The University of Padua International Excellence Scholarship is a highly competitive, merit-based funding opportunity offered by one of Europe’s oldest and most renowned universities, the University of Padua (Università di Padova) in Italy. Established to attract and support outstanding international talent, this program helps exceptional students from around the world pursue high-quality education in English-taught degree programs without the heavy financial burden of tuition and living costs.

Fully Funded Cambridge ERA AI Fellowship 2026

For the academic year 2026/2027, the University of Padua provides up to 69 Padua International Excellence Scholarships, with one typically allocated per eligible English-taught degree program. In addition, certain university departments offer up to 30 extra scholarships targeted at specific programs in fields like engineering, mathematics, psychology, medicine, and more. These awards recognize academic excellence, strong prior academic records, and the potential to contribute meaningfully to the university community.

What the Scholarship Covers

Recipients receive a comprehensive package designed to make studying in Italy more accessible:

• Full tuition fee waiver for the duration of the scholarship.
• An annual €8,000 scholarship (gross amount) paid in two installments of €4,000 each.
• Students only need to cover a small administrative fee each year, which includes the regional tax for the right to education and a revenue stamp (marca da bollo). This amount is not refundable.

The scholarship does not cover travel expenses, health insurance, accommodation, or other living costs beyond the €8,000 allowance. The allowance is disbursed via bank transfer once students arrive in Padua, open an Italian bank account, and meet initial enrollment requirements. The second installment depends on earning a minimum number of academic credits (ECTS) by specific deadlines.

Duration and Renewal

• Bachelor’s and Single-Cycle degrees: Up to 3 consecutive academic years.
• Master’s degrees: Up to 2 consecutive academic years.

After the scholarship period ends, students must pay full tuition fees until graduation. To keep the scholarship in subsequent years, recipients must meet strict merit requirements, such as earning at least 20 ECTS by November 30 of the first year, and progressively higher credits in later years. Failure to meet these, or withdrawing/transferring programs, can result in revocation and repayment of funds already received.

Eligible Programs

The scholarship supports Bachelor’s, Single-Cycle, and Master’s degree programs that are completely taught in English at the University of Padua. A full list of these programs is available on the university’s English-taught degrees page. Note that a few online programs are excluded. Some departmental scholarships target specific fields like Aerospace Engineering, Data Science, Environmental Engineering, Cybersecurity, Human Rights, and more.

Who Can Apply: Eligibility Criteria

This scholarship targets highly talented international students who:

• Do not hold Italian citizenship (dual citizenship, including Italian, is allowed in some cases).
• Hold a non-Italian upper secondary school diploma for Bachelor’s/Single-Cycle or a non-Italian Bachelor’s degree for Master’s that qualifies them for admission to the Italian university system.
• Do not already reside in Italy.

The program is open to applicants from all countries worldwide. It is highly selective, focusing primarily on academic achievements, quality of prior education, and overall merit. No separate scholarship application or extra documents are needed; candidates are automatically considered when they apply for admission to an eligible English-taught degree program.

Application Process and Deadlines for 2026/2027

There is no separate scholarship application. You simply apply for admission to one or more English-taught degree programs through the University of Padua’s online application system. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will automatically enter the scholarship selection pool.

• First application period:
  • Unlimited access programs: November 2, 2025 – February 2, 2026.
  • Limited access programs: January 7, 2026 – March 7, 2026.
• Second application period:
  • Limited access: March 10 – April 10, 2026.
  • Unlimited access: March 2 – May 2, 2026.

Scholarship results are published on the university’s assessment results page according to a specific timeline. Selected candidates receive a formal offer and must accept both the admission and the scholarship by the given deadline, finalize enrollment, and pay the admission fee. Non-EU students residing abroad will also need to obtain a Type D student visa.

University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship

How to Apply: Visit the University of Padua’s Application Portal and follow the instructions for your chosen program. For full details, always refer to the official Call for Applications.

For more information, including the full Call for Applications PDF, list of eligible programs, and results timelines, visit the Official Scholarship Page