The University of Padua International Excellence Scholarship 2026 is a merit-based scholarship for outstanding international students applying to English-taught degree programs in Italy.
🎓 University of Padua International Excellence Scholarship 2026
📍 Host University
- University of Padua
- Location: Padua, Italy
🎓 University of Padua
The University of Padua (Italian: Università degli Studi di Padova) is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe. It is located in Padua, Italy and is widely known for its strong research, historic legacy, and international programs.
📜 History
- Founded in 1222, making it one of the world’s oldest universities.
- Established by scholars and students who left the University of Bologna seeking more academic freedom.
- Famous historical figures studied or taught there, including:
- Galileo Galilei – taught mathematics and astronomy (1592–1610).
- Elena Cornaro Piscopia – the first woman in the world to receive a PhD (1678).
🎓 Popular English-Taught Programs
Examples include:
- Information Engineering
- Data Science
- Psychology
- Biology of Human and Environmental Health
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Economics and Finance
These programs are popular among international scholarship applicants.
✅ Why students choose University of Padua
- Very high academic reputation
- Lower tuition fees compared with many Western European universities
- Strong international research collaborations
- Beautiful historic student city
- Good scholarship opportunities
💰 Scholarship Benefits
Selected students receive:
- Full tuition fee waiver
- €8,000 per year stipend (gross) for living costs
- Students only pay small administrative fees (regional tax + stamp duty).
The €8,000 is usually paid in two installments of €4,000 each year if academic requirements are met.
The University of Padua offers up to 68 scholarships to highly talented international students enrolling in English-taught Degree programmes at the University of Padua (A.Y. 2025/2026). The scholarship programme is highly selective. Only candidates showing the highest achievements and school/academic records may receive a scholarship. Successful scholars will be expected to fulfil an ambassadorial role and represent the University at a number of events.
Amount of scholarship: fee-waiver + €8,000 scholarship (gross amount) per each academic year. The only amount to be paid by beneficiary students for each year consists of an admission fee, corresponding to the regional tax and marca da bollo.
Duration: the Padua International Excellence Scholarship has a maximum duration of:
- 2 continuous years for Master’s degree candidates;
- 3 continuous years for Bachelor’s and Single-Cycle degree candidates.
After the duration indicated above, beneficiary students will be required to cover their own expenses as well as tuition fees until graduation.
Who can apply: highly talented prospective international students from all over the world wishing to enrol in one of University of Padua Bachelor's or Master's degrees completely held in English.
How to apply: you can be considered for the selection procedure, under penalty of exclusion, if you meet the requirements below.
- Do not possess an Italian citizenship (except for dual citizenship including Italian);
- hold a non-Italian foreign secondary school diploma (for Bachelor's or Single-cycle degrees applicants) or a non-Italian Bachelor's degree (for Master's degrees applicants) allowing admission to the Italian University system;
- do not reside in Italy;
- apply to one or more of the abovementioned degree programmes completely taught in English at the University of Padua.
If you meet these requirements, you will be automatically considered for the selection procedure. There is no separate application or additional specific documents to be submitted besides those required to apply for the selected degree programme.
Selection criteria: the Academic Comittee of each degree programme shortlists eligible applicants and awards the most deserving candidates the scholarships, based on academic excellence in their field of study, quality, and records from their prior learning.
Selection results: Scholarships are reserved for candidates applying for the first application period; on an exceptional basis, the Academic Committees may decide to award the scholarship to eligible candidates of the second application period.
Requirements for University of Padua International Excellence Scholarships Qualification
- Highly talented prospective international students from all over the world wishing to enrol in one of University of Padua Bachelor's or Master's degrees completely held in English.
You can be considered for the selection procedure, under penalty of exclusion, if you meet the requirements below.
- Do not possess an Italian citizenship (except for dual citizenship including Italian);
- hold a non-Italian foreign secondary school diploma (for Bachelor's or Single-cycle degrees applicants) or a non-Italian Bachelor's degree (for Master's degrees applicants) allowing admission to the Italian University system;
- do not reside in Italy;
- apply to one or more of the abovementioned degree programmes completely taught in English at the University of Padua.
If you meet these requirements, you will be automatically considered for the selection procedure. There is no separate application or additional specific documents to be submitted besides those required to apply for the selected degree programme.
How to Apply
- There is no separate application or additional specific documents to be submitted besides those required to apply for the selected degree programme.
For more information, kindly visit University of Padua scholarship webpage.
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