The education of Greek citizens is considered a fundamental right and is provided by the Greek State from kindergarten to university level. Greek families have a strong emphasis on education, leading to high levels of achievement. Greece sends more students to universities abroad than any other country, with many students attending European and American universities and achieving academic success.

Greek Education System

The Greek Education System consists of primary, secondary, and higher education, as well as vocational schools following secondary education. Education is compulsory for children aged 6-15, including pre-primary, primary, and secondary education.

The Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs is responsible for the supervision and management of the centralized education system. The Ministry approves the curriculum, materials, and books, while the Pedagogical Board oversees teachers. Although the Ministry establishes general and specific education goals, teachers have the flexibility to choose how to deliver the curriculum.

Greek School System Structure

Pre-school Education

Pre-primary education is provided in kindergartens and lasts for two years, starting at age 3 or 5. While public kindergartens are free, private ones require payment.

Primary and Secondary Education

Primary education, which lasts for six years, begins at the age of 6 after one or two years of kindergarten. Secondary education is divided into two levels.

I. Level Secondary Education is comprised of Secondary Schools, which offer a broad curriculum and prepare students for their future roles in society. This level lasts for three years.

II. Level Secondary Education, which also lasts for three years, consists of Plain High Schools and Technical/Vocational High Schools. There are public and private schools for all levels of education, including special talent schools and experimental schools.

Accept Conditions

Enrolling in state primary and secondary schools is conditional on residency in the region, while enrollment in I. Level Secondary Education Institutions is automatic upon completion of primary school. Public primary and secondary schools are free.

Dimotiko Scholio

Gymnasio

Assessment, Progress and Qualifications

Primary schools use deductive and homework-centered assessments, and students’ progress to the next grade directly, except in cases of absenteeism. At the end of each year, students receive a certificate, and the Primary School Leaving Certificate allows them to advance to Level I Secondary Education. In Level I Secondary Education, assessments are continuous and include written tests, assignments, and end-of-year exams. Success determines whether a student passes a class or not. Passing the exam at the end of I. Level Secondary Education results in receiving a School Leaving Certificate, which is necessary for transitioning to High School. Teachers prepare this exam, and students can take it multiple times without having to retake the course.

Duration of the School Day / Week / Year

The school year is 195 days from September to June. Schools are open 5 days a week and are taught between 23 and 35 hours per week, increasing according to the age of the student. Each lesson lasts between 40 and 50 minutes.

Class Size and Grouping of Students

The maximum number of students in primary school classes should be between 15 and 30. Primary school students are grouped according to their age. In secondary school, there should be 30 students in each class. In primary school, one teacher teaches all subjects except Physical Education, Foreign Language, and Art classes, which are taught by specialized teachers. In secondary school, students have different teachers for each subject.

Control and Content of the Curriculum

The Ministry approves the curriculum prepared by the Pedagogical Institute. Beginning in 2003, information technology has been incorporated into primary school education through a comprehensive approach. Primary school students must take mandatory courses in Greek, Mathematics, History, Environmental Studies, Geography, Science, Social Studies, Art, Foreign Language, Physical Education, and Religion. These courses, except for Environmental Studies and Art, are also compulsory in Level I Secondary Education. High school students must also take additional mandatory courses in Information Technology, Technology, Greek Literature, Political and Social subjects, Vocational Guidance, and Home Economics. While the Pedagogical Institute provides guidance for teachers, they can choose their own methods. Teaching materials and books must adhere to the curriculum approved by the Ministry.

Lykeio

• Available High School Types

• • General High Schools
  • Vocational / Technical High Schools
  • Multi-Program High Schools
  • Classical High Schools
  • Religious High Schools
  • Music High Schools
  • Sports High Schools

High Education

The University Entrance Exam is held in Greece every June, and is mandatory for high school graduates who wish to pursue higher education. The exam is related to the field courses that the student wants to study, and students choose their field and elective courses in their final year of high school. Those who do not pass the entrance exam can take it again.

Undergraduate education typically takes four years, but can take five or six years in some fields. Postgraduate education can take one to two years, while doctoral studies can last between three to six years. In addition, individuals over the age of 22 can apply for Open Education.

Public and private schools provide education at all levels, but public schools and universities are free of charge, with textbooks provided by the government. Private tutoring schools, colleges and universities also exist.

Higher education is provided by universities and technical education institutes, which are supervised by the state and funded by the government. There are 19 state-affiliated universities across the country. Admission to fields such as architecture and music may require additional aptitude tests beyond the general entrance examination.

Higher Education in Greece is Divided Into 4:

• Universities

• • Humanities, Law and Social Sciences
  • Basic Sciences
  • Health Sciences
  • Economics and Management Sciences
  • Technical Sciences

• Higher Technical Education

¼ of the staff of High Technology Institutes is reserved for technical vocational high schools or for students who have graduated from the technical department of Multi-Program High Schools.

• Open Elective Education Programs
• Open Universities

Its purpose is to provide distance education.

Educational Institutions for Foreigners

To enroll in public primary and secondary schools in Greece, children with a residence permit must have a proficiency in Greek and follow the same requirements as Greek students. Private schools offering education in Greek, English, German, and French are also available in the country, some of which provide recognized diplomas from the country where the language is spoken.

Private universities are not permitted in Greece, and all higher education institutions are state-affiliated. Foreign students are admitted to universities through the Ministry of Education, based on the number of quotas and high school diploma grades, without any entrance examination. However, knowing Greek is a requirement for final registration, so the accepted students are placed on leave for a year and must obtain a Greek Language Education Certificate within one year to complete their registration.

For more information:

https://www.minedu.gov.gr/exetaseis-2/allogeneis-m/anakoinwseis-allodapoi (in Greek)