Erasmus guide University of Padua
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at University of Padua in Padua, Italy.
Study abroad at University of Padua: overview
Study abroad at the University of Padua for one of the world's oldest universities: founded 1222, QS ~204, around 76,000 students with 11% international. Strongest for medicine, law and sciences, with the trade-off that university housing is genuinely scarce — plan to rent privately.
Enrollment
Around 76,000 students
International Mix
Approximately 11% of the student body is international
Why students choose it
Best for students who want one of the world's oldest universities, strong in medicine, law and sciences, in a small, affordable, arcaded city close to Venice. The trade-off is genuinely scarce university housing — plan to rent privately from day one.
Language of instruction: Italian (primary); a growing number of English-taught master's programmes and courses open to exchange students
Exchange & application at University of Padua
Exchange runs through Erasmus+ or SEMP with fixed nomination windows (March-April for autumn, September-October for spring) followed by Uniweb registration — a clearly documented process by Italian university standards.
✅Requirements
Home university nomination, Uniweb registration and application, transcript, language proof, and — for non-EU students — an Italian student visa.
📨Nomination Process
Your home Erasmus coordinator nominates you directly to the University of Padua within the fixed nomination window (15 March-30 April for autumn/winter and full year; 1 September-15 October for spring).
🛂Visa Support
EU/EEA students need no visa. Non-EU students need an Italian student visa and must apply for a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) within 8 days of arrival.
👥Buddy System
ESN Padova runs a buddy programme and welcome events pairing new exchange students with local student volunteers.
🧭Orientation Week
The university runs orientation sessions for incoming exchange students covering Uniweb, course registration and general settling-in guidance, alongside ESN Padova's social welcome events.
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | March 15 - April 30 | May 15 (Uniweb registration and application) |
| 2nd semester | September 1 - October 15 | Set after nomination closes |
Arrival Checklist
- Start your private housing search the moment your nomination is accepted — allow at least 5-6 weeks.
- Get a codice fiscale (Italian tax code) early — many landlords and services require it.
- Apply for a permesso di soggiorno within 8 days of arrival if you are a non-EU student.
- Register on Uniweb and confirm your course selections with your home coordinator before arrival.
Academics & courses at University of Padua
Most courses remain Italian-taught, though English-taught master's options are growing — confirm your course list's language with your home coordinator before committing.
📝Course Registration
Course registration happens through Uniweb once your faculty confirms enrollment; exchange students select courses within their nominated department.
🎓Credit System
ECTS — Italy is fully aligned with the European Credit Transfer System.
💯Grading System
Italian 18-30 scale (18 is the minimum pass, 30 e lode is the highest distinction); the university provides ECTS conversion guidance for exchange students.
✍️Exam Culture
Mostly oral exams, especially in law, humanities and medicine; written exams and lab reports are more common in sciences and engineering.
📚Library Access
University of Padua libraries include the historic Palazzo Bo collections and modern faculty libraries, with extensive digital access for enrolled students.
Tuition & fees at University of Padua
Exchange students pay no University of Padua tuition, only their home institution's fees; full-degree Italian tuition is income-based (ISEE) and often very low.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | EUR 0 (pay home institution fees only) | Erasmus+ and SEMP exchange students pay no tuition to the University of Padua, only their home institution's fees. |
| Full degree – income-based Italian tuition | Approximately EUR 200-2,500/year depending on household income (ISEE) | Like most Italian public universities, tuition for full-degree students is calculated on a sliding scale based on family income (ISEE), with low-income stude… |
EUR 0 (pay home institution fees only)
Erasmus+ and SEMP exchange students pay no tuition to the University of Padua, only their home institution's fees.
Approximately EUR 200-2,500/year depending on household income (ISEE)
Like most Italian public universities, tuition for full-degree students is calculated on a sliding scale based on family income (ISEE), with low-income stude…
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at University of Padua
University accommodation is reserved almost entirely for students with disabilities or specific programmes — start your private housing search the moment your nomination is accepted.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Padua
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at University of Padua
The International Relations Office and ESN Padova cover most day-to-day needs — use both in week one alongside getting a codice fiscale.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes for non-EU students; EHIC generally sufficient for EU/EEA exchange students.
🇪🇺EHIC Accepted
Yes
🏥Campus Clinic
No dedicated campus clinic; students register with the Italian national health service (SSN) or use private care, with ESU Padova able to help navigate the process.
🧠Mental Health
Psychological counselling is available through the university's student counselling service (Servizio Counseling Psicologico).
EHIC
Home-country dependent
Accepted for EU/EEA exchange students for the duration of their stay.
Italian national health service (SSN) voluntary registration
~EUR 150-160/year
Common route for non-EU exchange students needing local healthcare access.
Campus services
International Relations Office (Ufficio Relazioni Internazionali)
Central office handling exchange nominations, Uniweb support and general international student advising.
ESN Padova
Student-run Erasmus Student Network chapter organising buddy pairing, welcome week and social trips.
ESU Padova
Regional student services body managing the very limited student residences, canteens and scholarships.
Student life at University of Padua
Campus life concentrates in Padua's compact, arcaded historic centre, with Venice a 25-minute train ride away for weekends.
Student Clubs
- ESN Padova
- Faculty student associations
Buddy Program
ESN Padova buddy programme pairs new exchange students with local student volunteers.
Sports & Recreation
- CUS Padova — subsidised university sports club with a wide range of activities
- Cycling around the flat, compact historic centre
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend the university's incoming-student orientation for Uniweb and course registration.
- Get a codice fiscale and finalise your private housing contract.
- Apply for a permesso di soggiorno within 8 days of arrival if non-EU.
- Join ESN Padova's welcome week for social events and the buddy programme.
Key exchange dates at University of Padua
Nomination and application windows are fixed and documented well in advance — treat them as hard cutoffs, especially the May 15 Uniweb deadline for autumn/winter and full-year exchanges.
-
1
Nomination window
March 15-April 30 (autumn/winter, full year) / September 1-October 15 (spring)
Home university nominates the student within the fixed window.
-
2
Uniweb registration and application
By May 15 (autumn/winter, full year); set after nomination for spring
Student registers and applies via Uniweb, selecting courses.
-
3
Exam period
January-February / June-July
Mostly oral exams; confirm exam session dates before booking return travel.