Branches of study

According to l. 4957/2022, the second cycle of studies programmes is referred to the organization of Postgraduate Studies Programmes with a minimum number of 60 credit units (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation ECTS) and a minimum duration 2 academic semesters. The successful completion of these programmes leads to level 7 degree of the National and European Qualifications Framework. 

Postgraduate Study Programmes are organized by 1 or more Departments of the same or another HEI and they aim at the promotion of knowledge, the development of research and meet the educational, research and development needs of the country. The Postgraduate Studies Programmes are governed by scientific coherence, have a subject related to the scientific fields of the relevant Department and meet the conditions of a high level of studies. 

Attendance of second cycle programmes leads to a Postgraduate Degree.

The academic year begins on the 1st of September of each year and ends on the 31st of August of the following year.  The educational programme of each academic year is divided into two semesters.  A second cycle programme may begin during the winter or the spring semester.
The minimum duration of a second cycle programme is two semesters, while part of this time period is devoted to the completion of a dissertation.  The maximum time period a student is allowed in order to obtain a second cycle certification is defined by the second cycle programme regulation of each institution.

According to l. 4957/2022, a Professional Postgraduate Programme can be organized by one 1 or more Departments of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in a specific knowledge subject relevant to the Department. The purpose of these program is to provide formal post-graduate level education exclusively to the staff of private or public sector entities, in the context of the implementation of a contract or programme agreement of HEIs with a private or public sector entity, which undertakes the financing of the organization and operation of the Professional Postgraduate Programme.

Admission requirements

All graduates of Greek Universities or equivalent foreign institutions can be admitted to second cycle programmes.  The selection is specified in the regulation of postgraduate studies taking into consideration the following academic criteria:

• The overall degree grades
• The grades obtained in undergraduate modules relevant to those of the postgraduate programme
• The student thesis, when a thesis is required at undergraduate level
• Any research experience the student might possess.

Moreover, the regulation defines the maximum number of admitted postgraduate students in the particular second cycle programme in relevance to the number of undergraduate students and the number of professors of the corresponding department.

Curriculum

The general assembly of the department establishes the regulation of second cycle programmes. The regulation is subsequenlty approved by the Senate, published in the official Government Gazette of the Hellenic Republic.The Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports is also notified.

The regulation of second cycle pogrammes defines, except for the above-mentioned, the following:

• The curriculum, which mainly includes the relevant subjects
• The specialisations
• The content of postgraduate modules
• Distant education teaching methods
• The minimum number of teaching hours and the credits according to the l. 3374/2005.

Teaching methods

The teaching methods in second cycle programmes are:

1. Theoretical teaching
2. Lectures and laboratory sessions
3. Supervision of laboratory, group and clinical exercises
4. Supervision and guidance for essays and research on specific subjects
5. Invitation of an academic or researcher from other Greek or foreign HEIs
6. Distance learning.

The teaching and learning process is facilitated by relevant textbooks or other material (notes, Greek and foreign bibliography), distributed to students for free.  In many cases, this process is aided by the use of audio-visual material, new technologies and electronic teaching material, which is considered as the material and technical infrastructure of the department.
The teaching methods and materials are chosen freely by the teaching personnel.  This choice is made for every module per semester, which includes a minimum of 13 full weeks of courses.

Progression of students

Progress and progression of postgraduate students is based on their passing the exams in the relevant postgraduate courses, in combination with the participation of the postgraduate student in the overall research, writing and educational activities of the programme.
 

The way of assessment of the postgraduate students’ progress and overall work, as well as the way of certification of the successful completion of their studies are defined by the regulation of postgraduate programmes of each department. In the regulation is also specified every other detail related to the planning and operation of postgraduate studies.

In the case that the second cycle programme includes a student’s dissertation, the steering committee, first of all, takes into consideration the student’s proposal with the title of the dissertation, the name of the supervisor and a brief summary of his/her thesis.  Afterwards, the committee designates the supervisor as well as a three-member exam committee for the dissertation’s assessment.  One of the members of the exam committee has to be the student’s supervisor.  The final approval of the dissertation depends on the student’s presentation in front of the exam committee.
All the dissertations are compulsorily uploaded to the website of the faculty or department, after their approval and final evaluation.
The Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports has recently created an electronic platform for postgraduate study programmes (PMS). The platform offers information on prospective programmes, fees, application procedure etc.

Employability

With a view to reinforcing the employability  of graduates, the completion of a scientific internship in domestic or foreign laboratories is promoted.  

The old and new postgraduate programmes, whose students’ performance and prospects, as well as whose relevance to priority fields, pre-determine their international success and sustainability, are reinforced.
Moreover, promotional activities to attract possible postgraduate students from the general public or private sector are being promoted.
Finally, as already mentioned in Chapter 7.2.1 Degree - Employability, a Career/Job Office operates in all higher education institutions, which is essentially a bridge of communication between each institution and the job market, the economy and the production sector.

Student assessment

Student assessment is carried out by the professors of the higher education institutions, while the assessment methods used, depend on the nature of the relevant cognitive subject.  The assessment and progression of students is based on their passing written or oral exams on the courses of the relevant postgraduate study programme, in combination with the participation of the postgraduate student in the overall research, writing and educational activities provided by the regulation of postgraduate studies.
The duration of exam periods, the requirements for the awarding of a degree, the examination and assessment rules, the way of assessment of the student’s progress and overall work, the way of certification of the successful completion of postgraduate studies, are all specified in the regulation of postgraduate studies.
In order to be awarded a master’s degree, the postgraduate student ought to pass the exams for the courses of the relevant postgraduate study programme as well as participate in the overall educational and research activities according to the provisions of the regulation of postgraduate studies.

Certification

Each HEI department grants a postgraduate degree, possibly with distinct directions or specialisations.  There is no particular procedure for the certification of the degrees.  They are signed by the rector and the respective department’s president and secretary.  They are considered to be valid and official certificates.

The postgraduate degree includes the name of the higher education institution, the faculty, the department and, if any, the specialisation/direction, as well as the graduate’s exact grade and the corresponding qualitative description (5.00-6.49 "Good"; 6.50-8.49 "Very good"; and 8.50-10.00 "Excellent").
The diploma supplement, stipulated by l. 3374/2005, is attached to all graduate or postgraduate degrees and provides information on the educational framework and the studies’ content.