Master in Applied Economics at University of Padua

Detailed entry requirements

Padua's Applied Economics master asks for a bachelor's degree of at least three years with a major focus on economics, showing extensive academic skills in economics, econometrics and mathematics, plus English at B2. There is no entrance test: an Academic Committee reviews your file, and GRE or GMAT scores and a C-level English certificate count in your favour. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]

Degree and subject requirements

You need an undergraduate degree of at least three years, or an equivalent, in economics or a related field with a major focus on economics. It must show extensive academic skills in three core areas: [1]

• Economics: for example microeconomics, macroeconomics, industrial organisation, public economics, political economy, environmental, international or labour economics, quantitative finance and financial economics.
• Econometrics: for example regression analysis, statistical inference and hypothesis testing.
• Mathematics: for example optimisation, linear algebra and function analysis.

Skills in accounting are also viewed favourably. Only academic skills gained through an undergraduate degree in these fields that meets the mandatory requirements are considered. [1] The degree must come from an institution accredited in its own country's system. [4]

Country rules and minimum grades

The university's 2027/28 country list sets these master's entry titles and minimum grades: [2]

• India: a 3 or 4-year Honours bachelor's, a professional bachelor's of 4, 5 or 5.5 years, or a 3-year pass or general bachelor's plus a postgraduate bachelor's or at least a 1-year master's. Minimum GPA 70/100, 7.0/10, 5.6/8 or 2.8/4.
• Pakistan: a 3-year bachelor's (Honours), a 4 or 5-year professional bachelor's, or a 2-year pass bachelor's plus a 2-year master's. Minimum GPA 3.3/4.0.
• Bangladesh: a 4-year Honours bachelor's or a 4 or 5-year professional bachelor's. Minimum GPA 3.3/4.0.
• Sri Lanka: a 4-year bachelor's or a Special Degree. Minimum GPA 3.0/4.0.

The list is a reference, and the university's Admissions and Welcome Unit makes the final decision on each qualification. [2]

What this means for your transcript

As a guide, based on the rules above:

• Usually a fit: an Honours BA or B.Sc. in Economics with units in microeconomics and macroeconomics, econometrics or regression analysis, and mathematics such as optimisation and linear algebra, and a grade above your country's minimum.
• Check carefully: a three-year pass or general BA, B.Sc. or B.Com from India, which needs a postgraduate bachelor's or at least a one-year master's to meet the country rule, or a B.Com or BBA with little econometrics or mathematics.
• Often short: a B.Tech, B.E., BCA or B.Sc. in a science subject, since only skills from a degree with a major focus on economics count.

English

English at CEFR level B2 or higher. A C-level certificate is a preferential element for admission, and the Academic Committee considers it only if you upload it before you apply. [1]

For 2027/28 the university's accepted B2 scores include IELTS Academic or General Training 6.0, TOEFL iBT 86 for tests taken until 20 January 2026 or 4.5 for tests taken from 21 January 2026, PTE Academic 65, Cambridge B2 First 173 and Duolingo English Test 115. The C1 scores include IELTS 7.0, PTE Academic 76 and Duolingo 135. [3]

Certificates must still be valid or, where they have no expiry date, be no more than two years old on 15 September 2026. A B2 certificate can be uploaded after applying, up to 31 July 2027. You are exempt if you are a native speaker from a listed English-speaking country, or completed your qualification entirely in English in one of those countries or in the EU or Schengen area. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are not on that list. [3]

Selection

There is no entrance test. An Academic Committee evaluates your application. [1]

• GRE or GMAT: not mandatory, but candidates are strongly encouraged to take the GRE, or the GMAT instead, and high scores are a preferential element. The committee counts a score only if you took the test before applying. A GRE examinee score report or an unofficial GMAT score is accepted at first, and admitted students then upload the official GMAT score before the enrolment deadline.
• CV, motivation letter and reference letters: these are also favourably considered.
• Interview: the committee may ask you to sit an online interview.

The university describes the ideal candidate as a recent graduate with solid preparation in economics, econometrics, mathematics and possibly accounting. [1]

2027/28 deadlines

Non-EU applicants living abroad can apply in Call One, from 15 September to 15 November 2026, or Call Two, from 1 December 2026 to 1 March 2027. Call Three, from 1 April to 1 June 2027, is only for EU citizens and non-EU citizens living in Italy. You can apply to this programme only once per academic year, and classes start on 1 October 2027. [1]

You can apply before graduating, but you must complete your degree by 31 July 2027. [2]

Documents and non-EU steps

The application needs your passport, your transcript or marksheet, your degree certificate if you have already graduated, a CV, a motivation letter and your English certificate, all uploaded as PDF files. Reference letters and a GRE or GMAT score strengthen it. Diplomas and transcripts must be official and in Italian or English, or come with official translations. No legalised documents are needed at this stage. The application fee is €60. [1][4]

• If admitted, you accept your place by paying a non-refundable €208 fee. [1]
• Non-EU citizens living outside Italy complete Universitaly pre-enrolment by 15 July and apply for a type D study visa. [4]
• At enrolment, your degree and transcript must be translated into Italian or English and legalised or apostilled, or covered by a CIMEA certificate of verification. [4]

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, international application portal. Master's degree in Applied Economics: entry qualification, preferential requirements, language requirement, fees and application calls, academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
2. University of Padua, Global Engagement Office. Specific entry requirements for qualifications awarded by non-Italian education systems, with the deadline to graduate, updated 15 September 2026 and valid for academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
3. University of Padua, Global Engagement Office. Language requirement for admission to degree programmes, with the list of accepted English certificates and exemptions, academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
4. University of Padua, Global Engagement Office. Admission of international students: how to apply, documents required for your application and how to enrol with a foreign qualification, academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
5. University of Padua. Tuition fees and exemptions notice, with the fixed fee for non-EU students, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
6. University of Padua, School of Economics and Political Science. Applied Economics programme page (degree class, access type, language, duration and curricula), undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.

What bachelor's degree do I need for Applied Economics at Padua?

A degree of at least three years in economics or a related field with a major focus on economics. It must show extensive skills in economics, econometrics and mathematics, such as microeconomics, regression analysis and optimisation, and your grade must meet the university's minimum for your country. [1][2]

Is there an entrance exam? Do I need the GRE or GMAT?

There is no entrance test. The GRE or GMAT is not mandatory, but candidates are strongly encouraged to take one and high scores are a preferential element. A score counts only if you took the test before applying. The committee may also hold an online interview. [1]

What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?

English at CEFR B2, and a C-level certificate uploaded before you apply is a preferential element. For 2027/28 the university accepts IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 86 (or 4.5 for tests from 21 January 2026), PTE Academic 65, Duolingo 115 and other listed tests at B2. [1][3]

When is the 2027/28 deadline for non-EU students?

Non-EU applicants living abroad can apply in Call One, from 15 September to 15 November 2026, or Call Two, from 1 December 2026 to 1 March 2027. The application fee is €60, you can apply only once per year, and classes start on 1 October 2027. [1]

Can I apply before I graduate?

Yes. You can apply while finishing your bachelor's, but you must complete your degree by 31 July 2027 to enrol for 2027/28. A B2 English certificate can also be uploaded after applying, up to 31 July 2027. [2][3]

What grade do I need with an Indian degree?

Padua's 2027/28 country list asks Indian applicants for at least 70/100, 7.0/10, 5.6/8 or 2.8/4. The degree must be a 3 or 4-year Honours bachelor's, a professional bachelor's of 4 years or more, or a 3-year pass degree followed by a postgraduate degree. [2]

I have a B.Com or a B.Tech. Can I apply?

A B.Com can work if it gives you strong economics, econometrics and maths units, but a three-year pass B.Com from India also needs a postgraduate degree under the country rules. A B.Tech is often short, because only skills from a degree focused on economics count. [1][2]

Which curricula can I choose?

Three: Digital Economics, Economic Data Analytics, and Environmental Economics and Green Finance. All build on microeconomics and data analytics, the first two add machine learning, and the green finance track adds sustainability management and environmental decision-making. [1]

Can someone handle my whole application to Applied Economics at Padua?

Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript 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 Applied Economics?

Padua's 2027/28 country list covers Indian 3 or 4-year Honours bachelor's degrees, professional bachelor's degrees of 4 years or more, and 3-year pass degrees followed by a postgraduate degree, with a minimum of 70/100 or 7.0/10. Your degree must focus on economics, with econometrics and maths, and you need English at B2. The steps are the online application, place acceptance and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1][2] 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 Applied Economics are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online application in Call One or Call Two, admission decision, place acceptance 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 Applied Economics are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online application in Call One or Call Two, admission decision, place acceptance 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 in Call One or Call Two, admission decision, place acceptance and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa. Read our guides for London, New York, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.