Medicine & Surgery in English at the University of Padua

Founded in 1222, the University of Padua (Università degli Studi di Padova) is one of the world's oldest universities and home to a storied medical tradition — it was here that the first permanent anatomical theatre was built and where Galileo once taught. Today it offers a six-year, single-cycle Medicine & Surgery (MD) degree taught entirely in English, aimed squarely at international students who want to train as doctors in Europe.

Quick facts


City	Padua (programme progressively relocating to Venice)
Language	English
Degree	Single-cycle MD, 360 ECTS
Length	6 years
Admission test	IMAT

Why students choose it

Padua is a compact, walkable university city in the Veneto region — affordable by Italian standards, rich in history, and a short train ride from Venice. Note one important development: from the 2025–26 academic year, the University of Padua's English-taught Medicine course is being progressively transferred to Venice, to the historic SS Giovanni e Paolo hospital site. It remains a University of Padua degree, so always check the current admissions call for the exact teaching location for your intake.

How competitive is it?

Admission is by merit ranking through the IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test), which covers logical reasoning plus biology, chemistry, physics and maths. (Italy's 2025 reform that replaced the entrance test with an open "filter semester" applies only to the Italian-taught Medicine programmes — English-taught Medicine still admits via the IMAT.) Seats are limited and demand is high, so entry is competitive. Cut-off scores shift every year — and even during a given admissions cycle as candidates scroll through the ranking — so don't trust any fixed "minimum score" figure. The best preparation is to know exactly where you stand: read the complete IMAT guide and learn how scoring and ranking work. You can pressure-test yourself with a free IMAT mini-mock and estimate your raw score with our IMAT score calculator.

EU vs non-EU

Like all Italian medical schools, Padua splits places into separate quotas: EU candidates (and non-EU applicants legally resident in Italy) compete in one national ranking, while non-EU candidates living abroad compete for a smaller per-university quota. Exact seat numbers are set in each year's call for admission — check the university's official admissions page rather than relying on third-party totals.

How to apply

Register on Universitaly and select the University of Padua Medicine & Surgery (English) programme.
Non-EU applicants abroad also pre-enrol via the Italian Embassy/Consulate in their country.
Sit the IMAT (usually held in the autumn; registration opens around June/July).
Enrol if your ranking and score secure a place.

Consistent, exam-realistic practice is what moves your ranking. Build that habit with realistic IMAT practice, and see plans on our pricing page.

FAQ

Is Medicine taught in English at the University of Padua?

Yes. The six-year Medicine & Surgery (MD) degree is taught entirely in English. Free Italian classes are offered in the early years because clinical rotations require working Italian (typically B2) by around the third year.

How do I get into University of Padua Medicine?

Register on Universitaly, sit the IMAT, and gain admission through the national/per-university merit ranking. There is no separate interview — your IMAT score and ranking position decide your place.

Is the Padua Medicine programme in Padua or Venice?

It is a University of Padua degree, but the English-taught course is being progressively relocated to Venice from 2025–26. Confirm the teaching location for your specific intake in the current call for admission.