University of Padova
University of Padova traces its origins back to 1222 when a group of law students migrated spontaneously from Bologna to Padova, forming a free association organised into nationes according to their geographic origins. The University has successfully maintained a healthy relationship with the figures of its past, not only by valuing its heritage of art and museums, but also by striving constantly to improve the quality of its teaching and research, promoting international exchange programmes, developing new teaching methods, establishing decentralised structures and organising initiatives aimed at achieving didactic excellence.
At present it is a state university with approx. 66,000 students, and it consists of 13 faculties (Agriculture, Economics, Law, Pharmacology, Engineering, Arts, Teacher Training, Medicine, Natural Sciences, Political Sciences, Psychology, Statistical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine), 34 doctoral schools and 4 doctorate courses, and a school of excellence (Scuola Galileiana di Studi Superiori). Its relations with other academic institutions and research centres all over the world, from America to China and Australia, are extremely active through exchanges of students, teachers, information and publications.
Studying in Padova also means enjoying the city of Padova, taking advantage of a stimulating environment that combines art and science, modernity and tradition. Padova is growing constantly, and its commercial and industrial development in the last few decades has made it one of the main cities of Northeast Italy. However, the place has managed to keep a lot of its medieval character intact: surrounded by sixteenth-century walls, the old city centre is a place of busy market squares, waterways and silent arcaded streets where one can find towers, churches, palaces and surprising secret gardens.
