Profile of the University

More than 800 years of history. It was 1222 when the Studium Patavinum was founded in Padova, a place of study ready to welcome 'scholars and doctors', also from various European countries, in search of freedom of culture and expression. That freedom is expressed by the motto that still identifies the University and expresses its essence: Universa universis patavina libertas.

A history, that of the University of Padova, which is intertwined with that of many illustrious figures who have lived, studied and taught in this city and whose presence, since the most distant centuries, testifies to the attractiveness and international vocation of its University. Famous names that have changed the cultural and scientific history of humanity from Copernicus, to Vesalius, from Galileo, to Harvey up to the more modern Tullio Levi-Civita, Concetto Marchesi, Bepi Colombo and many others.

The University of Padua has always been a pioneer with first university botanical garden in the world, founded in 1545 and included by UNESCO in the World Heritage Site, the first permanent anatomical theater inaugurated in 1594, the first woman graduate in the world, Elena Lucrezia Cornaro.

And even today that of Padova is a university of large numbers.

With 76,000 students, 2,700 teachers, over 2,800 administrative technicians, more than 15,000 graduates every year, 11,800 scholarships provided, 32 departments, over 2 million books available in 30 libraries, and an excellent and constantly changing degree courses.
It is divided into 229 bachelor's and master's degree courses and single-cycle courses, plus seven newly activated (of which 114 degree courses, 107 master's degree courses, 15 single-cycle master's degree courses, 64 in English) (data A.Y. 2026-2027); 127 masters (data A.Y. 2025-2026); 67 graduate schools (A.Y. 2025-2026); 25 specialization courses (A.Y. 2025-2026); 20 advanced training courses (A.Y. 2025-2026); 43 PhD schools (a.y. 2025-2026) and, finally, a School of excellence, the Galilean School of Advanced Studies, with a wide availability of courses in English and online .

A result also confirmed by the numbers relating to scientific production, a cutting-edge sector that only in the academic year 2020/2021 saw almost 13,000 publications and hundreds of active projects.

A University, that of Padova that today looks to the future with an approach increasingly aimed at internationalization and innovation. With a long tradition and solid relationships with numerous foreign institutions, organizations and universities, the University of Padova is a member of international networks and participates in research and education projects involving students and teachers from all over the world.