In partnership with the Scuola Normale of Pisa, the Galilean School of Higher Education is established in Padua in 2004 with the aim of developing a university culture based on excellence and prestige through innovative educational and research programmes. 

This 5 year-programme of excellence completes ordinary degree courses with activities aimed at enriching and enhancing the skills of students facing the world of research and university. Every year, 30 male and female students in the process of enrolling with the University of Padua are chosen for admission based on a strict test. Students passing the test are admitted to the School and have the chance to further their studies and acquire cultural knowledge and skills of a high level. On completion of the programme, a certificate of attendance is issued by the University of Padua.

When first established, the School provides two study classes: Moral Science, focused on literature, history and philosophy, and Natural Science, focused on mathematics, physics, chemistry, biomedicine and technical studies. A third study class is established during academic year 2014/2015: Social Science, dedicated to sociology, law, economics, political science, anthropology and psychology. Students must follow the courses organised by the School in tandem with those of each degree course. At the same time, the School provides students with a very important figure, a tutor, namely professors who become a fundamental point of reference during the whole study programme.
The learning activities are held at the School premises, Collegio Morgagni, named after the founder of anatomical pathology who in 1711 held the second chair of general theoretical medicine of the University of Padua. 
Admission to the School guarantees students free board and lodging, reimbursement of expenses and the possibility to attend seminars and activities organised during the academic year by the School or other facilities of the University, as well as to study foreign languages.