Padua International Excellence Scholarship
The University of Padua International Excellence Scholarship awards EUR 8,000 per year (LKR 2.76M/year) plus a full tuition waiver to outstanding non-EU international undergraduate students. Padua tuition for non-EU students ranges from EUR 2,600 to EUR 3,500/year, so the full package (tuition + EUR 8,000) is worth approximately EUR 10,500-11,500/year (LKR 3.6M-4M/year). The University of Padua (founded 1222) is one of the world's oldest universities — Galileo Galilei taught here. It now offers a growing portfolio of English-taught Bachelor's programmes (Animal Care, Astronomy, Information Engineering, Psychological Science, Sustainable Agriculture, etc.). Sri Lankan applicants with strong academic profiles and an interest in studying in one of Europe's most historically significant academic environments are well-positioned.
September 2027 intake: applications close 8 March 2027; scholarship consideration automatic with admission
University of Padua
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
EUR 8,000/yr + Tuition Waiver
Duration
3 Years (renewable)
Application
Automatic at Admission
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
University of Padua — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.
What it covers
EUR 8,000 + Tuition Waiver (Per Year). This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.
Where we come in
We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Padua Bachelor's Admission
You must be applying to one of Padua's English-taught Bachelor's programmes. Eligible programmes include Animal Care, Astronomy, Information Engineering, Sustainable Agriculture, Psychological Science, and others. Italian-taught Bachelor's are not part of this scholarship (separate Italian-language scholarships apply).
Non-EU/EEA Citizenship
Open only to non-EU/EEA citizens. Sri Lankan citizens applying from Sri Lanka are eligible. EU/EEA citizens have separate Padua funding routes (and pay lower tuition baseline).
Strong Secondary School Record
Top-decile academic performance. 3 As at A/L, IB 36+/45, or equivalent. Subject choices should align with the intended programme (e.g. Biology + Chemistry for Animal Care; Physics + Maths for Astronomy or Engineering).
English Proficiency
Required: IELTS 6.0+ (no band below 5.5) or TOEFL iBT 80+. Sri Lankan applicants with English-medium A/Ls may qualify for the MOI-letter waiver. Italian is not required for academic purposes — free Italian classes are offered to international students.
account_tree Application Process
Apply via Padua Apply portal
Submit your Padua Bachelor's application via the Apply portal (uniweb.unipd.it) by 8 March 2027. Application fee approximately EUR 30. Required: school transcripts, A/L statement, IELTS/TOEFL, motivation letter, two references.
Submit international qualifications dossier
Padua requires a Diploma Supplement / academic statement of comparability (issued by CIMEA or directly accepted) for the Sri Lankan A/L qualification. Padua's International Desk supports candidates with this process — start early as it can take 4-6 weeks.
Automatic scholarship consideration
All admitted non-EU candidates are automatically reviewed for the International Excellence Scholarship. Selection is based on academic record + motivation letter quality. There is no separate scholarship application form. Awards typically announced May-June.
Acceptance + Italian visa
Successful applicants accept the offer and scholarship via the Padua portal. Use the offer + scholarship + financial documents to apply for the Italian student visa via the Italian Embassy in New Delhi (Sri Lankan applicants apply via Delhi consular district).
Why Padua?
The University of Padua was founded in 1222 — the second-oldest university in Italy and one of the oldest in the world. Galileo Galilei held the chair of mathematics here for 18 years; the world's first permanent anatomical theatre was built at Padua in 1594. Today the university has around 60,000 students and is consistently ranked among Italy's top 5. Located in the small city of Padua, 40 km west of Venice — easy access to the Veneto region and northern Italy. Cost of living significantly lower than Milan or Rome.
#219
QS World Ranking 2026
1222
Year Founded
Galileo's
Former Academic Home
Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?
Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.
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