Part 1 - All about the University
What would a Brief Overview of the University be like?
Despite the high ratings and the expectations that follow, the university feels like a very normal place. It’s quite small, which may or may not suit some people. The professors are well rated, as are the facilities; even if you might not see all of them. The university has a 660 year heritage, so despite being rated on par with other top universities it also has something to set it apart.
What are the Timetables like?
For the first year, you can expect a whole morning of classes, and then optional activities in the afternoon, with tutoring for the first month. The first year will be divided into three semesters instead of two. The first, the pre-semester, is only a month. You have chemistry and physics morning classes , then you have training in the afternoon. You don’t have to go to the training necessarily; so mostly you have morning classes for the first and second year. The third 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.
How do the Exams work?
In the first year, you need 42 credits to pass to the second year; with more than 60 credits available over the year. So you don’t have to pass all the exams. However to pass from the second to the third year you need to have achieved credits from all exams. There are multiple attempts throughout the year, January and February for the first semester. In the first year it’s different because of the pre-semester, so it’s in March. January and February for any year after your first. For the second semester, retakes take place in June, July, and September; with newly added ones in December, which were added because of COVID.
How are the Exams taken?
So what are exams like? Are they written? Are they oral? Are they a mix of both? Well in Pavia it’s completely written at the start. Written in the first year; exams, most of them are multiple choice. Mostly written and mostly multiple choice. In the Second year, only one exam is oral, but you have the multiple choice exam, and then a normal exam, which is physiology. For the third year, more oral exams, which act alongside extended written exams and, even more oral exams, it continues.
What is the Clinical Experience like?
Supposedly, in third year students would have three, four week rotations. The specialty of the rotation for the third year doesn’t matter, because we haven’t seen any actual specialties. It’s only about the clinical experience going to the hospitals, practising the examinations etc. The fourth year onward, you have separate specialty rotations; which are every 4 weeks. This has a worth of total 16 credits. Though this information is subject to change as of COVID.
What are the Average Tuition Fees?
For non-EU countries it is broken down into three groups: the first one pays 400, the second one pays 1500, and the third one pays 3500. This non-EU standardisation in Pavia is based on the GDP of the country, and it differs from places like Sapienza where if you’re an international student maximum prices are fixed lower (maximum 1200).
For European students, you have to apply using financial documents, creating an ISEE. A tuition is calculated off of that, but it goes from zero to 4000. Paying 4000 would be the highest fee, you would have to be quite rich to have the highest bracket.
What are the Scholarship Options?
You can apply for the scholarship, or for accommodation plus scholarship which could get you free accommodation in the dorm. Everyone that applies for the accommodation plus scholarship, (even if you don’t end up receiving accommodation), will receive a free meal every day. On top of that you also receive a sum of money, which if you don’t go to the dorms is increased. If you get the dorms, they deduct the price of the dorms from the overall amount. The scholarship amount is divided in three brackets, so it depends on your financial situation.
What are the Facilities available in the University?
As is a common theme with other Italian universities, the university isn’t largely integrated with other activities; you’re not pushed to join any kind of club or to start a club. There is a sports facility, managed by CUS, for which you can apply to get a card. There are also many libraries, they are scattered around with no main hub. There are quite a few very good ones, quite a few old ones and two very new larger libraries have been developed; which are all well stocked with equipment.
What are the Dynamics of Classes like?
So the big thing about Pavia, which is a pretty big thing, the classes are 100 students. Generally socialising is quite strong. Using social media has been a prevalent key to communication. Most students are Italian; 77 percent of classes are European, with most of the European spots taken by Italians. There is also a club for the med 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. Classes and classrooms can be all over the city, making travel scenic but important. The first year class just got bigger by 30 people to 100 European spots, however most of the time the turn out is around 60 people, as attendance is not recorded. All the content is accessible and given through Google Drive, the University gives free storage. Almost one terabyte of storage, and yeah, it’s free.
What English or Language Certificates do you need?
There is no English certificate. Regarding the Italian there is no test. You are obviously highly recommended to learn Italian because otherwise you’re going to be struggling in comparison to someone who can speak it. Furthermore it will inhibit learning in the hospital. The university provides a paid Italian course, giving classes from the Language Centre. With costs up to almost 200 euros per semester.
Part 2 - All about the City
What's the City like?
It’s very small, its population is 70,000. 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, ice cream shops (very important), well budgeted supermarkets. However it can be up to 2 hours by train to places like Milan, which are more socially vibrant; should that be what you’re after. It’s a very flat city, you can cycle anywhere without problem. It beats taking the bus because despite being good, they take a little more time than cycling.
What is the Weather like in Pavia?
In the winter months, the sun shines at 8am until 4pm-5pm, you have a very short day. Which can leave you taking classes during the night effectively. Furthermore it does get really cold, it drops below zero often and frequently has snow. The summers on the other hand, are temperate and warm. While this does bring about a mosquito problem, most apartments have been created with nets in the windows.
What are the Living costs?
Because it is a small city you don’t have a lot of wiggle room, you’re going to pay what you have to; instead of places like Torino which also has a lower cost of living compared to Milan and some other cities here in the north. You can expect to pay 500 to 700 for a flat, or around 270 Euros for a room. People struggle with finding accommodation, so coming to check places out earlier in the year is advised. With the free meals from the university saving money can be simplified, and living is affordable.
Do you need to Know Italian?
Whilst there are a lot of international people, knowing Italian definitely makes your life easier, like so much easier. As mentioned before, the lifestyle is quite relaxed around the town, so one could manage without conversational Italian daily, though people may not go out of their way to help you. The Erasmus students will all be European, so will have a diverse breadth of linguistic knowledge, so even if you start learning while you’re there you will be able to communicate.
What about the Erasmus Student Programme?
Erasmus students have ESN, which means that activities are and can be planned for you; like going to the beach. While not relevant medically, it’s definitely something of which to take advantage.
3 thoughts on “Pavia University – Medicine in English Interview with a Current Medical Student”
what are the timings of pre clinical years
Usually first to third year are pre-clinical 🙂
Pingback: Pavia Medicine in English Ultraguide