University of Padova

Introduction
Campus Features
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Alumni Statistics
Why study at University of Padova
Awards & Accreditations
Campus Life & Facilities
University of Padova is in the Top 10 Countries to Study Abroad
Program Admission Requirements
Locations
Programs

Introduction

The University of Padua was founded in 1222 and is one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious universities.

Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Andrea Vesalio, William Harvey, Pietro d’Abano, and Carlo Goldoni are just some of the scientists, physicians, philosophers, jurists, and writers who have made Padua a landmark for the discovery and spread of European science and culture.

It was at Padua that Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia became the world’s first woman to be awarded a degree when she graduated in Philosophy in 1678.

The University of Padua, loyal to its motto Universa Universis Patavina Libertas, has always been a bastion of free thought, study, and research.

Today, Padua is a major multidisciplinary university whose lecturers, students, and staff account for almost one-third of the town’s population. Its 8 schools (Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Economics and Political Science, Engineering, Law, Human, and Social Sciences and Cultural Heritage, Medicine, Psychology, and Science) and 32 departments ensure that it offers a broad and varied range of subjects that cover all fields of learning.

The University is also the scientific and cultural heart of Italy’s industrious north-east, providing highly specialized training for the area’s 7-million-plus residents and its 650,000-plus businesses, a role made possible by its extensive network of campuses located across the Veneto region.

10 reasons for studying in Padua

A broad range of multidisciplinary courses - Padua offers a broad portfolio of programs; and interconnections among different
disciplines generate a vibrant and stimulating learning environment.
Superior education -The University of Padua is a TOP 250 university in the world. It is also recognized as the best university in Italy for teaching quality (based on the 2018 evaluation of ANVUR, the Agency of the Italian Ministry of University and Research in charge of assessing university performance). It provides a solid academic background and excellent training, ensuring that graduates can brilliantly succeed in their professions.
A leading international university for research - the University of Padua is one of the most cited universities in the world. Academic staff develop ground-breaking research tackling global challenges and supporting the advancement of knowledge, science, and society. The University is recognized as the best university in Italy for research quality (ANVUR 2018).
Service quality - 90% of students are highly satisfied with their academic career and student experience at the University of Padua (National Graduate Survey, Almalaurea 2019).
One of Europe's oldest and most renowned universities - It was founded in 1222 by students and lecturers in a bid to spread freedom of thought within study and teaching. Since then, students, researchers, and alumni have deeply contributed to the improvement of knowledge, science, and society.
An international community - A large and vibrant international community of staff, students, and alumni support the development of the University’s missions at the global level. The University participates in leading international networks, and its research and teaching projects involve lecturers
from all over the world. Students can benefit from internationalized curricula and numerous study-abroad opportunities.
Financial incentives - Padua’s fees are extremely competitive when compared with those of other top-ranking universities. The University of Padua grants a large number of merit-based and income-based scholarships sponsoring international students’ tuition and/or living costs.
A student-centered town - The University affords a unique learning environment and is intertwined with the town and its layout. Its research centers, Departments, and Schools are located across the town, and its students account for over 30% of the local population.
A unique setting - Padua is a welcoming and charming city, ensuring one of the finest experiences of Italian arts, culture, and lifestyle. It combines history, culture, and art with thriving businesses in every sector.
Strategic position - Efficient air, rail, and road transportation links with the main cities in Italy and abroad international cities.

The City of Padua

Situated in the heart of north-eastern Italy, and less than 40 km from Venice, Padua is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, with over 3,000 years of history.

This rich cultural heritage, appreciated every year by thousands of tourists, includes the Scrovegni Chapel with its frescoes painted by Giotto - UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Prato della Valle - one of the biggest squares in Europe, the thirteenth-century Palazzo della Ragione - the world’s largest hall without supporting columns, the world’s oldest university Botanical Garden - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a historical city center, with picturesque squares, palaces, and museums.

Padua offers an extended cycling path network, multiple bike sharing, and electric scooter options with special discounts for students.

Thanks also to its close ties with the University, Padua is a lively and dynamic city offering numerous events in the fields of art, music, theatre, cinema, and sport throughout the year.

Campus Features

The University of Padua is the scientifica and cultural heart of Italy's industrious North-East, providing highly specialized training for the area's 5-million-plus residents and its 400,000-plus companies, a role made possible by its extensive network of campuses located across the Veneto region.

The 4 Departments of the School of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine are located in the Agripolis Campus, less than 10km far from downtown Padua. Other research and teaching facilities are situated in various towns of the Veneto region, such as Vicenza, Treviso, Rovigo, Chioggia-Venice, etc.

During their university career in Padua, students can find accommodation:

at ESU residences (access is granted through an annual Call for applications)
in private Halls of residence (some of them reserve some places for international students)
in private flats, possibly shared with other students

Gallery

Admissions

Bachelor's Degrees

To be eligible for admission to a Bachelor’s degree or a single-cycle degree, you need a minimum 12-year school record.

If you have been awarded a final diploma after a shorter program of study (i.e. less than 12 years), to become eligible you must:

have attended at least 1 (in case of 11 years of schooling) or 2 (in case of 10 years of schooling) years of academic studies and passed all the scheduled exams. or
have obtained a post-secondary qualification in a non-university higher education institution, certifying the additional one or two years of education. or
have completed one or two-year preparatory courses (Foundation courses) to compensate for the missing years of schooling.

Foundation courses can also be used to fill other additional requirements necessary to access the programs, but they cannot replace the absence of an upper secondary school diploma.
The preschool year can be counted in the 12 years of schooling if it is officially recognized as an integral part of the school curriculum at the national level, provided that attendance is compulsory and includes teaching the language of the country (reading and writing) and the first elements of arithmetic.

If in the country where you achieved your qualification an entrance exam is set for admission to the University (e.g.: selectivity in Spagna, Prova de Aferiçao o Prova Geral de Acesso ao Ensino Superior in Portogallo, Vestibular o Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio in Brasile, Gao Kao in China, etc.), you must provide also a certificate which states that you have passed that test.

As an alternative to this certification, you must:

have attended an additional one (in case of 12 years of schooling) or two (in case of 11 years of schooling) years of academic studies in another country and/or different foreign system and passed all the scheduled exams. or
have obtained an official Italian or foreign post-secondary qualification in a non-university higher education institution with a minimum duration of one or two years. or
have completed Foundation courses held at an Italian University.

These additional certificates only allow enrolment to the first year and cannot be further evaluated for shortening your degree program

Master's Degrees

To be eligible for admission to a Master’s degree, you need a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent foreign qualification with specific curricular requirements obtained from a higher education institution accredited according to the national educational accreditation system of the country where it is located.

Should your study title be issued by two or more universities (e.g. the awarding and the teaching institutions are not the same and pertain to different national education systems), each institution must be accredited according to the national educational accreditation system of the country where it is located.

Scholarships and Funding

The University of Padua and other public or private institutions allocate a series of fee waivers and scholarships to support students. Among others, the Padua International Excellence Scholarship is the perfect opportunity reserved for highly talented prospective international students wishing to pursue a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree completely held in English.

Awards for specific categories (e.g. students with special sports or academic achievements) are available as well.

The University of Padua, the Veneto Region and other private or public institutions allocate a series of funding opportunities for international students, which can be merit-based and/or income-based. Awards for specific categories (e.g. students with special sport or academic achievements) are available as well.
Padua's fees are extremely competitive when compared with those of other top-ranking universities.

For more information please send an Information Request.

Alumni Statistics

Why study at University of Padova

The University of Padua is a TOP 200 university in the World, that has been driving global change since its foundation in 1222.
During eight centuries, students, researchers and alumni have provided key contributions to the advancement of knowledge, science and society.
Padua offers a broad and comprehensive portfolio of programmes (over 180, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level; 29 programmes are held completely in English).
Interconnections among the different disciplines generate a vibrant and stimulating learning environment, where international students (over 3,000), staff and alumni support the development of the University's mission at global level.

Awards & Accreditations

#1 in Italy for quality of teaching and research

ANVUR

#16

Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2019

#161-170

QS Employability Ranking 2019

#234

QS Ranking 2020

#201-250

Times Higher Education Ranking 2019

#201-300

ARWU - Shanghai Ranking

Campus Life & Facilities

29 libraries and over 40 study rooms
University Language Centre and University Sports Centre
Career Service
Guidance and Tutoring Service (including Buddy tutors, senior university students who welcome and support international students upon their arrival in Padua)
Inclusion Unit

The University affords a unique learning environment and is intertwined with the town and its layout. Padua is a welcoming and charming city, ensuring one of the finest experiences of Italian arts, culture and lifestyle. It combines history (over 3,000 years), culture and art with thriving businesses in every sector. Thanks also to its close ties with the University, Padua is a lively and dynamic city offering numerous events in the fields of art, music, theatre, cinema and sport throughout the year.