The University of Padua is set to expand its educational offerings to Venice, introducing a new chapter in the city’s academic landscape. Beginning in the 2025/2026 Academic Year, the prestigious Medicine and Surgery degree programme, taught entirely in English, will relocate its first-year students to the historic Ospedale Santi Giovanni e Paolo in Venice.

università padova
Inside University of Padua


This strategic move aims to attract a more diverse international student body and invigorate Venice’s local community, which has experienced a decline of approximately 600 residents over the past year. The programme currently boasts that 40% of its enrollees are international students, a figure expected to rise with the relocation.

The initiative is the result of a collaborative agreement signed by Luca Zaia, President of the Veneto Region; Daniela Mapelli, Rector of the University of Padua; and Edgardo Contato, Director General of Ulss 3 Serenissima. The Ospedale Santi Giovanni e Paolo will provide classrooms, teaching laboratories, and clinical training opportunities for students. To accommodate the incoming cohort, temporary housing solutions will be offered in the first year, with plans to develop additional student housing managed by Esu in the future.


In addition to the Medicine and Surgery programme, Venice will host new degree courses in Osteopathy and Psychiatric Rehabilitation, offering 22 and 26 seats respectively. These programmes are designed to address the growing demand for healthcare professionals in specialised fields.

This development is part of a broader effort to enhance healthcare education in the Veneto region. In 2024, the region announced 112 competitions to fill 814 medical positions; however, only 197 were filled, highlighting a significant shortage of medical professionals. In response, the number of medical school seats in Veneto universities has increased from 550 to 950, reflecting a commitment to addressing this critical gap.

The relocation of the Medicine and Surgery programme to Venice not only enriches the city’s academic environment but also contributes to its cultural and social revitalisation. By attracting a diverse student population and offering cutting-edge medical education, Venice reaffirms its status as a centre of learning and innovation.