Organization

The state has a monopoly on higher education, which is placed under the authority of the Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs. It consists of the university system (AEI) made up of 9 universities, 2 polytechnical schools, 6 advanced schools, and a system of 11 advanced institutes of technology (TEI). Out of 170,000 students, almost half are in the TEI.
Two cities account for 2/3 of all Greek students: Athens and Thessaloniki.

The AEI System: 4-6 years of studies. Specific subjects are taught by respective department faculties.
The TEI System: 3 years of studies. Preparation for technical jobs, combining theoretical and practical training. Each TEI is located in the principal city of the region. All of them include economics and business faculties and a faculty of technical applications. The TEI in Athens has faculties in graphic arts and art studies.
Admission to higher education is subject to a quota fixed annually by each category of school, and an entrance exam the first year.

Web site of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs:
www.ypepth.gr (English and Greek)

Academic calendar: The academic year begins in mid-September and lasts through mid-June. It consists of two semesters, each ending with two weeks of exams. In the TEIs, the academic years is also divided into two semesters, beginning in September and ending July 5.