Students with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Students with SEN may require specific educational support throughout their academic journey or at particular times. NOVA IMS has procedures and support measures in place to ensure appropriate teaching, learning, and assessment conditions.

What are SEN?

SEN refer to situations where a student, due to particular characteristics, may require specialized support to promote their academic and personal development.

Categories of SEN

The conditions encompassed by SEN fall into two main categories:

Category A (CTN. A) — includes students with disabilities or impairments medically recognized as organic disorders, such as sensory, motor, or neurological conditions. In these cases, the primary educational challenge stems from the disability itself.
Category B (CTN. B) — includes students with behavioral or emotional disorders or specific learning difficulties. Here, the main difficulty stems from how the student interacts with the educational environment.

Whenever possible, these conditions should be identified and evaluated early by a specialized multidisciplinary team, and the assessment outcomes should be shared with the School Board.

How to request SEN status

Submit your request to the Student Support Office (SSO) at NOVA IMS by email: apoioaluno@novaims.unl.pt.

Please include “SEN Status Request” in the email subject line.
Attach all supporting documentation, such as medical or educational reports that explain your specific needs or learning accommodations.
Meet with the SSO to review your request and discuss the appropriate academic accommodations to be implemented during the academic year.