Medicine Reform: recovery plan and extraordinary enrolment now underway 2026
11.02.2026
The so-called open semester, the compulsory introductory pathway for access to Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine starting from the 2025/26 academic year, which replaces the traditional entrance test, has now concluded.
The second phase of the university reform for access to medical degree programmes is now beginning. Based on Ministerial Decree (MUR) no. 1115/2025, the University of Padua has prepared a package of extraordinary measures to support students who attended the preparatory courses required for admission to Degree Programmes in Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics, Veterinary Medicine or related programmes, but were unable to pass all the required exams in the November and December 2025 sessions.
To enable students to realign their academic progress, three additional resit exam sessions have been scheduled in February 2026 for each of the following subjects: Chemistry and introductory Biochemistry, Biology, and Physics.
Students will also have access to supplementary learning materials on a dedicated e-learning platform, as well as to a study room designed to facilitate study and peer discussion.
For those who do not pass the resit exams, the reform provides—during the current academic year—an extraordinary enrolment window for other degree programmes:
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Open-admission programmes: pre-enrolment from 19 January 2026 to 5 March 2026; enrolment from 20 January 2026 to 6 March 2026, subject to TOLC.
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Limited-admission programmes (subject to available places): pre-enrolment from 19 January 2026 to 20 February 2026; rankings published from 26 February 2026; enrolment from 27 February 2026 to 6 March 2026.
An information and guidance desk is also active, supporting students with administrative procedures and career choices.
With regard to academic progression, the plan guarantees key protections concerning attendance and credits (CFU – university credits). Attendance in the open semester is considered valid for fulfilling the attendance requirement of the first semester of all degree programmes (both related and unrelated). Credits earned will be fully recognised for related programmes. For unrelated programmes, recognition will be subject to evaluation, with the possibility of using the acquired credits as elective exams.
Students enrolled in the “open semester” at any university who complete enrolment in the second semester of Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine, or who enrol in a related or other degree programme for the 2025/2026 academic year at the University of Padua, may access a dedicated application window—from 4 February to 4 March 2026—to apply for regional scholarships.
