Spanish royal family member Infanta Sofia selects Lisbon as her university location
The youngest daughter of the Spanish monarchs, Infanta Sofía, has embarked on her university journey at Forward College, a private institution based in London. The university, founded in September 2021 by Boris Walbaum, Celine Boisson, and Jeffrey Sampson, offers a unique educational experience, blending rigorous academic oversight from the prestigious London School of Economics (LSE) with a trans-European, immersive framework.
Sofía's choice of Forward College was influenced by her desire to study close to Spain. The three-year Bachelor's degree program in Political Science and International Relations, taught across three European cities - Lisbon, Paris, and Berlin - provides an international experience that aligns with the university's global and multicultural approach.
The program, oriented towards contemporary global political issues through an interdisciplinary, international lens, offers several key features. These include small class sizes, averaging around 15 students per class, to foster personalised attention and close interaction with world-class faculty. Additionally, the curriculum emphasises leadership training, one-on-one tutoring, and the integration of multiple intelligences, rather than focusing solely on traditional academic performance.
Sofía's studies will encompass Political Science, Philosophy, History, and Business, preparing her for her role in the Spanish crown. The tuition cost for the three-year program is approximately €18,500 per year, a cost covered by the Spanish monarchy’s official allowance.
The Infanta will begin her studies in Lisbon, where the university campus is located on Rua das Flores, in the Chiado area. The royal family celebrated Sofía's 18th birthday in April, and she received the Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic, an honour bestowed for extraordinary acts of a civil nature that benefit the Nation or contribute significantly to fostering relations of friendship and cooperation between the Spanish Nation and the rest of the International Community, on the day after her birthday.
Meanwhile, Sofía's sister, Leonor, is currently pursuing a military career. Unlike her sister, Sofía is not dedicated to a military career, a choice that reflects her academic pursuits at Forward College.
This news was reported by Hola! magazine, with details about Sofía's graduation and decoration reported by Vanitatis magazine. Sofía completed her International Baccalaureate at Atlantic College in 2023, and will arrive in Lisbon in September to begin her studies at Forward College.
[1] Forward College. (2021). Forward College: Cultivating the life and world we want to see tomorrow. Retrieved from https://www.forward.college/
[2] Hola!. (2023). Infanta Sofía elegirá Forward College para sus estudios universitarios. Retrieved from https://www.hola.com/noticias/infanta-sofia-elegira-forward-college-para-sus-estudios-universitarios_00751760/
[3] Vanitatis. (2023). La infanta Sofía recibió el Gran Cruz de la Orden de Isabel la Católica. Retrieved from https://www.vanitatis.es/noticias/la-infanta-sofia-recibio-el-gran-cruz-de-la-orden-de-isabel-la-catolica_00751044/
Sofía's decision to study at Forward College, a university known for its unique educational experience blending academics with a trans-European immersive framework, aligns with her pursuit of a global and multicultural approach. The business aspect of her degree program will likely contribute to her future role in the Spanish crown, as her studies encompass Political Science, Philosophy, History, and Business.
