Greek Higher Education consists of the sector of Universities – which includes 24 State Universities. The credits of these 24 state-accredited institutions are accumulative and transferable within the framework of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). Programs in engineering, dentistry, pharmacology, agronomics, forestry, along with some programs in fine arts have a duration of 5 years (240 ECTS – 300 ECTS). Studies in medicine have a duration of 6 years.

Private colleges in Greece do not operate as independent universities. However, private colleges in Greece collaborate with leading international universities from the US, UK or countries of the EU to offer accredited undergraduate and postgraduate study programs. Hence, these programs lead to degrees which are awarded directly by those foreign universities. The monitoring of those agreements as well as of the additional provisions for the operation of colleges is carried out by the Greek Ministry of Education. According to the Greek law – EC Directive 2005/36 on the mutual recognition of qualifications, holders of academic degrees by universities in the EU including those obtained through studies at a college in Greece, have their professional rights fully recognized.

Postgraduate studies lead to the award of a Postgraduate Diploma of Specialization (Master’s degree). The general goal of postgraduate studies is to provide students with the option to specialize in certain fields. The postgraduate courses are open to Greek or foreign graduates of Greek Universities, or accredited equivalent foreign institutes. The admission requirements, the criteria of selection taken into account, the tuition fees (in the courses and the procedure of admission are determined by the internal regulation of the postgraduate program in question. Usually, the candidates are chosen on the basis of a selection process or their (oral and/or written) examination results. 

Though, the educational programs are mainly offered in the Greek language, an increasing number of postgraduate programs are offered in English, or in other languages . The knowledge of one or more foreign languages (apart from the Greek) is an essential prerequisite for participation in the post-graduate programs. At the end of their studies, students have to prepare and present their master thesis. Courses last normally one year and a half (three semesters), including the time for preparing the thesis. Aiming to move boost the internationalization of Greek higher education, many postgraduate programs have established collaborations with foreign universities, awarding joined degrees.

The Study in Greece project, in collaboration with the Greek Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, has developed and maintains the official portal listing all Masters offered by the Greek higher education institutes.

Colleges also offer a wide variety of postgraduate programs, in Greek as well as in English, many of them in collaboration with international universities.

Doctoral Studies lead to the award of a Doctorate (PhD). The general goal of doctoral studies consists of high-level specialization in strategic areas of knowledge and promotion of fundamental research in various scientific fields with a view to strengthening the country’s scientific base. In the case of Universities offering postgraduate programs it is essential to have a post-graduate diploma in order to obtain a Doctorate. Permission to prepare a doctoral dissertation at Universities which do not offer regular post-graduate programs is granted to applicants who meet certain prerequisites. The departments themselves lay down the admission requirements.