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Italy 2026/27 intake: international scholarship call typically opens early 2026 with a deadline around February/March 2026 — confirm on unipd.it

University of Padova International Excellence Scholarship

The University of Padova (Università degli Studi di Padova) is one of the world's oldest universities (1222) and a top-tier Italian research university where Galileo once taught. Its scholarship for international Master's (second-cycle) students supports talented applicants to its growing portfolio of English-taught degrees, typically combining a cash scholarship of around EUR 8,000 per year with a tuition exemption, renewable across the two-year Master's subject to credit conditions. Selection is merit-based with a dedicated application separate from admission. For Sri Lankan applicants, Padova is a strong, lower-cost option across engineering, the sciences, economics, and ICT: a first-class or upper-second Bachelor's from a recognised Sri Lankan university in a relevant field is the competitive base. The exact scholarship value, number of awards, and deadlines are set each year, so confirm the current call on the Padova international-scholarship page.

University of Padova

University-funded

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Value

~EUR 8,000/yr + tuition exemption

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Duration

2 years (renewable)

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Application

Dedicated scholarship call

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International Applicant

Open to international students with a non-Italian qualification who meet the call's criteria. Sri Lankan applicants applying from Sri Lanka are eligible. Check the annual call for precise nationality and residence conditions.

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Strong Bachelor's Degree

A relevant Bachelor's degree, ideally first-class or upper-second from a recognised Sri Lankan university, with good grades in the discipline of the chosen Master's. Subject alignment is checked for technical programmes.

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Admission to an Eligible Master's

You must be applying to or admitted to an eligible Padova second-cycle (Master's) programme — many in English. The scholarship attaches to admission to a participating programme.

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English Proficiency

English-taught Master's require IELTS ~6.5 / TOEFL iBT ~88 or equivalent. Sri Lankan applicants from English-medium degree programmes may qualify via an MOI/exemption route — confirm with Padova's admissions office.

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Apply for admission to a Padova Master's

Submit your admission application for an eligible English-taught Master's via the University of Padova portal, with transcripts, degree certificate, CV, and English evidence.

Submit the scholarship application

Apply to the dedicated international-scholarship call (often via the Apply@UniPD platform), attaching the documents the call specifies, before the deadline (typically February/March).

Merit-based selection

Padova ranks applicants on academic merit and the call's criteria, then publishes the results; a limited number of awards are granted for the year.

Accept and apply for the Italian student visa

Accept your place and scholarship, then apply for the Italian student visa via the consular service covering Sri Lanka (Delhi consular district), using your offer, scholarship confirmation, and financial evidence.

Why University of Padova?

Padova is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe, strong across the sciences, engineering, medicine, and economics, with a rapidly expanding English-taught Master's offer. The compact, historic city sits within easy reach of Venice and offers an affordable, classically Italian student experience.