Bachelor in Economics, Governance and Decision-Making at University of Padua
Three-year English-taught PPE-style bachelor (L-33) in Padua combining economics, politics, law, philosophy and data. Entry needs 12 years of schooling, a CEnT-S score and English at B2, with 30 non-EU places.
Bachelor
3 years
Padua
English
University of Padua
Economics, Governance and Decision-Making is a three-year, 180 ECTS bachelor's degree (class L-33) taught in English at the University of Padua. Entry needs a school-leaving qualification after 12 years of schooling, a CEnT-S score and English at B2, with 30 places for non-EU applicants living abroad. Regional scholarship winners are exempt from fees, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Padua's Economics, Governance and Decision-Making bachelor asks for a school-leaving qualification after at least 12 years of schooling, a CEnT-S score in Mathematics and Reasoning on texts and data with at least 10 correct answers, and English at B2. Places are limited and assigned by ranking. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
School-leaving qualification
You need a qualification that gives access to university after at least 12 years of schooling. With 11 years you must first complete one year of university studies and pass all exams, and with 10 years two years. Where your country requires a university entrance exam, you must show you passed it. [4]
The 2027/28 country rules list these school-leaving qualifications: [4]
- India: a Standard XII certificate, such as the CBSE All-India Senior School Certificate with at least 5 courses, the CISCE Indian School Certificate 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 Intermediate School Certificate.
- Bangladesh: a Higher Secondary Certificate with a final result of Second Division or higher.
- Sri Lanka: GCE Advanced Level with at least an Ordinary Pass (S) in 3 subjects and at least 30% in the Common General Test.
- UK: 3 A levels passed with at least grade E, or the listed Pre-U and BTEC Level 3 alternatives. AS levels do not count.
What this means for your school results
As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: Class 12 from CBSE with at least 5 courses, ISC with at least 5 subjects or a state board Higher Secondary certificate; an HSSC or Intermediate certificate from Pakistan; three A levels at grade E or above.
- Check carefully: a Bangladesh HSC must be Second Division or higher, and Sri Lankan A levels need S passes in 3 subjects plus 30% in the Common General Test. The country rules do not name a Class 12 stream, but the CEnT-S sections that count include Mathematics, so students without maths after Class 10 need to prepare for that section.
- Often short: a qualification after only 10 or 11 years of schooling, or AS levels on their own, needs extra university study first.
You can apply before you finish school. For 2027/28 you must complete your qualification by 31 July 2027. [4]
English
English at CEFR level B2 or higher. [1] Accepted certificates at B2 include: [5]
- IELTS Academic or General Training 6.0
- TOEFL iBT 86 for tests taken until 20 January 2026, or 4.5 on the new scale from 21 January 2026
- Cambridge B2 First 173, PTE Academic 65, Duolingo English Test 115 or Oxford Test of English 126
- Trinity ISE II, LanguageCert B2 Communicator, British Council Aptis at B2, Pearson International Certificate Level 3 or Gatehouse Level 1 ESOL International (B2)
You do not need a certificate if you are a native speaker from a listed English-speaking country, if your previous education was entirely in English in one of those countries or in the EU or Schengen area, or if you hold an IB Diploma, European Baccalaureate, GCE or IGCE taught entirely in English. School in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka is not on the exemption list, unless you hold one of those international qualifications. [5]
For 2027/28, certificates without an expiry date must date from the two years before 15 September 2026, and you can upload the certificate until 31 July 2027. [5]
CEnT-S test and ranking
Selection uses the CISIA CEnT-S test, which you can sit only once per macro-period. Of its five sections, only Mathematics and Reasoning on texts and data count for this degree: 30 questions, with at least 10 correct answers needed to take part in the selection. Places go by ranking on your best CEnT-S score. [1]
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad could use only results from the first two macro-periods, and there were 30 places for this group and 150 for EU and equated candidates. [1] Ties went to the youngest candidate, and applicants who did not meet the entry requirements were excluded whatever their score. [2]
For 2027/28 there are again 30 places for non-EU candidates living outside Italy, and the first macro-period has test dates on 26 November and 17 December 2026. You upload your score as soon as it is issued, even after the call closes. [3]
Deadlines
For 2027/28, non-EU candidates living outside Italy apply between 7 January and 7 March 2027. EU and equated candidates apply between 9 March and 9 April 2027. Studies start on 1 October 2027, and the first semester is held entirely online. [3]
In 2026/27 the non-EU window ran from 7 January to 7 March 2026, and admitted applicants who had not yet sent their diploma or English certificate had until 1 August 2026. [1][2]
Documents and non-EU steps
You apply on the university's application platform and can apply to one degree programme per academic year. If you apply only to CEnT-S programmes, you pay the €55 CEnT-S fee to CISIA and not the university's €60 application fee. Documents can be in English or Italian, or come with official translations, and no legalisation is needed at application stage. [3]
Selected applicants receive an admission offer on the platform, and others stay on a waiting list. [2] To accept a place you pay a non-refundable €208 deposit. If admitted, you submit originals plus translated and legalised copies of your qualifications. [3] Universitaly pre-enrolment and the type D study visa follow.
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.
- University of Padua, Department of Economics and Management. Entry requirements for applicants with a foreign qualification, Bachelor's degree in Economics, Governance and Decision-Making, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Padua, Global Engagement Office. Admission results, Economics, Governance and Decision-Making, non-EU citizens residing abroad, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Padua, Global Engagement Office. Economics, Governance and Decision-Making course page on the university application platform, academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Padua, Global Engagement Office. Specific entry requirements for qualifications awarded by non-Italian education systems, academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Padua, Global Engagement Office. English language requirement, accepted certificates and exemptions, academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Economics, Governance and Decision-Making is a three-year, 180 ECTS bachelor's degree in class L-33 (economics), taught entirely in English in Padua. It belongs to the School of Economics and Political Science and is run by the Department of Economics and Management. Places are limited: for 2027/28 there are 30 for non-EU candidates living outside Italy.
The programme is transdisciplinary and aligned with the PPE (philosophy, politics and economics) degrees offered worldwide. It builds solid skills in the social sciences with a strong methodological imprint and attention to ethics and logical reasoning, applied to challenges such as the energy transition, digital transformation and governance. It suits students who want to combine economics with politics, law and philosophy.
What you will study
Two common years are followed by a third year in one of three paths: Policy Advising and Consulting in Multilevel Governance; Ethical Decision Making and NGOs Governance; or International Organizations and Geopolitical Analysis. Units include:
- Logic and Critical Thinking, and Political Philosophy
- Microeconomics and Mathematics for Social Sciences
- Foundations of Law and Legal Systems, and Principles of Management and Accounting
- Econometrics for Social Sciences, and Statistics and Data Analysis
- Epistemology and Game Theory, and Public Ethics
- International Macroeconomics and Global Challenges
- Third-year units such as Policy Evaluation and Causal Inference, Corporate Governance, Accountability and Ethics, or Monetary and Fiscal Policies
How the programme is taught
According to the admissions portal, the first semester is held entirely online; the degree's venue is Padua. Sociology and Development Economics appear in all three third-year paths.
Career paths
The university says graduates work as junior analysts or consultants and can go on to master's degrees in economics, business, politics or philosophy in Italy and abroad. Settings it names include:
- Non-governmental organisations
- International organisations
- Public institutions and private organisations
- Research centres and think tanks
- Consulting
Fees and scholarships
Degrees of the School of Economics and Political Science are in fee Group A. For 2026/27, non-EU students whose family lives outside Italy pay a fixed €2,790 a year, or €930 as citizens of a country on the ministry's list of particularly poor countries; an ISEE parificato changes only the regional tax. The regional scholarship, which the University of Padua runs for Veneto, exempts winners from the fee, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students. Merit scholarships and full fee waivers are awarded without a separate application.
How to apply from outside the EU
The 30 places are assigned through a ranking list based on the CISIA CEnT-S test: register and pay €55 with CISIA, and note that you can sit the test only once per macro-period. Only the Mathematics and Reasoning on texts and data sections count for this degree, and you need at least 10 correct answers out of 30 to enter the ranking. [1] Non-EU candidates living outside Italy apply on apply.unipd.it between 7 January and 7 March 2027. The university's €60 fee does not apply if you apply only to CEnT-S bachelors.
After admission you pay a €208 non-refundable deposit, we complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, and you apply for a type D study visa. Your diploma must be legalised, apostilled or verified by CIMEA by 31 July, and studies start on 1 October 2027.
How ApplyAZ helps
ApplyAZ is an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities. We can include this programme in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes that fit your profile, so your plan never rests on a single application.
For eligible students who start with us, a named person owns each stage, from A to Z:
- We check your school results against Padua's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your online application, CEnT-S score upload and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your University of Padua DSU scholarship application at the right time and in the right format.
- We prepare your visa file.
With operations in all 20 Italian regions, we follow each region's scholarship rules and deadlines as they change. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa, so no one can promise an outcome. You pay in milestones, and every service you pay for is either delivered or its fee is refunded (terms apply).
Programmes at Italian public universities can be tuition-free for eligible students. Check if you are eligible and book a one-to-one consultation session with one of our Italy experts, or see how ApplyAZ works.
Questions and answers
What school results do I need for Economics, Governance and Decision-Making at Padua?
A school-leaving qualification after at least 12 years of schooling. From India that means a Standard XII certificate, such as CBSE with at least 5 courses, ISC with at least 5 subjects or a state Higher Secondary certificate. [4]
Is there an entrance test?
Yes, the CISIA CEnT-S. For 2026/27 only the Mathematics and Reasoning on texts and data sections counted: 30 questions, with at least 10 correct answers needed to enter the selection. Places go by ranking on your best score. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2. Accepted certificates include IELTS 6.0, Cambridge B2 First 173, PTE Academic 65 and Duolingo 115. Native speakers from listed countries and holders of an IB Diploma or GCE taught in English are exempt; Indian Class 12 boards are not on the exemption list. [5]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2027/28, non-EU candidates living outside Italy apply between 7 January and 7 March 2027, for 30 places. In 2026/27, only CEnT-S results from the first two macro-periods were accepted for this group. [1][3]
Can I apply before I finish Class 12?
Yes. You can apply before you receive your school-leaving qualification, but for 2027/28 you must complete it by 31 July 2027, and an official certificate from your school can stand in until then. [4]
I studied Commerce or Arts in Class 12 without maths. Can I apply?
The country rules list Standard XII certificates without naming a stream. The CEnT-S sections that count for this degree include Mathematics, so we plan your test preparation around that section before you sit it. [1][4]
Is this a PPE degree?
The university describes it as transdisciplinary and aligned with PPE (philosophy, politics and economics) programmes worldwide, combining economics, politics, law, philosophy, logic and data analysis.
What jobs do graduates do?
The university lists junior analyst and consultant roles in NGOs, international organisations, public institutions, research centres and think tanks, and further study in economics, business, politics or philosophy.
Can someone handle my whole application to Economics, Governance and Decision-Making 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 Economics, Governance and Decision-Making?
A Standard XII certificate such as the CBSE certificate with at least 5 courses, the ISC with at least 5 subjects or a state Higher Secondary certificate meets the school rule, and you also need a CEnT-S score and English at B2. The steps are the online application with your CEnT-S score, accepting a ranked place with the deposit, and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [3][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 Economics, Governance and Decision-Making are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online application with a CEnT-S score, acceptance of a ranked place 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 Economics, Governance and Decision-Making are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online application with a CEnT-S score, acceptance of a ranked place 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: online application with a CEnT-S score, acceptance of a ranked place and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa. Read our guides for London, New York, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
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