Educational institutions and study programmes
Greek educational institutions and study programmes
Below, we explain what types of educational institutions and study programmes there are in Greece. We also explain how we check whether these are recognised and/or accredited. We check the and/or to make sure that the quality is sufficient. We give the necessary information per educational sector.
Recognition
The government of a country grants an official status to an educational institution and/or study programme. Usually, if the government recognises an educational institution, all its study programmes are also recognised. However recognition may also be arranged at the programme level. This means that the government must recognise not only the educational institution, but also its study programmes. We only evaluate diplomas from recognised institutions and recognised study programmes. Read more about recognition in the EAR manual.
Accreditation
An organisation checks and assesses the quality of education. Usually the accreditation is valid for a certain period. In some countries, accreditation is compulsory, in others it is voluntary. The government of a country often appoints one or more organisations responsible for accrediting institutions and/or study programmes. In addition, there are also private accreditation organisations. We only mention and (in the case of diploma evaluations) consult accreditation organisations appointed by the government of that country. Read more about accreditation in the EAR manual.
Secondary education | schools
There are different types of high schools in Greece:
- A gymnasium (Gymnasio/Γυμνάσιο) offers lower secondary education (Apolytirio Gymnasiou);
- A general lyceum (Genikou Lykeiou/ Γενικού Λυκείου) offers upper secondary education (Apolytirio Genikou Lykeiou).
Please note: there are also vocational lyceums/schools:
- Lyceums for vocational education (Epangelmatiko Lykeio / Επαγγελματικó Λύκειo, EPAL) offer education for an Apolytirio Epangelmatikou Lykeiou.
- Schools for vocational education (Epangelmatikés Scholés / Επαγγελματικές Σχολές, EPAS) offer education for an Apolytirio Epangelmatikou Sgoli.
Checking the recognition of schools
You can check if a school is recognised as follows:
- Go to the Greek School Network website.
- In the upper field, below Όνομα Μονάδας’, type the name of the school in Greek.
- If you do not have a Greek keyboard, search for ‘free virtual Greek keyboard’ on the internet.
- Use one of the search results to type the Greek name of the school.
- Copy and paste the Greek name of the school into the top field of the Greek School Network website.
- At the bottom of the page, click on the blue square with the magnifying glass and the word 'Αναζήτηση'. Search results will now appear under the blue square.
- If the school is mentioned in the search results, click on its name. A window will then appear with the school's details. You can use these to compare these to the school details mentioned on the diploma.
- Is the school not mentioned in the search results?
- Try searching again using part of the school's name. Sometimes this will help.
- If you still get no search results, the school may not be recognised. If in doubt, contact us for a credential evaluation.
Secondary education | diplomas
In case of secondary education, it is important to check if a student has a recognised diploma. These are the recognised secondary education diplomas:
- Apolytirio Gymnasiou, the lower secondary education diploma;
- Apolytirio Genikou Lykeiou, the upper secondary education diploma.
Under ‘Secondary education documents’, we explain which documents students get and how you can check these online.
Higher education | educational institutions
In Greece, there are different types of higher education institutions:
- universities (panepistimio / πανεπιστήμιο);
- Technological Educational Institutes (Technologika ekpaideftika idrymata; Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα, TEIs);
- specialised higher education institutions;
- military higher education institutions;
- private higher education institutions (kolégia / κολέγια).
Universities
Universities are called panepistimio / πανεπιστήμιο in Greek. They mainly offer research-oriented study programmes.
Checking the recognition of universities
On the DOATAP website, you can find an overview of recognised universities (and other higher education institutions).
As the NARIC of Greece, DOATAP activities include giving information about Greek higher education institutions.
Technological Educational Institutes (TEIs)
Technological Educational Institutes (TEIs) are called Technologika ekpaideftika idrymata / Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα in Greek. Until the 2018-2019 academic year, students could start studying for a Ptychio TE at a TEI. Nowadays, TEIs no longer exist: they have been incorporated into existing universities or have merged into new universities. As a result, new students can no longer start Ptychio TE programmes. Instead, they can join a university to study for a Ptychio. Students who had already started a Ptychio TE programme continue their studies at a university and can still get their Ptychio TE.
Checking the recognition of TEIs
The table below gives information on all recognised TEIs, including:
- the period during which the TEI existed ('Active period');
- if the TEI merged with another TEI or changed its name before 2018-2019 ('Previous mergers/name changes'); and
- the university into which the TEI was incorporated or merged ('From 2018-2019').
| English name | Greek name | Active period | Previous mergers/name changes | From 2018-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki | Αλεξάνδρειο Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Θεσσαλονίκης | 2004- 2019 | From 1983 tot 2004: TEI of Thessaloniki | International Hellenic University |
| TEI of Athens | Ανώτατο Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Αθήνας | 2013-2018 | - | Merged with TEI of Piraeus in 2018 to form a new university: the University of West Attica |
| TEI of Central Greece | Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Στερεάς Ελλάδας | 2013-2019 | Formed in 2013 by a merger of TEI Chalkida and TEI of Lamia |
|
| TEI of Central Macedonia | Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Κεντρικής Μακεδονίας | 2013-2019 | Before 2013: TEI of Serres | International Hellenic University |
| TEI of Chalkida | Tεχνολογικο Eκπαιδευτικο Iδρυμα χαλκιδασ | 1986-2012 | From 2013: TEI of Central Greece (because of a merger with TEI of Lamia) | - |
| TEI of Crete | Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Κρήτης | 1983-2019 | - | In 2019, it merged into a new university: Hellenic Mediterranean University |
| TEI of East Macedonia and Thrace | Ανώτατο Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Ανατολικής Μακεδονίας και Θράκης | 2013-2019 | From 1976 to 2013: TEI of Kavala | International Hellenic University |
| TEI of Epirus | Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Ηπείρου | 1994-2018 | - | Ioannina University (School of Social Sciences) |
| TEI of Kalamata | Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ιδρυμα Καλαμάτας (TEIKAL) | 1989-2012 | From 2013: TEI of Peloponnese | - |
| TEI of Kavala | Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Καβάλας | 1976-2012 | From 2013: TEI of East Macedonia and Thrace | - |
| TEI of Kozani | Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Κοζάνης | 1983-1998 | From 1999: TEI of Western Macedonia | - |
| TEI of Lamia | Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Λαμίας | 1994-2012 | From 2013: TEI of Central Greece (because of a merger with TEI of Chalkida) | - |
| TEI of Larissa/Larisa | Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Λάρισας | 1983-2012 | From 2013: TEI of Thessaly | - |
| TEI of Messolonghi/Mesolongi | Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Μεσολογγίου | 1981-2012 | From 2013: TEI of Western Greece (because of a merger with TEI of Patras) | - |
| TEI of Patras | Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Πάτρας | 1983-2012 | From 2013: TEI of Western Greece (because of a merger with TEI of Messolonghi/Mesolongi) | - |
| TEI of Peloponnese | Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Πελοποννήσου | 2013-2019 |
|
University of Patras |
| TEI of Piraeus | Ανώτατο Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Πειραιά Τεχνολογικού Τομέα | 1983-2017 | - | Merged with TEI of Athens in 2018 to form a new university: the University of West Attica |
| TEI of Serres | Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Σερρών | 1979-2012 | From 2013: TEI of Central Macedonia | - |
| TEI of the Ionian Islands | Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Ιονίων Νήσων | 2003-2018 | - | Ionian University |
| TEI of Thessaloniki | Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Θεσσαλονίκης | 1983-2003 | From 2004: Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki | - |
| TEI of Thessaly | Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Θεσσαλίας | 2013-2019 |
From 1983 to 2013: TEI of Larisa/Larissa
|
University of Thessaly |
| TEI of Western Greece | Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Δυτικής Ελλάδας | 2013-2019 | Formed in 2013 by a merger of TEI of Patras and TEI of Messolonghi |
|
| TEI of Western Macedonia | Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Δυτικής Μακεδονίας | 1999-2019 |
From 1983 to 1999: TEI of Kozani
|
University of Western Macedonia |
Specialised higher education institutions
Specialised higher education institutions only offer study programmes within a particular field of study. Usually, these are profession-oriented study programmes. Below, you can find examples of specialised higher education institutions:
- The Anotati Scholi Kalon Technon / Ανωτατη Σχολη Καλων Τεχνων / School of Fine Arts offers study programmes in the field of art.
- The Anótati Scholí Paidagogikís & Technologikís Ekpaídefsis / Ανώτατη Σχολή Παιδαγωγικής & Τεχνολογικής Εκπαίδευσης (ΑΣΠΑΙΤΕ) / School of Technological and Pedagogical Education (ASPETE) offers pedagogical and technical study programmes.
- An Odeio / Ωδειο / Conservatory offers music study programmes.
Checking the recognition of specialised higher education institutions
On the website of DOATAP, you can find an overview of recognised specialised higher education institutions (and other higher education institutions).
Please note: the conservatories are not included in the above-mentioned overview. These educational institutions fall outside the regular education system in Greece. The Greek Ministry of Culture is responsible for the recognition of these institutions and their recognition status often changes. In case of diplomas from these institutions, please contact us for a credential evaluation.
Military higher education institutions
Military higher education institutions offer study programmes in the field of military defence or the navy.
Checking the recognition of military higher education institutions
There are 2 recognised military higher education institutions:
- Scholi Naftikon Dokimon / Σχολη Ναυτικων Δολκιμων / Hellenic Naval Academy;
- Stratiotiki Scholi Evelpidon / Στρατιωτική Σχολή Ευελπίδων / Hellenic Army Academy.
Private higher education institutions
There is a small number of private higher education institutions (kolégia / κολέγια / colleges) in Greece. You can find an overview of these institutions on the website of the Greek Ministry of Education by clicking on ‘ΚΑΤΑΛΟΓΟΣ ΑΔΕΙΟΔΟΤΗΜΕΝΩΝ ΚΟΛΛΕΓΙΩΝ’. Please note: these institutions are not recognised in Greece (see ‘Checking the recognition of private higher education institutions’ below).
Checking the recognition of private higher education institutions
Private higher education institutions are not recognised in Greece. They can offer study programmes in Greece, even though these programmes are not recognised there. They often cooperate with foreign universities, in many cases from the United Kingdom or the United States. Sometimes, the private institution and/or study programme does meet the requirements of the country of the university they work with. For the United Kingdom and the United States, you can check this on the following web pages:
- For the United Kingdom:
- For the United States:
Please note: from the end of 2023, something may change about the recognition of private higher education institutions. It is not yet clear exactly what will change and what this means for the evaluation of diplomas from private higher education institutions. In case of diplomas from private higher education institutions awarded after the end of 2023, please contact us for a credential evaluation.
Higher education | study programmes
In Greek higher education, you can find study programmes for various diplomas, such as a Ptychio and a Metaptychiako diploma eidikefsis. You should always check if a study programme is accredited. This is important because if an educational institution is recognised, this does not automatically mean that all study programmes of that institution are accredited. Accreditation may be arranged differently (per type of diploma). Below, we describe how you can check the accreditation of study programmes for a Ptychio and Metaptychiako diploma eidikefsis.
Checking the accreditation of Ptychio study programmes
You can check if a Ptychio study programme is accredited as follows:
- Go to the HAHE database of undergraduate programmes.
- Under ‘Institution’, select the educational institution offering the study programme.
- Under ‘School/Department’, select the school or department under which the study programmes falls.
- Click on ‘Search’. You now get an overview of the study programmes of this school or department and information about the accreditation per study programme:
-
- Under ‘Year’, you can see in which year the accreditation was last checked by the HAHE.
- Under ‘Report’, you can find a report of this check (including the outcome).
- Under ‘Decision’, you can find the outcome of this check in Greek.
- Under ‘Report’, click on the symbol with the arrow to download the report.
- Open the report, press CTRL + F and search for ‘Overall Judgement’. This will show you a table with the outcome of the check.
- Does the table show an ‘X’ after ‘Fully compliant’, ‘Substantially compliant’ or ‘Partially compliant’? In that case, the accreditation was in order during the check.
- Close the report to return to the HAHE web page with the information about the study programme.
- Look at the year listed under ‘Year’. The accreditation is valid for 8 years from that year onwards. For example, if it says ‘2019’, the accreditation is valid until 2027.
- In case of diplomas awarded before the year listed under ‘Year’, please contact the HAHE and ask them if the study programme was accredited in that year.
- Does the table show an ‘X’ after ‘Non-compliant’? In that case, the outcome of the check was that the accreditation was not in order.
- Close the report to return to the HAHE web page with the information about the study programmes.
- Check which year is listed under ‘Year’. The study programmes has not been accredited (at least) from that year onwards.
- In case of diplomas awarded before that year, please contact the HAHE and ask them if the study programme was accredited in that year.
-
Checking the accreditation of Metaptychiako diploma eidikefsis study programmes
You can check the accreditation of a Metaptychiako diploma eidikefsis study programme as follows:
- Go to the database of postgraduate study programmes of the Greek Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports.
- Click on ‘Find your Master’ and type the name of the study programme.
- Click on ‘Search’. You now get an overview of postgraduate study programmes in this or a related field of study:
- Under ‘Master’, you can find the name of the study programme.
- Under ‘Institution’, you can find the name of the educational institution offering the study programme.
- Under ‘View’, there is a link to more information about the study programme, such as the duration, language of instruction, admission procedures and the website of the study programme.
- Is the study programme listed in the overview? Then the study programme is accredited.
- Is the study programme not listed in the overview? Then it probably is not accredited.
- If you are in doubt, or would like to know if a study programme was accredited in the past, please contact us for a credential evaluation.