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, duration , content and transfer entitlement . You will need information about this in order to determine the level of a qualification. Below, we describe 3 diplomas we often see.

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 MBO diploma level 2, sometimes to an MBO diploma level 3. This depends on the content of the study programme.

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 HAVO 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.

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.