What the funding covers
- Exemption from student fees; you still pay the regional fee and the revenue stamp each year.
- €8,000 gross a year, in two instalments of €4,000 gross, tied to the academic requirements in the notice.
- Up to 2 years for a master's and up to 3 years for a bachelor's or single-cycle degree. These are the 2026/27 terms; Padua's 2027/28 notice is due in November 2026.
What you will still pay
| Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Student fees | The scholarship waives them if you win it |
| Regional fee and revenue stamp | You, each year |
| Application fee of €60 (or the €55 CEnT-S test fee where required) | You |
| Living costs in Padua | You, with the €8,000 gross a year towards them |
Who can apply
- You must not be an Italian citizen, unless you hold dual citizenship, and must not be resident in Italy when you apply.
- You need a non-Italian secondary school diploma for a bachelor's or single-cycle degree, or a foreign degree for a master's.
- You must apply to an English-taught bachelor's or master's within the deadline, enrol, and not hold another scholarship.
Which nationalities can apply
Every nationality except citizens of Italy.
Documents you will need
- Your degree application on apply.unipd.it, with the documents that programme asks for.
- The €60 application fee, or the €55 CEnT-S registration for programmes that require the test.
How to apply
- Apply for an English-taught degree on apply.unipd.it. There is no separate scholarship form: your degree application enters you.
- For programmes with unlimited places, the first call runs from 15 September to 15 November 2026. For limited-place programmes, the first call for non-EU citizens living abroad runs from 7 January to 7 March 2027.
- Each programme's Teaching Committee selects recipients on academic excellence and past record.
Before you apply: things to know
- Awards are mainly reserved for the first call, so do not count on a later one.
- Padua's next scholarship notice is due in November 2026, so check the amounts and number of awards when it appears.
- The scholarship can be revoked if you earn fewer than 20 credits by 30 November of the following academic year, or if you transfer or withdraw.
- Once the scholarship period ends, you pay tuition until you graduate.
Common questions
Do I need a separate application for the Padua Excellence Scholarship?
No. Applying to an eligible English-taught degree within the deadline also enters you for the scholarship.
When should I apply?
Use the first call, since awards are mainly reserved for it: 15 September to 15 November 2026 for programmes with unlimited places, and 7 January to 7 March 2027 for limited-place programmes if you are a non-EU citizen living abroad.
A working timeline
Counting back from the next deadline (Nov 15, 2026). Steps marked NOW are already due if you start today.
Aug 23, 2026 · NOWResearch the route in depth: confirm eligibility, costs and every required document
Sep 6, 2026 · NOWAsk your referees (for a PhD, email potential supervisors with a short, specific pitch)
Sep 20, 2026 · NOWWrite the first full draft of your motivation letter or statement of purpose
Oct 4, 2026 · NOWOrder transcripts and certified translations · book any language test
Oct 18, 2026 · NOWSecond draft: get feedback from someone who reads critically
Nov 1, 2026 · NOWFinalise every document and complete the online form
Nov 8, 2026Submit, but never on the last day
Nov 15, 2026Deadline