03 - Greece - Specific legislative framework
University sector of Higher Education
The organisation and operation of Panepistimia (Universities) is primarily based on the Constitution of
1975 and next on the provisions of subsequent laws. Modernising the tertiary education at
undergraduate and postgraduate levels was pursued and promoted by way of Law-framework
1268/1982 (“on the structure and operation of higher education institutions”) and, by way of
supplement, by Law 2083/1992 (“Modernisation of tertiary education”) and Law 3404/2005 (“On the
regulation of issues of University and Higher-Education Technological Sectors and other provisions).
By virtue of Law 2083/1992 the Hellenic Open University (Elliniko Anoichto Panepistimio – ΕΑΠ/EAP)
was established in order to provide distance undergraduate and postgraduate education. Law
3374/2005 has established the system of transfer and accumulation of credit points, based on which
the graduate and post graduate studies programs are being organized by the Higher Education
Institutions, as well as Diploma Annex, which is attached to the degrees given by those Institutions.
Moreover, particular military schools, as well as higher ecclesiastical schools were included in higher
education, according to laws of 2003 and 2006 correspondingly. At the same time, the International
University of Greece was founded, per a law of 2005. Finally, with the Law-framework 3549/2007,
there is an attempt to reform the institutional framework in the structure and operation of the Higher
Education Institutions.
Technological sector of Higher
Education
The Technological Education Institutions (Technologika Ekpaideftika Idrymata - TEI) are governed by
the provisions of Law 1404/1983 on the establishment and operation of TEI, which was amended and
supplemented by subsequent legal provisions and, finally, by Law 2916/2001. Pursuant to the latter,
the TEI fall under higher education (Technological sector) and are governed by the same constitutional
provisions applying to Universities (University sector) as regards their organisation and operation.
Higher education schools
Higher education schools are governed by the legislative frameworks of the ministries supervising
them. The most recent legal initiatives in regard to Higher Education and the
clarification of their place within the context of HE are the following:
Law 3432/2006 ”Structure and operation of the ecclesiastical education" (regarding the Higher
Ecclesiastical Schools)
Law 3450/2006 “Upgrade and restructure of the maritime/ marine education and other clauses”
(regarding the Mercantile Marine Academies)
Eurydice - the information network on education in Europe
Date: 2009