Vitae (in .doc or .pdf format). The applicant can upload other documents such as diploma or other certificate of their qualifications.

    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 2027-28. 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.

    I'm a bachelor's degree senior student. Can I apply ?

    Yes. If you are a final year student and you graduate until September 2027, you can apply and you must deliver an authenticated copy of your degree certificate or diploma until the beginning of the academic year, until September 2027.

    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 analysis of the academic and professional curriculum. The members of the Admissions’ Jury Panel may decide to hold an interview with all or some candidates – face-to-face or videoconference).

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

    Yes, the interview can be held at distance, preferably by Zoom.

    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. Please pay attention to the fact that there may be overlap of the Mandatory Course Units of each program, as well as the overlap of the exams.

    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?

    Considering the diversity of students’ nationalities, all the classes will be taught in English.

    Are there scholarships?

    NOVA IMS does not award scholarships. However, you can apply to Universidade Nova de Lisboa’ scholarships and financial support, provided by the university’s Social Welfare Services. You can learn more at https://sas.unl.pt/en/scholarships-2/scholarships_/ or contact them directly to bolsas@unl.pt. We don’t hold information about other scholarships.

    Is it possible to park on campus?

    The students can park their vehicles on campus, if they have the access card. There are several parking areas on campus and near to NOVA IMS. The request for access of vehicles to Campus de Campolide is made through registration or renewal of registration and subsequent payment. To do this, the interested parties should register in the system and select the type of access. Afterwards, they will receive all the data for the payment. It should be noted that the management of parking spaces is the exclusive responsibility of the NOVA’s Rectory. For more information, please visit the webpage http://www.unl.pt/en/nova/parking-campus.

    Is there accommodation on campus?

    The Social Welfare Services of Universidade Nova has ties with three student residences (one of them in Campus de Campolide) for Portuguese scholarship student and international students. The capacity of accommodation at school residences is limited. We can’t, in any way, guarantee you a room and we can only put your name on a waiting list, only after confirmation of admission. You will find more information about the residences at https://sas.unl.pt/en/accommodation/. 

    In case you are admitted to the program and want accommodation in one of the University’s residences, please contact adnovaims@novaims.unl.pt.

    Can you help me look for accommodation websites?

    Here’s a list of websites, just for reference:

    Does the University offer a Portuguese course for international students?

    Yes, there is a Course of Portuguese as Foreign Language. This course is available in 4 types of classes:

    1. Individual lessons (the student arranges the schedule with the teacher according to their availability);
    2. Semester Group lessons (56 study classes + 8 hours for other activities);
    3. 30 hours intensive course (2 weeks);
    4. Online summer course (month of July).

    If you have any questions about this course, please contact: cursoportugues@fcsh.unl.pt.

Program Overview - Generative AI for Business
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