University of Pavia

About the University of Pavia

The University of Pavia in Italy was established in 1361 as studium generale (medieval university) by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. Thus, it is one of the oldest universities in the world. However, the school's predecessor was a higher education institution founded in 825 by Lothair I, a grandson of Charlemagne himself. Nothing says traditions and heritage like a link to the Carolingian dynasty. Still, in Italy, these words have layers and layers of meaning.

For example, the main campus building is the 14th-century palace Palazzo Centrale gifted by the Sforzas’ Duke of Milan. In addition, the university manages several museums, and some of them are also housed in palaces.

Architectural splendour aside, the University of Pavia’s notable alumni and faculty members include great names of pioneers in medicine. Gerolamo Cardano was a physician and namesake of the cardanic joint., Antonia Scarpa was a superstar anatomist; he discovered Scarpa’s Fascia and Scarpa’s triangle. Camilio Golgi was a 1906 Nobel Prize winner for Medicine and Physiology. Speaking of pioneers, Christopher Columbus himself studied here.

Courses Offered at the University of Pavia

The University of Pavia educates around 1,800 international students. The Faculty of Medicine and Surgery offers an English-taught programme in medicine and surgery. It's one of the more unique places to study medicine in Europe and definitely a top location among the European medical schools. The programme is known as the Harvey Medical Course, named after the British physician Willam Harvey.

The course combines long-established and proven Italian teaching methods with modern interactive techniques. In addition, students perform their clinical rotations in the famous Policlinico San Mateo, one of the oldest and most important teaching hospitals in Italy and the world (founded in 1449).

The Medical University of Pavia has no 4-year graduate entry route. However, transfers are possible into the Harvey Medical Course.

University of Pavia’s address is S.da Nuova, 65, 27100 Pavia PV, Italy.

Extracurricular and Leisure Activities at University of Pavia in Italy

The University of Pavia has almost 40 different student organisations and clubs. These include a chapter on the worldwide AIESEC and Erasmus, the EU exchange programme. Several collegi (student dorms) also have their own clubs that organise various social and cultural events.

The Harvey Medical Society coordinates relevant educational and recreational events for medical students. These range from guest lectures and conferences to trips to karate lessons and more.

University of Pavia Medicine Tuition Fees for International Students

The University of Pavia has different tuition fees for medicine, depending on the country of residence.

EU student fees consist of a fixed fee and a variable fee.

The fixed fee is .

The variable fee is based on the family income of the student. Here is the breakdown of tuition.

• For family income of less than , tuition for medicine is 0.
• For family income between and , the tuition fees are proportionately between and per year.
• For family income above , tuition is .

Students not from the EU can choose between a flat-rate tuition fee or one adjusted for family income.

The flat rate fees depend on the country of residence.

According to the flat rate, UK students pay per year.

If they choose the adjusted rate, students should pay a fixed fee of and tuition fees according to the above family income fees. This rate allows for lower tuition fees for some UK students.

University of Pavia Admission and Entry Requirements

The application period for the University of Pavia begins on the 1st of June and ends on the 20th of July.

Students need a secondary school diploma awarded after at least twelve years of studying. In addition, to apply to this university, you must complete the IMAT examination. Your test score determines your ranking. The exam lasts for 100 minutes and includes 60 multiple-choice questions divided into four sections. The first section assesses logical reasoning and general knowledge, while sections 2-4 focus on scientific knowledge in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Maths.

You don't need to travel to Italy to take the test. There are many centres worldwide where you can sit this exam, allowing you to take it in your home country or a nearby one that hosts it.

Getting admitted to the University of Pavia can be highly competitive, and the application process can be intricate and demanding. The university has a comprehensive list of requirements and legal procedures that must be followed. This includes submitting specific documents that need translation, notarisation, and authorisation. Failing to meet these requirements will lead to the rejection of your application. However, our admissions experts, widely recognised as some of the best in Europe, can handle the entire application process on your behalf, including all the necessary legal formalities. By choosing Medlink Students, we can guarantee your acceptance at the University of Pavia. You can rest assured that your application will be managed with the utmost care. Additionally, we will provide you with all the necessary reading material to help you ace the IMAT test and outperform your competition. With our assistance, you can skip the confusing aspects of applying to a medical school abroad and concentrate on what truly matters - getting ready for your exams.

Seats Available at Pavia University for EU & non-EU candidates

For Candidates from the EU

For Candidates from non-EU

University of Pavia Accommodation

The University of Pavia uses the collegiate system, which is characteristic of Italy. Living facilities are called collegi (collegio sing.), and they include facilities for accommodation, teaching, and leisure. The university has 22 residences, and they fall into three main categories:

• Collegi managed by EdiSU (Ente per il Diritto allo Studio Universitario). These residences are open to everyone, and fees range from to , depending on the parental income of students.
• Merit-based collegi. These residences offer tutorship, educational courses, international mobility programmes, cultural and socialising events. Admission into these collegios depends on a competitive exam (2 oral tests and 1 written). The cost of a room is free or a contribution proportional to family income.
• Privately owned collegi. These 6 residences are privately administered, and admission for each depends on the managing company that operates it.

Since the collegi host around 2000 students, many choose to find their own private accommodation. A single-bedroom apartment costs around per month. Students may opt to rent a single room with a landlord for between and per month. In addition, living costs without rent are around per month.

University of Pavia Accreditation

The University of Pavia is accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education (Ministero dell'Istruzione). In addition, the World Health Organisation recognises the school through the World Directory of Medical Schools. The UK General Medical Council also recognises medical graduates from the Harvey Medical Course.

In short, you will get worldwide recognition of your education with a degree from the University of Pavia.

Life in Pavia as a Medical Student

While Pavia is a small city of 70,000 people, it plays a central role in Roman and Italian history. Here, the Western Roman Empire ended after Odoacer rebelled against Romulus Augustus and declared himself King of Italy. Pavia was also the capital of the Lombard Kingdom. As such, it remains a centre of unique architecture and imagery.

The Lombard Kings built many churches between the 6th and 8th centuries as a sign of their piety. Some still survive today, though they were reconstructed in the 12th century. Such are the cases of the Basilica of San Michele Maggiore and St. Peter in Golden Sky (San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro). The latter holds the remains of St. Augustine.

History is seeping through the paving stones and bricks of the city, and aspiring doctors here thread in the footsteps of emperors, kings, saints, and great scholars. Even the teaching hospital Policlinico di San Mateo is a cultural monument.

Naturally, the nightlife in Pavia offers good relief from studies with its restaurants, bars, and clubs. Furthermore, the city has several excellent parks for connecting with nature. Students also love to take weekend trips to nearby Milan, Brescia, Bergamo, and Verona for sightseeing and exploration.

Students may enjoy many shopping attractions in the historic centre of the city and also on the Centro Commerciale Minerva. There is also a grand commercial centre around Pavia which is called San Martino Siccomario Commercial Centre, in which one can find many different shopping malls and stores.