The University of Padua, one of Italy’s oldest and most respected universities, runs the Padua International Excellence Scholarship Programme to attract highly talented international students from around the world. The award supports students who want to complete a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree taught entirely in English in the city of Padua.
For African students, this is a rare combination: a degree delivered in English (so no Italian-language barrier), a full tuition fee waiver, and a yearly cash allowance to help with living costs. With 69 Padua International Excellence Scholarships on offer plus 30 additional partial scholarships awarded by the University’s departments, there is real room for strong candidates to break through.
Just as importantly, you don’t fill out a separate scholarship form. If you meet the eligibility criteria and apply to an English-taught programme, you are automatically considered — which makes getting your degree application right the whole game.
Scholarship benefits
- A subsistence (living) allowance of €8,000 per academic year.
- A full tuition fee waiver for each year of study.
- Maximum duration of 2 continuous years for Master’s candidates, or 3 continuous years for Bachelor’s and Single Cycle candidates.
- The only cost beneficiaries pay each year is an admission fee (the regional tax and marca da bollo).
- Partial scholarships are also offered by individual departments, though these departmental awards do not include a tuition fee waiver.
Eligibility checklist
- ✔ You do not hold Italian citizenship (dual citizenship that includes Italian is the only exception).
- ✔ You hold a non-Italian foreign secondary school certificate (for Bachelor’s or Single Cycle applicants) or a non-Italian Bachelor’s degree (for Master’s applicants) that allows admission to the Italian university system.
- ✔ You do not reside in Italy.
- ✔ You apply for one or more English-taught degree programmes at the University of Padua, following the official procedures and deadlines. You may apply to up to 3 programmes.
Application tips for African students
- Because there is no separate scholarship form, treat your degree application as your scholarship application — make every document count.
- Get your secondary school certificate or Bachelor’s degree assessed for compatibility with the Italian system early; certified copies and translations can take weeks to arrange in many African countries.
- Even though the programmes are English-taught, confirm whether your chosen programme requires an English proficiency test (such as IELTS or TOEFL) and book your test early to leave room for a retake.
- Apply to up to three programmes strategically — mixing a reach choice with strong, well-matched options can improve your odds across the limited- and unlimited-access deadlines.
- Read the official Call for Applications 2026/27 carefully so you know which deadline (10 April or 2 May) applies to your specific programme.
- Start preparing visa and proof-of-funds documents in parallel, since Italian student visa processing can be slow from African embassies.
- Submit your application well before the deadline — late or incomplete documents are an easily avoidable reason to lose a fully funded place.
How to apply
There is no separate scholarship application. You are automatically considered for the selection procedure if you meet the eligibility requirements and apply to an English-taught degree programme through the University’s online system, submitting only the documents required for that programme. The next deadlines are 10 April 2026 for limited-access programmes where no scholarships were awarded in the earlier rounds, and 2 May 2026 for unlimited-access programmes in the same situation. Be sure to read the Call for Applications 2026/27 and apply online via the official page: https://www.unipd.it/en/padua-excellence.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for this scholarship?
Highly talented prospective international students from anywhere in the world who do not hold Italian citizenship, do not reside in Italy, and hold a qualifying non-Italian secondary or Bachelor’s qualification. African students who meet these conditions are eligible.
What does the scholarship cover?
The Padua International Excellence Scholarship includes an €8,000 subsistence allowance per year and a full tuition fee waiver. The only cost you pay each year is the admission fee (regional tax and marca da bollo). Departmental partial scholarships do not include the tuition waiver.
Do I need to submit a separate scholarship application?
No. You are automatically considered for selection if you meet the eligibility requirements and apply to an English-taught degree programme. No extra form or additional documents beyond those required for the degree are needed.
How long does the funding last?
Up to 2 continuous years for Master’s degree candidates and up to 3 continuous years for Bachelor’s and Single Cycle candidates.
What are the deadlines?
The next deadlines are 10 April 2026 for limited-access programmes and 2 May 2026 for unlimited-access programmes (for which no scholarships were awarded in the earlier 2 February and 7 March 2026 rounds). Always confirm dates on the official page.
Do I need to speak Italian?
The eligible programmes are taught entirely in English, so the degree itself does not require Italian. Check whether your chosen programme requires an English proficiency test.