Overview
Pavia is one of the oldest universities in Italy and one of the few with a genuine residential college tradition. A network of historic and modern colleges, some of them selective and merit-based, provides accommodation, tutoring and a community for a meaningful share of the student body. Combined with a small walled town where students make up a large proportion of residents, this gives Pavia a feel closer to a traditional university town than almost any other Italian city.
Academically it is best known for medicine, which is also offered as an English-taught degree, along with pharmacy, biotechnology, bioengineering and engineering, physics and natural sciences, economics, law and political science. English-taught programmes exist at both bachelor’s and master’s level, and the international office runs a central admissions process with scholarships for selected non-EU applicants.
The town is small and calm, with cobbled streets, the Ticino river and a handful of squares where student life gathers. Milan is around half an hour away by train, so internships and weekends in the city are easy, while rents in Pavia are substantially lower. The main limitation is size: students who want a big-city lifestyle every day may find Pavia too quiet.
Who it suits
Pavia suits medicine, biomedical, pharmacy and engineering applicants who want a close-knit academic community and a quieter base near Milan. It is a strong fit for students who value college-style housing and tutoring, and for those who want to keep living costs down while staying within reach of northern Italy’s job market.
What to check before applying
- Check the admission test requirements for medicine and health programmes, including the English-taught medicine degree.
- Research the university colleges, their admission criteria and application deadlines.
- Apply to EDiSU Pavia for residence places and grants when the call opens.
- Confirm the language of instruction and certificate required for your programme.
- Plan for a small-town lifestyle with Milan as your city escape.