Aljawaz Your guide to study abroad The education in Greece dates back to more than 2,000 years. This country with a longstanding academic tradition has today made its main focus to become an international education center. Many efforts have been made from primary to secondary, but especially at tertiary education level. Greek students are nowadays sent to pursue academics abroad, while Greek universities have set up educational and research infrastructure to welcome more international students and researchers. Institutions of higher education have more and more programs in English, targeting foreign students along with partnerships with high-profile institutions worldwide. Here’s our overview of the higher education system in Greece and what to expect if you choose to study abroad in this country.
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Why studying in Greece for international students?
Greece or Hellas is located in Southeast Europe, at the intersection of Europe, Asia and Africa. Being the entrance gate to the Old Continent, the country offers a perfect mix between tradition and modernity. And after decades of economic recession, Greece has now all the weapons in hand to embrace progress and innovation. Being a member of the EU, the country now fully participates in the European political, economical and legal system.
Moreover, the country’s effective response to the Covid-19 pandemic has raised international confidence towards Greece’s image. So, apart from the sunny, Mediterranean climate, the stunning landscape as well as the rich cultural heritage, Greece has risen up among the top study destinations for international students. The development of the economy and entrepreneurship has had an impact even in the field of education and scientific research.
As a result, the higher education system in contemporary Greece is more cosmopolitan and more innovative than ever.
Read also our guide on the top reasons why you should study in Greece.
Facts and statistics on the higher education in Greece
Greece has a long tradition in academic excellence. And with a school system that is more than 2,000 years old, painting the country’s education landscape shows many significant facts and figures worth mentioning.
Starting with the number of higher education institutions. Usually, the higher education system in Greece consists of 2 parallel sectors: universities and technological education institutes. The country has currently 24 state universities and 4 polytechnic institutes, at the forefront of providing research and education facilities and programs. To access the tertiary education (university-level), students in Greece need to sit the Panhellenic examination.
Moreover, since 2019, Greek universities have been focusing on internationalization, aiming to set their position up in the global education field. A new law then has been passed to facilitate students mobility, promote international programs and international degrees, fosters partnerships between Greek and international universities, among other measures. Since then, institutions of higher education have added entirely English-taught programs alongside their Greek-taught programs.
This includes 2 international medical degrees at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the University of Athens along with 130+ master’s degrees in various fields. All are entirely taught in English. And always in this effort to promote openness and extroversion of the education system, the Ministry of Education in Greece provides validation or franchise agreements to joint international programs with other European Union universities at Greek colleges. That’s why private colleges usually do not operate as independent universities, but are partially or wholly owned branch campuses of foreign institutions.
Lastly, public higher education institutions in Greece are centrally financed by the state budget and the Public Investment Program on Higher Education. This allows them to not charge tuition fees to students at undergraduate level, at least for Greek-speaking programs.
Degrees and qualifications from the higher education system in Greece
Higher education or tertiary education in Greece are provided at universities and polytechnics (AEI), at technological education institutes (TEI) and academies for those who train for the military and the clergy. And the duration of each program level depends on the type of institution you enroll in.
Typically, you can complete your undergraduate degree in 4 years to 6 years depending on the study field. Postgraduate programs on the other hand, last between 1 and 2 years and doctorates between 3 and 6 years. Here are the types of degrees and qualifications you can get at higher education institutions in Greece:
Bachelor’s degree
Greek universities use the ECTS credits system to define the duration of its university cycles. Typically, students need 240 ECTS credits or 4 years study to earn a bachelor’s degree. But programs in agronomy, dentistry, engineering, forestry, pharmacology and some programs in fine arts last 5 years (or 300 ECTS credits).
Moreover, medical studies last 6 years at undergraduate level. These durations are the same whether the program is taught in English or in Greek. When it comes to tuition fees, undergraduate degrees in Greek are usually free of charge. English-speaking programs on the other hand, charge tuition, depending on the course type.
Master’s degree in Greece
After completing their postgraduate studies in Greece, students usually get a Postgraduate Diploma of Specialization which is simply a master’s degree. This level of studies aim to provide students with specialized and additional skills in various scientific fields. And it lasts between 1 and 2 years, ending up with the presentation of a master’s thesis.
Admission to a master’s program in Greece along with the tuition fees depend on the program and study field. But in general, students go through a selection process or an oral/written examination. The number of postgraduate programs in English in Greece is increasing each year. Most of them are provided in collaboration with foreign HEI.
Lastly, students who want to apply for a master’s program in Greece need to know one or more foreign languages, apart from the Greek. This is a good indicator of the quality of education required and offered in the higher education system in Greece.
Doctoral studies
The highest level of education in Greece leads to the award of a Doctorate. It provides students with a high-level specialization in their field of knowledge. It also promotes fundamental research in various scientific fields strengthening the country’s scientific knowledge base.
To get admission in a doctorate program, students need primarily to have a postgraduate degree. And like any other PhD program, students prepare a doctoral dissertation at the end of their studies.
Academic year and university admission in Greece
In Greece, the university calendar starts every year on September 1 and ends on August 31 of the following year. It consists of 2 semesters, the fall semester and the spring semesters, each of which has 13 weeks of school and 2 or 3 weeks of exams.
University application procedure
When it comes to university admission in Greece, foreign students fall into the special categories of candidates who can be admitted on the condition that neither them nor their parents have the Greek nationality or citizenship. They should therefore submit their application to the Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs. For that, they have to fill in an application entry form choosing the Faculties and Departments of their preference.
Here are the steps to follow to apply:
1. Gather all the documents
Make sure to check the website of your university of choice to find out all the documents needed for your application. Moreover, all the documents (degrees, certifications, certificates) from the competent authorities of your country must have an Apostille Convention Stamp. The validation must be on the original document.
2. Get an official approval of these documents at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Greek embassy of your home country
3. Get your documents translated in Greek by a certified translator
4. Certify your documents at the embassy of Greece of your country
5. Visit the Greek Ministry of Education’s website to find out how to submit your application electronically.
6. Wait for the results, which usually are announced at the end of August.
7. If approved, start the procedure to get a student visa to Greece.
University admission requirements in Greece
Here are the general requirements to apply to the higher education system in Greece.
Bachelor’s
To apply to a bachelor’s degree program in Greece, you need to provide a valid secondary school-leaving certificate and qualify for the higher education studies in your country. Also, check the minimum grade point (GPA) required by your university to access first cycle studies.
Moreover, you may also need to provide a proof of a good command of the Greek language as well as an additional foreign language (English, French, German or Spanish). Last but not least, you must qualify for the program you’re applying to. For example, for a scientific program, you must not have failed scientific subjects in high school.
Master’s studies in Greece
To access the higher education system in Greece at master’s level, you need to have a relevant bachelor’s degree or an equivalent undergraduate degree. If you apply to a program in English and have never studied in English before, you must provide your TOEFL or IELTS test scores. Usually, the minimum TOEFL score accepted is 570 if paper-based and 90 if internet-based. The minimum IELTS score should be 6.5.
Doctorate studies
To access the doctorate-level studies in Greece, you must have completed a master’s degree or a relevant diploma. The minimum GPA required to access the second and third cycle studies in Greece is around 7.5 out of 10.
