University of Padua: Italy’s second-oldest university, first among CENSIS mega universities, QS 233 and 800 years of research
Founded in 1222, the University of Padua is the second-oldest university in Italy and one of the oldest universities in Europe still in operation. It ranks first in Italy for quality among large state universities according to CENSIS 2025-26 (90.3/100). With 72,000 students, 195 degree programs, around 70 English-taught programs and an outstanding international network, Padua combines centuries of tradition with world-class scientific research.
UniPD: Italian excellence in research and internationalization
The University of Padua is one of the most prestigious universities in Italy and Europe. With over 72,000 enrolled students and 195 degree programs across all academic fields, it is a major benchmark for teaching quality and scientific output. In the CENSIS 2025-2026 ranking, UniPD ranks 1st among Italy’s large state universities with a score of 90.3/100 — the highest in its category.
Internationally, the University of Padua ranks 233rd in the QS World University Rankings 2026, confirming its position among the best generalist universities in Italy. Its research network covers fields ranging from medicine to engineering sciences, from the humanities to economics, with active collaborations with leading research centers worldwide. Padua is also among the top Italian universities in sustainability rankings (THE Impact Rankings).
8% of enrolled students are international, with students from more than 130 countries, and the university offers around 70 fully English-taught programs (source: Cineca), one of the highest figures in Italy. The employability rate of master’s graduates reaches 85%, with particularly strong outcomes in medicine, engineering, science and psychology.
The historic campus in the center of Padua — including the famous Palazzo del Bo, home to the world’s first anatomical theatre (1594) — offers a unique environment where centuries-old tradition and innovation coexist every day. For those seeking an excellent state university with a genuinely rooted international dimension, the University of Padua is one of the best choices in Italy.
Academic Areas
195 degree programs across 32 departments and 8 schools
The University of Padua in numbers
From 1222 to today: eight centuries of science, freedom and innovation
The University of Padua was founded in 1222 by a group of students and professors from Bologna seeking greater academic freedom. It is the second-oldest university in Italy — after Bologna — still fully active today, with a motto that has remained unchanged over the centuries: Universa Universis Patavina Libertas — Padua’s freedom for everyone and for everything.
In 1594, the university inaugurated the world’s first anatomical theatre inside Palazzo del Bo, where the physician Girolamo Fabrici d’Acquapendente conducted his famous dissections. Galileo Galilei taught here for eighteen years (1592–1610), a period the scientist himself described as “the best time of my entire life.” The University of Padua was also the first university in the world to award a degree to a woman, Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia, in 1678.
Over the centuries, UniPD has produced or hosted figures such as Copernicus, William Harvey, Vesalius, Fallopius and many other leading figures in the history of science. Today, with 32 departments, it is one of the engines of Italian and European research, with a significant presence in major international academic networks and global sustainability rankings.
FAQ — University of Padua
Study in Italy: useful resources for your university journey
The University of Padua is one of the strongest choices for anyone looking for one of the best Italian universities with an authentic international profile and decades of research excellence. With around 70 English-taught master’s degrees, it is one of the most accessible destinations for international students who want to study in Italy without language barriers. To explore the academic offer, consult the guide to master’s degree programs in Italy. If you are planning your move, the living and studying in Italy section offers practical information on visas, accommodation and cost of living. Finally, discover everything about the Italian university admissions process and start your academic journey at one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world.
