NOVA School of Law and FGV Direito Rio establish international dual degree Master's programme

NOVA School of Law and the School of Law of the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) in Rio de Janeiro have signed an agreement to establish an International Dual Degree Master’s Programme. This programme will enable students to obtain two Master of Laws qualifications, one awarded by NOVA School of Law and one awarded by FGV.

The programme aims to strengthen academic and scientific cooperation between Portugal and Brazil by promoting student and faculty member mobility, and encouraging the exchange of knowledge and best practices in legal education and research.

Under the terms of the agreement, selected students will spend at least two academic semesters at the host institution, fulfilling its curricular requirements and developing their dissertation project under the joint supervision of faculty members from both institutions. Upon successful completion of the academic programme, each student will receive two Master’s degrees in Law, both indicating the nature of the programme and the name of the partner university.

Places on the programme are limited to students enrolled on the Master’s in Law – Specialisation in Public Regulation Law, with up to four places available at each institution per academic year. Participants will maintain active enrolment at their home institution while benefiting from a tuition fee waiver at the host institution.

Dissertations may be written in Portuguese or English and will be publicly defended before a joint examination panel comprising faculty members from both universities.

The advantages for students are particularly significant in the Brazilian context, where recognition of overseas academic qualifications can often be a complex and lengthy process. This Dual Degree Programme eliminates the need for recognition or equivalence procedures by academic authorities in Portugal or Brazil. Additionally, the degree awarded by NOVA School of Law allows participants to pursue further studies or academic careers across Europe, significantly expanding their professional prospects and opportunities for international mobility.

The agreement, signed by our Dean, Professor Margarida Lima Rego, and Carlos Ivan Simonsen Leal, President of the Getulio Vargas Foundation, will initially remain in force for five years and can then be renewed by addendum.

Through this partnership, NOVA School of Law is strengthening its commitment to the internationalisation of legal education and to fostering academic connections between Europe and Latin America. This offers students new opportunities to study and conduct research in exceptional academic environments.

  • The programme has a minimum duration of two years and a maximum of three years;
  • It includes one to two years of coursework and one year dedicated to the dissertation;
  • A NOVA School of Law student admitted to this programme must spend at least two semesters at FGV, whether consecutive or not, with at least one semester corresponding to attendance at taught modules;
  • The dissertation is compulsory and cannot be replaced by an internship report or project work. It may be written in Portuguese or English. It will be jointly supervised by academic staff from NOVA School of Law and FGV;
  • The public defence of the dissertation takes place at NOVA School of Law before an examination panel composed of members from both institutions.
  • Students originally from NOVA School of Law must maintain active enrolment at NOVA School of Law throughout the entire programme;
  • During the mobility period, they must also enrol at FGV;
  • All students have access to the academic services and resources of both institutions.
  • Up to four places are available per institution and per academic year;
  • At NOVA School of Law, priority will be given to applications from students enrolled on the Master’s in Law – Specialisation in Public Regulation Law;
  • Participants must pay full tuition fees for the Master’s programme at NOVA School of Law, even during their mobility period, while benefiting from a full tuition fee waiver at FGV.
  • The selection process is conducted by the home institution, followed by approval from the host institution;
  • Selection is based on academic merit and the suitability of the applicant’s academic background;
  • Selection interviews may be conducted by videoconference.

Grades obtained at each institution are converted according to the national grading scales of Portugal and Brazil, ensuring equivalence between both evaluation systems.

Students are assessed in accordance with the rules of the institution where they complete each stage of the programme (coursework, project or dissertation).

  • International academic experience at two of the most prestigious law schools in Europe and Latin America;
  • No need to undergo any recognition or equivalence procedures of degrees in Portugal or Brazil, as students obtain one degree in Portugal and another in Brazil;
  • European recognition of the degree awarded by NOVA School of Law, enabling further studies or academic activity across Europe.