Where is the University of Pavia located?

The University of Pavia is located in the city of Pavia, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, close to Milan. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Italy, with academic buildings and research facilities spread across the historic city.

What is the University of Pavia known for?

The University of Pavia is known for its long academic tradition, high-quality research, collegiate system, medicine, engineering, sciences, humanities and strong international academic environment.

Does the University of Pavia offer programs in English?

Yes, the University of Pavia offers several master’s degrees, international programs and postgraduate courses taught in English, attracting students from many different countries.

Is the University of Pavia suitable for international students?

Yes, the University of Pavia welcomes international students through English-taught programs, exchange opportunities, Erasmus partnerships and dedicated support services for foreign students.

What are the main academic fields at the University of Pavia?

The main academic areas at the University of Pavia include medicine, engineering, sciences, law, economics, pharmacy, psychology, humanities and social sciences.

State University

University of Pavia: CENSIS 2nd among large state universities, 660 years of history, colleges and scientific excellence

Founded in 1361, the University of Pavia is one of the oldest in Europe and 2nd among large state universities in the CENSIS 2025-26 ranking (90.2/100). With 24,000 students, the historic college system — Ghislieri and Borromeo — and proximity to Milan, UniPV combines centuries of tradition with unique opportunities for excellence in Italy.

May 2026

Admin

~6 min read

#2 CENSIS Large State 2025–2026 · Score 90.2/100

Table of Contents

University Profile · University of Pavia

UniPV: Italy's collegiate university model, home of Volta, Golgi and Milan's talent pipeline

The University of Pavia is one of Europe's historic universities, with an academic tradition dating back to 1361, and today one of Italy's most appreciated institutions for teaching quality and student services. With approximately 24,000 students and 80 degree programmes, UniPV ranks 2nd in the CENSIS 2025-2026 ranking among large state universities, with a score of 90.2/100.

Pavia's most distinctive feature is its collegiate university system: the celebrated Collegio Ghislieri (founded in 1567 by Pope Pius V) and Collegio Borromeo (founded in 1561 by Cardinal Carlo Borromeo) offer talented students board, lodging, academic tutoring and an extraordinarily rich community life. The Pavia model is often compared to the colleges of Oxford and Cambridge.

7% of students are international, with extensive Erasmus+ agreements. The graduate employment rate is 82%, among the highest in its category. The University of Pavia also hosts the IUSS (Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori), a school of excellence for top-level doctoral students. Its location just 35 minutes from Milan dramatically expands career opportunities.

Pavia is a quintessential university city, with an extraordinarily beautiful medieval and Renaissance historic centre and an intense, engaging student life.

Academic Programmes · University of Pavia

Academic Areas

80 degree programmes across 18 departments, with excellence in medicine, sciences and engineering

Humanities Economics & Management Law Engineering & Architecture Medicine & Health Sciences Sciences Social Sciences Education Sciences Languages & Cultures

Data & Statistics

University of Pavia by the numbers

Active students

Degree Programmes

International Students

Female Students

#2 CENSIS

Large State Universities

2025–2026

^/100

CENSIS Score

Not ranked QS 2026

Employment Rate

Degrees in English

Source: Cineca

Key Indicators

CENSIS Reputation90.2%

Employment Rate82%

Female Students56%

International Students7%

Quality Profile

History & Tradition · University of Pavia

From 1361 to Nobel laureates: Volta, Golgi and the colleges that shaped Italy's leaders

The University of Pavia traces its origins to 1361, when Duke Galeazzo II Visconti founded the Studium Generale. It is one of Italy's oldest universities and for centuries was the principal university of the Duchy of Milan.

Among its illustrious alumni and faculty are some of the brightest minds in the history of science: Alessandro Volta, who invented the electric battery in 1799 while a professor at Pavia; Gerolamo Cardano, Renaissance mathematician; and the anatomist Antonio Scarpa. In the twentieth century, Nobel laureate Camillo Golgi discovered the biological apparatus bearing his name while teaching at Pavia.

The collegiate system — Ghislieri and Borromeo foremost among them — has shaped generations of Italy's ruling class, including prime ministers, cabinet members, judges and business leaders. Pavia's collegiate tradition is considered one of the most successful examples of integrated higher education in Italy.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ — University of Pavia

Yes. The University of Pavia is considered one of Italy's best public universities for research quality, academic tradition and teaching standards. Founded in 1361, it is among Europe's oldest universities, particularly appreciated for medicine, surgery, pharmacy, engineering, biotechnology, economics and sciences.

Yes. Its alumni and faculty include Alessandro Volta and Nobel laureate Camillo Golgi. The university is also renowned for its historic collegiate system — Ghislieri and Borromeo — considered one of the most prestigious in Italy, comparable to the colleges of Oxford and Cambridge.

The University of Pavia appears regularly in international rankings. In CENSIS 2025-26 it is 2nd among large state universities with 90.2/100 — one of the highest scores in its category. It records particularly strong results in scientific, medical and pharmaceutical fields.

There is no single acceptance rate. Admission depends on the degree programme, available places, academic requirements, language proficiency and any entrance tests. Some programmes such as medicine in English are particularly competitive.

The University of Pavia is a public state university recognised by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR). It is part of the national university system and awards degrees valid throughout Italy and across Europe.

It is renowned particularly for medicine, neuroscience, pharmacy, biology, physics and engineering, for its scientific research, advanced laboratories and above all for the historic collegiate system — Ghislieri and Borromeo — that has shaped generations of Italy's elite.

No, it is not free. However, Italian university tuition fees are generally lower than in many other European or North American countries. Fees vary based on family income, nationality and chosen programme. International students can access scholarships, waivers and financial assistance.

Related Resources

Study in Italy: useful resources for your academic journey

The University of Pavia is one of the finest Italian universities for those seeking a prestigious historic institution with Italy's most celebrated collegiate system and easy access to Milan's job market. With a CENSIS score of 90.2/100 and ~29 programmes in English, it is a strong choice for international students too. Explore the full range of master's degrees in Italy, learn about living and studying in Italy, and find out how Italian university admissions work before starting your journey in one of Europe's most beautiful and historic university cities.