The University of Padua International Excellence Scholarship 2026 in Italy is a highly competitive, merit-based funding program for talented international students pursuing English-taught bachelor’s or master’s degrees at one of Europe’s oldest universities. The University of Padua offers up to 68 scholarships for the 2026/27 academic year, each providing a tuition fee waiver plus an €8,000 annual stipend, with automatic consideration for eligible applicants. Applications typically opening around March 2026 and key deadlines like 10 April or 2 May 2026 for the academic year starting September 2026.
Basic Information about the Scholarships
- Scholarship Name: Padua International Excellence Scholarship Programme.
- Host Country: Italy, Europe.
- Provider: University of Padua.
- Level: Bachelor’s (3 years max), Master’s (2 years max), and Single-Cycle degrees.
- Number Available: Up to 68 university scholarships plus 30 departmental awards.
- Value: Full tuition fee waiver + €8,000 gross stipend per year, paid in two €4,000 installments.
- Duration
- Master’s: 2 years
- Bachelor’s / Single-cycle: 3 years
- After that → you pay your own tuition & expenses
- Application Deadlines: Call opens March 2026; key dates 10 April 2026 (limited access programs), 2 May 2026 (unlimited access).
University/Institution Details
Founded in 1222, the University of Padua (Università di Padova) is one of the world’s oldest universities and Italy’s second oldest, located in the historic city of Padua in Veneto. It hosts over 60 English-taught degree programs and supports international mobility through scholarships like the Padua International Excellence Scholarship, emphasizing academic excellence and global engagement.
Study Areas
Bachelor’s degrees
1. School of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Care
2. School of Engineering
- Information Engineering
3. School of Psychology
- Psychological Science
- Techniques and methods in Psychological Science
4. School of Human and Social Sciences and Cultural Heritage
- Italian Medieval and Renaissance Studies
5. School of Science
- Biology of human and environmental health
- Earth and Climate Dynamics
Master’s and Single-Cycle degrees
- School of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine
- Biotechnologies for food science
- Forest science
- Food and Health
- Italian food and wine
- Sustainable agriculture
2. School of Economics and Political Sciences
- Management for Sustainable Firms
- Accounting, Finance and Business Consulting
- Applied Economics
- European and Global Studies
- Human rights and multi-level governance
3. School of Engineering
- Chemical and Processes Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Control Systems Engineering
- Cybersecurity
- Electronic Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Environmental engineering
- ICT for Internet and multimedia
- Management Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Mathematical Engineering
- Water and Geological Risk Engineering
4. School of Human and Social Sciences and Cultural Heritage
- Applied sciences to cultural heritage materials and sites
- Communication Strategies
- English studies
- Local development
- Mobility Studies
6. School of Medicine
- Medicine and Surgery (single-cycle – 6 years)
- Medical biotechnologies
- Pharmaceutical biotechnologies
7. School of Psychology
- Clinical, social and intercultural psychology
- Cognitive neuroscience and clinical neuropsychology
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
8. School of Science
- Astrophysics and Cosmology
- Computational Finance
- Computer science
- Cybersecurity
- Data science
- Earth Dynamics
- Geophysics for Natural Risks and Resources
- Materials Science
- Marine Biology
- Mathematics
- Molecular Biology
- Physics
- Physics of Data
- Sustainable chemistry and techonologies for circular economy
- Environmental sustainability and education
University of Padua International Excellence Scholarship Benefits
- Financial stipend: €8,000 gross per academic year, disbursed in two €4,000 installments after meeting merit requirements.
- Tuition waiver: Full exemption from tuition fees; only admission fee (regional tax + marca da bollo ~€250-€300) paid.
- Only pay small administrative fees (regional tax + stamp)
- Duration coverage: Renewable up to program length (3 years bachelor’s, 2 years master’s) if merit maintained.
- Ambassador role: Selected scholars represent the university at events, building networks.
- Total value: Approximately €16,000-€24,000 over program duration + fee savings (~€2,500-€4,000/year).
Benefits not included
- Living expenses beyond stipend (housing, food, transport not covered directly).
- Travel to/from Italy or visa fees.
- Health insurance (mandatory but self-purchased; ~€150/year).
- Books/supplies (~€500/year).
- Accommodation (student dorms ~€300-500/month extra if needed).
Eligibility Criteria for the University of Padua International Excellence Scholarship
You must:
- Be a non-Italian citizen
- Hold a:
- Non-Italian school certificate (for Bachelor’s)
- Non-Italian Bachelor’s degree (for Master’s)
- Not live in Italy
- Apply to English-taught programmes at the university
- Can apply to max 2 programmes
- Academic merit: Highest achievements/school records; highly selective.
- No other grants: Cannot receive other scholarships/grants.
- Maintenance: Earn at least 20 ECTS by 30 November annually; no transfer/withdrawal.
- Must arrive in Italy before deadline (Nov/Dec 2026)
- Must accept scholarship officially
- Must not receive other grants at the same time
Payment System
- Paid in 2 installments/year:
- €4,000 + €4,000
- First payment after:
- Arrival in Italy
- Enrolment completed
- Bank account opened
Selection Criteria
- Based on:
- Academic excellence
- Previous study records
- Overall profile quality
- Highly competitive
- May need to act as a student ambassador
Requirements to Keep Scholarship
You must:
- Earn minimum credits (ECTS):
- 12 ECTS → for 2nd installment (first year)
- 40–60 ECTS → for renewal (second year)
- Higher credits for later years
- Stay in the same programme
- ❌ Cannot combine with other scholarships
Required Documents for the Application
- Admission application documents for chosen English-taught program(s) (transcripts, diplomas, CV, motivation letter, passport, English proficiency if required).
- No separate scholarship form – automatic consideration with program application.
- Proof of non-Italian qualifications (translated/certified if needed).
- Acceptance confirmation if awarded (per offer instructions).
University of Padua International Excellence Scholarship Application Process
- Step 1: Select up to 3 English-taught bachelor’s/master’s programs from Padua’s list.
- Step 2: Submit program admission application by relevant deadline (e.g., 10 Apr/2 May 2026).
- Step 3: Meet eligibility (non-Italian quals, non-resident).
- Step 4: Automatic scholarship evaluation by Academic Committee based on excellence.
- No separate scholarship application needed
- ✅ Just apply for the degree programme
- Eligible applicants are automatically considered
- Step 5: Check results on www.unipd.it/en/assessment-results.
- Step 6: Accept offer via instructions; confirm no other grants.
- Step 7: Enroll, arrive in Padua, receive first €4,000 installment.
- Step 8: Meet 20 ECTS deadline by 30 Nov for second installment/renewal.
Tips for a Successful Application
- Excel academically: Top grades/transcripts are key – program is “highly selective”.
- Apply early rounds: First periods (Feb/Mar) prioritize scholarships.
- Tailor motivation: Highlight why Padua/Italy fits your goals.
- Prepare docs meticulously: Ensure translations/certifications for quals.
- Choose strategically: Up to 3 programs increase chances.
- Plan finances: Stipend covers basics; budget extras.
- Engage ambassador role: Shows commitment post-award.
Monthly Living Expenses for International Students
Why Choose This Scholarship?
- Fully covers tuition + solid stipend (€8,000/year) at a top historic university.
- English-taught programs – no Italian needed for study.
- Europe’s oldest uni (1222) with Galileo/Voltaire alumni prestige.
- Automatic consideration – no extra app hassle.
- Renewable up to 3 years if merit maintained.
- Vibrant Padua – affordable, student city near Venice/Venice Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions about the scholarship
Is IELTS required? No, but program-specific English proof may be.
Fully funded? Tuition waiver + €8,000 stipend; living extras self-funded.
Deadline 2026? 10 Apr (limited) / 2 May (open) – check call.
Italian citizens eligible? No.
Can I apply to multiple programs? Yes, up to 3.
Revocation risks? Yes, if <20 ECTS by Nov 30 or transfer.
Application Deadline:
The last date to apply for the University of Padua Scholarship 2026 in Italy for International Students is 2nd May 2026.
