Master in Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies for Circular Economy at University of Padua
Two-year English-taught LM-71-R master at the University of Padua joining green chemistry with economics, law and management, with curricula in resources, product design and recycling or energy conversion and storage. Entry needs a chemistry-related bachelor's and English at B2.
Master
2 years
Padua
English
University of Padua
Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies for Circular Economy is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-71-R) taught in English at the University of Padua. Entry needs at least a three-year bachelor's in chemistry, industrial chemistry or a related field such as chemical engineering, with physics and maths, plus English at B2. Regional scholarship winners are exempt from fees, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Padua's Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies for Circular Economy master asks for at least a three-year bachelor's in chemistry, industrial chemistry or a related field such as chemical engineering or materials science, with proven skills in physics and mathematics, a degree and grade that meet the university's country rules, and English at B2. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree and subject knowledge
You need a bachelor's diploma or equivalent: a minimum three-year undergraduate degree in chemistry, industrial chemistry or a related field, such as chemical engineering or materials science and engineering, with proven skills in physics and mathematics. [1]
The 2026/27 course regulations list the knowledge the programme expects: [2]
- Basic organic and inorganic chemistry.
- Synthesis processes, and chemical and physical analytical techniques for the components of the different states of matter.
- Mathematics: algebra and geometry.
- Classical physics and the physics of electromagnetic fields.
- Basic thermodynamics of fluids and transport phenomena.
- Basic morphological, chemical and structural properties of minerals.
- Basic chemistry of biological processes.
For comparison, holders of Italian degrees need a degree in class L-27 (chemical sciences and technologies), or at least 40 CFU across set chemistry, maths, physics, biology, earth science and related sectors, including at least 12 in chemistry, 6 in maths and 6 in physics. The regulations set a minimum degree grade of 85/110 or equivalent and, for foreign degrees, leave the grade criteria to the degree council. [2]
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 Honours bachelor's, a 4 or 5-year professional bachelor's, or a 2-year pass bachelor's plus a 2-year master's (or the listed LL.B. and B.Ed. combinations). 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.
- Nepal: a 3, 4 or 5-year bachelor's. Minimum GPA 3.0/4.0 or 65/100.
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: an Honours B.Sc. in Chemistry or Industrial Chemistry, a three-year B.Sc. in Chemistry followed by an M.Sc., or a B.Tech or B.E. in Chemical Engineering or Materials Engineering, with organic, inorganic and analytical chemistry plus maths and physics, and a grade above your country's minimum.
- Check carefully: a B.Pharm, a B.Tech in Polymer, Environmental or Biotechnology Engineering, or a B.Sc. in Biochemistry or Environmental Science, where your transcript must show organic and inorganic chemistry and analytical techniques as well as maths and physics. A three-year pass or general Indian B.Sc. also needs a postgraduate bachelor's or at least a one-year master's to meet the country rule.
- Often short: a B.Sc. in Biology or Computer Science, a B.Tech in Computer Science or Mechanical Engineering, or a BCA, B.Com, BBA or BA, which rarely cover the chemistry the programme asks for.
English
English at CEFR level B2 or higher. [1] The course regulations describe this as B2 receptive skills, reading and listening. [2][3] 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, LanguageCert B2 Communicator 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
The portal lists no entrance test, and the programme has open admission for applicants who meet the requirements. [1][3] For foreign degrees, the admission committee checks the curricular requirements, and the degree council sets grade criteria. [2]
The regulations name the course content the committee looks at: organic, inorganic and analytical chemistry; algebra and geometry; classical and electromagnetic physics; thermodynamics; transport of matter and energy; biochemistry; and earth sciences, especially mineral resources. [2] The Admissions and Welcome Unit first checks your application, then an Academic Committee evaluates it, and the portal does not publish a scoring scale. [1][6]
2027/28 deadlines
For 2027/28 there are three calls. Non-EU applicants living outside Italy can use the first two: [1]
- Call One: 15 September to 15 November 2026
- Call Two: 1 December 2026 to 1 March 2027
- Call Three: 1 April to 1 June 2027, only for EU students and non-EU students living in Italy
You can apply to a programme only once per academic year. [1] You can apply before you graduate, but you must complete your degree by 31 July 2027. [4] Studies start on 1 October 2027. [1]
Documents and non-EU steps
You apply on the university's application platform. For master's programmes the platform asks for: [1][6]
- A CV and a motivation letter in English.
- Your transcript of records.
- Your bachelor's degree certificate, or an enrolment or provisional certificate if you have not graduated yet.
- Your passport.
- Your English certificate, if you already have it.
Documents must be in English or Italian, or come with official translations. No legalised documents are needed at application, and the Admissions and Welcome Unit may ask for a CIMEA statement of comparability if it needs to verify your degree. [1][6]
If admitted, you accept your place. Non-EU citizens living outside Italy complete Universitaly pre-enrolment by 15 July and apply for a type D study visa. At enrolment you submit your degree and transcript translated into English or Italian and legalised or apostilled, or a CIMEA certificate of verification instead. [1][6]
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, international application portal. Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies for Circular Economy course page: entry qualification, language requirement, fees, programme structure and application calls, academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Padua, Department of Chemical Sciences. Course regulations, Master's degree in Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies for Circular Economy (LM-71), applying from the 2026/27 cohort. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Padua. Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies for Circular Economy programme page: degree class, school, access type, language and career opportunities, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- 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.
- 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. Study in English: how to apply and how to enrol with a foreign qualification, academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Padua. Call for contributions and exemptions, with the fixed fee for non-EU students, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies for Circular Economy is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree in class LM-71-R (science and technologies of industrial chemistry), taught in English by the Department of Chemical Sciences within the School of Science in Padua. Admission is open with requirements. [1][2][3]
It is an interdisciplinary programme that trains professionals to work in sustainability contexts based on circular economy principles. Students look at the whole value chain, combining chemistry with economic, managerial, legal and statistical skills. [3]
It is aimed at graduates in chemistry, industrial chemistry or related fields such as chemical engineering or materials science. [1]
What you will study
The first year, worth 60 ECTS, is common to all students. [1]
In the second year you choose one of two curricula: Resources and Product Design and Recycling, with units on materials design and selection, sustainable materials and recycling, and circularity in biomass production; or Energy Conversion and Storage, with biorefineries, sustainability strategies and energy economics, and life cycle assessment. [1]
First-year units on the 2027/28 admissions portal include: [1]
- Green Chemistry
- Thermodynamics and Catalysis for Circular Economy
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Renewable Energy Technologies
- Environmental European Law
- Water Resources Management in the Circular Economy
- Economics for the Circular Economy
- Circular and Sustainable Waste Management
How the programme is taught
Each curriculum leaves room for two electives. The options include advanced methods for sustainable processes and products, health and environment in the circular economy, innovative hybrid energy and storage solutions, psychology, policy making and education for a circular economy, and understanding the statistics of the circular economy. [1]
Under the 2026/27 course regulations, teaching is in English and delivered in person. Laboratory attendance is compulsory, and you need 12 credits before you can sit second-year exams. The degree ends with an original thesis, project-based or experimental, written and defended in English, and part-time enrolment is possible for eligible students. [2]
Career paths
The university prepares graduates for technical and managerial roles in companies and organisations that apply circular economy principles, or for consultancy. Roles it lists include: [1][3]
- Product design and development
- R&D manager
- Raw materials supply and logistics manager
- Sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) manager
- Sustainability reporting manager
- Circular economy manager or consultant
The programme page adds that graduates may also pass the State Examination and join Italy's Register of Physicists and Chemists. [3]
Fees and scholarships
This School of Science master is in fee Group B. For 2026/27, non-EU students whose household lives outside Italy pay a fixed all-inclusive fee, with a reduced rate for students from countries on the ministry's list of poor countries. [7]
For these students the ISEE parificato only reduces the regional fee. Students who are eligible in the regional scholarship ranking are exempt from the fee, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students. For 2026/27 the university also offered up to 100 fee exemptions to international students on degrees taught entirely in English, awarded on merit with no separate application. [7]
How to apply from outside the EU
A background in chemistry, industrial chemistry or a related field, with physics and mathematics, is expected. [1] We upload your CV and motivation letter in English, your transcript, your degree certificate or a provisional certificate, your passport and your English certificate on apply.unipd.it. Legalised documents are not needed to apply. [1][6]
For 2027/28, non-EU applicants living outside Italy can apply in two calls: 15 September to 15 November 2026, and 1 December 2026 to 1 March 2027. Studies start on 1 October 2027. [1]
After admission you accept your place, we complete Universitaly pre-enrolment by 15 July, and you apply for a type D study visa. At enrolment your degree and transcript must be translated into English or Italian and legalised or apostilled, or covered by a CIMEA certificate of verification. [1][6]
Compare related master's programmes
If you are exploring chemistry and materials science, compare the curriculum and entry requirements on these programme pages before choosing your shortlist.
- Master in Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
- Master in Sustainable Industrial Chemistry at University of Milan
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 Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies for Circular Economy at Padua?
At least a three-year bachelor's in chemistry, industrial chemistry or a related field such as chemical engineering or materials science, with proven skills in physics and mathematics. Your degree must also meet the university's country rules and minimum grade, such as 70/100 or 7.0/10 for Indian degrees. [1][4]
Is there an entrance exam?
No entrance test is listed. The programme has open admission for applicants who meet the requirements: the Admissions and Welcome Unit checks your file, then an Academic Committee evaluates it. [1][3][6]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at CEFR B2, which the course regulations describe as receptive skills in reading and listening. For 2027/28 Padua 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. Indian degrees are not on the exemption list. [1][2][5]
When is the 2027/28 deadline for non-EU students?
Non-EU applicants living outside Italy can apply in Call One, 15 September to 15 November 2026, or Call Two, 1 December 2026 to 1 March 2027. Call Three is only for EU students and non-EU students living in Italy. Studies start on 1 October 2027. [1]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. You can apply with an enrolment or provisional certificate, as long as you complete your degree by 31 July 2027. An official certificate showing you completed your studies by then can stand in for the final degree. [4][6]
I have a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering or a B.Sc. in Chemistry. Can I apply?
Possibly. Chemistry and chemical engineering are both named fields, and your transcript should show organic and inorganic chemistry, analytical techniques, maths and physics. India's country rule also needs an Honours or four-year professional degree, or a three-year pass degree plus a postgraduate degree, with at least 70/100. [1][2][4]
Which curricula can I choose?
After a common 60 ECTS first year you choose Resources and Product Design and Recycling, or Energy Conversion and Storage. Each curriculum has its own units plus two optional courses, such as Health and Environment in Circular Economy or Understanding Statistics of Circular Economy. [1]
What jobs do graduates do?
The university lists product design and development, R&D management, raw materials supply and logistics, sustainability and CSR management, sustainability reporting, and circular economy management or consultancy. Graduates may also pass the State Examination and join Italy's Register of Physicists and Chemists. [1][3]
Can someone handle my whole application to Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies for Circular Economy 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 Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies for Circular Economy?
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 at least 70/100 or 7.0/10. Your degree should be in chemistry, industrial chemistry or a related field, with physics and maths, and you need English at B2. The steps are the online application, 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 Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies for Circular Economy 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, 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 Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies for Circular Economy are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online application in Call One or Call Two, 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 Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies for Circular Economy 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 Call One or Call Two, 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.
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