Study in Greece

Higher Education Structure in Greece

Study In Greece

Greece is a country in Southeastern Europe situated at the junction of three continents. The country has a glorious history, with its ancient civilisation giving us many of the political concepts and sports structures that are popular today, including democracy and the idea of the Olympic Games. The pleasant Mediterranean climate of the country, its historic architectural sites, and island resorts make Greece one of the most popular countries to live, visit, and work in. Greece is divided into nine regions, from north to south. The Greek Orthodox Church is the most influential religious body in the country, with over 90% of citizens following Greek Orthodoxy.

The population of Greece is over 10 million. The capital and largest city is Athens. It is unique in Europe in that it has thousands of islands, making it a popular tourism destination, as well as providing several recreational weekend getaway options for students in the country. Over half a million students are enrolled in various University programs in Greece, with Bachelor’s and PhD degrees associated with tuition fee waivers for both domestic and international students.

The Perks of Studying in Greece

Greece is highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:

The country is ranked #29 in the world in the US News “Best Countries for Education” report.
The country is ranked #53 in the world in the “Safest Countries in the World” ranking by the World Population Review.
The country is ranked #53 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP).
The country is ranked #79 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report.

Higher Education Framework in Greece

All Institutes of Higher Education in Greece are public, as mandated by the constitution of the country. There are four kinds:

1. Higher Education Institutions: These are very similar to full universities in other countries; they provide education and conduct research in a wide variety of subjects for both undergraduates and postgraduates.

2. Technological Educational Institutions: TEIs provide comprehensive education in subjects related to science and technology. They often grow to become regional hubs of excellence through strategic mergers. For example, the University of West Attica was formed by the merger of the TEIs in Athens and Piraeus.

3. Military Educational Institutions: They are similar to Universities in that they offer UG and PG degrees; in recent years, they have started offering an increasingly diverse range of courses.

4. Vocational and Specialised Training: These HEIs offer professional courses in several fields related to certain sectors, including culture and tourism. For example, the Higher Schools for Dance and Theatre, Tourism Education, Petty Officers, and Policemen.

Certificate programs

Many short term certificate courses in Greece last three months, and are held online, in the e-learning mode. There is a spike in the number of offline short term courses every summer, when international tourists often attend summer school at a Greek Higher Education Institution. These courses typically concentrate on a single type of skill e.g. Greek language proficiency or hospitality management.

Undergraduate Programs

Most Bachelor's degree programs in Greece last for four years or eight semesters.

Certain undergraduate programs last five years - for example, polytechnic diplomas, applied sciences, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences, and fine arts.

Medical School lasts six years.

In some disciplines like Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Mechanical Engineering, students can choose to complete a five year course of study in an integrated program to earn a Bachelor's + Master's degree.

Postgraduate Programs

Postgraduate programs in Greece normally last for two, three, or four semesters, and lead to the award of a Master's degree. They are much shorter, on average, than postgraduate programs in many other European countries; this is partly due to the fact that undergraduate degree programs in Greece last between 4 and 6 years, unlike the average of 3 years in other countries.

Doctoral Programs

Doctoral Studies in Greece require their candidates to conduct original research leading to a thesis defense at the University. PhD programs normally last three years, and students are guided by a faculty supervisor who suggests an overall plan for the research work and assists the candidate with new directions when there are roadblocks.

Popular Disciplines Available in Greece

The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available in Greece are-

Fine Arts	International Tourism	Physical Education
Sociology	Civil Engineering	Economics
Architecture	Food and Nutrition	Theatre
Business Studies	Accounting	Hospitality Management
Nursing	Classical Music	Philology
Sculpture	Education and Teaching	Design Studies

Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in Greece

Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in Greece.

The name of the city	No. of Universities
Athens	8
Thessaloniki	3
Patras	2
Komotini	1
Corfu	1
Chania (Crete)	1
Mytilene	1
Rethymno (Crete)	1
Ioannina	1
Tripoli	1
Heraklion	1
Volos	1
Kozani	1
Marousi	1

Average Monthly Expenses in Greece for International Students

Domestic and EU students do not pay tuition fees for Bachelor’s and doctoral courses in Greece. Students from outside the European Union pay minimal tuition fees for these courses; these range from 1,000 to 2,000 Euros per year, and are primarily spent on administrative activities, course materials, and so on. Tuition fees for postgraduate courses are substantially higher, with the lowest and highest annual Master’s program fees being approximately 3,000 and 10,000 Euros, respectively, with the most expensive courses being related to Business Administration and Medicine.

Accommodation costs for students in Greece are much lower than those in other European countries that are popular student destinations. In many cities, it is possible to book student accommodation for 200 Euros per month, with the maximum monthly cost in the nation’s capital rising to 400-500 Euros. Many students who wish to obtain international degrees in tourism and hospitality, for which Greece is renowned, choose this country over nearby Switzerland, which is far more expensive to live in..

Other living costs

include travel, food, personal items, and study materials. Students in most cities can purchase a monthly transport card for 15-20 Euros, and the total of the other living costs rarely exceeds a few hundred Euros per month. There are also one time costs like health insurance and the purchase of study aid tools like laptops.

Students' Visa Requirements

Candidates who have an offer of admission for a long term degree at a public University located in Greece can apply for a Greek Student Visa.

Once the application form and supporting documents are submitted to the nearest Greek Embassy or Consulate, and the fee is paid, the Embassy may invite the candidate for a personal interview. In most cases, if the application is successful, the visa is mailed to the address submitted by the applicant within 15-30 days, though this process may take up to 3 months in cases where the Embassy is understaffed or if there is a particularly high volume of local applications.

When the student enters Greece on a new student visa, he or she may need to present the originals of the documents submitted earlier for verification. After the entry stamp is obtained, the student can join the University and start the course of study. The student visa also allows its owner to apply for and obtain part time work to help fund living costs.

Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in Greece.

Visa Application Form.
Valid Passport.
Passport Photos.
Letter of Acceptance from a Greek educational institution.
Proof of Sufficient Funds.
Health Insurance.
Accommodation Proof.
Visa Fee Payment.
Police Clearance Certificate (if required).
Travel Itinerary.
Proof of Language Proficiency (if applicable).
Statement of Purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the student visa application fees?

The cost of a long term Greek student visa is 90 Euros. This is only for applicants who have a confirmed offer from a University in Greece. The cost is 50% lower than that of a long term visa for a non-student e.g. for tourism. This fee is not refundable if the visa application is rejected.

What are the key specifications for photographs to be submitted during the Greek Student Visa application process?

Two photographs are required to be submitted during the Greek visa application process. The dimensions are 35 mm (width) by 45 mm (height). Both must be recent; having been taken within three months of submission to the Embassy. The applicant’s head must be in the centre of the picture, and be looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. 80% of the area of the photograph should be covered by the head. The background colour must be white or grey, and be one solid block.

How to deal with a rejected student visa?

An application for a Greek student visa may be rejected for two broad categories of reasons, including incomplete documents and serious offences (e.g. a criminal record in the country of origin). Applicants who have received a rejection because of incomplete documents or inaccurate information provided can apply again at any time; once the error has been rectified, it is almost certain that they will receive a student visa from Greece on their second attempt. In case the reason for rejection is more serious, and is likely to disqualify the candidate from being a value adding member of the Greek higher education system, it is probable that the second application will be rejected. In such a case, it is recommended that the candidate writes to both the University and Embassy / Consulate to explore other options, including a short term visa for a 3 month course or completion of an online course from a Greek University to prove his or her interest in further education in the country.

Is it possible to do Part-Time work while studying in Greece?

During the semester, international students in Greece can only work part time, for a maximum total of 20 hours per week. This can help fund a substantial portion of the living costs, given that Greece is significantly less expensive than many other European countries. During vacations, international students can work full time, up to forty hours per week. The first resource for students to find summer employment is the University itself; local job agencies may also be helpful in case the career centre at the HEI is not able to help.