NOVA School of Law and the University of São Paulo have established a partnership to offer a dual degree in law

NOVA School of Law and the University of São Paulo (USP), through its Ribeirão Preto Law School (FDRP), have established a cooperation agreement to create a Dual Degree Programme in Law. This initiative reinforces their commitment to legal education in a global context and strengthens the academic ties between Portugal and Brazil. This agreement was signed as part of an institutional visit to Brazil, which also included a gathering of alumni in São Paulo to discuss the challenges of Artificial Intelligence.

The programme enables selected students to simultaneously obtain a law degree from NOVA School of Law and a Bachelor of Laws from FDRP, providing an integrated academic experience that spans two distinct legal systems.

An international legal education

Under this agreement, students who begin their studies at NOVA School of Law will spend the first two years of their degree at that institution, followed by three years of study in Brazil. Meanwhile, students who begin their studies at USP will spend the first two-and-a-half years of their degree at that institution, followed by two years of study in Lisbon and a final semester in Brazil to complete their programme. In both cases, participants will follow a jointly defined and recognised study plan, ensuring academic equivalence and high-quality training.

The programme also includes preparing and defending a final thesis (TCC – Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso), which is supervised by faculty members from both institutions and fosters a comparative approach to legal topics.

Academic and scientific cooperation

In addition to facilitating student mobility, the agreement enables other forms of collaboration, such as faculty exchange, joint organisation of conferences, seminars and courses, and sharing of academic and scientific knowledge. Such cooperation contributes to the development of joint academic projects and strengthens the relationship between the two legal communities.

A strategic connection and international appeal

This Dual Degree programme strengthens the academic connection between Portugal and Brazil, which is rooted in a shared language and an increasingly convergent set of legal challenges. By offering direct exposure to different legal systems, the programme helps students to develop intercultural skills and prepares them for demanding and diverse professional environments.

The initiative also reflects the NOVA School of Law’s commitment to attracting international students. By providing integrated academic pathways between the two countries, the School enhances the appeal of its academic programme and establishes Lisbon as a popular destination, valued for its cultural proximity and global outlook.

Opportunities for students and alumni

The agreement allows for a limited number of students to participate each year, ensuring they receive close supervision throughout their academic journey. At the same time, it creates new networking opportunities and facilitates integration into a broader community of students, faculty, and alumni from both institutions.

Through this initiative, NOVA School of Law reaffirms its commitment to academic excellence and innovation, as well as to developing an increasingly connected academic community. It offers its students distinctive educational experiences that extend beyond national borders.