🇮🇹 Public state university · EAEVE Full Accreditation · Agripolis Campus, Legnaro · Founded 1222

Veterinary Medicine at
University of Padua

One of Europe's oldest and most respected universities, founded in 1222. Its veterinary programme is EAEVE fully accredited, delivered on the dedicated Agripolis campus in Legnaro — 10 km from Padua city centre. Public fees from €156/year based on ISEE income. No TOLC entrance test since 2025 — selection happens during the open filter semester.

Prepare the filter semester → See admission process
🏅 EAEVE Full Accreditation · Public fees from €156/yr · No entrance test since 2025 · Agripolis Campus, Legnaro
~€156–3k
Fees/year (ISEE)
~80
Places/year
Semestre filtro
Admission system
5 years
300 CFU
EAEVE ✓
Full Accreditation

🏛️ Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione (BCA)

The Università degli Studi di Padova (UniPD) is one of the world's oldest universities, founded in 1222, and among Italy's most prestigious research institutions. Its Laurea Magistrale a Ciclo Unico in Medicina Veterinaria (LM-42, 5 years, 300 CFU) is delivered by the Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione (BCA), based on the Agripolis campus in Legnaro — a dedicated agri-food and veterinary hub 10 km south of Padua city centre, in the heart of the Veneto plain.

The programme holds EAEVE Full Accreditation — the gold standard in European veterinary education — confirming that clinical facilities, curriculum and staff meet the highest European standards. Tuition is entirely income-based (ISEE): students with a family ISEE below the no-tax threshold pay just €156/year (the fixed regional tax + stamp duty). Even at the maximum bracket, fees remain a fraction of any Italian private veterinary school.

💶 Public fees based on ISEE — from €156 to ~€3,000 per year

UniPD is a fully public university. All students pay the same fixed first instalment (~€156/year: regional tax + stamp duty). The variable second instalment is calculated on your family's ISEE Università income. Students in the no-tax area (typically ISEE ≤ €30,000) pay only the fixed amount — as little as €156 per year for a fully EAEVE-accredited veterinary degree. Even at the top ISEE bracket, total fees rarely exceed ~€3,000/year.

Lo que hace única a UniPD

🏅 EAEVE Full Accreditation

UniPD's veterinary programme holds EAEVE Full Accreditation — awarded following ESEVT site evaluation. The EAEVE standard (European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education) verifies that clinical training, facilities, equipment, curriculum and academic staff meet European norms. Full accreditation means the UniPD degree is automatically recognised for professional practice across all EU member states.

🏥 Clinica Veterinaria Universitaria (CVU) — Legnaro

The Clinica Veterinaria Universitaria (CVU) is the multi-species teaching hospital on the Agripolis campus. It provides diagnostic and clinical services for small animals, large animals (cattle, horses, swine, small ruminants), exotic animals and wildlife. Students integrate into clinical rotations from year 3, directly supervised by academic clinicians. Full diagnostic imaging (CT, ultrasound, radiography) and surgical facilities for both small and large animals.

🌾 Agripolis — Integrated Campus in Legnaro

UniPD's Agripolis campus in Legnaro is one of Italy's most integrated agri-food and veterinary teaching environments. The campus brings together the BCA department (veterinary sciences), DAFNAE (agronomy, livestock science), TESAF (forestry and environmental science) and food science on a single site. Students benefit from shared infrastructure including teaching farms, laboratories, food processing facilities, and the veterinary hospital — all within walking distance.

🎓 New Admission: Open Semester (since 2025)

Since AY 2025/2026, no TOLC entrance test is required anywhere in Italy. All applicants enrol in a free filter semester (September–November) and take 3 national exams: Chemistry, Physics and Biology. A national merit ranking (published by the MUR) then determines who continues to the 2nd semester. UniPD places are allocated from this national ranking — open to all European graduates.

🔬 Research Strength — BCA Department

The Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione (BCA) is a leading research centre in comparative biomedical sciences, food safety, and animal health. Research areas include infectious diseases, animal welfare, food hygiene, aquatic animal health, toxicology and zoonoses. Being embedded in this research environment from year 1 gives UniPD students access to laboratories, research seminars and thesis projects that are among the best in Italy.

Datos del grado

Official degree titleLaurea Magistrale a Ciclo Unico in Medicina Veterinaria
Degree codeLM-42
Duration5 years (300 CFU)
LanguageItalian (primary) + some English-language research modules
ModalityIn-person (presenziale)
CampusAgripolis — Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro (PD) — 10 km from Padua
HospitalCVU (Clinica Veterinaria Universitaria) — Agripolis campus
Places/year~80 (set by Ministry decree annually)
Annual fees~€156 (no-tax area) — ~€3,000 (max ISEE bracket)
EAEVEFull Accreditation

Sources: unipd.it · bca.unipd.it · agripolis.unipd.it · eaeve.eu

🎙️ Proceso de admisión

📋 New since 2025: Open Semester — no entrance test, selection during the semester

From AY 2025/2026, Italy reformed access to Veterinary Medicine across all universities. There is no more TOLC-V admission test. All applicants enrol in a filter semester (September–November) and take 3 national exams. A national merit ranking determines who continues to the 2nd semester. UniPD places are allocated from this national ranking — open to all holders of a valid secondary school leaving certificate.

Criterios de valoración

Chemistry & Biochemistry
33%
6 CFU course — national exam Nov/Dec, min 18/30
Physics
33%
6 CFU course — national exam Nov/Dec, min 18/30
Biology
33%
6 CFU course — national exam Nov/Dec, min 18/30

The national merit ranking is calculated from the weighted average of the three exam scores. You must pass all three (≥18/30 each) to appear in the ranking. The ranking is national — UniPD places are allocated from it based on the number of places set by MUR for Padua each year.

⚠️ Teaching is in Italian — language preparation is essential

All lectures, exams and clinical training at UniPD are conducted in Italian. Non-native Italian speakers must aim for at least B2 level Italian before the filter semester begins in September. The Chemistry, Physics and Biology exams in November are entirely in Italian — language ability directly determines your exam performance and national ranking position.

Pasos del proceso

  1. Check eligibility and register on Universitaly Non-Italian EU applicants must pre-register on universitaly.it (Italy's portal for international students). Italian students enrol directly via uniweb.unipd.it (UniPD's student portal). The filter semester enrolment window typically opens in July–August — check unipd.it for exact dates each year. July–August
  2. Enrol in the filter semester at UniPD After Universitaly pre-registration, complete enrolment on UniPD's student portal (Uniweb). You will automatically be registered for the 3 filter semester courses: Chemistry and Introductory Biochemistry, Physics, and Biology (6 CFU each). Pay the first instalment (~€156). Attendance in Legnaro is strongly recommended. September
  3. Attend filter semester courses — Agripolis, Legnaro All three courses run at the Agripolis campus, Legnaro from September through mid-November. Your performance in the November/December national exams determines your national ranking position. If Italian is not your native language, you need B2+ to follow lectures and write exam answers effectively. Sep–Nov
  4. Sit the three national exams Two national exam sessions are available: Session 1: approximately 20 November and Session 2: approximately 10 December (confirm exact dates for your year on unipd.it). You must sit all three subjects and achieve a minimum of 18/30 in each to be eligible for the national ranking. Nov–Dec
  5. National ranking and confirmation The Ministry of University and Research (MUR) publishes the national ranking in January. If your position falls within the places allocated to UniPD, you are admitted to the 2nd semester. You then formalise your full enrolment, submit your ISEE Università certificate (to calculate your tuition), and begin the 2nd semester in February. January

Requisitos de acceso

  • Secondary school leaving certificate (Maturità / Bachillerato / Baccalauréat / A-Levels or equivalent)
  • Minimum Italian language level: B2 or above (no official test required for EU students, but essential for exam success)
  • EU students: enrolment via Uniweb (unipd.it) — Non-EU students: pre-registration via universitaly.it required
  • Valid identity document / passport
  • ISEE Università certificate (to calculate your tuition fees — submit before the December deadline to avoid late penalties)

💰 Tasas académicas

No-tax area — ISEE ≤ ~€28,000–30,000
~€156
Only the fixed first instalment applies. Variable component is zero. Check current thresholds on unipd.it each year — Veneto regional rules may differ slightly from Lombardia.
Mid-range ISEE — ~€30,000 to €55,000
~€600–€1,800
Variable instalment calculated on a sliding scale based on ISEE bracket and programme. Submit your ISEE before the December deadline.
High ISEE — above €55,000
~€1,800–€3,000
Maximum total fees for on-track students. Still substantially below any Italian private vet school (€10,000–25,000/year).

Comparativa con otras universidades

UniversidadPlazasTasas/año
UniPD Padua (public) ~80 ~€156–€3,000/yr
UniMi Milan (public) ~100 €156–€2,500/yr
CEU Valencia (private) 300 ~€13,745/yr
UCAM Murcia (private) 60 ~€11,600/yr
RVC London (public UK) ~170 ~£9,535/yr (UK) · £34,000/yr (intl)

🎓 Becas y ayudas

No-tax Area — UniPD
Full exemption from variable instalment
ISEE Università ≤ ~€28,000–30,000 — applies automatically if a valid ISEE is submitted on time
The no-tax area (fascia no tax) is the most impactful form of financial support. If your family ISEE falls below the threshold, your fees reduce to only ~€156/year total. Submit your ISEE Università certificate before the December deadline — late submission incurs a penalty.
Borsa di Studio — ESU Padova (DSU Veneto)
€4,000–€6,000/year + fee exemption
ISEE ≤ ~€24,000 + merit requirements (CFU and grade average from year 2 onwards)
The regional scholarship for the right to education (diritto allo studio universitario) in Veneto is administered by ESU Padova (Ente per il Diritto allo Studio Universitario). The grant includes a cash component (varies by year and housing situation), a canteen card, and possible subsidised accommodation. Non-Italian EU students officially resident in Italy are eligible. Apply at the start of each academic year on esupd.it.
Merit Scholarships — UniPD
Variable (€500–€5,000)
Top academic performance — various schemes, published annually on unipd.it
UniPD offers prizes and merit scholarships for outstanding students, including in veterinary medicine. The university also participates in corporate and foundation scholarship schemes. Check unipd.it/agevolazioni-economiche for the current year's offers.
Erasmus+ Grant
€400–€800/month (destination-dependent)
Available from year 2 or 3 — apply through UniPD International Relations Office
UniPD has extensive Erasmus+ agreements with veterinary faculties across Europe. A semester or year abroad at a partner school can count toward degree requirements. UniPD is one of Italy's top Erasmus-sending universities by volume.

🏥 Campus e instalaciones

Agripolis Campus — Legnaro (PD)

  • The entire veterinary programme is based at the Agripolis campus, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro (PD 35020) — not in Padua city centre
  • Legnaro is approximately 10 km south of Padua city centre — 15–20 minutes by regional bus or bicycle; public transport connections from Padua central station
  • Agripolis integrates veterinary medicine, agronomy, food science and forestry on a single campus — one of Italy's most comprehensive agri-food teaching environments
  • Modern lecture halls, anatomy labs, histology facilities, dissection rooms, simulation labs, and dedicated preclinical training areas
  • Canteen, student spaces and outdoor areas on campus; Padua city centre offers the main UniPD library, administration and student services

Clinica Veterinaria Universitaria (CVU)

  • The CVU (Clinica Veterinaria Universitaria) is the multi-species teaching hospital on the Agripolis campus
  • Clinical services: small animals (dogs, cats), large animals (cattle, horses, swine, small ruminants), exotic animals and wildlife
  • Diagnostic imaging: CT scanner, magnetic resonance (MRI), ultrasound, digital radiography and scintigraphy
  • Surgical facilities with dedicated operating theatres for small animal and large animal surgery
  • Students integrate into clinical rotations from year 3 — direct supervised contact with clinical cases
  • Emergency services for critical patients — key component of the EAEVE-assessed clinical training programme

Teaching Farm & Livestock Facilities — Agripolis

  • The Agripolis campus includes dedicated livestock and experimental farm facilities integrated with teaching
  • Species covered: cattle, pigs, small ruminants (sheep, goats), poultry — practical husbandry from year 1
  • Connection with the Azienda Agraria Sperimentale 'L. Toniolo' experimental farm for applied livestock science
  • Students gain hands-on experience in animal handling, production system management, and preventive medicine
  • Integrated with BCA department research projects in animal welfare, production health and food safety

Aquatic Animal Medicine — A UniPD Speciality

  • UniPD's BCA department has a historically strong research tradition in aquatic animal health and ichthyopathology
  • Located in the Veneto region — close to the Venetian lagoon, the Adriatic coast, and Italy's major fish farming (aquaculture) areas
  • Research and clinical experience in fish diseases, aquaculture health management, and aquatic zoonoses
  • For students interested in aquatic species or fisheries veterinary medicine, UniPD offers rare depth in Italy

🏅 Acreditaciones

EAEVE
Full Accreditation
UniPD's veterinary programme holds EAEVE Full Accreditation — the highest quality recognition in European veterinary education. Full EAEVE accreditation confirms that the programme meets European standards in clinical training hours, facilities, curriculum structure, and academic staff. The degree is automatically recognised for professional practice across all EU/EEA member states. Verify the current accreditation status on eaeve.eu.
ANVUR (Italy)
Accredited
The programme is fully accredited by Italy's national university quality agency (ANVUR) and validated by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR). The degree qualifies graduates for the Italian Ordine dei Medici Veterinari, with automatic right to professional practice throughout Italy.
EU Recognition
Fully recognised across EU
As an EAEVE-accredited programme from an EU public university, the UniPD veterinary degree is automatically recognised across all EU/EEA member states under Directive 2005/36/EC on professional qualifications. No equivalency procedure is required to practice in Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, etc.

🏠 Coste de vida

The veterinary campus is in Legnaro, not Padua city centre. Most students live in Padua (10 km away, ~15–20 min by bus or bike) and commute to Agripolis for lectures and clinics. A smaller number live in Legnaro or nearby towns. Monthly living costs in Padua are moderate — generally cheaper than Milan or Rome — ranging from €700 to €1,100/month depending on accommodation.

Room in shared flat — Padua
€350–€600/month
Padua is a university city with a large student population — good availability of shared flats, particularly around the university districts
Room in shared flat — Legnaro area
€280–€450/month
The Padua hinterland is cheaper than the city — some students live very close to the Agripolis campus
ESU university accommodation
€250–€450/month
Subsidised housing through ESU Padova — for eligible students (income-based), apply early on esupd.it
Food and groceries
€180–€320/month
University canteen at Agripolis ~€4–7/meal with student discount
Transport
€20–€50/month
Bus from Padua to Legnaro + urban transport, or bicycle for short distances
Books, materials
€50–€150/month
Averaged over the year — heavier in year 1 and 2; UniPD library provides access to most journals and textbooks

Resumen de costes

ConceptoCoste estimado
Monthly cost (shared flat in Padua, commuting)~€700–€950/month
Monthly cost (living near campus in Legnaro)~€550–€750/month
Annual living cost (10 months)~€6,000–€10,000/year

📅 Calendario orientativo

Apr–Jun — Check eligibility and prepare Italian language
Verify you hold a valid secondary school leaving certificate. If Italian is not your first language, start B2 preparation now — the filter semester exams in November are entirely in Italian. Six to twelve months of language prep before September is strongly recommended.
Jul–Aug — Register on Universitaly / UniPD Uniweb portal
Non-Italian EU students pre-register on universitaly.it. Italian students enrol via Uniweb (unipd.it). The filter semester enrolment window typically opens in July. Check unipd.it for exact dates, as they vary annually. Plan your ISEE Università application now to avoid the late-submission penalty.
September — Start of the filter semester — Agripolis, Legnaro
Three courses begin at the Agripolis campus: Chemistry and Introductory Biochemistry, Physics, Biology (6 CFU each). Attend all lectures — your November exam results determine your national ranking position and your place at UniPD.
Nov–Dec — National filter semester exams
Two sessions: approximately 20 November and 10 December (confirm exact dates for your year on unipd.it). You must pass all three subjects (min 18/30 each) to appear in the national ranking. If you miss or fail a session, you can retry in December.
January — National ranking published — place confirmation
The Ministry (MUR) publishes the national ranking. If your position falls within UniPD's allocated places, you are admitted to the 2nd semester. Formalise enrolment, submit your ISEE, confirm your tuition bracket, and prepare for February.
February — 2nd semester begins — full degree underway
Main degree courses begin. From year 3 onwards, clinical rotations at the CVU hospital and the Agripolis teaching facilities become central to your timetable. Apply for the ESU scholarship and housing as soon as the annual call opens (typically in autumn).

❓ Preguntas frecuentes

Is there still a TOLC entrance test for veterinary at UniPD?
No. From AY 2025/2026, the TOLC-V admission test has been replaced across all Italian universities by the new open semester system. You enrol in a filter semester (September–November), sit 3 national exams (Chemistry, Physics, Biology), and a national merit ranking determines whether you continue to the 2nd semester. Anyone with a valid secondary school leaving certificate can start.
Do I need to speak Italian to study at UniPD Vet?
Yes. All lectures, exams, clinical training, and patient interaction at UniPD's veterinary faculty are in Italian. While some research seminars may be in English, the degree programme is Italian-language. Non-Italian speakers should aim for B2 level before starting in September — you need to follow lectures and write exam answers in Italian in November. Aim for C1 by year 3 when clinical rotations begin.
Is the degree recognised outside Italy?
Yes. UniPD holds EAEVE Full Accreditation, which means the degree is automatically recognised across all EU/EEA member states under Directive 2005/36/EC. You can register as a veterinarian in Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and other EU countries without an equivalency procedure. For the UK (post-Brexit) or non-EU countries (US, Canada, Australia), check specific national requirements.
Where exactly is the campus — Padua or Legnaro?
The veterinary faculty (BCA), the teaching hospital (CVU) and most practical facilities are at the Agripolis campus in Legnaro — Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro (PD), about 10 km south of Padua city centre. Legnaro is reachable by regional bus from Padua central station in ~15–20 minutes, or by bicycle for students living nearby. The main UniPD campus in Padua city centre hosts the central library, administration and other faculties, but most vet students spend their day-to-day time in Legnaro.
How much does it actually cost per year at UniPD?
It depends entirely on your family's ISEE Università income. If your ISEE falls below the no-tax threshold (typically around €28,000–30,000), you pay only ~€156/year (regional tax + stamp duty). Between ~€30,000 and €55,000, fees scale from roughly €600 to €1,800/year. At the maximum bracket, fees are approximately €2,500–3,000/year. Submit your ISEE certificate before the December deadline to avoid late penalties.
Can I get a scholarship as a non-Italian EU student?
Yes. Non-Italian EU students officially resident in Italy can apply for the regional DSU scholarship through ESU Padova (Veneto's student welfare body). The grant includes a cash component (€4,000–6,000/year) plus a canteen card and possible subsidised housing, conditional on income (ISEE) and merit. You must be officially resident in Italy. The no-tax area fee exemption is also accessible to EU students with a valid ISEE Università.
What makes UniPD's veterinary programme distinctive?
Several things set UniPD apart: (1) its location on the Agripolis campus — one of Italy's most integrated agri-food and veterinary environments, with teaching farms, hospital and research all on one site; (2) historically strong in aquatic animal medicine and ichthyopathology, given Veneto's aquaculture sector; (3) embedded in one of the world's oldest and most prestigious research universities (founded 1222); (4) EAEVE Full Accreditation with a strong academic and research profile. And all of this at public tuition rates.
What is the EAEVE accreditation and why does it matter?
EAEVE (European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education) is the body that evaluates and accredits veterinary schools across Europe. Full EAEVE accreditation means the school meets all European standards for clinical training hours, facilities, curriculum design and teaching staff quality. Practically, it means your UniPD degree is automatically recognised for veterinary professional practice across EU countries — no equivalency procedure required.