Overview

The University of Padova opens two English-taught, single-cycle Master's degree programmes — Italy's equivalent of an integrated MD — to candidates who sit the Padova IMAT 2026 admission test, governed by Ministerial Decree No. 1005 of 06-08-2026. The call for admission for A.Y. 2026/2027, signed by the Rector, Prof. Daniela Mapelli, on 25 August 2026, covers:

• Medicine and Surgery (LM-41) — Venice seat
• Medicine and Surgery – MedTech (LM-41) — Padua seat

Both programmes are subject to accreditation and to reaching a minimum of 5 enrolled students per curriculum before they're activated — if either condition isn't met, the programme simply won't run for the year.

This guide walks through what the bando actually says about the Padova IMAT 2026 process: who can apply, exactly what's due and when, how the test and rankings work, and what happens after a candidate wins a seat. It's a summary of a long, dense legal document — read the official bando PDF in full, or cross-check anything decision-critical against Padova's own admissions page before you act on it. For how this fits the national picture, see the IMAT 2026 hub.

Programmes & available seats

The two programmes covered by the Padova IMAT 2026 call for admission run under Italy's numero programmato (capped-place) system, taught entirely in English. Between them, 185 places are available for 2026/2027:

Choosing Padova as a first preference locks in the test location — there are no exceptions to sitting the test wherever a candidate's first choice is. For how Padova's seat count compares elsewhere, see Locomotive's full list of IMAT universities in Italy.

Who's eligible

Admission requires a secondary school diploma obtained in Italy, or a foreign qualification recognised as suitable for university access under current legislation, plus passing the admission test.

EU and non-EU candidates residing in Italy

Ranked on a single national list per Article 39(5) of Legislative Decree No. 286/1998 (as amended). First preference determines both the target programme and the test location.

Non-EU candidates residing abroad

Eligible only for the local ranking list of the university where they submitted their Universitaly pre-enrolment application — a separate ranking list from the one used for EU/Italy-resident candidates, published at the same time.

The full Padova IMAT 2026 deadline calendar

This is the single most important table on this page. Missing the registration window or the enrolment window after a ranking round permanently forfeits a place — the bando allows no exceptions for delay.

All deadlines run on Italian time (GMT+2). The 4-day enrolment window excludes Saturdays and public holidays, per the bando.

How to apply, by candidate category

Registration runs entirely through Universitaly, the Ministry's national platform — the same mechanics used for every Italian university offering the IMAT (see the IMAT 2026 hub for the general process). Padova's bando adds the following category-specific steps.

EU / non-EU residents already in Italy

1. Register for the test on Universitaly and take the Padova IMAT 2026 test, as above.
2. If eligible, submit the online enrolment application at www.uniweb.unipd.it and pay the first fee instalment.
3. Present the required qualification documentation per instructions from the Admission and Welcome Unit (international.admission@unipd.it).
4. Upon arrival in Italy, present original documentation as instructed by the same office.

Non-EU candidates residing abroad

1. Pre-register on Universitaly, selecting University of Padova and the programme of interest — this is what starts the study-visa process.
2. Register for and take the Padova IMAT 2026 test, as above.
3. If eligible, submit the required qualification-assessment documents, complete online enrolment at www.uniweb.unipd.it, and pay the first instalment.
4. Upon arrival in Italy, present original documentation as instructed by international.admission@unipd.it.

Test day & format

Wherever it lands, it's a single test of identical content at every location: 60 multiple-choice questions (five options each, one correct answer), completed in a maximum of 100 minutes:

• Reading skills and knowledge acquired during studies — 4 questions
• Logical reasoning and problems — 5 questions
• Biology — 23 questions
• Chemistry — 15 questions
• Physics and mathematics — 13 questions

Candidates need a valid ID (preferably the one used at registration) and their Universitaly receipt. Late arrivals, once the test has started, are not admitted — no exceptions.

Full conduct rules, grounds for exam annulment and the exact syllabus are in the official bando's Annex 2 — see also Locomotive's IMAT 2026 hub for the general national format.

Scoring, minimum eligibility & OFA

Out of a maximum 90 points:

• +1.5 points per correct answer
• −0.4 points per incorrect answer
• 0 points for a question left unanswered

EU candidates and non-EU candidates resident in Italy need a minimum of 20 points to appear on the ranking list. Non-EU candidates resident abroad only need a score above 0 — they're excluded only if they answer no questions at all.

In the event of a tie, subject scores decide first (Biology > Chemistry > Physics/Maths > Logical reasoning > Reading, in that order), then possession of a recognised language certificate, then disability priority under specific certifications, and finally the youngest candidate.

"Assigned" vs "Booked": securing your place

This is the part of the process that catches people out. Once rankings are published — and rescrolled as places free up — every eligible candidate holds one of two live statuses:

Every candidate not enrolled, withdrawn, or marked "no more places available" must actively confirm interest in staying on the ranking list within the same 5-working-day window after each round, or be automatically excluded from future assignments — the bando is explicit that being unavailable is not accepted as a justification, since the confirmation can be delegated to a trusted third party.

Support for candidates with disabilities or SLDs

Candidates with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs) who want accommodations must email their supporting documentation to inclusione.studenti@unipd.it by 9 September 2026, 3:00 p.m. (GMT+2).

• Disability accommodations require a civil disability certificate and/or Law 104/1992 certification.
• SLD accommodations require a diagnosis issued within the last three years (if before age 18) or by accredited public/regional health services (if after 18); personalised teaching plans (PDPs) and non-accredited diagnoses are not accepted.
• Additional time: up to 50% more for candidates with disabilities, up to 30% more for candidates with SLDs.
• Foreign documentation needs legalisation (where required) plus a sworn translation into Italian or English.
• Not permitted under any circumstance during the test: dictionaries, formularies, periodic tables, concept maps, smartphones, smart glasses, or computers.

More info: www.unipd.it/accoglienza-prove-ingresso

Recognised language certificates (tie-break advantage)

Possessing one of the certificates below, self-declared at registration, gives priority in a tie. Candidates who attended at least one school year taught in English are automatically recognised as having a language certificate.

Full list, including City & Guilds, Edexcel/Pearson and EDI, is in Annex 1 of the official bando.

Foreign qualification holders

Students holding a foreign qualification are admitted per Italian Ministry of University and Research rules, after passing the test and submitting the required documentation. Contact: international.admission@unipd.it (Admission and Welcome Unit, Global Engagement Office).

Eligibility for admission to a given selection round does not carry over any right to enrol in years beyond the first — that's governed by a separate call for admission and credit-recognition process (contact: medicina.studenti@unipd.it). For Medicine and Surgery – MedTech specifically, only the first year is available for 2026/27, so admission — regardless of recognised credits — can only be granted into year 1.

Contacts & who's in charge

All official notifications go to the email address given at registration — it's the candidate's responsibility to keep it updated. The administrative procedure is led by Ms Maria Chiara Ferraresi, Head of the Ufficio Carriere Studenti, who is also the contact for document-access requests under Italian Law No. 241/1990.

Frequently asked questions