05 - Greece - Types of institution
The University sector of higher education includes universities A.E.I., polytechnic schools, the Higher
School of Fine Arts (ΑΣΚΤ/ASKT) and the Hellenic Open University (EAP).
The Technological sector of higher education includes Technological Education Institutes (TEI) and the
Higher School for Teachers of Technological Education (ΑΣΠΑΙΤΕ/ASPAITE).
Based on the recent legislation in Higher Education, the Higher Military Educational Institutions (ASEI),
the Higher Ecclesiastical Academies and the Mercantile Marine Academies also belong to the Higher
Education.
The Higher Tertiary Education comprises of the Higher Schools of Dance and Theater, the Higher
Schools of Tourism, the Higher Schools for Petty Officers and the Higher Schools for Policemen.
Types of Institution in Higher Technological Education
Higher technological education is mainly provided by the Technological Education Institutes (TEI)
which are self-administered legal entities under public law, supervised and subsidised by the state
through the Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs (ΥΠΕΠΘ/YPEPTH).
Today there are 15 TEI all over the country and the Higher School for Teachers of Technological
Education (ΑΣΠΑΙΤΕ/ASPAITE); many institutes also have branches, i.e. independent departments in
another town. The total number of TEI are 93, while 5 departments are also operating in ASPAITE.
The internal structure, organisation and operation of the Technological Education Institutes’
administrative, financial and technical services as well as the procedures and requirements for hiring
personnel for such positions are determined by the corresponding provisions and the internal
regulation of each TEI.
By law 3450/2006, Merchant Naval Academies are recognised as equivalent to Technological
Education Institutes. The respective provision is applicable for students having entered the Merchant
Naval Academies (first grade) as of the academic year 2005-06.
Types of Institution in Higher Technological Education
In the country there are twenty-three (23) Universities, including Polytechnic Schools, the School of
Fine Arts and the Hellenic Open University (ΕΑΠ/EAP).
According to article 16 of the Constitution, University education is provided exclusively by institutions
which are fully self-administered legal entities of public law. These institutions fall under the
supervision of the state and are financed by it. State supervision is exercised by the Minister of
National Education and Religious Affairs (ΥΠΕΠΘ/YPEPTH).
The internal structure, organisation and operation of the Universities’ administrative, financial and
technical services; the determination of the Department’s overall teaching and research policy;
planning; the procedures and requirements for hiring personnel for such positions; the allocation of
funds, etc, are determined by the respective provisions and the internal regulation of each University
The International University of Greece (DIPAE), having its registered offices in Thessaloniki, is an
independent and fully self-governed superior Institution with the distinct name International Hellenic
University. The DIPAE is a legal entity of public law, operating under the supervision of the State. Its
mission is to provide superior education mostly to foreigners interested to study in Greece. In order to
fulfill its mission, it organizes and carries out study programmes at Undergraduate and Postgraduate
level, by using distance teaching and distance learning.
Moreover, Military Educational Institutions (ASEI) have been included in the Higher Education since
2003, while since 2007-08, the Higher Eclessiastical Schools are operating as Higher Ecclesiastical
Academies.
University/College
“Vocational and any other special training is provided by the state in institutions on the higher
education level”, stressing at the same time that the length of studies in these schools should not
exceed three years.
The following fall under this category:
Higher Schools of Dance and Drama under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture;
The Higher Schools of Tourism, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Tourism,
the Higher Schools for Petty Officers, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense.
The Higher School for Policemen, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Order.
Institutions:
Hellenic Open University (EAP)
International University
Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs (YPEPTH)
Eurydice - the information network on education in Europe
Date: 2009
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