University of Padua International Excellence Scholarship 2026 (Fee Waiver + €8,000)
February 25, 2026 by Tuition Free Trek
Get a €8,000 stipend and fee waiver at University of Padua! Second call opens March 2. Apply now.
If you missed the winter deadlines for Italy, do not lose
hope. One of Europe's oldest and most prestigious institutions, the University
of Padua (Unipd), is opening its Second Application Call on March
2, 2026.
This is your final opportunity to be considered for the Padua
International Excellence Scholarship, which offers a complete Tuition
Fee Waiver plus a massive €8,000 cash stipend.
Scholarship Benefits: The "Excellence" Package
The University of Padua rewards top-tier academic talent
with one of the most generous merit packages in Italy.
- €8,000
Stipend: You receive €8,000 (gross) per academic year, paid
directly to your bank account in two instalments of €4,000.
- Full
Fee Waiver: You are 100% exempt from tuition fees. You only pay the
small regional tax (approx. €190).
- Duration:
- Master’s
Degrees: Up to 2 years.
- Bachelor’s
Degrees: Up to 3 years.
- Maintenance:
To keep the money flowing, you must pass at least 20 ECTS credits
by November 30th of the following year.
How to Apply (The "Automatic" Advantage)
The best part about this scholarship? There is no
separate application form.
- Apply
for Admission: You simply apply for an English-taught Bachelor's or
Master's degree on the Apply
@ Unipd portal.
- Automatic
Consideration: By submitting your admission application, you are automatically
flagged for the Excellence Scholarship based on your GPA and academic
records.
- No
Extra Essays: You do not need to write a specific "scholarship
essay." Your standard Personal Statement for admission is used to
evaluate you.
Who Is Eligible? (Strict Criteria)
To be considered, you must meet these non-negotiable
requirements:
- Non-Italian
Nationality: You must hold a foreign passport (or dual citizenship).
- Foreign
Qualification: You must have a high school diploma (for Bachelor's) or
a Bachelor's degree (for Master's) obtained outside of Italy.
- Non-Resident:
You must not be currently residing in Italy.
- English
Programs: You must apply to one of the University's English-taught
degree programs (e.g., Astrophysics, Data Science, Human Rights, Food
Safety).
The "Second Call" Strategy (March - May)
- Application
Window: March 2, 2026 – May 2, 2026.
- The
Risk: Most scholarships are given in the First Call (Nov-Feb).
However, the university confirms that remaining funds are awarded
to exceptional candidates in this Second Call.
- Your
Strategy: Since you are competing for fewer spots, your CV and Personal
Statement must be flawless. You need to demonstrate why you are a top
1% student.
Official Links
- Official
Scholarship Page: Padua International Excellence Scholarship
- Application Portal: Apply @ Unipd