University of Padua Scholarships in Italy 2026 | Fully Funded Opportunities for International Students
Last Updated: March 24, 2026
If you are looking to study in Europe through reliable scholarships and clear funding, the University of Padua (Università di Padova) in the Veneto region of Italy offers one of the strongest scholarship packages for international students. The university combines international excellence scholarships that waive tuition fees and provide an annual allowance, with regional scholarships that cover living costs for students with limited financial means, in addition to elite opportunities within the Galilean School of Higher Education. In this guide, you will find everything you need: scholarship types, funding amounts, eligibility conditions, deadlines, and step-by-step application instructions — along with official links to avoid any confusion.
You may also check the University of Milan Excellence Scholarship in Italy
Why University of Padua Scholarships?
- A prestigious public university founded in 1222, with a strong research reputation in engineering, science, medicine, and economics.
- More than 50 English-taught programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, with an international student environment and academic and language support services.
- A variety of scholarship packages that suit both academic excellence and financial need, making financial planning easier from day one.
For regular updates on scholarships and academic opportunities, follow our official platforms:
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Types of Scholarships Available at the University of Padua
1) Padua International Excellence Scholarship (for English-taught programs)
Coverage: Full exemption from tuition fees + €8,000 per year (gross amount before tax). The only amount the student must pay is the regional tax and stamp duty (regional tax & marca da bollo).
Duration: Up to 2 years for master’s degrees, and up to 3 years for bachelor’s degrees / single-cycle degree programs.
Selectivity: This scholarship is highly competitive and intended for top academic records, and the number of available places is usually set annually.
2) Regional Scholarships – ESU Veneto
This scholarship is managed through ESU Padova (regional student services) and is intended for students with low income.
Typical benefits:
A contribution toward living costs, which may include accommodation, meals, and other student services, depending on your rank in the regional lists and the eligibility criteria, with payment made in two installments during the first year:
- The first installment is usually paid by December.
- The second installment is paid after achieving 20 ECTS credits (by August 10 at the latest for the first year), and is disbursed monthly starting from March after meeting the requirement.
- If the student does not obtain 20 ECTS credits by November 30, eligibility may be withdrawn.
3) Galilean School of Higher Education Scholarships
An elite track parallel to your university studies that offers:
- Free accommodation and meals in university residences and dining facilities.
- Compensation for educational expenses (books, study trips, etc.).
- A €2,500 annual cash grant + a round-trip travel ticket up to €1,500 per year.
What Do the Scholarships Cover?
Excellence: Full tuition fee waiver + €8,000 annually (gross), while the student still pays the regional tax / stamp duty.
ESU: Living support, accommodation, and services according to income brackets and academic results, with scheduled disbursement and the requirement of 20 ECTS in the first year.
Galilean School: Accommodation and meals + €2,500 cash + reimbursements + an annual travel ticket (up to €1,500).
You may also check the University of Calabria Scholarship for Arab Students in Italy
Eligibility and Requirements
Excellence:
- You must be an international student not residing in Italy and hold a foreign qualification that grants access to university admission.
- You must apply to an English-taught program at Padua (bachelor’s or master’s) through the university portal.
- An outstanding academic record, motivation letters, and recommendation letters may be decisive.
- The scholarship is often linked to your academic admission; in many cases, you do not need a separate application, but you must follow the instructions stated in the current year’s call.
ESU Veneto:
- You must meet the income and asset criteria according to the regional tables, while maintaining academic performance (20 ECTS in the first year).
- You must submit translated / certified income documents according to the requirements of the regional call.
Galilean School:
- You must pass a special competition held by the school (which may include tests and/or interviews).
- You must maintain excellent academic performance throughout your studies.
Deadlines and Annual Timeline
Excellence scholarships usually open annually around the beginning of spring, and the university announces the number of scholarships available (for example, up to 62 scholarships in the 2025/26 call), together with the exact conditions and closing dates. Make sure to review the scholarship page and the PDF call for the current year before applying.
ESU scholarships are announced through separate calls on the ESU Padova website and include their own application deadlines.
The Galilean School announces admission deadlines annually as well (for example, the 2025/26 deadline was in late August, according to the school page). Check the school page for the latest updates.
Tip: Plan on the basis that applications for academic programs usually begin early (winter/spring) for the following academic year, while regional scholarships often come through summer/autumn calls. Prepare your file early (transcripts, passport, recommendations, and language certificate if available).
You may also check the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship
Application Steps
First: Choose the right program
- Browse the list of English-taught programs at Padua and choose the degree level (BSc/BA or MSc).
- Make sure you meet the specific admission requirements of the program (previous specialization, GPA, language requirements).
Second: Prepare the documents
- Valid passport, graduation certificates, translated transcripts (if needed), CV, motivation letter, and recommendation letters.
- Save everything in PDF format according to the specifications stated for each program.
Third: Apply through the university portal
- Create an account on apply.unipd.it (Become an applicant), complete the application, upload the files, and pay the application fee if required (payment instructions are available داخل the portal).
- Monitor your email for admission messages or requests to complete missing documents.
Fourth: Scholarship file
Excellence: Follow the instructions in the scholarship call for the current year (you may be assessed automatically within your admission application, or you may need additional forms — the details are in the call).
ESU Veneto: Apply to the regional call within its deadlines, with proof of income and supporting documents.
Galilean School: Register for the school competition before the deadline and be prepared for the tests/interviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does “Excellence” mean studying completely free of charge?
It waives tuition fees and grants €8,000 per year. However, living expenses may exceed that amount; therefore, if you have limited financial means, you should also consider applying for the ESU scholarship.
What amount will I still have to pay despite the scholarship?
Even with the waiver, you will still pay the mandatory annual regional tax and stamp duty.
Do I need IELTS?
It depends on the program; some programs accept alternatives (such as previous qualifications in English or other tests). Check the page of your specific program.
Can I combine more than one scholarship?
Yes, in many cases (for example, Excellence + ESU), but you should check the overlap conditions in each annual call.
You may also check the King Saud University PhD Scholarship in Saudi Arabia
Tips to Increase Your Chances of Admission
- Write a strong motivation letter that accurately connects your background and goals to the content of the program.
- Prepare a concise CV with measurable achievements (projects, courses, research).
- Applying early improves your chances of calm evaluation and gives you time to correct any missing parts.
- Be academically prepared to achieve 20 ECTS in the first year if you plan to rely on ESU.
Official Scholarship Links
- Padua International Excellence Scholarship page – University of Padua (funding details, duration, and current-year conditions).
- International scholarships page – University of Padua. Università degli studi di Padova
- 2025/26 scholarship call (PDF / university page) – number of scholarships and current-year conditions. Università degli studi di Padova+1
- ESU Veneto scholarships – official calls, publications, and installment disbursement.
- Galilean School of Higher Education – scholarship details, deadlines, and admissions.
- How to apply via apply.unipd.it – official steps.
Note: Do not rely on intermediary websites or social media posts when determining final deadlines; the only reliable sources are always the university pages and ESU.
Conclusion
The University of Padua gives you a smart combination of tuition fee exemption + living support depending on your profile, with strong English-taught programs and a broad research network. Start early, review the official calls every year, and submit a complete application. With this strategy, you increase your chances of obtaining both admission and a scholarship that covers a large part of your academic and living costs at one of Italy’s best universities.
For regular updates on scholarships and academic opportunities, follow our official platforms:
