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Why study in Greece?
Greece has a great higher education system consisting of universities and colleges that are respected worldwide.
Studying in Greece is a great opportunity to get quality education, enhance your language skills and get to know one of the most beautiful countries located in the Mediterranean. Choosing to study abroad at a university in Greece will allow you to experience a unique culture and learn a lot about your field of study.
The country’s universities are exceptional, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs in a great variety of different fields in both Greek and English and providing affordable yet quality education. That means you’ll have the opportunity to study in a language you feel comfortable with or learn Greek and further enhance your knowledge and your CV.
Living in Greece is an amazing experience. You’ll be able to explore the birthplace of great philosophers and scientists, learn about Greek history and culture and meet new people while enjoying the country’s great weather and welcoming environment.
The country’s geographical location makes it an ideal base to explore other European countries as well. With budget-friendly transportation choices readily available, you can effortlessly embark on exciting journeys to neighboring European countries during your study breaks.
Although Greece is not the most common destination for international students, making this choice will reward you with unique experiences, a degree from a well-respected educational institute, and an incredible student life.
Bachelor’s in Greece
Bachelor’s programs in Greece usually have a duration of 4 years. However, programs in engineering or medicine can take 5 or 6 years to complete. In order to get your degree, some universities require a thesis or participation in an internship during the last semester of your studies and although these requirements vary depending on the institution, they offer a great opportunity to further develop your skills.
Studying for a bachelor’s degree in Greece is a great way to advance your education in any field and prepare to enter the job market. The country is the ideal place to study archeology, history, or even science and medicine as it is the birthplace of several personalities that shaped our understanding of scientific matters and holds great historical importance.
Students have access to libraries, labs, and all the necessary facilities for their studies, so they are able to immerse themselves in the higher education system of the country and learn everything that’s necessary for their future careers.
Κeep in mind that most Greek universities offer their undergraduate programs mostly in Greek, so you may have to learn the language.
Master’s in Greece
The master’s programs offered by Greek universities cover a wide range of disciplines, from arts, tourism, and culture, to science and business studies. Postgraduate programs are usually offered in Greek, but more and more universities offer their programs in English as well. That means you have plenty of different options in most fields of study.
Pursuing your master’s degree in Greece is a great choice since you have the ability to learn from experienced faculty and thrive in a welcoming and supportive environment. Getting your master’s degree from a reputable institution of higher education in Greece can also help you kick-start your career in the country, as well as anywhere else in Europe or the world.
Greek universities are really affordable, so studying for a postgraduate degree in Greece is a value-for-money option that will allow you to gain valuable experiences and achieve your academic and professional goals.
Requirements for university admission in Greece
In order to get admission to a university in Greece, you need to meet certain criteria, such as having a high school diploma or a bachelor’s degree and Greek or English language certificates.
Specifically:
For undergraduate programs, prospective students need to have a high school diploma with certain grades and a level B2 Greek or English language certificate, depending on the teaching language.
For postgraduate programs, universities require a relevant bachelor’s degree with certain grades, a level C1 language certificate, as well as additional documents such as reference letters, a personal statement, etc.
Regardless of a program’s requirements, be sure to include all your achievements in your CV in order to secure admission regardless of the competition. To live in Greece, you will need your passport and a student visa. EU citizens can study and live in Greece without a visa.
The Certificate of Attainment in Greek is designed to assess and certify an individual's proficiency in the Greek language. International students attending programs taught in Greek need to have this kind of certificate in order to get admission.
IELTS and TOEFL are the two most popular certificates of English language proficiency. They are widely accepted by universities in Greece as well as every other place in the world. Native speakers don't have to submit an English language certification to study in English-taught programs.
As mentioned above, universities in Greece require prospective students to have a high school diploma or a bachelor's degree graded above the minimum set by the university. The minimum grade required varies depending on the university, the specific program you're pursuing, and how competitive getting admission is.
Apart from their basic requirements, universities in Greece also ask for additional documents to be submitted with your application. These documents include your CV, a personal statement, and for postgraduate applications reference letters from university faculty as well. When you enroll, you have to carry your passport and a few passport photos to be used in university documents.
Whether you are a European citizen or not, your passport is one of the documents that can make your life easier. EU citizens can live in Greece without a passport, but they need to have a national ID card from a country inside the EU.
Non-EU citizens that want to study in Greece need a student visa. To get a student visa, you need a letter of acceptance from a Greek university. Be sure to apply in time so that you have your visa by the time you travel to Greece.
Cost of studying in Greece
The cost of studying in Greece is usually around €9,500 - €21,500 per year. This sum includes tuition fees that are about €1,000 - €7,000 per academic year, depending on your nationality and whether you’re attending a public or private university, and the cost of living which is €700 - €1.200 per month.
Tuition fees vary depending on the university, the field, and the level of study (undergraduate or postgraduate), but the range mentioned above is an indication of the average tuition fees in Greece. For students coming from the EU, tuition fees are really low, while non-EU international students have to pay slightly higher fees. Still, studying in Greece is an affordable choice for everyone.
Public universities typically cost a lot less than private higher education institutes since they are funded by the Greek state as well as the Ministry of Education.
The monthly cost of living includes accommodation, food, travel, and other personal expenses students may have. It varies, depending on the region and your lifestyle, but it’s relatively low in comparison to other European countries.
Scholarships for studies in Greece
Studying for a bachelor’s or master’s degree may be affordable in Greek universities, but if you want to further reduce the cost of your studies, you can apply for a scholarship.
Scholarships are usually targeted at students who face financial challenges, or granted to those who have performed exceptionally well in their previous studies or sports. Some scholarships are exclusively granted to international students or members of certain communities and minorities.
You can get a scholarship through the university you attend or other public or private entities. By applying through Brive you also have the chance to get one of the scholarships we offer each academic year.
Brive helps students succeed! So, if you choose to apply to the programs you like through our platform, you have the chance to get one of our scholarships for higher education institutes all over the world.
Many Greek universities provide scholarships for those attending their programs. The scholarships are usually awarded to exceptional students and cover part or all the tuition fees for a certain period of time. Some of them are only
As the costs of studying keep rising, the Greek state continues to assist students who would like to get higher education at the undergraduate or postgraduate level in the country. The most state-funded scholarships are provided by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Scholarship Foundation (IKY). You can also search for state scholarships in your country of origin since many of them are offered regardless of the place you want to study in.
Universities
FAQs
The best cities to study in Greece are Athens and Thessaloniki. Most universities in Greece are located in the largest cities of the country, so you'll have more opportunities to get great higher education and achieve your goals.
The cost of living in Greece is approximately €700 - €1,200 per month. This range includes rent, food, transportation, and other personal expenses. Depending on the city where the university is located, the cost of accommodation varies, so you may need more than the aforementioned sum.
Most undergraduate and postgraduate programs are taught in Greek or English. The teaching language depends on the university and the level of study. There are around 180 programs taught in English.