Study in Greece

Looking for that one study abroad destination that offers more than enough in history and the general student experience? Then Greece is one place to go.

The country boasts of one of the earliest kinds of civilization and the most compelling history, literature, science, and language. Greece ranks very high as regards the general foreign student experience not only for the side attractions but majorly for the quality of education they offer.

The Greek system for higher education is primarily set up and operated by the state. State-led institutions are the only sole tertiary education providers in the country and are funded through the government. These institutions offer over 1500 programs in different fields of study.

Privately owned universities exist in the country but they are subsidiaries or branch campuses of many foreign institutions from countries like the USA and Australia. The tuition fee in Greece is very favorable for international students, considerably lower than in many countries in Europe.

There are two subparts to the university system in the country; there is a typical university that offers a broad of courses and programs, and there are specialized institutions with a branch-focus in science and technology. The system is divided also into Undergraduate, Masters, and Ph.D. levels.

Additionally, there is a graduate-level called the Graduate diploma that is for a shorter duration after a student's bachelor's.

Programs at the undergraduate level take at least 4 years and programs at the Master’s level take 2 years. Doctoral programs typically last for 3 to 4 years depending on the program.

Greek is the common language of instruction across many public institutions, however, there are over 120 programs offered in English for international students.

One academic cycle in Greece has two semesters, one in the fall and the other at the beginning of spring. One academic year runs from September to June and each of them spans typically for 16 weeks. Students attend classes for 12 to 13 weeks and at the end of the semester, they write their finals which takes at least 3 weeks.

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About Greece

Greece has one of the longest and oldest histories of any country and is considered the origin of European civilization and literature. As such, the country has been labeled the birthplace of democracy, western philosophy, politics, science and mathematics and of course the Olympic games. So much of everything we see in the world today has some kind of correlation to Greece.

Greece is located in the southern part of the Balkans and stretches into the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. The country is bordered by Albania, Bulgaria to the north and Turkey to the east.

There are 13 major provinces and one autonomous region in Greece. The capital city is Athens and it is one of the oldest capitals in the world with nearly 40% of the country’s population residing there.

The country is one of the most sea-faring marine-based countries in the world, owing to its very vast water mass. At any given location within the country, the sea is only 137 km from land and the country also has about 1,500 km of coastline.

The three largest cities are Athens, Thessaloniki, and Patras. Noteworthy is that there are many islands (approximately 6,000) in Greece some of which include Crete, Corfu, and Santorini which are inhabited.

Greece officially known as the Hellenic Republic and has a population of about 10.7 million people. The country also has a land area of about 131,957 square kilometers and a population density totaling 212.4 persons per square miles.

Greek is the official language of Greece and is also spoken by the entirety of its population.

The country runs on a unitary parliamentary system of government with a deep emphasis on democracy and fairness. Greece is also a member of the European Community now dubbed the European Union. As such, the currency of exchange used in the country is the European Euro (€). Greece is also a member of NATO, OECD, and WTO respectively.

Greece is the sunniest country in Europe and has a Mediterranean climate with summers that are usually hot and dry. The temperature levels are as high as 30 to 35 degrees celsius and sometimes even 40 degrees. 80% of Greece is mountainous and 50% is littered with forests.

The country is a tourist haven owing to its beauty, culture, and history. Greece is home to 18 UNESCO renowned cultural sites and is the only country in the world with more visitors every year more than double its population.

About Greece Economy

The most important Greek industries include tourism, shipping, and agriculture. Greek ships make up 70% of the European Union’s total merchant fleet.

Throughout history, the Greeks have loved the sea and with more than 1,800 merchant ships in service, the country has of the largest fleets in the world.

Agriculture rakes in about 40% of their economic output and most of their revenue at over 80% come from tourism and the service sector.

Greece is the third-largest olive oil producer in the world after Spain and Italy. Greek olive oil production exceeds 300,000 tonnes annually.

Greece has a developed and top-earning economy with an estimated nominal GDP of $224,033 billion and a $20,930 GDP per capita (2019 estimate).

Notably, tourism consists of nearly 26% of its GDP. Greece ranks as the fifty-first largest economy in the world by gross domestic output and ranks among the top twenty economies in the EU.

Greek exports constitute about 15.9% of the country’s income with refined petroleum oil taking the largest chunk of its export products. Other major exports include aluminum products at 4.8% and electronics and electrical equipment at 3.7%.

In recent years the country has experienced an increase in the exportation of pharmaceuticals, coming in at 3.4% of the country’s income.

Greece’s main exports go to countries like Italy, Germany, Turkey, and Cyprus, with Italy taking the lead as their main export counterpart.

Similarly, Greek imports come in at a cost of over $54 billion of their income with crude petroleum holding the largest share at 37.4%; other products that they import include; cars and automobiles at 2.7% and water transport vehicles like ships, ferries, and boats coming in at 4.1% of their total imports.

Greece’s major import countries include Germany, Italy, Russia, and China. A small portion of their imports come from other EU countries like France and the Netherlands.

Why Study in Greece

Affordable Tuition Fees in Greece
Affordable Tuition Fees

Students from EU/EEA countries go to public higher institutions in Greece at no cost at all. The system allows that individuals can come and obtain free education just by virtue of being a citizen of an EU member state.

However, other foreign nationals outside the region pay a subsidized amount for tuition. Typically international students pay somewhere between €1,500 to €10,000 every year. This figure comes at a steal when compared to many institutions in Europe.

Affordable Accomodation in Greece
Quality Education 

There are presently about twenty-four public universities and sixteen state-run specialized universities in Greece, all of which offer world-leading top tier education.

Ranking among the top 100 universities in Europe is 5 of the countries leading institutions. Higher education in Greece has highly revered around the world thanks to its historical achievements and inventions in Science, Maths, Literature, Politics, and Theatre.

International Environment in Greece
Best for specific programs

It is no news that Greece is the birthplace of many subject areas in education and life in general. Subjects areas like philosophy, history, politics, creative arts, literature, linguistics, physics, mathematics, and architecture all originated mostly or partly in ancient Greece.

Many subject principles that Greece is well known for are still taught today. Students get to be a part of these legacies and enjoy first-hand knowledge of many of the important principles in these fields.

Great Weather in Greece
Great Standard of living

The weather in Greece is not only warm, but the environment is also very welcoming. Greek people are very friendly and hospitable, visitors always leave having some of the best experiences of their lives.

The country is ridden with so many green scenery and blue waters. The standard of living in Greece is also very favorable and considerably cheaper compared to other European countries. International students tend to save money and still live comfortably in Greece.

Scholarships in Greece

For the first cycle of studies in Greece, EU citizens do not have to pay any fees in any public colleges or universities. However, some EU students might have to pay for certain master's degree programs. These students can also apply to get their textbooks free of charge.

Students that do not hold the EU status might have some fees just to cover the study costs in a university or college. In general non-EU students usually, pay about €1,500 per year for their studies. This payment most certainly includes textbooks and study materials.

Greece Student Visa

A student visa is an authorization to stay in a country and study or for study reasons. Foreign students from countries outside the EU require a visa to come to Greece for study purposes.

The old fashioned way to apply for a student visa is through an embassy or consular in the student’s home country. However, in recent times prospective students can apply for a student visa from within Greece.

Students that do not need a visa to enter Greece and can enter legally, can apply whilst already in the country. This must be done during the first 60 days of their stay.

Students from countries that need a visa to come to Greece must apply from the embassy or consular in their country of origin or residence.