University of Padua

The University of Padua was founded in 1222: along with Bologna, Paris, Oxford and Cambridge, it was one of the first to materialize the idea of a Gymnasium Omnium Disciplinarum – an educational model now spread throughout the world. Since then, for almost eight centuries the University of Padua has continued to be a reference for the European culture, especially in the fields of humanities, jurisprudence, science and medicine. Nowadays, the University of Padua, with more than 60000 students, is one of the largest in Italy and is characterized by a strong link between education and research.

The mission of the University of Padua, in the context of the European High Education system, is essentially that of a large Research University, where the two functions of teaching and developing scientific research are intimately linked together. The University includes also a large Medical School, where these two functions are supplemented by and strongly connected to the medical assistance function. The educational activity is organized according to the Bologna scheme, with triennial 1st degree courses, biennial master courses, specialization courses and PhD courses. There are presently 13 Faculties: Agricultural Sciences, Arts and Philosophy, Educational Sciences, Engineering, Law, Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences, Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, Political Sciences, Psychology, Statistical Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Economics and Business Administration. For all of them the mission is the continuous improvement of the educational standards in relation to the evolving needs of the economic and social system. A specific goal for the next years is to improve the attractivity of the University towards foreign students, by collaboration agreements with other Universities and by offering courses in English, possibly given by teachers coming from foreign countries. The research activity is mainly carried out in the Departments, which are presently undergoing a deep revision to adapt them to the modern organization of scientific research and to improve effectiveness. The process will result in a reduction of the number of Departments to around thirty, covering almost all disciplines. The research in the University benefits from strong collaborations with many European and International Universities and Research Institutions. In particular, in the fields of Sciences and Engineering, large laboratories are run in collaboration with the National Research Council ant the National Institutes for Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics. Regarding research, the missi

Foundation year: 1222
Short name: UNIPD
Type: Public
Students: 43290
Faculty: 2080
Faculty/Students Ratio: 21:1
Region: Europe
Location: Padua