Who Can Apply?
The PhD Course in Psychological Sciences at the University of Padova is open to applicants who:
• Hold (or will hold by the 30th of September of the year of enrolment) a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, or related disciplines.
• Have completed (or will complete) PPV (Prova Partica Valutativa) requirements as mandated by Italian law, where applicable as required by Italian regulations.
• Satisfy the legal requirements to enrol in a PhD course in Italy (recognition of foreign degrees comparable with laurea Magistrale -MA), adequate knowledge of English language.
• Demonstrate strong academic preparation, research inclination, and motivation consistent with the ideal candidate profile (see below).
Ideal Profile We Seek
We welcome candidates who:
• Have had some previous training in psychological, cognitive, or neuroscience methods (e.g. statistics, experimental design, quantitative methods),
• Have prior exposure to research (e.g. master’s thesis, research assistantships, publications or conference presentations),
• Show clear research interests and acquaintance with the relevant literature in their desired domain,
• Exhibit strong motivation, autonomy, and potential to carry out a doctoral-level project,
• Possess proficiency in English (reading, writing, speaking) adequate for international collaboration and publication.
Prospective applicants should note that fulfilling the formal requirements does not guarantee acceptance; selection is highly competitive and based on multiple criteria
Why applying to a PhD program in Psychological Sciences in Padova
The University of Padova is among Italy’s premier research institutions and enjoys a strong international standing
In QS World University Rankings by Subject in 2025, Padova has ranked 69th globally in Psychology
In the Times Higher Education subject rankings in 2024, Psychology at Padova has been placed 77th internationally
According to EduRank, Padova ranks 3rd in Italy for Psychology and 121st globally
According to Best Global University ranking, the University of Padua (as a whole) confirmed at 2nd place among all Italian universities in 2022
Choosing Padova offers several advantages:
Diverse research environment
Research lines cover several areas of psychology, both basic and applied, including cognitive, comparative, developmental, social, clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and much more
Large faculty board
Access to and potential mentorship from over 70 faculty members across diverse domains and research interests, enabling a wide possibility of conducting interdisciplinary projects
International mindset
Integration with Italian and European research networks, and support for international collaboration, strongly encouraging international mobility
Structured doctoral program
A three-year structured doctoral program with strong focus on research training, and a wide offer of courses, both thematic and methodological
Want to know more?
See when and how you can apply
See how we select applicants