About Study in Greece
Greek higher education is fully governed by the state. Only state-run institutions are recognized and allowed to provide tertiary education. Some private institutions exist – mainly branches of universities and colleges in for example the United States and the UK. These in turn offer degrees accepted by the governing bodies of the parent country. As with most private schooling, tuition fees are considerably higher than for the public universities in Greece.
The Greek system of higher education has long been a growing item of debate – largely due to the changes taking place throughout the European Union in regards to the Bologna process. As the rest of Europe work toward a quality assured and internationally recognized system of higher education, grading and degrees, some say Greece is lagging behind.
Greece does, however, have quite a few points to commend itself for the international student experience. Especially perhaps if you are a history buff or interested in archaeology. What you will find in Greece are amazing monuments and well-preserved items of one of the most important birthplaces of today’s western civilization.
Spending time in Greece will give you not only a chance to visit the beautiful island world of the Mediterranean but also to walk through the ancient streets of Athens. You will experience a very friendly culture where time and stress are not of the same importance as what you may be used to.
Greece in short facts and figures
- Capital: Athens
- Official language: Greek
- Government: Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic
- Area: 50,949 square miles / 131,957 square kilometers
- Population: 10.9 million
- Currency: Euro
- Calling code: +30
Why Study in Greece?
If you are a prospective study away from a home student we know that you, as well as your parents, probably have some questions. We developed this project to provide some help and more in-depth advice and answers to the most common questions asked by students:
It is like asking yourself why to study in the “birthplace of academia and western civilization” since western culture owes many of its linguistic, philosophical, cultural, legal, social and ethical beliefs and systems. This beautiful Mediterranean country is proud to be one of the oldest living cultures on earth, presenting many thousands of years of history and development. It is located near the crossroads of Europe and Asia and it is an entrance gate to the European Union, centered geographically in south-eastern Europe.
International students will find that richly varied geography, a long-established archeological tradition, modern society, and bustling economy are just some of the reasons that make Greece a fascinating place to study. Apart from is an ancient culture, modern Greece has still many to offer. As a member of the European Union, Greece is uniquely positioned as a participant in both the European and Mediterranean economies. It has experienced rapid growth and infrastructure development, especially after hosting the Olympic Games in Summer 2004.
Educational System
Higher education in Greece consists of two sectors: the University Sector, which includes Universities and the Technological Sector, which includes Higher Technological Education Institutions (TEI). Currently, there are 24 Universities and 16 TEIs, all of which are considered accredited by the Greek state. All the Higher Tertiary state-accredited universities and TEIs in Greece are public. The duration of the undergraduate degree programs for most disciplines is 4 years but there are programs in engineering, dentistry, pharmacology, agronomics, forestry, and fine arts, with a duration of 5 years and medicine with a duration of 6 years. These credits are accumulative and transferable under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).2004.
Apart from the higher education institutes, a number of private institutions, known as Colleges, operate in Greece as well. However, the current Constitution of Greece prohibits private institutions for post-secondary education, from operating as independent universities. Colleges overcome this constraint by establishing collaboration with foreign universities to offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs. According to the current legislation, as derived by the incorporation of EC Directive 2005/36, holders of academic degrees by universities in the European Union, including those obtained through studies at a college in Greece, have their professional rights fully recognized.
University & Technological Sector
The University Sector aims at establishing, producing and developing science and technology, achieving the country’s future scientists’ high level, comprehensive, theoretical and applied training while promoting and developing scientific research. The University (Panepistimio) gives emphasis to high-quality education according to the demands of science, technology, and arts taking into account the international scientific practice and the corresponding professional fields. The Universities award certificates in the following fields:
- Humanities, law and social sciences including theoretical faculties such as literature, law, sociology, art schools, etc,
- Science, including faculties of mathematics, physics, chemistry, etc,
- Health Science, including medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutics, etc,
- Technology, including architecture, polytechnic schools, etc,
- Economics and Administration, including economic, financial schools, etc,
The University sector offers a variety of topics to study, such as:
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Business (Economics, Management)
- Classical history
- Communication (Mass Media)
- Computer Science
- Education
- Engineering
- Foreign Languages (Turkish, Modern Asian, etc.)
- Greek (Literature, etc)
- Health Sciences (Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy)
- Law
- Music and arts
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences (Public Administration)
- Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics)
- Social sciences (sociology, psychology, etc)
- Sport Sciences
- Theology and Religion
