What’s it like to be an international student studying in Padua, Italy?

Moving abroad isn’t always easy, especially as an international student. For this reason, the city of Padua and the University of Padua have ensured that the student environment is organised, friendly and – most importantly – culturally diverse.

In fact, thousands of international students can benefit from 45 programmes taught in English, special welcome initiatives, personalised support from the Global Engagement Office, free Italian language courses, and a warm local community.

Arusei, a biotechnologies for food science student from Kenya, said: “I’m happy to be a student here. The university has a very diverse student population, where you can interact with and learn from people from different cultures. It’s an excellent place to study and grow.”

Rrezon, a business administration graduate from Kosovo, added: “This was my best international experience so far. The local students are there to make sure that you also enjoy your time out of class, it’s an exciting environment to be in.”

If you’re dreaming of studying at a university with a great academic reputation, then look no further: the University of Padua was ranked first in Italy for teaching and research quality by the ANVUR, the national agency for the evaluation of Higher Education institutions.

Founded in 1222, the historical university is also notorious for research quality and a multidisciplinary curriculum. No matter what your degree may be, the University of Padua offers a wide range of programmes that will match your academic profile and personal interests – from engineering to business, science, humanities, agriculture, and much more.

Don Niko said: “The level of learning is world-class. The depth of knowledge you receive from the professors is amazing. You get to interact with world-renowned researchers and academicians, where not only will you receive knowledge, but also the wealth of experiences that they have. 

“The research facilities and laboratories are also very advanced. I still can’t believe that I am at a university with centuries of history and heritage, where Galileo, Copernicus and many other historical and influential people once were. My experience here is unforgettable and life-changing.”

What’s more, Padua is a great city for developing your curriculum and gaining first-hand professional experiences. In fact, the university offers international students a plethora of upskilling opportunities, including internships, collaborations with partner universities, industry-led projects and soft-skill development events.

And if you’re worried about fees, don’t be. The university offers competitive tuition fees in comparison with other top-ranking universities, offering students advantageous financial aid opportunities, such as lower tuition and scholarships.