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The University of Padua, founded in 1222, is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in the world. Located in the historic, vibrant city of Padua, Italy, it offers a rich academic heritage, stunning architecture, and a cutting-edge international environment for students from every corner of the globe. For ambitious prospective students aiming for the 2026 intake, the “Padua International Excellence” scholarship program provides a highly competitive, merit-based pathway to pursue world-class Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees taught entirely in English. This scholarship represents a golden opportunity to study at a university that has shaped the history of science, law, and medicine for over 800 years.
Scholarship Overview and Funding Type
The Padua International Excellence Scholarship is a partially funded award. While it offers significant financial relief by covering the primary costs of attendance, it is not considered “fully funded” because it does not cover all personal living costs, travel expenses, health insurance, or daily incidental expenses. However, it remains one of the most sought-after financial packages for international students in Italy.
The core benefits of this prestigious scholarship include:
- Tuition Fee Waiver: Recipients receive a complete exemption from university tuition fees for the standard duration of their chosen degree program. Students are only responsible for a minor annual regional tax and a fixed revenue stamp, making the cost of quality education negligible.
- Annual Stipend: A gross amount of €8,000 per academic year is provided to support living expenses. This is typically disbursed in two installments of €4,000 each, provided the student remains enrolled and meets the annual academic progress requirements.
- Duration of Support: The award is designed to support students consistently throughout their studies. It covers up to 2 years for Master’s degree programs and up to 3 years for Bachelor’s or Single-cycle degree programs.
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Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Padova International Excellence Scholarship, you must be a driven academic candidate who meets strict criteria. Because the pool of applicants is global and highly talented, the university enforces these rules to ensure the most qualified students receive support:
- Non-Italian Citizenship: Applicants must not hold Italian citizenship (dual citizenship including Italian is accepted for this program).
- Non-Resident Status: You must not be a resident of Italy at the time of your application. The program is specifically designed to attract new talent into the Italian academic system.
- Academic Qualifications: You must hold a valid non-Italian secondary school diploma (for Bachelor’s/Single-cycle programs) or a non-Italian degree (for Master’s programs) that allows access to the Italian university system. Your qualifications must be officially recognized as equivalent by the University of Padua.
- Program Selection: You must apply for one or more eligible English-taught degree programs offered by the University of Padua. Programs taught in Italian are generally not eligible for this specific excellence scheme.
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How to Apply
The University of Padua simplifies the administrative burden by utilizing an automatic selection process for this scholarship.
- No Separate Application: One of the most student-friendly aspects of this program is that you do not need to fill out a separate, complex scholarship form. Simply applying for an eligible English-taught degree program by the required deadlines automatically enters you into the selection pool.
- Selection Criteria: The Teaching Committee for each specific degree program reviews all incoming candidates. They rank applicants based on academic excellence, the quality of their previous academic career, letters of motivation, and the strength of their application materials.
- Strategic Timing: Scholarships are primarily reserved for candidates who apply during the first application call. Because spaces and funding are limited, applying as early as possible is highly recommended to increase your competitive advantage.
Maintaining the Scholarship
Securing the scholarship is only the first step; maintaining it requires academic consistency. To retain the scholarship for subsequent years, recipients must:
- Remain officially enrolled in their chosen degree program.
- Meet specific academic milestones, such as earning a required number of ECTS credits by specific dates (typically at least 20 credits by November 30th of the following academic year).
- Avoid transferring to other universities or changing degree programs, as this may result in the forfeiture of the stipend. Detailed renewal requirements are provided in the official Call for Applications for each intake cycle.
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Other Funding Options
If you are not selected for the Excellence scholarship, do not be discouraged. The University of Padua offers several other financial routes for international students:
- Departmental Scholarships: Various departments at the University of Padua offer additional merit-based scholarships to attract talented students to specific research or academic fields.
- Regional Scholarships: Support is provided through the Veneto Region for students who can demonstrate financial need. This is calculated using the ISEE Parificato, which evaluates your family’s economic situation.
- Fee Waivers: Outside of the excellence program, the university reserves 100 full tuition fee waivers for talented international students enrolling in English-taught degree programs.
Official Scholarship Links
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for the scholarship separately?
No, the process is automatic upon applying for an eligible degree program. You do not need to submit a separate application or additional documentation.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
No, it is a partially funded scholarship. It covers tuition fees (except for a regional tax and stamp duty) and provides an €8,000 annual stipend, but other living costs are the student’s responsibility.
What if I have dual citizenship?
You are eligible as long as one of your citizenships is non-Italian, provided you meet other residency and academic requirements.
Final thoughts and advice From ScholarshipsHive
Securing a spot at the University of Padua is a prestigious goal, and the International Excellence Scholarship is a fantastic way to support your journey. ScholarshipsHive recommends focusing your energy on your academic profile, as the selection is highly competitive and merit-based. Always ensure your application for your chosen degree program is submitted well before the first deadline, as this is your best chance to be considered for the scholarship. Keep your documents ready, double-check the English-taught program requirements, and stay proactive in tracking your application status through the official university portal. By preparing your documentation months in advance and maintaining a strong GPA, you significantly increase your chances of being chosen. The university values consistency and academic rigor above all else. Stay organized, be patient with the administrative processes, and leverage the resources provided on the official portal to ensure your path to Padua is as smooth as possible. Good luck on this exciting academic chapter!
