Educational Choices After High School (Lyceum)

The Public University in Greece

The studies at the public Greek University (AEI) belong to higher education, are free of charge and last a minimum of 4 years, while some university studies last up to 6 years. The language of instruction in all public Greek universities is Greek, except from the International University of Greece which provides the possibility of studies in English as well.

At the University you can choose studies from the fields of the following scientific disciplines: Humanities, Law & Social Sciences, Positive & Technological Sciences, Health & Life Sciences and Economics & IT Sciences. You can find detailed information about all the faculties of the scientific disciplines here.

There are many public universities in many regions of Greece. Here, you can find all Greek universities and their websites. 

During your studies at a public Greek university, you can apply for free accommodation. You can ask the secretariat of your university for details at the beginning of September. You also have free meals at your university’s restaurant and discounts on purchases and tickets by showing your university ID (university pass). 

To be admitted to a public Greek University, you need to have completed High School (Lyceum or EPAL) studies in Greece, or equal education in your country of origin. Here, you can find detailed information about the process of admission at a public Greek University.

Institutes of Vocational Education - IEK

IEK is a Vocational Training Institute, and it can be public or private. IEKs offer training in practical and applied specialties. The studies last two years and require a Lyceum or EPAL diploma. Education at IEK prepare the student to enter the labor market after studies, or to continue in a higher education institution such as a university. 

You can enroll at a public IEK after the end of your studies in Lyceum or EPAL. Ask your professors for details about admission to a public IEK. You can also choose a public IEK of DYPA. The specialties of the public IEKs and are announced every year in the August-September period. You can find out about the specialties from the sites alfavita.gr and Foititikanea.gr. You can find information about the IEKs of DYPA here.

IEKs offer various modern specialties, corresponding the needs of the modern labor market such as nursing, mechanics, administration and economics, IT, tourism and many more. To get an idea of the professional specialties offered by IEKs and the content of the studies, you can see information here.

Students can work directly in their subject of study after graduation. To obtain their professional diploma, students need to pass the exams upon the end of their studies.  Knowledge of Greek is essential as the courses are taught in the Greek language.  

Art Studies

If you like Art and you consider an artistic career, there are many opportunities for relevant studies. Artistic studies include the visual and fine arts (painting, photography, sculpture), the performing arts such as (theatre – acting, dance) and music. 

To study painting, sculpture, and visual arts, you can choose one of the four Higher Schools of Fine Arts in Greece. The Universities of Fine Arts in Greece belong to highest education, like all public universities and the studies last five years. Nevertheless, admission to a university of Fine Arts requires special examination concerning your artistic skills, and not panhellenic exams. The exams require specific preparation in sketching, and drawing. For more information, you can visit the websites of the Higher Schools of Fine Arts here. 

You can also study photography at the University of Western Attica or at a private school. If you are interested in sculpture, you can choose a University of Fine Arts or the School of Fine Arts of Tinos.

If you are interested in theater, you can choose to study at the higher school of the National Theater or at a private professional school. These schools require special exams for admission. However, there are also university departments that offer theater studies and you can enter with panhellenic exams. Here you can find more details.

If you are interested in dance, you can choose one of the national or private professional dance schools in Greece, which you can find here. Special exams are required for your admission and the studies last 3 years. 

If you are considering music professionally there are also many options of public and private schools, as well as universities that you can see here. 

Finally, both public and private IEK (see TO IEK) provide artistic specializations for two-year studies in all the above arts. Every year in August, the specialties of the public IEK are announced and you can see them here.