Master in Food, Nutrition and Health at University of Padua
Two-year English-taught joint master coordinated by the University of Padua on how nutrition, food science and technology affect human health, with year one in Legnaro and year two paths in Lyon, Krakow or Granada plus an internship.
Master
2 years
Padua
English
University of Padua
Food, Nutrition and Health (Food-H) is a two-year, 120 ECTS joint master's degree (class LM-61-R) taught in English and coordinated by the University of Padua, with year one in Legnaro and the third semester in Lyon, Krakow or Granada. Entry needs a three-year degree in a food, life science or health field and English at C1 or an English-taught bachelor's. The portal quotes €6,000 a year for 2027/28.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Padua's Food, Nutrition and Health joint master asks for a bachelor's degree of at least three years, or a foreign equivalent, in a food, agricultural, biological, pharmaceutical, medical or related field, with proven competence in the agri-food or biomedical and health areas, plus English at C1 or a bachelor's taught in English. Places are limited and assigned through a ranking that includes an interview. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree and subject requirements
You need an undergraduate degree of at least three years, or an equivalent qualification, in food science, animal science, pharmaceutical science, biology, biotechnology, molecular biology, forest science, agricultural science, medicine or a related field, with proven competence in the agri-food or biomedical and health areas. [1][2]
For holders of Italian degrees, the 2026/27 call asks for a degree in class L-2, L-13, L-25, L-26, L-29, L-32 or L-38, or at least 50 CFU split across maths, physics, statistics or computing (14), biology (12) and agri-food, chemistry, veterinary, earth science or law subjects (24), plus a degree grade of at least 90/110. [6]
You can apply before graduating: the 2026/27 call required the degree by 31 July 2026, and for 2027/28 the university's deadline to graduate is 31 July 2027. [1][3]
Country rules and minimum grades
Your degree must also be an accepted entry title for your country. The university's 2027/28 country list sets these master's entry titles and minimum grades: [3]
- 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 2026/27 non-EU call set no extra minimum grade of its own, but your average grade earns up to 30 ranking points. The university's Admissions and Welcome Unit makes the final decision on each qualification. [1][3]
What this means for your transcript
As a guide, based on the rules above:
- Usually a fit: an Honours B.Sc. in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biology or Agriculture, a four-year B.Tech in Food Technology or Biotechnology, a B.Pharm or an MBBS, with a grade above your country's minimum.
- Check carefully: a B.Sc. in Nutrition, Chemistry or Home Science, a nursing or dental degree, or a three-year pass or general Indian B.Sc., which also needs a postgraduate qualification under the 2027/28 country list. The match depends on the agri-food, biological and health content of your transcript.
- Often short: a B.Com, BBA, BA or BCA, or a B.Tech in computer science, mechanical or civil engineering, which sit outside the fields listed.
English
For 2027/28 the portal asks for English at CEFR level C1, or a bachelor's degree taught in English. The 2026/27 call asked for B2. [1][2] The university's accepted C1 scores include IELTS Academic or General Training 7.0, TOEFL iBT 95 for tests taken until 20 January 2026 or 5 for tests taken from 21 January 2026, PTE Academic 76, a Cambridge English Scale score of 180, Trinity ISE III, Oxford Test of English 156 and Duolingo English Test 135. [4]
Certificates must still be valid or, where they have no expiry date, have been obtained within two years of 15 September 2026. You can upload one after applying, up to 31 July 2027. [4] English also earns up to 5 ranking points, and in 2026/27 only documents uploaded with the application counted for them. [1]
Selection
There is no written test. Places are limited and filled from a ranking list. [2] In the 2026/27 call, your transcript, evaluation form and an interview were scored as follows: [1]
- Average grade: up to 30 points, from your final grade or exam average when you apply.
- Congruence: up to 25 points, for how closely your degree and exams match the agri-food or biomedical and health knowledge required.
- English: up to 5 points, for your level and certificates.
- Activities, awards and other results: up to 25 points, for recent internships, awards and publications in related fields.
- Interview: up to 40 points, for your ability to discuss topics of the programme with an interdisciplinary approach.
You needed at least 50 points to be ranked, and ties went to the younger candidate. The committee counts only credits already earned when you apply. Applicants who do not meet the requirements are not ranked. [1]
2027/28 deadlines
Non-EU applicants living abroad apply from 7 January to 7 March 2027, 23:59 Central European Time, for 15 places. You can apply to a programme only once per academic year, and classes start on 1 October 2027. [2][5]
In 2026/27 the non-EU window ran from 7 January to 7 March 2026, and the ranking list was published from 10 April 2026. [1] A second round from 15 July to 28 August 2026 was open only to EU and EU-equated candidates with a foreign qualification. [7] The detailed 2027/28 call is not yet published. [2]
Documents and non-EU steps
The 2026/27 call asked for your passport, your transcript with all exams, grades and grading scale, your degree certificate if already awarded, official translations into Italian or English where needed, your English certificate if you have it, the programme's evaluation form, a CV and a motivation letter. No legalised documents are needed at this stage. The application fee is €60. [1][2][5]
- If admitted, you accept your place by paying a non-refundable €208 fee. [2][5]
- Non-EU citizens living outside Italy complete Universitaly pre-enrolment by 15 July and apply for a type D study visa. [5]
- To complete enrolment, your degree and transcript must be legalised or apostilled, or covered by a CIMEA statement of verification. In 2026/27 the deadline for this was 31 October 2026. A CIMEA statement of comparability may also be requested if further checks are needed. [1][5]
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, Global Engagement Office. Call for applications for non-EU students residing abroad, Master's degree in Food, Nutrition and Health, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Padua, international application portal. Master's degree in Food, Nutrition and Health: places, application window, entry and language requirements, fees and programme structure, 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, updated 15 September 2026 and valid for academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- 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.
- University of Padua, Global Engagement Office. Studying in English: how to apply and how to enrol with a foreign qualification, academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Padua, School of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine. Call for admission to the Master's degree in Food, Nutrition and Health, candidates with an Italian entry title, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Padua, Global Engagement Office. Food, Nutrition and Health: instructions for the second selection round for EU and EU-equated candidates with a foreign qualification, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Padua, School of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine. Food, Nutrition and Health programme pages (degree class, partners, structure and internship), undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Padua, School of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine. Joint Master in Food, Nutrition and Health (Food-H) student handbook, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Padua. Tuition fees and exemptions notice, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Food, Nutrition and Health (Food-H) is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree in class LM-61-R (human nutrition sciences), taught in English. It is a joint master's coordinated by the University of Padua with Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, the University of Granada and the University of Agriculture in Krakow, with the University of British Columbia as associated partner. The first year is at the School of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine in Legnaro, near Padua. [2][8]
The programme explores how nutrition, food science and technology interact with human health in a global context. It prepares graduates to deal with nutritional challenges, food trends, sustainability and regulatory constraints. Places are limited: in 2026/27 there were 15 places for EU and EU-equated candidates and 15 for non-EU candidates living abroad, and for 2027/28 there are 15 places for non-EU candidates living outside Italy. [2][6]
What you will study
The first year in Padua builds shared knowledge of the agrifood sector, from sustainability and consumer behaviour to food law. In the third semester you follow one of three paths: Food and Neurosciences at Lyon 1, Food and Dietetics at the University of Agriculture in Krakow, or Food and Nutrition at Granada. First-year units listed for 2027/28 include: [2]
- Human Nutrition: Sustainability and Multidisciplinary Perspective
- Genomics of Nutrition
- Research Methods in Economics: Understanding Decision Making and Consumer Behavior to Promote Healthy Choices
- Ecology of Foodborne Pathogens, Food Toxicology and Antimicrobial Resistance
- Mechanisms of Tissues Diseases and How Environmental Clues Alter Organ Function
- Sustainable Resource-Efficient Food Production and Processing
- International Regulations for Food Safety, Certification and Trading
- Metab-Contam-AI Laboratory
How the programme is taught
The second year is spent with a partner university. The Lyon path covers neural bases of cognition, psychophysiology of perception and sensory analysis; the Krakow path covers clinical pathophysiology, nutrition consulting and immunodietetics; the Granada path offers ten electives from fourteen, such as nutritional epidemiology, functional foods and the Mediterranean diet. The fourth semester is an internship plus thesis, supervised through the University of British Columbia (food science) or Lyon 1 (microbiology), with final allocation subject to the consortium's approval. [2][8]
Career paths
The department lists roles in government and non-governmental organisations, the food industry, trading, catering and health services, and research or doctoral study. Profiles include: [2]
- Experts in food quality, dietetics and nutrition
- Specialists in new product development, quality control and sensory analysis
- Nutrition and dietetics advisors for the food industry
- Professionals in public health and international organisations
- Food regulation and labelling experts
- Consultants for NGOs, charities or research projects
Fees and scholarships
This programme does not follow the university's standard fixed fee. The admissions portal quotes €6,000 a year for 2027/28 and notes that the amount may change under the upcoming consortium agreement; the 2026/27 call also set annual fees of up to €6,000. [1][2] The Food-H student handbook gives €6,000 a year for non-EU and €4,000 for EU candidates, paid in one or two instalments. [9]
Eligible students can still apply for the Veneto regional scholarship through the University of Padua, but the university's 2026/27 fee notice does not say how its fee exemption applies to this consortium fee, so we confirm this for you before you commit. [10]
How to apply from outside the EU
Non-EU candidates living outside Italy apply on apply.unipd.it from 7 January to 7 March 2027 for one of 15 places, paying a €60 application fee. [2] You need a relevant bachelor's degree and C1 English, or a bachelor's taught in English. [2] In 2026/27 the ranking combined your grades, subject fit, English level, activities and an interview. [1]
Admitted students pay a non-refundable €208 fee to accept the place, we complete Universitaly pre-enrolment by 15 July, and they apply for a type D study visa. Studies start on 1 October 2027. [2][5] To complete enrolment, your degree and transcript must be legalised or apostilled, or covered by a CIMEA statement of verification; in 2026/27 the deadline for this was 31 October. [1][5]
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 Padua's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your application on the university portal, place acceptance 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 bachelor's degree do I need for Food, Nutrition and Health at Padua?
A degree of at least three years, or a foreign equivalent, in food science, animal science, pharmaceutical science, biology, biotechnology, molecular biology, forest science, agricultural science, medicine or a related field, with proven competence in the agri-food or biomedical and health areas. It must also meet your country's entry rules. [1][2][3]
Is there an entrance exam or interview?
There is no written test, but the 2026/27 ranking included an interview worth up to 40 points, alongside your average grade (30), subject congruence (25), English (5) and activities and awards (25). You needed at least 50 points to be ranked. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
For 2027/28 the portal asks for English at C1, or a bachelor's taught in English. The university's accepted C1 scores include IELTS 7.0, TOEFL iBT 95 (or 5 for tests from 21 January 2026), PTE Academic 76 and Duolingo 135. The 2026/27 call asked for B2. [1][2][4]
When is the 2027/28 deadline for non-EU students?
Non-EU applicants living abroad apply from 7 January to 7 March 2027, 23:59 Central European Time, for 15 places. The application fee is €60, you can apply only once per year, and classes start on 1 October 2027. [2][5]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. In 2026/27 applicants could be admitted conditionally if they graduated and submitted their English certificate by 31 July. For 2027/28 the university's deadline to graduate is 31 July 2027. Only credits already earned when you apply are assessed. [1][3]
I have a B.Sc. in Food Technology or a B.Pharm from India. Can I apply?
Possibly. Food science, pharmaceutical science, biology and biotechnology are among the fields listed. A four-year B.Pharm fits India's professional degree rule, while a three-year B.Sc. must be Honours or be followed by a postgraduate qualification, with at least 70/100 or 7.0/10. [1][3]
Where will I study?
The first year is at Padua's Agripolis campus in Legnaro. In the third semester you follow a path at Lyon 1, the University of Agriculture in Krakow or the University of Granada, and the fourth semester is an internship and thesis at the University of British Columbia or Lyon 1. [2][8]
How much are the fees?
The portal quotes €6,000 a year for 2027/28 and says the amount may change under the consortium agreement. The Food-H handbook gives €6,000 for non-EU and €4,000 for EU candidates. This is not the university's standard fixed fee for non-EU students. [2][9]
Can someone handle my whole application to Food, Nutrition and Health 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 Food, Nutrition and Health?
Your bachelor's should be in food science, biology, biotechnology, pharmaceutical science, agriculture, medicine or a related field. Padua's 2027/28 country list accepts Indian 3 or 4-year Honours bachelor's degrees with at least 70/100 or 7.0/10. You need English at C1 or a bachelor's taught in English. The steps are the online application, an interview, place acceptance and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1][2][3] 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 Food, Nutrition and Health are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online application in the limited-access call, an interview, a place on the ranking list, 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 Food, Nutrition and Health are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online application in the limited-access call, an interview, a place on the ranking list, 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 the limited-access call, an interview, a place on the ranking list, place acceptance 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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