Changing degree course within the University
Academic Year 2026/27 - Bachelor's Degree Programmes, Single-cycle Master's Degree Programmes and Master's Degree Programmes
A course change is a procedure that allows students enrolled on a Bachelor's Degree Programme, Single-cycle Master's Degree Programme or Master's Degree Programme at the University of Padua to transfer to another Degree Programme within the University. There are specific requirements for requesting it; the necessary information is available in the document published below. It sets out what is necessary to do (and know) before submitting a request for a course change or, alternatively, an application for withdrawal and new enrolment:
It is advisable to read the document indicated well in advance of the start of the academic year, as some deadlines (for example those for the recognition of previous university credits, for those who intend to request it) are already set in July 2026.
For admission purposes, consideration is given to the time when the application is submitted by the student (which must have been submitted by the deadlines set by the Degree Programme) and its compliance with the requirements and submission procedures. The course change application is processed after submission and finalised within a few working days, including after the deadlines.
Anyone holding a foreign entry qualification must follow the procedures set out on the page https://www.unipd.it/cambi-di-corso-titoli-esteri.
Example 1 – changing degree programme with validation of exams
Andrea is enrolled in the second year of Biology at the University of Padua but would like to enrol in the Molecular Biology degree programme, also at the University of Padua. Andrea has already taken some exams in the Biology degree programme that are very similar to those included in the Molecular Biology degree programme and would like these to be recognised so as not to have to repeat them.
To obtain this validation of the exams already taken, Andrea will have to submit an application for credit recognition as indicated on the page www.unipd.it/riconoscimento-crediti-pregressi. By submitting the application during the specified period (June/July 2026), Andrea will receive a resolution indicating, among the exams taken in the Biology degree programme, those that have been recognised as valid for the Molecular Biology degree programme.
Based on the assessments made by the committee that reviewed the academic record, Andrea will know whether they may enrol in the first, second or third year of Molecular Biology, whether they will have to take an admission test or whether they will be exempt from it.
Andrea must then obtain admission to the Molecular Biology degree programme and, if admitted, decide whether to submit an application to change degree programme or an application for withdrawal and new enrolment.
The document "Conditions for submitting a request to change degree programme and implications for your university career" contains information on how to obtain admission (also according to the proposed year of admission) and the differences between the application to change degree programme and the application for withdrawal and new enrolment.
Once Andrea has chosen which route best suits their situation, they may follow the instructions for changing degree programme available on this page or the instructions for withdrawal and new enrolment.
Example 2 - changing degree programme without validation of exams
Alex is enrolled in the first year of Computer Science at the University of Padua but would like to enrol in the degree programme in Literature, also at the University of Padua. Alex decides not to request the transfer of the university credits (ECTS credits) accumulated in the Computer Science degree programme.
Alex must then obtain admission to the degree programme in Literature and decide whether to submit an application to change degree programme or an application for withdrawal and new enrolment.
The document "Conditions for submitting a request to change degree programme and implications for your university career" contains information on how to obtain admission and the differences between the application to change degree programme and the application for withdrawal and new enrolment.
Once Alex has chosen which route best suits their situation, they may follow the instructions for changing degree programme available on this page or the instructions for withdrawal and new enrolment.
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