About this opportunity
Are you an Ethiopian or African student looking for a scholarship to study in Italy? The University of Padua offers several kinds of financial support for international students, including merit-based scholarships, tuition-fee waivers and dedicated programmes for refugees and students at risk.
These opportunities may support bachelor’s and master’s students, including those in programmes taught entirely in English. However, not every scholarship is open to all African students, and some programmes have specific eligibility requirements. Some 2026/27 deadlines have also already passed, as noted below.
Scholarship Overview
| Scholarship | Main benefit | Status on October 3, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Padua International Excellence Scholarship | €8,000 gross/year plus tuition-fee exemption | Next call information expected in November 2026 |
| Full tuition-fee waivers | Tuition-fee exemption (100 waivers) | Check the relevant call |
| UNICORE 8.0 (refugees) | €4,800 gross plus accommodation, meals and fee waiver | Closed April 17, 2026 |
| Students at Risk | €12,000 gross/year plus fee exemption and support | Closed May 11, 2026 |
| Departmental and external scholarships | Varies by programme | Check individual announcements |
Source: University of Padua official scholarship pages. Amounts and details depend on the specific call.
1. Padua International Excellence Scholarship
This is a merit-based scholarship for talented international students applying to eligible bachelor’s or master’s programmes taught entirely in English.
Benefits
- €8,000 gross per academic year, paid in two instalments of €4,000.
- Exemption from university tuition fees, subject to the programme’s terms.
- Maximum duration of two years for master’s degrees.
- Maximum duration of three years for bachelor’s and single-cycle degrees.
Recipients may still have to pay the regional tax and revenue stamp.
Who Can Apply?
- Applicants who do not hold Italian citizenship (except in certain dual-citizenship cases).
- Applicants with a foreign secondary-school diploma (bachelor’s) or a foreign university degree (master’s).
- Applicants who are not resident in Italy at the time of application.
- Applicants applying to an eligible English-taught programme within the admission deadline.
- Applicants with strong academic performance.
Ethiopian and other African applicants may be eligible if they meet these requirements. Nationality alone does not guarantee an award.
How to Apply
Most applicants do not need a separate scholarship application. Applying to an eligible degree programme within the deadline automatically places eligible applicants in the selection process, based on academic merit and the quality of previous studies.
Important timing update: As of October 3, 2026, the University states that more information about the next Excellence Scholarship call will be published in November 2026. Monitor the official page rather than assuming the 2026/27 selection is still open.
Official links:
2. Full Tuition-Fee Waivers
The University also offers 100 full tuition-fee waivers for international students enrolling in degree programmes taught entirely in English. These are separate from the Excellence Scholarship.
What Does the Waiver Cover?
A full waiver removes the eligible university tuition fees specified in the call. It is not a full living-cost scholarship, so you may still need to budget for:
- Accommodation and food.
- Travel to Italy.
- Visa and residence-permit expenses.
- Health insurance and personal expenses.
- Any mandatory taxes or administrative charges not covered by the waiver.
How to Apply
Ethiopian and other African applicants interested in English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programmes can explore the available waivers when choosing a degree. Start by finding an eligible course on the admissions portal, then check the fee-waiver call for the relevant academic year, including how candidates are selected and whether extra steps are required.
Official links:
- University of Padua scholarships and benefits for international students
- University of Padua international application portal
3. UNICORE 8.0: University Corridors for Refugees
UNICORE is a programme developed with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to help eligible refugee students access higher education.
The 2026/27 UNICORE 8.0 programme at Padua included Ethiopia among the eligible countries of residence. However, it is for qualifying refugees, not all Ethiopian students.
Benefits (2026/27 call)
- Tuition-fee waiver.
- Gross scholarship of €4,800.
- Accommodation.
- Meals at university canteens.
- Other services from local project partners.
- Funding for a two-year period.
Four scholarships were offered for 2026/27.
Eligibility Requirements
- Residence in one of the countries listed in the call, including Ethiopia.
- Official recognition of refugee status by UNHCR.
- A qualifying first-cycle university degree suitable for the chosen master’s programme.
- Completion of first-cycle studies no earlier than 2021, or by May 2, 2026.
- A GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0, or the stated equivalent.
- English proficiency at B2 level.
Deadline
The 2026/27 deadline was April 17, 2026, so it has passed. Monitor the official page for future calls.
Official link: UNICORE 8.0, University of Padua
4. Scholarships for Students at Risk
This programme supports international students who are refugees or face situations of danger. It is separate from the Excellence Scholarship and UNICORE.
Benefits (2026/27 call)
Up to 13 scholarships were offered, with:
- €12,000 gross per year.
- Exemption from university fees.
- Travel coverage to Italy.
- Accommodation arrangements (the beneficiary pays the accommodation cost directly).
- Italian language courses.
- Psychological support and dedicated guidance.
Duration was three years for bachelor’s, two years for master’s and five years for single-cycle master’s programmes.
Who Could Apply?
Candidates needed to meet one of the following:
- Hold a residence permit for political asylum, an asylum application or a comparable status in Italy or abroad.
- Benefit from qualifying temporary protection.
- Declare that they are in a situation of risk.
Applicants also needed an appropriate foreign qualification and had to meet the academic admission conditions.
Deadline
The 2026/27 deadline was May 11, 2026, and results began to be published from June 8, 2026. This round is closed, so check the official page for future announcements.
Official link: University of Padua, Scholarships for Students at Risk
5. Other Financial Support for International Students
The University of Padua lists other possible sources of funding:
- Departmental scholarships for eligible degree programmes.
- Regional scholarships and financial assistance.
- Scholarships from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
- The Invest Your Talent in Italy programme for eligible master’s programmes in fields such as engineering, IT, economics and management.
Each scheme has its own criteria, participating courses and deadlines. Check whether Ethiopian citizens are eligible under each call rather than assuming every scheme is open to all international students.
Explore the official resources:
- University of Padua, Scholarships for international students
- Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs scholarship information
- Invest Your Talent in Italy
6. How Ethiopian Students Can Apply
- Choose a degree programme. Search the official admissions portal for an eligible bachelor’s or master’s degree. Check that the course is taught entirely in English if you plan to apply for the Excellence Scholarship or fee waivers.
- Check your academic eligibility. Review the entry requirements, including degree certificates, transcripts, language proficiency and any programme-specific documents.
- Check the correct scholarship call. Read the announcement for your intended academic year. For the next Excellence Scholarship cycle, the University says more information will be published in November 2026.
- Submit your application. Apply through the designated portal within the deadline and follow any additional scholarship instructions.
- Monitor your application. Watch your email and admissions account for document requests, admission decisions and scholarship results.
7. Required Documents to Prepare
The exact list depends on the programme and scholarship. Commonly requested documents include:
- Valid passport.
- Academic transcripts.
- Degree certificate or secondary-school completion certificate.
- Curriculum vitae (CV).
- Motivation letter or statement of purpose, if required.
- English-language proficiency evidence, where required.
- Recommendation letters, if requested.
- Documents proving refugee status or a situation of risk, for dedicated programmes.
Follow the official checklist for your chosen course and scholarship, and don’t assume one document list applies to every programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Ethiopian students apply for the Padua International Excellence Scholarship?
Yes, Ethiopian applicants may be eligible if they meet the academic, residency, nationality and degree-programme requirements. Selection is competitive, and eligibility does not guarantee funding.
Is the Padua International Excellence Scholarship fully funded?
It provides €8,000 gross per academic year and a tuition-fee exemption under the applicable terms. Because the amount is gross and other costs may remain, don’t assume it covers every living and travel expense.
Can all Ethiopian students apply for UNICORE?
No. The 2026/27 programme included Ethiopia among eligible countries, but applicants had to meet specific refugee-status and academic requirements. It is not a general scholarship for all Ethiopian citizens.
Are applications still open for the 2026/27 scholarships?
The UNICORE and Students at Risk deadlines have passed. The University says more information about the next Excellence Scholarship call will be published in November 2026. Always check the official page for the latest status.
Where can I find more scholarships?
Visit the University of Padua’s official scholarship directory and explore The Index for more scholarship and international opportunity updates.
More Opportunities on The Index
Looking for more opportunities? Browse current job and opportunity updates on The Index, or visit the The Index homepage for the latest scholarships and international opportunities.
Final Advice
The University of Padua offers several routes to financial support, each with different eligibility requirements and dates. For Ethiopian students, the next practical step is to identify a suitable degree programme, prepare your academic documents and monitor the official scholarship pages for new calls.
Always verify deadlines and requirements on the university’s official website before applying, as details may change from year to year.