Master in Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies at University of Padua

Detailed entry requirements

Padua's Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies master asks for a bachelor's degree of at least three years, or a foreign equivalent, in pharmacy, biotechnology, biology, chemistry, a technical health profession or a related field, with proven knowledge in the core life sciences, a grade that meets your country's minimum, and English at B2. Places are limited and assigned through a ranking list: 30 for non-EU applicants living abroad in 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]

Degree and subject requirements

The 2026/27 call for non-EU applicants living abroad asks for a degree of at least three years, or an equivalent qualification, in biotechnology, pharmacy and industrial pharmacy, biological sciences, chemical sciences and technologies, technical health professions or a related field, with proven competence in these areas: [1]

• Biology: physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, applied and pharmaceutical biology, clinical biochemistry and clinical molecular biology, pharmacology, human anatomy, histology, genetics and general microbiology.
• Chemistry: analytical and physical chemistry, general and inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, industrial and pharmaceutical chemistry, food chemistry, applied pharmaceutical technology, and chemistry and technology of fermentations.
• Medicine: medical genetics, general pathology, and microbiology and clinical microbiology.
• Veterinary science: anatomy of domestic animals, general and veterinary pathology, infectious diseases of domestic animals, and veterinary pharmacology and toxicology.

For 2027/28 the application portal also allows a degree in another field with proven knowledge of organic chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, genetics, immunology and human anatomy. [2] The degree must come from an institution accredited in its own country's system. [6]

Holders of Italian degrees need a degree in class L-2, L-13, L-27, L-SNT/3 or LM-13, or a degree in any class with at least 50 CFU in set biology, chemistry, medicine and veterinary sectors. [3]

Country rules and minimum grades

The university's 2027/28 country list sets these master's entry titles and minimum grades: [4]

• 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. [4]

What this means for your transcript

As a guide, based on the rules above:

• Usually a fit: a B.Pharm, a B.Tech or Honours B.Sc. in Biotechnology, or an Honours B.Sc. in Biochemistry, Microbiology or Biology with courses in molecular biology, pharmacology, genetics and immunology, and a grade above your country's minimum.
• Check carefully: a B.Sc. in Chemistry, Zoology or Botany, or an allied health degree such as medical laboratory technology, where the biology, pharmacology and anatomy content of your transcript decides the fit. A three-year pass or general Indian B.Sc. also needs a postgraduate qualification to meet the 2027/28 country rule.
• Often short: a B.Tech in chemical, mechanical or computer engineering, a BCA, B.Com, BBA or BA, which rarely show the biochemistry, molecular biology and pharmacology the call asks for.

English

English at CEFR level B2 or higher. [1][2] 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, Trinity ISE II, Oxford Test of English 126 and Duolingo English Test 115. [5]

Certificates must still be valid or, where they have no expiry date, be no more than two years old on 15 September 2026. You can submit one after applying, up to 31 July 2027. [5]

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. [5]

Selection and ranking

The programme has limited access. In the 2026/27 call for non-EU applicants living abroad there was no written test: a committee ranked eligible applicants on two criteria. [1]

• How relevant your entry qualification and completed exams are to the knowledge required for the programme.
• Your final GPA, or the average grade of the exams taken at the time of application.

The committee counts only credits already obtained when you apply and may hold an online interview. Applicants who do not meet the requirements are not ranked, and in a tie the younger candidate comes first. [1]

EU citizens and holders of Italian degrees follow a separate selection, which in 2026/27 included a 60-question written test in English. [3]

Deadlines and places

For 2027/28, non-EU applicants living abroad can apply only from 7 January to 7 March 2027 (23:59 Central European Time), for 30 places. You can apply once per academic year, and classes start on 1 October 2027. The 2027/28 call itself is not yet published. [2]

In 2026/27 the same window ran from 7 January to 7 March 2026 for 13 places, and the ranking list was published from 10 April 2026. [1]

You can apply before graduating. In 2026/27, candidates still finishing their degree or English certificate were admitted conditionally and had to submit them by 31 July 2026. The 2027/28 country list sets 31 July 2027 as the graduation deadline. [1][4]

Documents and non-EU steps

The 2026/27 call asked for these documents on apply.unipd.it: [1]

• A valid passport.
• A transcript with the full list of exams taken, the grades and the grading scale, and your bachelor's diploma if you already have it.
• Official translations into Italian or English if your documents are in another language.
• Your English certificate, if you already have it.
• A CV.

No legalised documents are needed at application. [2] If admitted, you then formally accept the offer. [2] Non-EU citizens living outside Italy complete Universitaly pre-enrolment by 15 July and apply for a type D study visa. [6] In 2026/27, admitted students had until 31 October 2026 to submit legalised or apostilled documents or a CIMEA statement of verification, and CIMEA could also be asked for a statement of comparability. [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, Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
2. University of Padua, international application portal. Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies: entry qualification, places, language requirement, fees, programme structure and application calls, academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
3. University of Padua, Student Careers Office. Call for admission, Master's degree with limited access in Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies, selection for EU or equivalent candidates with an Italian entry title, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. University of Padua, Global Engagement Office. Admission of international students: how to apply and how to enrol with a foreign qualification, academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
7. University of Padua. Tuition fees and exemptions notice, with the fixed fee for non-EU students, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
8. University of Padua. Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies programme page (degree class, school, access type, language and career outlook), undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.

What bachelor's degree do I need for Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies at Padua?

A degree of at least three years in biotechnology, pharmacy, biological sciences, chemistry, a technical health profession or a related field, with proven competence in areas such as biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, genetics and microbiology. It must also meet the university's entry title and minimum grade rules for your country. [1][2][4]

Is there an entrance exam?

Not for non-EU applicants living abroad. In 2026/27 a committee ranked them on how relevant their degree and exams were and on their grade average, and it could hold an online interview. EU citizens and Italian-degree holders took a separate written test. [1][3]

What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?

English at CEFR B2. For 2027/28 the university accepts IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 86 (or 4.5 for tests from 21 January 2026), PTE Academic 65, Cambridge B2 First 173, Duolingo 115 and other listed tests. A degree taught in English in India or Pakistan is not on the exemption list. [2][5]

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

Non-EU applicants living abroad can apply only from 7 January to 7 March 2027, 23:59 Central European Time. This is the only call the portal lists for this group, and classes start on 1 October 2027. [2]

How many places are there for non-EU students?

For 2027/28 there are 30 places for non-EU applicants living abroad, up from 13 in 2026/27. Places are assigned through a ranking list, and applicants who do not meet the requirements are not ranked. [1][2]

Can I apply before I graduate?

Yes. In 2026/27, applicants still finishing their degree were admitted conditionally and had to submit the degree by 31 July 2026. The committee counts only credits you already hold when you apply, so a strong transcript at that point matters. [1]

I have a B.Pharm or a B.Sc. in Microbiology. Can I apply?

Possibly. Pharmacy and biological sciences are among the listed fields, and the call looks for biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, genetics and microbiology. 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. [1][4]

What jobs do graduates do?

The university says graduates work mainly as expert technicians and researchers in academia and in the medical, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, diagnostic, cosmetic and nutraceutical industries, including research, production, formulation and quality control of innovative medicines. [2][8]

Can someone handle my whole application to Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies 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 Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies?

Padua's 2027/28 country list covers Indian 3 or 4-year Honours bachelor's degrees and professional bachelor's degrees of 4 years or more, such as a B.Pharm, with a minimum of 70/100 or 7.0/10. Your degree should be in pharmacy, biotechnology, biology, chemistry or a related field, and you need English at B2. The steps are the online application, ranking list, place acceptance 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 Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online application in the January to March call, 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 Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online application in the January to March call, ranking list, place acceptance 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 Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies 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 in the January to March call, ranking list, place acceptance 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.