History
The University of Pavia is one of the world’s oldest academic institutions: its foundations existed as early as the 9th Century as an institution mainly devoted to the study of Law, with King Lotharius appointing Pavia as Northern Italy’s main education site in 825. Officially established as a Universitas Studiorum in 1361, it remained the only university in Lombardy until the 20th Century.
Education
Today over 26,400 students, from both Italy and overseas, study at our university.
2 Bachelor degree program are taught in English:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Medicine and Surgery (Combined bachelor and master)
11 two-year Master degree programs are totally taught in English:
- Civil Engineering for Mitigation of Risk from Natural Hazards
- Computer Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Industrial Automation Engineering
- Economics, Finance and International Integration
- International Business and Entrepreneurship
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Psychology, Neuroscience and Human Sciences
- World Politics and International Relations
- The Ancient Mediterranean World: History, Archaeology and Art
Research
Unipv is a multidisciplinary University and research activities range from Human and Social sciences, Natural sciences and Engineering, to Life sciences.
In 2018 Italian Ministry of Education selected 5 departments (Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Medicine and Humanities) as excellent, awarding them with extra funds for research projects.
Research in Pavia is unique thanks to other research centers, such as the Center for Health Technologies (CHT), the European Centre for Training and Research in Earthquake Engineering (EUCENTRE) and the National Center for Oncological Radiotherapy (CNAO).
Career
- 82% of graduates find employment within a year of graduation (against a national average of 77%)
- 93% after three years from graduation
- 94% within five years from graduation
- MSc in Science, Engineering, Medicine & Surgery and Pharmacy have a 95% post-graduation employment rate.
- To improve international careers guidance services for students and postgraduates, the Career Service works with companies and institutions in Europe and beyond.
- It offers a range of services to companies and institutions, including promotion on our website of the best internship and job opportunities that have been uploaded onto international job sites and search engines.
University of Pavia Key Statistics & Highlights
- #340 Ranking
- 2 PhDs
- 24 Scholarships
- 570 Academic Staff
- 19,849 Students
- 1,786 Students (int'l)
- 11,314 Students (female)
- Public Institution Type
University of Pavia Overview
University of Pavia Scholarships
University of Pavia Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to University of Pavia. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
$1,500 Annual Students’ Presentation Crafting Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
11 Jan 2027
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
20 May 2026
PlagiarismSearch Essay Contest
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
$1,500 Annual Students’ Presentation Crafting Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
11 Jan 2027
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
20 May 2026
PlagiarismSearch Essay Contest
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
$1,500 Annual Students’ Presentation Crafting Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
11 Jan 2027
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
20 May 2026
PlagiarismSearch Essay Contest
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
University of Pavia Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 4.8% Italy
Top 8% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
Best Global Universities Rankings
340
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 34 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 295 | 306 | 340 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
351
By Times Higher Education
Dropped 50 places compared to 2025
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 301 | 301 | 351 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
401
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 401 | 401 | 401 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
QS World University Rankings
423
By TopUniversities
Climbed 17 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 469 | 440 | 423 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Student services
A welcome office and student service offices are open for any support from Monday until Friday for students both in the city center campus and in the scientific pole. Unipv also offers ONLINE SERVICES:
At the website studentionline.unipv.it, students can check their UNIPV account and access the various files related to their university career. Registration for exam sessions through the UNIPV account is compulsory. From the UNIPV account students can also print self-certificates regarding enrolment, career, exams passed and so on.
Housing services
Just like Oxford and Cambridge in the UK, Pavia has a college residence system, unique in Italy, dating back to the 16th century.
Each of Pavia’s 20 residences that in total host approximately 2000 students, has its own particular history and opportunities to offer, including access to many study abroad programs and sport activities.
College life aims to create an open community where academic achievements, traditional events, parties and sporting rivalries all play a role. Students living in residences can engage in different sport activities, learn different languages and, above all, build their first professional network.
Library services
The University offers 35 libraries run by different faculties and departments. All material owned by the academic libraries is listed in the On-line Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) so students can locate their required books.
ICT services
At the University of Pavia the development of new methodologies and technologies for innovation and digital learning is a crucial topic. Unipv provides for students and professors digital platforms for sharing multimedia learning materials. Unipv is also actively developing e-learning tools.
University staff both academic and administrative can take advantage of virtual rooms for online meetings.Medical services
International students at the University of Pavia are strongly recommended to get a health insurance covering the length of their studies. Moreover, in order to apply to a permit to stay, students coming from non-EU countries must have a Health Insurance for the entire duration of their stay in Italy.
Campus life
The University has two main campuses: Humanities and Social sciences in the city center, the scientific campus in the western part of Pavia, near the main hospital.
Pavia is located in northern Italy with 70,000 permanent residents and over 26,000 students. It is located just 30 km south of Milan, connected by regional and suburban trains every 10 minutes.
From Pavia, it is also easy to reach the Swiss border; the lakes of Como and Garda, among others; as well as Genoa and the Ligurian coast.
Its fascination remains intact with the centre’s maze of narrow streets, ancient churches and elegant buildings, all bordered by the River Ticino.Sports facilities
The University Sports Centre (CUS) promotes sport to students enrolled in the university by offering a wide range of courses and organizing championships. Sport in Pavia means:
- Olympic and World Championship-level rowing
- Pavia-Oxford-Cambridge-Pisa rowing race
- University championships in the main team sports
- Intercollegiate tournaments
- Sports programs specifically designed for disabled students
- Facilities designed for all students’ physical wellbeing, integrated in university training.
Student clubs
A number of student associations organize both cultural, sports and social activities open to all students. Learn more at: www.unipv.eu/site/home/naviga-per/studenti/acersat.html In particular, STEP Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Pavia is a volunteering association supporting international students arriving in Pavia.
University of Pavia Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
Italy Country
Pavia City
#2 Branch Campus
Italy Country
Milano City
University of Pavia Student Reviews & Awards
4.2
Based on 100 reviews
- 5 Star 34 Reviews
- 4 Star 55 Reviews
- 3 Star 10 Reviews
- 2 Star 0 Reviews
- 1 Star 1 Review
How Students Rated This University
- Overall Satisfaction 4.2
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.0
- Student Diversity 4.1
- Admission Process 4.2
- Quality of Student Life 4.0
- Career Development 4.3
Civil engineering for mitigation of risks
It was a great experience as an international student to study abroad
A Historic Excellence with a Modern Spirit
The University of Pavia offers solid academic quality with professors who are generally prepared and approachable. The atmosphere is serious but not overwhelming, which makes studying more manageable. Pavia itself is a big plus: a small, beautiful city full of students, so it’s easy to make friends and enjoy university life without the chaos of bigger cities. Overall, a great choice if you want good education and a nice, balanced student experience.
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Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
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