Specialization Course in Hospital Administration
The Specialization Course in Hospital Administration has over 50 years of experience and is one of the most recognized training programs in the market. It enables you to engage in management roles within organizations and institutions (at central, regional, and local levels) while deepening your knowledge in areas of Public Health, such as health policy and administration. The program is built on a model that emphasizes the close relationship between teaching and learning, alongside the expertise of its faculty and speakers.
This course includes theoretical-practical components, an internship, and fieldwork.
Since 1980, it has been the only program that allows entry into the career of Hospital Administration (for more information on the career, please consult Decree-Law 48 358 of April 27, 1968, and Decree-Law 101/80 of May 8, 1980).
OUR STUDENTS PROFILE
Graduates seeking to work in management roles within healthcare organizations and healthcare delivery, in the public, private, and social sectors, such as Health Units, Public Administration, healthcare consulting firms, the pharmaceutical industry, and technology companies.
SIMULTANEOUS EDITIONS: LISBON AND BRAGA
Lisbon: At NOVA NSPH, with access to specialists and resources from the National School of Public Health.
Braga: At the University of Minho, in partnership with the School of Economics, Management, and Political Science.
More Opportunities, Greater Flexibility
The 56th Edition of the Specialisation Course in Hospital Administration introduces a unique innovation: two simultaneous editions in Lisbon and Braga. This forward-thinking approach offers significant advantages for candidates:
- Geographical Proximity: Choose the most convenient location, reducing travel time and making it easier to balance professional and personal commitments.
- Access to Diverse Resources: Benefit from the expertise and facilities of two leading institutions – the National School of Public Health at NOVA University Lisbon and the University of Minho.
- Expanded Professional Network: Broaden your networking opportunities by engaging with lecturers, specialists, and peers from different regions and backgrounds.
- Consistent Quality: Regardless of the chosen city, the course maintains its high standards, ensuring an excellent educational experience.
This dual-location offering reinforces the commitment of NOVA NSPH and the University of Minho to making hospital administration training more accessible and tailored to the needs of a wider audience.
COORDINATOR'S MESSAGE
"In the Hospital Administration Course we recognize the importance of diversity in academic and professional training. Our program is designed to meet different needs and aspirations in this increasingly complex market. Through practical projects, workshops, partnerships with institutions and an excellent faculty, our students have the opportunity to explore new approaches and technologies that are shaping the future of hospital administration.
In addition to a solid theoretical foundation, we value practical experience. Therefore, we offer the opportunity for international study visits, where students have the opportunity to explore different healthcare systems and gain valuable knowledge for application in local contexts.
Our national and international internship programs provide practical immersion in real hospital environments, where it is possible to apply knowledge and develop essential leadership and management skills.
Join a community of leaders committed to making a difference in healthcare. By investing in your training and qualifications as a Hospital Administrator, you are contributing to more effective and professional management that benefits not only healthcare professionals and organizations, but mainly citizens who depend on quality healthcare.
Innovation, the art of managing health institutions and the challenges of public health were and will be our foundations, with a strong component of public health policies, a characteristic that distinguishes us!"
Teresa Magalhães (Coordinator of the Specialization Course)
Accreditation and recognition
NOVA NSPH is accredited as a member of the EHMA – European Health Management Association”.
CORIOLANO FERREIRA AWARD
The NOVA NSPH and APAH (Associação Portuguesa de Administradores Hospitalares) award the Coriolano Ferreira Award annually, which aims to recognize the best student of the Hospital Administration Course each year.
This prize honors Prof. Coriolano Ferreira, a pioneer in hospital administration, founder of the Revista Portuguesa de Saúde Pública (Portuguese Journal of Public Health), and Director of the National School of Public Health for a decade (1976-86). The award is intended to present a paper completed within the framework of the CEAH at international conferences and has a maximum value of €2.500.
The Coriolano Ferreira Award is sponsored by IQVIA.
To consult the Regulation, click here.
INTERNATIONALIZATION
NOVA NSPH organised a Study Visit to the Dutch Healthcare System as part of the Specialisation Course in Hospital Administration.
The visit took place from 21 to 25 September 2025 and was organised in partnership with the Portuguese Association for Hospital Development (APDH), the Portuguese Association of Hospital Administrators (APAH), the NOVA NSPH Student Association, and the NOVA NSPH Alumni Association.
This visit is part of NOVA NSPH’s ongoing internationalisation efforts, providing an opportunity to learn about the governance model, care integration, and healthcare management in the Netherlands. Participants will gain insights into the country’s approach to innovation, the adoption of new technologies, sustainability practices, and quality assurance in healthcare services. Additionally, the visit will cover policies related to workforce planning and management, leadership development, and the strengthening of management skills within healthcare organisations.
TESTIMONIALS
"Thank you all for the warm welcome to the group. It was an extremely enriching visit and a wonderful trip! A special thanks to the entire organizing team for their effort and dedication." – Bruna Teixeira, Manager at the Business Analytics Department, Luz Saúde
"Congratulations to the organizers for the excellent visit to the Dutch health system. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge, experience, kindness, and company. Together is really better. I’m available for whatever you may need." – Isabel Pita, Hospital Administrator, SESARAM
| Course units | ECTS |
|---|---|
| Direito da Saúde | 4 |
| Economia da Saúde para AH | 4 |
| Estatística I | 4 |
| Fundamentos da Saúde Pública | 4 |
| Comportamento Organizacional | 4 |
| Produção Hospitalar | 4 |
| Course units | ECTS |
|---|---|
| Epidemiologia | 4 |
| Gestão em Organizações de Saúde | 4 |
| Avaliação do Desempenho | 4 |
| Financiamento em Organizações de Saúde | 4 |
| Gestão de Informação em Saúde | 4 |
| Gestão da Qualidade | 4 |
| Course units | ECTS |
|---|---|
| Free Options (1st Semester/2nd Semester). | 12 |
| Casos Práticos em AH (3rd Semester) | 4 |
| Logística e Gestão de Operações (3rd Semester) | 4 |
| Internship (3rd Semester) | 20 |
| Fieldwork (CEAH) | 32 |
Coordinators
Faculty body
- Course duration
- 2 years
- Format
- Hybrid
- Language
- Portuguese
Full-time schedule
- Mandatory curricular units (in-person)
- Optional course units (online)
In the 3rd semester, the classes will take place on Wednesday mornings and/or afternoons.
Also, in the 3rd and 4th semesters, the Internship and Fieldwork will occur: the workload is similar to the other semesters, with the format of these activities being agreed upon in collaboration with the internship or fieldwork supervisor.
To learn more about the Optional Units, click here.
Provisional list of candidates admitted (3rd phase)
Provisional list of candidates admitted (2nd phase)
Provisional list of candidates admitted (1st phase)
1st PHASE
- Application period: December 19, 2025 to March 6, 2026
- Publication of provisional list of successful applicants: March 16, 2026
- Hearing of interested parties: March 17 to 30, 2026
- Publication of final list of successful applicants: March 31, 2026
- Registration and enrollment period: March 31 to April 3, 2026
2nd PHASE
- Application period: March 9 to June 26, 2026
- Publication of provisional list of successful applicants: July 3, 2026
- Hearing of interested parties: July 6 to 17, 2026
- Publication of final list of successful applicants: July 20, 2026
- Registration and enrollment period: July 20 to 23, 2026
3rd PHASE
- Application period: June 29 to August 20, 2026
- Publication of provisional list of successful applicants: August 25, 2026
- Hearing of interested parties: August 26 to September 8 2026
- Publication of final list of successful applicants: September 9, 2026
- Registration and enrollment period: September 9 to 11, 2026
Applications for this course are currently closed.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree (or equivalent);
- Proficiency in Portuguese and English.
The Hospital Administration Program was a pivotal milestone in the development of knowledge and skills in administration, management, and research in health services. The diverse perspectives and expertise of the faculty, combined with the knowledge and experiences of external lecturers in health services management, provided a broad perspective on the governance of the different levels of care within the Portuguese healthcare system.
With my background in biomedical engineering, computing, and medical instrumentation, I felt the need to gain a better understanding of hospital management as a whole. Without a doubt, this program presented itself as an excellent opportunity to acquire that knowledge.
The interdisciplinarity, the approach adopted in the classes with an ambitious program and practical content, along with the professional experience of the faculty, make this program a flagship of hospital administration education in Portugal.
This program gave me the privilege of acquiring unique knowledge about the content and processes that are part of a hospital administrator's daily work. I feel that I have learned much of what is essential for anyone intending to pursue this path, as well as how to study, research, and write about these topics, which helps deepen understanding and initiate research in this field.
Any questions?
Contact us for more information