National approach to Higher Education in Greece

Introduction to the system of HE in Greece

Education in Greece is provided in three (3) levels: Primary School (Dimotiko), Lower Secondary School (Gymnasio), Upper Secondary Schoolo (Lykeio) and Higher Education. Education is compulsory for all children 6-15 years and concerns Primary School (Dimotiko) and Lower Secondary School (Gymnasio). Beyond compulsory education there are three types of schools: Geniko Eniaio Lykeio (General Upper Secondary School), Epagelmatiko Lykeio (Vocational Upper Secondary School), as well as Epagelmatikes Scholes (Vocational Education Training Schools). Students with disabilities and/or special needs may attend (depending on the kind of their special need):

• a general school class,
• a general school class with parallel support by special education teachers,
• an induction class operating in schools of general or vocational education which is appropriately organised and staffed.

Students who have completed their secondary education studies can sit for the entrance examinations to Higher Education Institutions. The number of students admitted is determined by the Ministry of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs on an annual basis. Students with disabilities enter Higher Education Institutions either taking oral examinations or without any examinations (depending on the kind of the disability), in excess of the number of students enrolling at a rate of 3%. For more information about the entrance system to Higher Education Institutions please visit the website of the Ministry of Education, Life long Learning and Religious Affairs (www.ypepth.gr).

Information on the structure of HE in Greece

Higher Education in Greece is comprised of two parallel sectors: The University sector which includes universities and polytechnic schools and the Technological sector of higher education which includes Technological Education Institutions. In 1992 the Hellenic Open University was founded, which is an independent and totally self-governed Higher Educational Institution, the mission of which is to provide distance learning.  The Higher University Education sector includes universities, polytechnic schools, the Higher School of Fine Arts and the Hellenic Open University.  The duration of university studies is four years or more depending on the discipline. In comparison with Universities, studies at the Technological Education Institutions are of a more applied nature. The duration of studies is four years. The Vocational Higher Education Institutions embody the Higher Religious Schools, the Marine Academies, the Higher Schools of Dance and Drama, the Higher Schools of Tourism, the Higher Schools for non-com Officers, and the Higher School for Policemen. The duration of studies does not exceed three years.

Higher Education Institutions offer courses mainly in Greek with the exception of the International University of Greece. The International University of Greece (www.ihu.edu.gr), a public university located in Thessaloniki, offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Economics and Management, Humanities, and Science and Technology exclusively in English. With the support of the Greek State, the educational institutions, and the businesses in the region, the International University of Greece is becoming one of the leading research institutions of South Europe and focuses on attracting teachers and students from the highest level worldwide.

Studies are free of charge in all universities except the Hellenic Open University, the International University of Greece, and a number of postgraduate programs.

Most universities and technological institutions operate Liaison Offices who form a bridge between higher education and the labor market.