Pavia University
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
|
University Founded In: |
1361 |
|
IMS Founded In: |
2011 |
|
2022 EU Points: |
40.3 |
|
2022 Non-EU Points: |
43.8 |
|
Maximum Fees: |
€4500 |
|
University Size: |
24.000 students; 900 professors |
|
Main Location of IMS: |
Pavia, Lombardy |
|
Special Admission Requirement? |
None |
The University of Pavia is one of the worlds oldest academic institutions, its official foundation date is the 13th of April, 1361. An edict by King Lotharius recognized that a higher education institution was already established in Pavia in 825, which was mainly devoted to the study of rhetoritc. He then appointed it as the main education site for Northern Italy. Legend has it that Cristopher Columbus received education at Pavia c.1470, part of his ashes are conserved in the library of the university.
Today the university and the Harvey Medicine and Surgery course are among the most reputable in Italy. The course was founded October 1st, 2009 by professor Ermanno Gherardi, Head of the Department of Molecular Medicine. It is the first medicine course entirely taught in English in Italy, together with several other programmes offered in English by the University of Pavia. It was named after William Harvey (1578-1657), 17th-century British physician, a pioneer in correctly understanding and describing the circulatory system.
It is a 6-year, single-cycle Master’s Degree in Medicine and Surgery. The Harvey Medicine Course was thought “not just to teach the medical profession, but also to build a solid scientific basis for continued training that will be vital for the reception and understanding of future medicine”.
(Source: Harvey Medicine Course; Università degli Studi di Pavia, 2015-present.)
Main Locations of Pavia IMS Course
Most of the premise pertaining to first-year Harvey Medical Course students at Polo Cravino.
Hospitals of Pavia University in English
“The University combines treatment and research in three leading hospitals:
Policlinco San Matteo
Policlinico San Matteo was built in the 15th century, recently added three new hospital wings, allowing for more than 500 new beds. Specialties address a wide range of medical conditions.
Fondazione San Maugeri
[San Maugeri was] originally founded in the 1960s as a centre for occupational medicine, later extended its reach to rehabilitation and internal medicine, oncology, and surgery.
The Neurological Institute C. Mondino
[C. Mondino] has provided high standards of care, teaching, and research on diseases of the nervous system for over 100 years.”
(Source: Harvey Medical Course, Università degli Studi di Pavia, 2015-present.)
Number of Seats in Pavia University
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
EU |
103 |
103 |
70 |
70 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
|
Non-EU |
40 |
40 |
40 |
35(+5) |
40 |
40 |
40 |
Past IMAT Points of Pavia
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
EU |
40.3 |
35.5 |
45.4 |
39.2 |
39.2 |
41.1 |
x |
|
Non-EU |
43.8 |
49.4 |
41.8 |
46.6 |
43.8 |
x |
x |
Why Choose this University?
“The University of Pavia’s long tradition of outstanding research is demonstrated by three of its faculty being awarded the Nobel Prize… Many clinical networks operate within Pavia’s abundant and diverse medical institutions.The University has created 28 research centres, 17 PhD programmes and 42 interdepartmental programmes that, in 2013, resulted in 7 international patents, from biology and physics to engineering.”
(Source: Harvey Medical Course, Università degli Studi di Pavia, 2015-present.)
Every time we have a guest on our “Medicine in Italy Podcast” we’ll update this section for why they think you should go to their university!
Fees at the University of Pavia
For non-EU countries, student tuition fees are broken down into three levels: the first level pays €400, the second pays €1500, and the third pays €4500. This non-EU standardisation in Pavia University is based on the GDP of the students home country, and it differs from places like La Sapienza where maximum prices for international students are lower (€1200). The total amount due can be paid by installments as well.
1. Application fee: €35
2. Fixed Fee: €156 (€140 Regional tax and €16 duty stamp);
3. Variable Fee: calculated on the basis of the student’s Area of Study and ISEE. It ranges from €0 to €4463. For students whose ISEE. is ≤ €23.000 the variable fee is €0.
For European students, you have to apply using financial documents, creating an Attestazione ISEE (Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator). A tuition is calculated off of the ISEE and it ranges from €0 to €4000. Paying €4000 would be the highest fee, you would have to be quite rich to reach the highest bracket.
Be sure to check the lists below to find your country of residence.
The fee amount will remain unvaried for the number of years equal to the whole duration of the degree course, plus a possible additional year.
Please note that the flat rate option will be automatically applied to students who have not submitted any financial documentation.
Scholarships & Grants of this University
In order to strengthen the presence of international students and foster the creation of an ever more global community, the University of Pavia is awarding 150 tuition fee waivers providing exemption from the payment of tuition fees to all foreign students enrolling in selected degree programmes in the 2022/2023 academic year.
EDISU SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS
Information regarding EDiSU scholarship is available in the “Financial Support” section.
Please be aware that the flat rate is not compatible with EDiSU scholarship.
If a student applies for any benefits offered by EDiSU, the tuition fee will be automatically adjusted to the family’s economic situation.
The University of Pavia offers students various part-time job opportunities in order to help finance their studies whilst also helping UniPV’s students and staff. Find out more here.
Academic Calendar of this University
The academic calendar is split into two semesters, each with denoted exam periods.
First Semester:
Start: First week of October
End: Third week of January
Exams: Third week of January to end of February
Second Semester:
Start: First week of March
End: First week of June
Exams: Second week of June to end of July
Class Timetables
For the 1st year, you can expect an entire morning and afternoon of classes in the pre-term (the first month of the academic year), then only morning classes for the first and the second semester. The pre-term and the two semesters will be followed by an exams week before the beginning of the next one. You have Chemistry and Physics morning classes, followed by training in the afternoon. Attending trainings is not compulsory.
For the 2nd year you have mostly morning classes.
The 3rd year consists of morning classes and some afternoon classes that are mandatory.
As for the rest of the years, usually you have the clinical experience in the morning, and then afternoon classes.
You can access the timetables for 4th, 5th, and 6th year by following the corresponding links. For 6th year the classes will be mainly carried on throughout the first semester because the second is primarily devoted to thesis preparation.
Exam Timetable
The whole course is worth 360 ECTS as per standard.
In 1st year you need 42 credits to pass to the 2nd, with more than 60 credits available over the academic year. So you don’t have to pass all the exams. However, to pass from the 2nd to 3rd year you must have achieved credits from all exams. There are multiple attempts throughout the year, starting in Jan.-Feb. for first semester classes.
The 1st year differs from others because of the pre-term, so exams for 1st year students only are in March. For second semester 1st year students, exams take place in Jun., July, and Sept. Newly added exams, even retakes, were added to Dec., because of the Covid-19 emergency.
Exams at the University of Pavia are entirely written in 1st year; most of them are multiple choice with some open-ended questions. During 2nd year, only one exam is oral, but you have also the multiple choice exams, and then a normal exam, which is Physiology. For 3rd year, more oral exams are integrated, which coincide with extended written exams and, even more oral exams, it continues.
Syllabus Structure
Below is a more detailed breakdown of the course and organisation for the current University of Pavia, Harvey Medicine Course syllabus – by year.
- Basic Sciences (Chemistry and Medical Physics)
- Essay Writing Techniques
- Mathematics
- Living Molecules
- Scientific Foundation of Medicine (Epidemiology, History of Medicine, Statistics)
- Structure of The Body (Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, Cytology)
- Social Roots of Health
Elective Courses: The Disabled Person / Ultrasound Laboratory
- Functions of the Body (Physiology)
- Ethics and Society
- Biology of Disease (General Pathology, Immunology)
- Laboratory of Medicine
- Microbiology
- Clinical Foundations (General Surgery, Semiotics, Radiology)
- Systemic Pathology
- Drug Discovery and Actions
- Disease Control and Eradication (Infectious Diseases, Clinical Epidemiology)
- Clinical Foundations Practicals
- Blood Diseases
- Disease of Endocrine System and Metabolism
Elective Courses: Recision Medicine / The Disabled Patient / Nanotechnologies in Medicine / Evolution and Medicine
- Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases
- Heart and Lungs
- Sensory System Diseases
- Soft Tissue Diseases
- GI And Urinary Tracts
- Clinical Cases 4th Year
- Childhood and Woman Health
- General Surgery I
- General Surgery II
- Clinical Pharmacology, Genetics and Pathology
- Clinical Cases 5th Year
- Clinical Medicine (Family Medicine, Forensic Medicine, Geriatrics, Internal Medicine, Occupational Medicine)
- Students Presentation of Scientific Papers
- Practical in Degree Thesis Subject
- Practical Evaluative Traineeship in General Practice
Clinical Experience
Supposedly, in 3rd year the students would have 3 to 4-week rotations. The specialty of the rotation for the 3rd year doesn’t matter, because up to that point they haven’t seen any actual specialties. It’s only about the clinical experience going to the hospitals, practising the examinations etc.
The 60 credits dedicated to professional training are distributed as follows:
- 12 credits (CFU) in the 3rd year (6 in the first semester – 6 in the second)
- 16 CFU in the 4th year (8 in the first semester – 8 in the second)
- 16 CFU in the 5th year (8 in the first semester – 8 in the second)
- 16 CFU in the 6th year (8 in the first semester – 8 in the second)
1 CFU is equal to 20 hours of traineeship activity.
Cadaver Dissections
The Harvey Medicine Course’s anatomy course is divided into two blocks:
The first 6 weeks focus on the skeletal muscular structures of the different regions of the body:
1st and 2nd) Back and Thorax;
3rd) Abdomen and Upper Limb;
4th) Pelvis and Lower Limb;
5th) Head and Neck & Review Block.
Whilst numerous hours of study will be dedicated to anatomy, there will be no chance to get ‘hands on’. Cadaver dissections are not performed (largely) throughout Italy.
Campus and Course Dynamics
The main point from students at Pavia is that the class sizes are large, at about 100 students. Socialising is quite strong. Generally, social media usage has been a prevalent key to communication. Most students are Italian; 77 percent of classes are comprised Europeans, with most of the European spots taken by Italians. There is also a club for the medical students, for which one can organise events. These events are one of the only ways you can meet people from other years because of the lack of a centralised campus.
A students courses and classrooms can be all over the city, making travel important and yet scenic. The 1st year class just expanded by 30 people to 100 European spots; however, most of the time the daily attendance is around 60 people, as attendance is not recorded. All the content is accessible and given through Google Drive, the University provides free storage. Almost one terabyte (!) of storage, and as mentioned, it’s free.
Teaching Facilities
The premises of Pavia “encompass a wide range of buildings that vary in age, maintenance requirements and fitness for purpose. Four Units (Biochemistry, Physiology, Human Genetics and Pathology) are housed in buildings constructed or restored betwen the two world wars and in the 1950s and 60s and located in via Forlanini.
One Unit (Immunology and General Pathology) is presently housed in a newer research building called the Istituto Golgi/Spallanzani. This opened in 2009 and is located in the science faculty of the University (via A Ferrata). The remaining three (clinical) Units (Clinical Biochemistry, Cardiology and Haematology) are housed in offices, laboratories and clinical wards of research hospitals located throughout Pavia (Policlinico San Matteo and Fondazione S Maugeri) or in Milan (Istituto Auxologico).”
(Source: Buildings and Facilities; Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia.)
Libraries
The University Library System consists of 9 libraries, to serve the various faculties. Included are:
- Biblioteca della Scienza e della Tecnica (Science and Technology)
- Biblioteca della Scienze (Science)
- Biblioteca di Area Media “Adolfo Ferrata” (Medicine)
- Biblioteca di Economica (Economics)
- Biblioteca di Giurisprudenze (Law)
- Biblioteca di Scienze Politiche e Sociali (Political and Social Science)
- Biblioteca di Dipartimento di Musicologia e Beni Culturali (Musicology and Cultural Heritage)
- Biblioteca di Studi Umanistici (Humanities)
Documents owned by these libraries are listed in the Online Public Access Catalogue, so students can locate their required books. The Catologue also includes documents offered in public libraries.
For more information see the website: http://libraries.unipv.it/
Sports Facilities & Canteens
Pavia has a lot to offer in terms of sports activities and facilities, and was internationally recognized as European City of Sport in 2014. For casual walkers or joggers there are beautiful paths in Parco del Ticino and Parco della Vernavola. The Centro Universitario Sportivo (CUS) is the schools sports center, and was founded in 1946. It currently has over 2800 members, offering many sports on competitive and non-competitive levels. Courses available include: canoeing, rowing, fencing, climbing, fitness, athletics, basketball, volleyball, football, tag rugby, archery, pilates and yoga.
The University of Pavia offers many athletic facilities, including: 2 sports halls, 4 public swimming pools, 3 private sports clubs, 26 school gyms, 8 university gyms, 20 multi-purpose playing fields, 15 football pitches, 5 boules/bocce areas, 4 private equestrian centers, 20 tennis fields, and other facilities such as golf courses and skating rinks.
Student Services
There are a wide range of student services that are available upon enrollment, including: a university email, a Student Portal, and the schools e-learning platform KIRO.
For more information on the significance of each service click here.
The University provides this helpful presentation to highlight necessary documents to settle in Pavia. You may also visit this University page to see exactly what kind of documents you need before moving to Pavia, as well as things that come after you move there, such as financial banking or the permesso di soggiorno (residency permit).
Language Requirements
A strong proficiency in the English language is essential for admission into universities in Italy. To be able to get a successful admission in University of Pavia in Italy students need to complete TOEFL exam with a minimum score of 45.
Italian Courses
The University of Pavia Language Centre organizes Italian courses throughout the academic year, both in-person and virtual, from October to June.
The offer includes:
- Semester courses, (October-January and February-June) – 50 hours, evening lessons, held in a classroom (twice a week, 7-9pm).
- Online intensive courses, (November and March) – 50 hours, evening lessons (Monday-Thursday, 7-9pm).
Check out this page for a list of course contents, certifications and ECTS credits, as well as course fees.
Opportunities to go Abroad
The Erasmus+ Program is an EU-sponsored mobility program that enables students with further study and experience by providing between 3-12 months at a European university.
Special Admission Requirements
There are no special admission requirements other than the national entry test requirement (IMAT). You can access registration for the IMAT by following the previous link.
For advice on preparation for the national entry test and other information, we highly recommend watching this video.
Studying Medicine in Pavia
Brief Overview of City
Pavia University is located in, you guessed it, Pavia! The city of Pavia is located in northern Italy, about 30 km south of Milan. Having been the capital of several Kingdoms since medieval times, the city is home of many cultural and artistic gems. The Certosa di Pavia may be the crowning piece, but there is beauty littered everywhere you turn. Jewels of architecture include the Ponte Coperto, the Cathedral of Pavia, and the San Michele Maggiore church. Parks, gardens, and other natural scapes such as Parco Sora, the university’s Botanical Garden, and the Fiume Ticino make the city of Pavia a truly urban green space.
Pavia is a very flat city, you can cycle anywhere without problem. It beats taking the bus because, despite being a good mode of transport, it may take a little more time than cycling. Being in a city with medieval history, a conflux of maze-like streets and many churches comprise the city centre. Despite being in near industrial zones, the city itself proves to be “a calm, captivating, and cooperative environment with a higher quality of life.”
(Source: Town of Pavia; Università degli Studi di Pavia, 2019.)
Weather
The average temperature year-round is nearly 14°C. With that said, the city also experiences a remarkable amount of rainfall. Even in the driest of times, the month of July, an average of 55mm of rain can occur; anywhere from 100-125mm of rain can occur during October and November. Furthermore it does get really cold during the winter months, as it drops below 0°C often and frequently has snow. There are very short days, and you may effectively be left taking classes during the night. The spring and summer are, on the other hand, are mild and warm. While this can bring about an issue with mosquitoes, most apartments have been built with netting in the windows.
Cost of Living Index
According to Numbeo, the savings of day-to-day costs of living are marginal. However, it is the prices of rent that makes Pavia one of the most accessible cities in Italy to study in. The average cost of rent for a one bedroom apartment in Pavia is half (51%) of Milan and nearly half (42%) lower than the city of Rome, for example.
Population & Size of City
Pavia is very small encompassing an area of 62 square kilometres. Its population as of 2020 was over 71,000.
(Source: Maps, analysis and statistics about the resident population: Municipality of Pavia, UrbiStat S.r.l., 2022.)
Accomodation
The University of Pavia’s collegiate system is a university housing system that provides for about 2000 students across its 22 Residences. Each Residence serves as more than simply a roof over your head; they offer facilities for both leisure and educational motives, as well as arrange cultural activities that enhance the overall experience of its residents. According to the university’s Accommodations page, choosing a collegio “offers the opportunity to belong to a community where academic achievement, traditional events, parties, and sporting rivalries all play key roles.”
The three types of student residences the university offers are:
- Collegi managed by EDiSU (Ente per il Diritto allo Studio Universitario);
- Merit-based collegi;
- Privately owned collegi.
EDiSU is an autonomous institution that provides scholarships and manages most of Pavia’s collegi. There are 11 EDiSU collegi located in Pavia, hosting the majority (about 1500) of students who stay in collegi. Click here to learn more about EDiSU and each specific collegio it offers.
Merit-based collegi can be highly rewarding. Once admitted, a student is required to maintain an exam average no less than 27/30. Admission is based on an entrance exam (one written portion and two oral exams) that will be judged versus other applicants in September. Accommodation costs are minimal to students, since a contribution proportionate to family income is asked and most rooms are free (!).
Private and university residences are privately administered Residences associated with the University of Pavia.
Click here for more detailed information on the University of Pavia’s accommodation services.
(Source: Accommodation; Università degli Studi di Pavia, 2019.)
Transport Overview
UNIPASS is a subscription that allows students registered at the University of Pavia to travel freely on all buses in town and the surrounding urban area. To complete the application for the UNIPASS, you must use your official university email address (name.surnameXX@universitadipavia).
It costs €25,00 for university students, while for graduating students and for the ones doing their specialisation it is €175,00.
Here are the instructions to get the pass.
University students receive a 10% discount once a month with flixbus.it, which is valid on all FlixBus national and international services.
It’s around 2 hours by train to places which can be more socially vibrant, like Milan, should that be what you’re after.
Living Costs Overview
Because it is a small city, you aren’t afforded much wiggle room when considering rent; you’re going to pay what you have to since there are fewer neighborhoods to choose from, as opposed to places like Turin, which also has a lower living cost compared to Milan and other cities here in northern Italy. You can expect to pay €500-700 for a flat, or around €270 for a room. People struggle with finding accommodation, so coming to check places out earlier in the year is highly advised. With the free meals from the university, saving money can be simplified and living is affordable.
Different Activities
Although resources may be scarce, you can always find things to do; and if you have your friends you’ll be fine. There isn’t a great variety of cultural events, it’s quiet and allows you to set your own pace. There are a lot of historical buildings, and many sights to see. There’s a small city, but you have everything available: restaurants, gelato shops (very important), and well-priced supermarkets.