Presentation of the Greek Educational System

1. EDUCATION IN GREECE

2. Levels of Education
PRIMARY
SECONDARY
TERTIARY/HIGHER

3. EDUCATION IS COMPULSORY FROM THE AGE OF 6 -15
However, school may start from the age of 2,5 years (pre-school education)
in private or public institutions called nurseries while for older children,
between 4 -5, there are kindergartens.

4. PRIMARY EDUCATION
It lasts 6 years and the age of entry is 6.
Basic General Knowledge is offered
 Language/Literature
 Maths
 Science
 Arts
 P.E.
 Civic Education
 History
 Geography

5. SECONDARY EDUCATION
It consists of two stages:
 LOWER SECONDARY EDUCATION
 UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION

6. LOWER SECONDARY EDUCATION
Junior High School
 Compulsory
 It lasts 3 years;
 All pupils are offered the same curriculum.
 Pupils are examined in four subjects:
(language and literature, mathematics, physics and history)
 and when graduating they receive a school-leaving certificate

7. UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION
 It is optional
 It consists of two types of school;
 Senior High School and
 Vocational School
 It lasts 3 years

8. SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (LYCEUM) 1st & 2nd YEAR
 It offers general knowledge through courses that prepare students for
higher education.
 1st year: the curriculum is the same for all students.
 2nd year: the students can choose between two orientations:
 humanities which include:
 Ancient Greek Language and Literature,
Social Sciences, Economics and Political Science and
 STEM which include:
Mathematics
Physics

9. SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (3rd YEAR)
 Three orientation courses are
offered:
 Humanities
 STEM
 Economics and IT
 They sit writing exams at the end
of the academic year in:
 Modern Greek Language and
Literature,
 History,
 Mathematics and
 Biology
 They receive their final school-
leaving Certificate; and then
 They take their SATs/A-LEVELS
for their University entrance.

10. VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
 It lasts 3 years
 1st year: general knowledge
 2nd year: students attend general
subjects but also choose among several
vocational orientations.
 At the end of the year they take exams
in all these subjects.
 3rd Year: students attend general
subjects again but they also choose a
vocational speciality
 Mechanology, Electrology, IT, Business
Administration, Applied Arts, Nursing
 They take exams which lead to:
 school-leaving and
 vocational certificate
 They can either have one additional
year in internship in a firm; or
 They can take their SAT’s/A-Levels to
access Higher Education

11. Other Forms of SCHOOL
 All-Day Elementary/Primary Schools and Kindergartens
 extended schedule and enriched Curriculum
(Art classes, foreign languages)
 Evening Junior/Senior High Schools/Vocational Schools
(for students who must work during day-time).
 Schools for people with disabilities
 Art Schools
 Music Schools

12. Higher Education
 Access is obtained through SAT’s/A-LEVELs
 Duration of attendance depending on the Faculty (4-6 years)
 It leads to the acquisition of a Degree.
 Graduate studies are offered from each Higher Institution:
 MA/MSc.
 PhD
 Post-Doctorate