Secondary vocational education
Secondary vocational education in Greece
There are many types of study programmes in Greek secondary vocational education. The study programmes often vary in terms of their admission requirements, , content and . You will need information about this in order to determine the level of a qualification. Below, we describe 3 diplomas we often see.
Duration
The official length of the full-time programme (not part-time) without study delay.
Transfer entitlement
The possibility to continue on to an advanced programme, in some cases with exemptions for several subjects or a certain period.
Apolytirio Epangelmatikou Sgoli
Schools for vocational education (Epangelmatikés Scholés / Επαγγελματικές Σχολές, EPAS) offer education for an Apolytirio Epangelmatikou Sgoli.
- Duration: 2 years.
- Content: a combination of general education subjects and vocational subjects. The emphasis is on vocational subjects.
- Admission requirements: an Apolytirio Gymnasiou.
- Function of the diploma: access to work and other study programmes in vocational secondary education. For example, students can continue studying at an EPAL or IEK.
- Diploma: Apolytirio Epangelmatikou Sgoli / Απολυτήριο Επαγγελματικού Σγολη.
We usually compare an Apolytirio Epangelmatikou Sgoli / Απολυτήριο Επαγγελματικού Σγολη to an diploma level 2, sometimes to an MBO diploma level 3. This depends on the content of the study programme.
MBO
Secondary vocational education (middelbaar beroepsonderwijs, MBO). MBO prepares pupils for the professional practice or further study. This type of education follows on from VMBO; its duration will depend on the chosen qualification. MBO comprises 4 levels (I-IV). Read more on the website of SBB.
Apolytirio Epangelmatikou Lykeiou
Students take their education for an Apolytirio Epangelmatikou Lykeiou at a lyceum for vocational education: Epangelmatiko Lykeio / Επαγγελματικó Λύκειo (EPAL).
- Duration: 3 years.
- Content: just over half of the study programme consists of vocational subjects, the remaining subjects are general education subjects.
- Admission requirements: an Apolytirio Gymnasiou.
- Function of the diploma: access to work, entrance exams for higher education and other study programmes in secondary vocational education.
- Diploma: Apolytirio Epangelmatikou Lykeiou / Απολυτήριο Επαγγελματικού Ληκείου.
We compare an Apolytirio Epangelmatikou Lykeiou / Απολυτήριο Επαγγελματικού Ληκείου to a diploma for the general education part and usually to an MBO diploma level 3 (but sometimes an MBO diploma level 4) for the vocational education part. This depends on the content of the study programme.
HAVO
Senior general secondary education (hoger algemeen voortgezet onderwijs, HAVO). A HAVO diploma is awarded upon successful completion of a 5-year programme of general secondary education.
Bebaiosi Epangelmatikis Katartisis
Students take education for a Bebaiosi Epangelmatikis Katartisis (B.E.K.) at an institute for vocational education Institouto Epangelmatikis Katartisis / Ινστιτούτο Επαγγελματικής Κατάρτισης (IEK). This is often translated as ‘vocational training institute’. In Greece, this study programme is part of post-secondary education.
- Duration: 1 to 2½ years. This depends on the previous education.
- Content: vocational subjects.
- Admission requirements: one of the following diplomas:
- Function of the diploma: access to work and entrance exams for higher education.
- Diploma: Bebaiosi Epangelmatikis Katartisis / Βεβαίωση Επαγγελματικής Κατάρτησης.
We compare a Bebaiosi Epangelmatikis Katartisis / Βεβαίωση Επαγγελματικής Κατάρτησης to an MBO diploma level 4.
Want to know more?
Do you have questions about secondary vocational education in Greece? Contact the SBB, the expertise centre for foreign qualifications and study programmes at VMBO and MBO level.