Bachelor in Animal Care at University of Padua

Detailed entry requirements

Padua's Animal Care bachelor has limited places: you need a school diploma after at least 12 years of schooling that meets the university's country rules, a weighted CISIA CEnT-S score of at least 20, an online interview passed with at least 30 out of 120 and English at B2. The test and interview rules come from the 2026/27 call for non-EU students living abroad. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]

School-leaving requirement

You need an upper secondary school diploma, or an equivalent qualification, awarded after at least 12 years of schooling and giving access to higher education. [1] The degree expects a good command of mathematics, physics, biology and chemistry, with analytical and logic skills. [3]

For foreign qualifications, the University of Padua publishes country-specific entry rules for 2027/28, and its Admissions and Welcome Unit decides whether a qualification meets them. You must complete your school studies by 31 July 2027. [4]

• India: a Standard XII diploma: the CBSE All India Senior School Certificate or the CISCE Indian School Certificate, each with at least 5 subjects, an Intermediate Examination Certificate, a Higher Secondary School Certificate or a Higher Secondary Examination Certificate Part II.
• Pakistan: a Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) or an Intermediate School Certificate.
• Bangladesh: a Higher Secondary Certificate with a final result of Second Division or higher.
• Sri Lanka: the GCE Advanced Level with at least an Ordinary Pass (S) in 3 subjects and at least 30% in the Common General Test.
• United Kingdom: GCE A levels in 3 subjects passed at grade E or above, the Cambridge Pre-U Diploma, or a BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma.

Qualification documents are accepted in English or Italian. [3]

What this means for your school results

As a guide, based on the rule above:

• Usually a fit: a Class 12 result from CBSE, CISCE or a state Higher Secondary or Intermediate board in India, an HSSC in Pakistan, or three full A levels, with biology and chemistry among your subjects. These are the qualifications Padua lists, and biology carries the most weight in the test ranking.
• Check carefully: a Class 12 without biology, such as a PCM, Commerce or Arts stream, a CBSE or ISC certificate with fewer than 5 subjects, a Bangladeshi HSC below Second Division, or Sri Lankan A levels without 3 passes or 30% in the Common General Test. The country rules do not name a stream, but the interview is on animal biology.
• Often short: a Class 10 certificate, O levels or AS levels on their own, which do not appear among the listed entry qualifications.

Enrolled students who answer too few questions correctly in a CEnT-S section receive an additional learning requirement (OFA) to clear with a specific test: fewer than 7 out of 15 in Mathematics, 6 out of 10 in Biology, 6 out of 10 in Chemistry or 3 out of 5 in Physics. [1]

English

The degree is taught in English, and you need English at B2 (CEFR) or equivalent. Accepted certificates, minimum scores and exemptions follow the university's published list; the call itself does not list test scores. [1]

For the selection that opened on 15 September 2026, only valid certificates are accepted, and a certificate with no expiry date must have been obtained within two years of that opening date. You can submit it after applying, but no later than 31 July 2027. [5]

CEnT-S test and online interview

Selection has two stages. You register for the CISIA CEnT-S and pay €55 directly to CISIA. The test can be taken online at home (CEnT@CASA) or in a university classroom (CEnT@UNI), only once per macro-period. [1]

• Test weighting: Biology counts double (weight 2), Reasoning on texts and data counts 1, and Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry count 0.7 each.
• Minimum test score: a normalised weighted score of at least 20 gives access to the interview.
• Online interview: 4 questions on animal biology with the teaching committee, each scored from minus 2 to 30, for a maximum of 120. You pass with at least 30 out of 120.
• Ranking: the sum of your test and interview scores. Ties are broken by the Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Reasoning sections, then by the younger candidate. If you sat more than one valid test, the best score counts.

These rules come from the 2026/27 call, which offered 8 places to non-EU candidates living abroad. [1] For 2027/28, the portal again lists 8 places, and the first macro-period runs from November 2026 to January 2027, with first dates on 26 November and 17 December 2026. [3]

Deadlines

In 2026/27, non-EU candidates living abroad applied from 7 January to 7 March 2026 and had to take the CEnT-S by the end of the second macro-period in March 2026. The ranking list was published from 10 April 2026. [1] A second round from 12 May to 12 June 2026 was open only to EU and equivalent candidates. [2]

For 2027/28, the University of Padua portal lists 7 January to 7 March 2027 (23:59 Central European Time) for non-EU applicants living abroad, and studies start on 1 October 2027. You can apply to only one degree programme per academic year. The 2027/28 call sets the new test deadline. [3]

Documents and non-EU steps

The 2026/27 call asked for these documents with the application: [1]

• A valid passport.
• Proof of CEnT-S registration, with the provisional and normalised results.
• Your transcript of records and, if already obtained, your school diploma.
• Official translations into Italian or English if your documents are in another language.
• Your B2 English certificate, if already obtained.
• A CV.

Candidates selected without their diploma or English certificate were admitted conditionally and had to submit them by 31 July 2026. To accept a place you pay a non-refundable admission fee: €205 in the 2026/27 call [1], and €208 on the 2027/28 portal [3]. To complete enrolment you submit a legalised diploma, an apostille or a CIMEA statement of verification, and CIMEA may also ask for a statement of comparability. Further documents follow the ministerial guidelines for international students published on Universitaly. [1]

Sources and verification

Checked by the ApplyAZ admissions team against the university's official documents listed below. Entry rules can change with each new call, and we re-check them before every application.

1. University of Padua, Global Engagement Office. Call for applications for non-EU students residing abroad, Bachelor's degree in Animal Care, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
2. University of Padua, Global Engagement Office. Instructions for the second selection round for EU and EU-equated candidates holding a foreign qualification, Bachelor's degree in Animal Care, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
3. University of Padua, application portal course page, Animal Care, academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
4. University of Padua, Global Engagement Office. Entry title requirements and specific entry requirements for qualifications awarded by non-Italian education systems, updated 15 September 2026, academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
5. University of Padua, English language requirement for admission to degree programmes, selection opening 15 September 2026. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
6. University of Padua, Animal Care programme page (degree class, language, duration, location and access type). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
7. University of Padua, Tuition fees for international students, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
8. University of Padua, Scholarships and fee waivers for international students, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.

What school results do I need for Animal Care at Padua?

A school diploma after at least 12 years of schooling that gives access to university. For 2027/28, Padua's country rules list an Indian Standard XII diploma such as CBSE or ISC with at least 5 subjects, a Pakistani HSSC, a Bangladeshi HSC at Second Division or above, or three A levels. [1][4]

Is there an entrance test?

Yes, in two stages. In 2026/27 you needed a weighted CISIA CEnT-S score of at least 20, with Biology counting double, to reach an online interview of 4 animal biology questions. You pass it with 30 out of 120, and the ranking adds both scores. [1]

What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?

English at B2 (CEFR) or equivalent. Padua accepts certificates from its own list, each with a minimum score, and some exemptions apply. For 2027/28 you can submit the certificate after applying, up to 31 July 2027, and we check which certificate or exemption fits your file. [1][5]

When is the deadline for non-EU students?

For 2027/28, non-EU applicants living abroad apply on the University of Padua portal from 7 January to 7 March 2027. In 2026/27 the CEnT-S also had to be taken by the end of March, and the 2027/28 call sets the new test deadline. [1][3]

Can I apply before I finish school?

Yes. In 2026/27, selected candidates without their diploma or English certificate were admitted conditionally and had until 31 July 2026 to submit them. For the 2027/28 intake, you must complete your school studies by 31 July 2027. [1][4]

I studied Class 12 without biology. Can I still apply?

Possibly. Padua's country rules for India list Standard XII diplomas without naming a stream. But Biology carries double weight in the CEnT-S ranking and the interview is on animal biology, so your biology knowledge matters for your rank. We check your subjects first. [1][4]

How many places are there for non-EU students?

For 2027/28, the portal lists 8 places for non-EU applicants living outside Italy, the same number as in the 2026/27 call. Places are assigned through a ranking list. [1][3]

What jobs do graduates do?

The university lists zoos and wildlife parks, aquariums, animal welfare and conservation programmes, rehabilitation and rescue centres, research facilities, animal-assisted activities and animal health organisations.

Can someone handle my whole application to Animal Care at Padua?

Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your school results against Padua's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the University of Padua DSU scholarship application at the right time and in the right format, and prepares your visa file, for eligible students. Start by checking your eligibility.

I'm applying from India. What is the route into Animal Care?

A Standard XII diploma, such as the CBSE All India Senior School Certificate or the CISCE ISC with at least 5 subjects, or a state Higher Secondary or Intermediate certificate, is listed in Padua's 2027/28 country rules. You also need a CEnT-S score, an online interview on animal biology and English at B2. The steps are the CEnT-S, the online application and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1][4] Indian students apply for the type D study visa at the Italian embassy or consulate that covers their state, such as New Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru.

Is the route different from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka?

No. The academic rules for Animal Care are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: CEnT-S test, online application on the university portal, online interview and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for their country of residence. Read our guide for students in Dhaka.

I live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain. Where do I apply for the visa?

At the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the country where you legally live, after Universitaly pre-enrolment. The academic rules for Animal Care are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: CEnT-S test, online application on the university portal, online interview and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.

I'm applying from the UK, US, Canada, Singapore or Malaysia. Is anything different?

The academic rules are identical. Non-EU applicants who live abroad, including citizens of these countries, follow the same route: CEnT-S test, online application on the university portal, online interview and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa. Read our guides for London, New York, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.