Master in Environmental Engineering at University of Pavia
Two-year LM-35-R environmental engineering master at the University of Pavia with an English-taught REACH track on climate change: climate dynamics, groundwater, hydrological modelling, flood hydraulics and satellite data, ending with a 21 ECTS thesis. Entry needs 90 subject credits and English at B2.
Master
2 years
Pavia
Multiple
University of Pavia
Environmental Engineering is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-35-R) at the University of Pavia, whose REACH track on resilience to climate change is taught in English. Entry needs an engineering bachelor's with 90 credits in maths, sciences and civil and environmental engineering subjects, plus English at B2. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Pavia's Environmental Engineering master, REACH track, asks for an engineering bachelor's or recognised foreign equivalent with at least 90 CFU in set subject areas, English at B2 and a positive check of your preparation by a committee. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
The 90-credit rule
You need a three-year bachelor's degree, a three-year university diploma, an older five-year Italian degree or a foreign qualification recognised as suitable. [1] The application portal lists the entry qualification as a degree awarded in engineering, with a strong background in maths, physics, chemistry and geology and in core civil and environmental engineering subjects. [2]
Across your previous university studies you need at least 90 CFU in these groups: [1]
- 18 CFU in mathematics (sectors MATH-01/A, MATH-01/B, MATH-02/A, MATH-02/B, MATH-03/A, MATH-03/B, MATH-04/A and MATH-05/A).
- 12 CFU in physics and chemistry (PHYS-01/A, PHYS-02/A, PHYS-03/A, CHEM-03/A and CHEM-06/A).
- 18 CFU in hydraulics, hydrology and sanitary-environmental engineering (CEAR-01/A, CEAR-01/B and CEAR-02/A).
- 18 CFU in geotechnics and structural engineering (CEAR-05/A, CEAR-06/A and CEAR-07/A).
- 24 CFU in a wider list covering transport, surveying, planning, ecology, environmental chemistry, geology, thermal, chemical, electrical, management, automation and computer engineering, and computer science (CEAR-02/B, CEAR-02/C, CEAR-02/D, CEAR-03/A, CEAR-03/B, CEAR-04/A, CEAR-08/A, CEAR-08/B, CEAR-10/A, CEAR-12/A, BIOS-05/A, CHEM-01/B, GEOS-02/B, GEOS-03/B, GEOS-04/B, INFO-01/A, IIND-07/B, ICHI-01/B, ICHI-02/A, ICHI-02/B, IIET-01/A, IEGE-01/A, IINF-04/A and IINF-05/A). Credits above the minimum in the hydraulics, geotechnics and structures sectors also count here.
For graduates of foreign universities, a committee appointed by the degree board checks whether your studies meet these requirements. [1]
What this means for your transcript
Italian CFU and the credits on a foreign transcript are not the same unit: one CFU stands for about 25 hours of student work, and the committee looks at your subjects, not just your total. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Tech or B.E. in Civil or Environmental Engineering, where maths, physics and chemistry cover the basic blocks and fluid mechanics, hydrology, environmental engineering, geotechnics and structures cover the engineering blocks.
- Check carefully: a B.Tech in Agricultural, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering. These usually cover the maths and science blocks and some of the wider list, but can fall short of the 18 credits in hydraulics or environmental engineering and the 18 in geotechnics or structures.
- Often short: a B.Sc. in Environmental Science, Geology or Physics, which is not the engineering degree the portal asks for, and a BCA, B.Com, BBA or BA.
If your record does not fully match but you have a strong background or motivation, the committee can still admit you and add up to 12 CFU of courses to your study plan, or set single examinations to pass before you enrol. It may also interview you. [1]
English
English at CEFR level B2 or higher. Certificates accepted automatically include: [1]
- IELTS: 5.5
- TOEFL iBT: 77
- PTE Academic: 59
- Cambridge B2 First or B2 Business Vantage: 160
- Oxford Test of English B2: 111
- TOEIC: 785 in Listening and Reading plus 310 in Speaking and Writing
- Trinity College London ISE II, on all modules
You need no certificate if you passed an English examination of at least 3 CFU or an examination taught in English during your degree. Citizens of countries where English is an official language, and graduates of institutions that teach in English, also need no certificate but must show documents at admission. Without a certificate, the committee may check your English itself, also online. Partial certificates, such as speaking and listening only, are not valid. [1]
Italian for non-EU students
The course website states that knowledge of Italian is not required to apply for the REACH curriculum, and the application portal asks only for English. [2][3] The 2026/27 regulations, however, state that non-EU international students need Italian at B2, shown by a certificate or a university test, so we confirm which rule applies to your file before you apply. [1]
Students with a qualification from outside Italy must also include the 3 CFU Italian Language for Foreign Students course and one more 3 CFU activity in their study plan, unless they show Italian at B1 or above. [1]
Preparation check and minimum grade
A committee checks that you have a solid grounding in the basic subjects and good theoretical and applied preparation in the core engineering subjects. There is no national entrance test. [1]
- Italian degrees: under the 2026/27 regulations, a final mark of 90/110 or above exempts you. Others sit a test in September to October or January to February.
- Foreign degrees: the committee assesses you case by case from the documents you submit and may hold an interview.
The regulations allow the Faculty of Engineering to set a minimum grade for foreign degrees. [1] Because of high application numbers, it has set country-specific minimums for applicants from India, Iran and Pakistan. Its list gives 65 out of 100 (percentage or weighted score), 13.75 out of 20 and 2.65 out of 4, and your transcript or a certified university document must show your average and the grading system. [5]
2027/28 application calls
The application portal lists these calls for REACH in 2027/28: [2]
- First call: 12 to 18 November 2026, for EU and non-EU applicants.
- Second call: 12 to 20 January 2027, for EU and non-EU applicants.
- Third call: 12 to 22 March 2027. It opens to non-EU applicants living abroad only if places remain.
- June and September 2027 calls: the portal marks the June call as not applicable for non-EU citizens, and the September call is for EU applicants and non-EU applicants living in Italy.
Each call closes at 23:59 Central European Time, and studies start on 14 September 2027. REACH takes a maximum number of non-EU students, so we apply in the first two calls. [2]
Documents and non-EU steps
You apply on Pavia's application portal with scanned copies of your original degree documents in English, French, Italian or Spanish and at least one reference. Admitted candidates submit verified documents at enrolment. [2]
Students still finishing a degree can request the committee's credit review if they have an approved study plan, and can sit the preparation test once they hold at least 150 CFU. Conditional enrolment lets you attend first-semester lessons, but you sit examinations only after you graduate, within the university's deadline. [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.
- University of Pavia, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture. Course regulations, Master's degree in Environmental Engineering (Ingegneria per l'Ambiente e il Territorio, LM-35), 2026/2027 cohort, with study plans. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Pavia, application portal. Environmental Engineering, REACH curriculum (Resilience to Climate Change Effects): entry requirements, documents and application calls, academic year 2027/2028. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Pavia, Environmental Engineering course website. Admission requirements, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Pavia. Fees regulation, academic year 2026/2027, including flat-rate fee brackets for non-EU students. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Pavia, Faculty of Engineering. Country-specific requirements related to your degree: minimum GPA, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Pavia, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture. Application form for the scholarship selection for students enrolled in the REACH curriculum (Annex A), academic year 2024/2025. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Pavia, Environmental Engineering programme page (degree class, language, duration, access, curricula and department). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Environmental Engineering (Ingegneria per l'Ambiente e il Territorio) is a two-year master's degree in class LM-35-R, run by the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture in Pavia, with open access. The degree is officially bilingual and has four curricula. One of them, REACH (Resilience to Climate Change Effects), is the English-taught curriculum: the degree regulations provide for a specific curriculum in English, and the university's application portal lists English as its study language. [1][2] REACH is the route for students who do not speak Italian: the course website states that Italian is not required to apply for REACH. [3]
REACH trains engineers to analyse the effects of climate change on water resources, environmental protection and soil conservation, build models that support decisions, and plan and design responses. It suits civil and environmental engineering graduates with a solid grounding in maths, hydraulics and geology.
What you will study
The REACH curriculum is almost entirely compulsory. The first year combines climate science, groundwater and numerical methods with satellite data; the second year moves to climate impacts on ecosystems, river hydraulics and environmental planning, with 6 ECTS of free choice such as Design of Hydraulic Structures or Fluvial Protection Works. Units in the 2026/27 study plan include: [1]
- Climate Dynamics and Changes
- Groundwater Resources
- Hydrological Modeling and Hydraulic Infrastructures
- Satellite Data Analysis
- Sustainable Management of Water Resources in Agriculture
- Contamination and Remediation Technologies for Soils and Groundwater
- Climate Change Impacts on Water Ecosystems
- Fluvial Hydraulics and Flood Propagation
How the programme is taught
Alongside the climate and water units, the first year includes Continuum Mechanics and Numerical Methods in Engineering Sciences, and the second year Environmental Planning and Assessment. The degree ends with a 21 ECTS thesis. The regulations do not include internships or double degree programmes, but students selected for the LM+ option spend two semesters from the second year training with partner companies or bodies, and can extend the degree to up to three years. Students with a qualification from outside Italy take the 3 ECTS Italian Language for Foreign Students course plus one more 3 ECTS activity, unless they show Italian at B1 or above. [1]
Career paths
The application portal lists these outlets for environmental engineers, several of which match the climate focus of REACH: [2]
- Engineering firms and independent practice: planning, design, project management and environmental impact assessment
- Construction and infrastructure companies for water systems, hydroelectric plants, wastewater treatment and waste management
- Utilities and management agencies such as water consortia and treatment plants
- Public administration planning offices and environmental protection agencies
- International public bodies that manage natural and urban areas
- Insurance and consulting companies that assess climate risk
Fees and scholarships
REACH is in the science fee area. Non-EU students with a study visa can pay a flat rate by citizenship. The other route is an equivalent ISEE. With an ISEE of €32,000 or less, students are exempt from the all-inclusive fee, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students. [4] The ISEE route is needed for an EDiSU Pavia scholarship.
Students admitted to REACH can also apply for a dedicated scholarship, and the university sends details to admitted students. The Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture ran this selection for 2024/25 enrolments. [2][6]
How to apply from outside the EU
REACH has its own entry on apply.unipv.eu: we upload scanned degree documents in English, French, Italian or Spanish, with at least one reference. Non-EU seats are capped. For 2027/28 the first call runs from 12 to 18 November 2026 and the second from 12 to 20 January 2027. A March 2027 call opens to non-EU applicants living abroad only if places remain, so we apply in the early calls. [2]
After admission we complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, and you apply for a type D study visa, which the consulate decides.
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 transcript against Pavia's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your online application with your degree documents and a reference, and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your regional 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 bachelor's degree do I need for Pavia's Environmental Engineering master?
An engineering bachelor's or recognised foreign equivalent with at least 90 CFU: 18 in maths, 12 in physics or chemistry, 18 in hydraulics, hydrology or sanitary-environmental engineering, 18 in geotechnics or structures, and 24 in a wider list of related subjects. [1][2]
Is REACH taught in English, and do I need Italian?
REACH is the English-taught track, and the course website says Italian is not required to apply for it. The 2026/27 regulations still ask non-EU international students for Italian at B2, so we confirm which rule applies to your file. Students with a foreign qualification take a 3 CFU Italian course unless they show B1. [1][2][3]
Is there an entrance exam?
No national test. A committee checks your preparation. Under the 2026/27 regulations, Italian graduates with 90/110 or above are exempt and others sit a test. For a foreign degree, the committee assesses you case by case from your documents and may hold an interview. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at CEFR B2. Accepted certificates include IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 77, PTE Academic 59 and Cambridge B2 First 160. You need no certificate with a 3 CFU English exam or an English-taught exam in your degree, or a degree from an English-taught institution, with documents to prove it. [1]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2027/28, the first call runs from 12 to 18 November 2026 and the second from 12 to 20 January 2027. A March 2027 call opens to non-EU applicants living abroad only if places remain, and non-EU places are capped. Studies start on 14 September 2027. [2]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. You can request the credit review with an approved study plan, and sit the preparation test once you hold 150 CFU. Conditional enrolment lets you attend first-semester lessons, and you sit examinations only after you graduate, within the university's deadline. [1]
I have a B.Tech in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering. Can I apply?
Possibly. Maths, physics and chemistry usually cover the basic blocks, and chemical engineering subjects are on the wider list, but you also need 18 credits in hydraulics, hydrology or environmental engineering and 18 in geotechnics or structures. The committee can add up to 12 CFU to your plan. [1]
Is there a scholarship for REACH students?
The application portal says students admitted to REACH can apply for a dedicated scholarship, with details sent to admitted students. The Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture ran this selection for 2024/25. The regional EDiSU scholarship is a separate route. [2][6]
Can someone handle my whole application to Environmental Engineering (REACH) at Pavia?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Pavia's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the regional 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 Environmental Engineering (REACH)?
A recognised Indian engineering bachelor's, such as a B.Tech or B.E. in Civil or Environmental Engineering, can meet the rule if it has 30 credits in maths and sciences and 60 in the listed hydraulics, environmental, geotechnical and structural areas. Pavia's Faculty of Engineering also sets a minimum grade for Indian degrees, and you need English at B2. [1][5] 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 Environmental Engineering (REACH) are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online application, the committee's review of your credits and preparation, 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 Environmental Engineering (REACH) are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online application, the committee's review of your credits and preparation, and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.
I studied or live in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. What is the route?
The academic rules for Environmental Engineering (REACH) are the same whatever your nationality, and your degree is assessed like any other foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who live abroad follow the same route: online application, the committee's review of your credits and preparation, and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for where they live. Read our guides for students in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
More English-taught programmes at this university
Other public universities in this city
They began right where you are
