What makes this program unique

Applied labs

Throughout the master’s program, participants benefit from close ties to the NOVA Innovation & Analytics Lab, with access to its facilities and the expertise of its team.

In an environment of co-creation and experimentation, they can develop and test ideas by applying data, artificial intelligence, and innovation methodologies, and benefit from the Lab’s experience in projects with leading organizations—ranging from designing new experiences and services to creating and validating solutions and business models.

Learn more about the NOVA Innovation & Analytics Lab’s projects →

Program Overview

Study plan

Program Director

• 

  Guilherme Victorino

  Assistant Professor

  gmvictorino@novaims.unl.pt Know more

Faculty

• 

  Fernando Bação

  Full Professor

  bacao@novaims.unl.pt Know more

• 

  Luís Filipe Lages

  Full Professor at NOVA SBE

  lflages@novasbe.pt Know more

• 

  Miguel de Castro Neto

  Associate Professor

  mneto@novaims.unl.pt Know more

• 

  João Martins

  Professor of the Practice

  jmartins@novaims.unl.pt Know more

• 

  Manuela Aparício

  Assistant Professor

  manuela.aparicio@novaims.unl.pt Know more

• 

  Guilherme Victorino

  Assistant Professor

  gmvictorino@novaims.unl.pt Know more

• 

  Luís Madureira

  Adjunct Lecturer

  lmadureira@novaims.unl.pt Know more

• 

  António d'Oliveira Martins

  Adjunct Lecturer

  amartins@novaims.unl.pt Know more

• 

  Sofia Costa Quintas

  Adjunct Lecturer

  aquintas@novaims.unl.pt Know more

• 

  Rui Borges

  CEO of Plot Content Agency

Admissions and fees

Applications phase

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

FAQ

• Frequently Asked Questions about the Executive Master's in Data-Driven Innovation and Entrepreneurship

  1. Is this Executive Master's in Data-Driven Innovation and Entrepreneurship suitable for professionals without a technical background?

  Yes. This Executive Master Degree program does not require prior technical training.
  It is designed for professionals with at least five years of experience in areas such as management, entrepreneurship, technology, or decision-making roles. The program enables participants from diverse backgrounds to progressively and practically develop skills in data-driven innovation.
  Through the EDGE pedagogical model of NOVA IMS, participants learn by doing, working on real-world problems often developed within the NOVA Innovation & Analytics Lab, where academic research, corporate partners, and applied projects intersect.

  2. What skills are developed in an Executive Master's in Data-Driven Innovation and Entrepreneurship?

  This Executive Master Degree program develops key competencies in innovation, entrepreneurship, and the strategic use of data to create value.
  Participants work on topics such as business analytics, design thinking, applied artificial intelligence, and business model development, always grounded in real and concrete challenges.
  The program takes place in immersive learning environments designed to foster collaboration, experimentation, and teamwork, reinforcing its practical orientation and peer interaction. More than acquiring technical knowledge, the goal is to develop the ability to transform data into decisions - and decisions into measurable impact.

  3. What is the difference between an Executive Master Degree program and a postgraduate program in innovation and entrepreneurship?

  The main difference lies in depth, integration, and academic rigor.
  The Executive Master Degree Program in Data-Driven Innovation & Entrepreneurship offers a more comprehensive learning experience, including a final applied project, often developed in collaboration with the NOVA Innovation & Analytics Lab or external partners, and a strategic, data-driven approach to innovation.
  The Executive Master’s provides an integrated perspective, ranging from the ability to read the broader context to the design of new ideas and solutions, while the Postgraduate Program does not award an academic degree and has a more specific focus on updating targeted skills.

  4. What differentiates this Executive Master Degree program in Data-Driven Innovation & Entrepreneurship?

  This program stands out for the way it integrates data, innovation, and decision-making within a coherent and experiential learning model.
  Participants combine hands-on experience, data analysis, personal development, and active engagement while working on real challenges and interacting with diverse perspectives. The strong connection to the NOVA Innovation & Analytics Lab ensures direct exposure to applied research projects, companies, and innovation initiatives.
  In parallel, learning spaces such as the Bridge Room promote a collaborative, dynamic, and experimentation-driven environment. Rather than focusing solely on tools, participants develop the ability to lead data-driven innovation processes in real organizational contexts.

  5. Is this Executive Master Degree program delivered in an after-work format?

  Yes. This Executive Master Degree program is delivered in a part-time, after-work format.
  During the Fall Semester, classes take place on Fridays from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, allowing participants to combine the program with their professional activities. The format is designed to maximize the learning experience by combining face-to-face sessions, collaborative work, and the development of applied projects.

  What expenses are included in the International Week in Milan?

  Participation in classes and company visits is included in the cost of the master’s program. Travel and living expenses in Milan are the responsibility of each participant.

• 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:

  • https://smallpdf.com/word-to-pdf
  • https://www.zamzar.com/
  • https://cloudconvert.com/
  • https://www.ilovepdf.com/
  • https://online2pdf.com/doc-to-pdf

  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

Regulations and Accreditations