Master’s in Law Applied to Technology (Law & Tech)
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Presentation
The Master’s in Law Applied to Technology (Law & Tech) puts NOVA School of Law at the forefront of innovative legal education.
The focus is on the digital and other types of emerging technological transformations. The study of law within this focus is approached in international, transnational, and comparative way.
The program has a common core of courses: Law and Technology Intensive Course, Technological Deep Dive, and Methodology of Legal Research. These ensure that students acquire a set of basic, horizontal conceptual and analytical tools needed to become law and technology experts. Building on this common core, the program offers 3 specialisation tracks that seek to address different technological realities and their impact on different facets of the legal world, namely:
- Digitalisation and public policies
- The law of the data-driven markets
- Intellectual property and the regulation of innovation
This master’s is taught and assessed in English.
Coordination
Fabrizio Esposito
Giulia Priora
Scientific Commission
President: Fabrizio Esposito | Members: Giulia Priora (taught component), Vera Lúcia Raposo (research phase)
Goals
Upon completion of this master’s program, students will have acquired:
- horizontal knowledge on the interactions between law and technology;
- specific knowledge and competences in emerging areas of legal regulation that will allow them to be competitive on the job market;
- skills to adapt existing legislation to the challenges created by new technological applications;
- hability to interact with technological experts and to overcome the disciplinary barriers that make communication difficult;
- analytical, critical, and argumentative skills to become particularly effective in providing legal services to new and emerging technologies.
Target Applicant
Graduates in Law or other related academic fields, professionals who wish to deepen their legal knowledge of technological matters.
Innovative, creative and entrepreneurial thinkers are particularly welcome. We value inclusivity in all its forms.
Timetable
The program is taught during working hours.*
*Some Optional Curricular Units may have schedules that do not match the timetable of the course
Employability
The program is designed to ensure that each student becomes a law and technology expert, while giving him or her the opportunity to build a unique professional profile.
Strong in its core and specialization components, the program equips the students with essential skills for a vast array of job opportunities across several professional sectors: among them, the areas of legal practice, policymaking, managing and advisory roles in public and private entities as well as entrepreneurial and corporate positions.
Curricular Plan
The program lasts a total of 2 academic years (120 ECTS credits).
The taught component consists of 60 ECTS (two semesters), distributed as follows, according to the chosen specialization area:
- Digitalisation and public policies specialization: 24 ECTS of mandatory subjects; 18 ECTS of restricted options; 18 ECTS of free options.
- The law of the data-driven markets specialization: 26 ECTS of mandatory subjects; 16 ECTS of restricted options; 18 ECTS of free options.
- Intellectual property and the regulation of innovation specialization: 26 ECTS of mandatory subjects; 16 ECTS of restricted options; 18 ECTS of free options.
The research phase (final project) consists of 60 ECTS (two semesters).
From 2024/25, students will need to approve the curricular component with, at least 13,50 points out of 20 (13,5/20) to be able to enrol in the research phase (2nd year of the course).
Completion of the curricular component (60 ECTS), with any positive grade, grants the award of a Diploma in Postgraduate Studies in Law Applied to Technology.
1st Year - Taught Component
Specialization Track: Digitalization & Public Policies (DPP)
| 1st Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|
| Mandatory | |
| Law and Technology Intensive Course | 6 |
| Emerging Technologies: Governance and Regulation | 4 |
| Technological DeepDive | 2 |
| Restricted Option | |
| Data Protection and Management Law | 6 |
| Introduction to Data Analysis | 6 |
| Programming | 6 |
| Free Option | |
| Cybersecurity and Governance | 6 |
| Patent and Trademark Law | 6 |
| Copyright and Design Law | 6 | Legal English | 4 |
| 2nd Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|
| Mandatory | |
| Methodology of Legal Research | 6 |
| E-Governance | 6 |
| Restricted Option | |
| Cybercrime | 6 |
| Intellectual Property Law and Sustainable Innovation | 6 |
| Ethics and Regulation of Artificial Intelligence | 4 |
| Legaltech | 4 |
| Free Option | |
| International Tax Law | 6 |
| Competition Law | 6 |
| Life Sciences Law | 6 |
| Law of Online Platforms | 6 |
| Fintech | 4 |
Specialization track: The Law of the Data-Driven Markets (DDM)
| 1st Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|
| Mandatory | |
| Law and Technology Intensive Course | 6 |
| Data Protection and Management Law | 6 |
| Technological DeepDive | 2 |
| Restricted Option | |
| Introduction to Data Analysis | 6 |
| Programming | 6 |
| Emerging Technologies: Governance and Regulation | 4 |
| Free Option | |
| Cybersecurity and Governance | 6 |
| Patent and Trademark Law | 6 |
| Copyright and Design Law | 6 |
| Legal English | 4 |
| 2nd Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|
| Mandatory | |
| Methodology of Legal Research | 6 |
| Law of Online Platforms | 6 |
| Restricted Option | |
| E-Governance | 6 |
| Intellectual Property Law and Sustainable Innovation | 6 |
| Ethics and Regulation of Artificial Intelligence | 4 |
| Legaltech | 4 |
| Fintech | 4 |
| Free Option | |
| Life Sciences Law | 6 |
| International Tax Law | 6 |
| Competition Law | 6 |
| Cybercrime | 6 |
Specialization track: Intellectual Property and the Regulation of Innovation (IPI)
| 1st Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|
| Mandatory | |
| Law and Technology Intensive Course | 6 |
| Patent and Trademark Law | 6 |
| Copyright and Design Law | 6 |
| Technological DeepDive | 2 |
| Restricted Option | |
| Programming | 6 |
| Data Protection and Management Law | 6 |
| Emerging Technologies: Governance and Regulation | 4 |
| Free Option | |
| Cybersecurity and Governance | 6 |
| Introduction to Data Analysis | 6 |
| Legal English | 4 |
| 2nd Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|
| Mandatory | |
| Methodology of Legal Research | 6 |
| Restricted Option | |
| Law of Online Platforms | 6 |
| Intellectual Property Law and Sustainable Innovation | 6 |
| Ethics and Regulation of Artificial Intelligence | 4 |
| Legaltech | 4 |
| Free Option | |
| Life Sciences Law | 6 |
| International Tax Law | 6 |
| Competition Law | 6 |
| E-Governance | 6 |
| Cybercrime | 6 |
| Fintech | 4 |
(The curricular units presented as free options are suggestions and may be changed. In free-option curricular units that are compulsory for other master’s programmes, enrolment and attendance depends on logistical and pedagogical possibilities).
2nd year – Research Phase
| Research Phase | ECTS |
|---|---|
| Mandatory | |
| Dissertation, internship at national or international institution or project work | 60 |
NOVA School of Law participates in THEMIS, a network that encourages the internationalization of master’s students. The THEMIS certificate is granted when students complete a semester of mobility, participate in an international conference, and complete an international internship under the THEMIS Programme
Objectives and Structure of the Curricular Units
Tuition Fees
In master’s degrees and doctorates, the tuition fee for part-time students corresponds to 65% of the tuition fee owed by full-time students
*In master’s degrees and doctorates, the tuition fee for part-time students corresponds to 65% of the tuition fee owed by full-time students
**Applicable only if the course is not terminated inside the established deadline.
Reading of this information does not exempt consultation of the full documentation regarding fees, emoluments and taxes for the academic year in question.
Tuition fees are annual and due in full upon enrolment in the course. Payment in instalments is allowed for students’ mere convenience.
In the case of withdrawal from the course, the amounts already paid are not refundable. The remaining tuition fee payments due for the academic year of the application must also be paid.
Refund of the tuition fee is only possible where the previous course has not been completed by September, and is conditioned by its completion. In this case, the applicant must give proof of the situation through a declaration from the home institution, before the end of September. Amounts other than tuition fees (fees, school insurance and administrative costs) are not refundable.
Payments must be made via Visa, PayPal, MBWay or Multibanco payments, through NetPA. The system validates payments in a few minutes, maximum. Failure to pay tuition fees within the time limits indicated results in an increase in the amount to be settled and/or the suspension of enrolment and registration, as well as the invalidity of all curricular acts practised in the academic year in which the payment dates are not respected.
Payment by instalments
Annual tuition fees for the taught component
The annual tuition fees for the taught component can be paid in 10 instalments.
- 10 instalments: 1st instalment of 20% of the total amount paid upon enrolment and the remaining amount in 9 instalments paid between the 1st and 10th of the months of September through May.
Tuition fees of the Research phase
Tuition fees for the Research phase can be paid in 10 instalments.
- 10 instalments: 1st instalment of 20% of the total amount paid upon enrolment and the remaining amount in 9 instalments paid between the 1st and 10th of the months of October through June.
Tuition fee for an additional Research Phase semester
Additional semester tuition fees for the Research Phase can be paid in 4 instalments.
- 4 instalments: 25% of the total amount paid upon enrolment, remaining instalments:
- 1st semester: between the 1st and 10th (October, November, January);
- 2nd semester: between the 1st and 10th (March, April, May).
Fee for the extension of Deadline of delivery of the Research Phase:
Fees are paid in full at the time of registration.
Merit Awards
The number of awards is established annually by the Board of NOVA School of Law. Merit Awards are awarded to:
- Candidates whose final average admission to a 2nd study cycle at NOVA School of Law, according to assessment and ranking by the appropriate jury, is equal to or higher than 17,00 points (on a scale of 0/20) and who enrol and attend the same course, benefit from a monetary award corresponding to 50% of the due tuition fee for the taught component of the Master’s degree.
- Candidates whose final average admission to a 2nd study cycle at NOVA School of Law, according to assessment and ranking by the appropriate jury, is equal to or higher than 16,00 points and lower than 17 (on a scale of 0/20) and who enrol and attend the same course, benefit from amonetary award corresponding to 30% of the due tuition fee for the taught component of the Master’s degree.
In the research phase, three prizes for academic merit are awarded (by master’s degree or area of specialization, in the case of the Master’s Degree in Law). These awards assume the completion of the taught component within the stipulated time.
- The best student of the taught component of each study cycle or specialization area of a study cycle, resident in Portugal, who continues and attends the Research Phase benefits from a monetary award corresponding to 100% of the tuition fee due for the Research Phase phase of the Master’s degree;
- The second-best student of the taught component of each study cycle or specialization area of a study cycle who continues and attends the Research Phase , resident in Portugal, benefits from a monetary award corresponding to 60% of the tuition fee due for the Research Phase phase of the Master’s degree;
- The third-best student of the taught component of each study cycle or specialization area of a study cycle who continues and attends the Research Phase of the Master’s degree, resident in Portugal, benefits from a monetary award corresponding to 40% of the tuition fee due for the Research Phase phase of the Master’s degree.
Scholarships for Access to Study Cycles at NOVA University Lisbon
The Scholarships for Access to Study Cycles are available to students of the three study cycles, being students of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, nationals or stateless persons, foreigners with tax residence in Portugal or with refugee status, who are in a situation of financial need and who do not benefit from the scholarships awarded by the Directorate-General for Higher Education, or whose value proves to be insufficient.
José Neves Foundation Grant
This course is eligible for the José Neves Foundation ISA scholarship programme. Find out more information here.
Emoluments/Charges and Taxes Fees
- Application fee: 51,00€
- Administrative costs per registration/enrolment (each year): 35,00€
- Institution insurance (each year): 3,00€
- Registration Certificate: 6,00€
- Improvement grade exam: 15,00€/enrolement
- Conclusion Certificate: 50,00€
Applications
2024/2025
Length 4 Semesters
120 ECTS
Taught in English
Entries: 50
Applications from students who prove they will be able to complete their bachelor’s degree (licenciatura) by September will be accepted.
1st Phase of Applications:
- Submission of applications: From 1 to 29 February 2024
- Results publication: Until March 21st 2024
- Registration of admitted applicants: from 8 to 18th April 2024
2nd Phase of Applications:
- Submission of applications: From 23 April to 3 May 2024
- Announcement of placements: until 21 May 2024
- Complaint about placements: From 22 May to 4 June 2024
- Enrolment: From 5 to 19 June 2024
- Registration for Curricular Units: From 19 to 26 July 2024
3.ª Fase de candidaturas:
(caso haja vagas sobrantes)
- Apresentação das Candidaturas: De 3 a 7 de julho 2023
- Afixação do edital de colocados: 21 de julho 2023
- Reclamação sobre colocações: De 24 de julho a 4 de agosto 2023
- Matrículas e inscrições em unidades curriculares: De 7 a 11 de agosto 2023
Admission requirements
Candidates for registration are:
- Candidates who hold a degree completion certificate from a higher education establishment in countries that are signatories to the Bologna Declaration and others considered to be similar, taking into account the respective curricular structure, with a mention of the final average (*).
- Holders of a foreign higher academic degree that is recognised as satisfying the objectives of the degree by the competent scientific body of NOVA School of Law, with a mention of the final average (*).
(*) Failure to provide proof of the final classification of the Academic Degree in the terms mentioned above will result in the final classification of 10 points being awarded at the time of selection
Selection and Ranking Criteria
- Final grade of a prior academic degree chosen by the applicant (bachelor’s or master’s degree) (50%);
- Relevance and excellence of prior academic and professional experience stemming from CV and motivational letter (50%).
Language admissibility criteria
Proficiency of English language, to be proven by way of:
- Language certificate, at least B2 level (examples of accepted certificates: Cambridge ESOL FCE, CAE, CPE, LINGUASKILL; IELTS: above level 6; TOEFL iBT above 87; TOEIC: above 880; BULATS: above 75),
- or a final assessment certificate from the national 11th grade English exam (550) with a minimum score of 10 (100),
- or equivalent documentation which must be presented at the time of application (the documentation will be validated by the Scientific Committee).
Students who have graduated from NOVA School of Law do not need to submit any documents, as proficiency in English is a requirement for completion of the 1st cycle degree.
Students who completed their secondary education in an English-speaking high school or who hold other academic diplomas in English need only submit a certificate proving that they completed an education programme entirely in English (e.g. transcripts of records).
Submission of Applications (Online):
The application must be accompanied by the following, mandatory, elements:
- Motivation letter;
- Curriculum vitae (European model);
- Copy of the certificate of completion of the course(s); candidates with foreign qualifications must send transcripts showing the coefficient of performance or a statement with the final average of the degree. Diplomas that are not in Portuguese, English, French or Spanish must be accompanied by a translation certified by the relevant authorities (the grade will be converted to Portuguese according to DGES criteria);
- Document proving proficiency in English, as mentioned above;
- Proof of Tax ID Number, where applicable;
- Proof of ID;
- In the case of an International Student, a declaration, sworn on honour, in which the candidate declares that he/she does not have Portuguese nationality, nor is he/she covered by any of the exceptions in Article 2(2) of Regulation no. 687/2020, of 20 August, which, under the terms of Decree-Law no. 36/2014, of 10 March, excludes him/her from the status of International Student – model Declaration of honour | International Student;
- For applications for the national student scheme whose applicants present an identification document with a nationality other than Portuguese or EU, a declaration on honour that the applicant has Portuguese nationality or is covered by any of the exceptions in Article 2(2) of Regulation no. 687/2020 of 20 August which, under the terms of Decree-Law no. 36/2014 of 10 March, excludes him/her from International Student status – model Declaration of Honour;
- Applicants who are required to complete their degree must send a statement from the educational institution where they are studying with their transcripts with all the subjects they have completed and their final grade, as well as the current average and the expected date of completion of the degree. NOVA School of Law students do not need to attach this document. The current average will be validated by the Academic Service according to the information available in the system.
- After submitting the application, the candidate must pay the fee according to the references indicated (€51, which can be paid via Multibanco, MB way, Paypal or Visa). The application will only be sent for assessment once payment has been made.
Applications that are not accompanied by all the documents or for which the application fee has not been paid will be rejected outright.
Optional elements for the application form:
Candidates may submit a request for accreditation of academic training and professional experience obtained prior to entering the study cycle. Accreditation processes take into account the level of credits corresponding to previous training, and under no circumstances will accreditation be allowed for further studies in a study cycle for training undertaken as part of a study cycle at a lower level of qualification. For the purposes of accreditation, the candidate must fill in a specific form and attach all the relevant documentation. When the request for accreditation is made at the time of application, accreditation is not a sufficient condition for admission to the study cycle and only takes effect after admission and only in that same study cycle.
If there is any doubt about the documentation presented, particularly in the case of documents obtained abroad, recognition may be requested by the local Portuguese consular agent and/or legalised by the Apostille system under the terms of the Convention on the Abolition of the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Acts (better known as the Hague Convention), signed in The Hague on 5 October 1961, with the exception of documents issued by Higher Education Institutions in European Union countries.
Whenever the above-mentioned documents are in a foreign language other than Spanish, French, English or Portuguese, you must provide a translation of them. The translations must be duly certified by the relevant authorities.
Documents required
Deadline for submission of the course completion certificate in accordance with point “Copy of the certificate of completion of the course(s)” for successful candidates: 30 September 2024.
Application fees
The fee payable for the application is €51 (fifty-one euros), which will not be refunded if the application is excluded or not selected. This information does not dispense with consulting the 2024/25 tuition fees notice, available on the NOVA School of Law website, as well as the NOVA fees table in force for the academic year.
Applications through the NOVA School of Law applications portal.
Clear all your doubts
We are at your disposal to answer any questions you may have about studying at NOVA School of Law.
Please do not hesitate to contact us by email: admissions@novalaw.unl.pt