Student review [#104321] for Economics
at Nova School of Business and Economics

I’m currently studying for a BSc in Economics at Nova SBE and overall I would definitely recommend it. The degree is challenging but manageable. The actual class schedule is not extremely dense, which gives you quite a lot of flexibility, but this also means that a significant amount of independent study is expected.

Academically, the professors are generally very good. The more theoretical classes are usually taught by experienced professors with strong academic backgrounds, while practical classes are often taught by Master’s students. Since they are only a few years ahead of us, they tend to have a very understanding and flexible approach to teaching. One downside for me is that some of the core Economics courses, particularly Macroeconomics and the more advanced Microeconomics courses, can become very theoretical, and I would personally appreciate a stronger practical component.

Career opportunities are one of Nova’s biggest strengths. Within Portugal, I would say Nova SBE has one of the strongest reputations for Economics and Business, and its recognition across Europe is growing. It is increasingly common to see Nova graduates starting careers in places such as London, Paris and Frankfurt. The university also has very helpful career services, with career fairs every semester and plenty of opportunities to connect directly with companies.

The environment is extremely international, particularly at Master’s level, where a large proportion of students come from abroad. English is used everywhere, so international students integrate very naturally into university life.

The Carcavelos campus is another major advantage. It is modern, has plenty of places to study or hang out, and is literally a minute away from the beach, which is a huge plus. There are also many student clubs, and the Students’ Union is active and regularly organises parties and other events.

Administration could definitely be improved. Student services can sometimes take quite a while to respond, and some of the enrolment platforms and processes could work better.

Finally, I think Nova offers excellent value for money. Compared with similarly ranked universities elsewhere in Europe, tuition—particularly at Master’s level—is very competitive, while Portugal also remains more affordable than many other Western European countries. Overall, Nova SBE combines strong academics, excellent career prospects, an international community and a great campus experience.