The educational system in Greece is mainly characterized by its versatile character, which is ordained by the numerous laws and decrees of the Greek Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs. Over the years, the Ministry in question has made significant changes to the education system, most of which were mandated by the wish of each government to adopt recent scientific findings and acclaimed education models of other countries in the world. Adapting state-of-the-art research in the field of education, as well as foreign education practices to meet the needs of the Greek society and labor market has resulted in a multilayered education system, which caters for all students in the country. Most students in Greece attend public schools of all levels, for which there are no tuition fees while, according to the July-September 2023 report from the Hellenic Statistical Authority, approximately 7.5% of the student population at all primary and secondary levels enroll in private schools. (Source: https://www.statistics.gr/en/greece-in-figures) - for further resources see The Greek Educational System)

Early childhood education / care

AGE 0-3

• Daycare center Vrefonypiakos stathmos

AGE 4-6

• Kindergarten school Nypiagogio
• Experimental Kindegarten School Piramatiko Nipiagogio

Primary education

AGE 6-12 (COMPULSORY)

• Primary school Dimotiko scholio
• Experimental Primary School Piramatiko Dimotiko Scholio

SPECIAL EDUCATION

• Model Primary School Protipo Dimotiko Scholio
• Primary School for students with Special Needs Ediko Dimotiko Scholio

Secondary education

AGE 12-15 (COMPULSORY)

• Junior High school Gymnasio
• Evening Junior High School Esperino Gymnasio
• Experimental Junior High School Piramatiko Gymnasio
• Model Junior High School Protipo Gymnasio
• Music Junior High School Mousiko Gymnasio
• Arts Junior High School Kallitechniko Gymnasio
• Multicultural Junior High School Gymnasio Diapolitismikis Ekpedefsis

SPECIAL EDUCATION

• Junior High School for students with Special Needs Ediko Gymnasio

 AGE 15-18

• General High school Geniko Lykio
• General Evening High School Esperino Geniko Lykio
• Experimental High School Piramatiko Geniko Lykio
• Model High School Protipo Geniko Lykio
• Music High School Mousiko Lykio
• Arts High School Kallitechniko Lykio
• Multicultural High School Lykio Diapolitismikis Ekpedefsis

 SPECIAL EDUCATION

• Special Vocational Education & Training Institutes Ergastiria Epagelmatikis Ekpedefsis & Katartisis

 VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

• Vocational High School Epagelmatiko Lykio
• Vocational Evening High School Esperino Epagelmatiko Lykio
• Model Vocational High School Protipo Epagelmatiko Lykio
• Vocational Training Schools Scholi Epagelmatikis Katartisis

Higher Education

FROM THE AGE OF 18

• University Panepistimio
• School of Pedagogical and Technological Education Anotati Scholi Technologikis & Pedagogikis Ekpedefsis
• School of Fine Arts Scholi Kalon Technon
• Hellenic Open University Elliniko Anichto Panepistimio

Lifelong Learning

• Lifelong Learning Centers Kentra Dia Viou Mathisis
• Second Chance Adult Education School Scholio Defteris Efkerias

 VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

• Vocational Training Schools Scholi Epagelmatikis Katartisis
• Vocational Training Institutes Institouta Epagelmatikis Katartisis

Structure of the Greek Education System

Education in Greece is compulsory for all children between the ages of 4 and 15. The education system is divided into Early Education and Care for children up to the age of 6; Primary Education for schoolchildren between the ages of 6 and 12, Secondary Education for teenagers between the ages of 12 and 18, Higher Education for those wishing to attend university courses, and, finally, Lifelong Learning, which caters for adult students of all ages.

Early Education and Care

In Greece there are Daycare Centers which provide children up to the age of 4 with pre-school education. The last stage of pre-school education is carried out in Kindergarten Schools, where young students take preparatory courses for two years before enrolling in primary/elementary schools.

Primary Education

Primary Schools welcome children of the age of 6. Some of these schools are termed “Experimental” or “Model" schools, as they carry out experimental education practices, and are supervised by university departments specializing in pedagogics and primary education. There are also primary schools which cater for students with physical or mental impairment, or special needs. In all three types of primary schools, students learn basic skills in a number of subjects, like Language Reading and Writing, Environmental Studies, Maths, and English. Primary Schools in Greece operate between 8am and 1pm, while the majority of those offer extra classes on Physical Education, Art and Music until 4pm.

Secondary Education

By law, all students graduating from primary education enroll and attend courses in a Junior High School. There are several types of Junior High Schools in Greece. Most students attend the Junior High School they are assigned to, which is usually located in their neighborhood. There are other alternatives, though, like being admitted to an Experimental Junior High School through a lottery system, or attending a Model Junior High School, after taking a nation-wide entrance exam. Students who have a special interest in painting, drama, dancing or music may attend a Junior High School that specializes in the field. There are also Junior High Schools which address students from a multicultural background, as well as students with special needs. Most Junior High Schools operate from 8am to 2pm, but there are also evening schools that operate from 7pm till 10pm for students – mainly adults – who work during daytime. A variety of subjects are taught in Junior High Schools, including Modern and Ancient Greek Language, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, History, Physical Education, Religious Studies, Music and Art, while special emphasis is given to foreign language learning, as students are taught both English and another European language of their choice (students tend to choose between French and German). Students take exams some of these subjects at the end of each school year.

Although upper level Secondary Education is not compulsory in Greece, most students attend High School. At this level, students may opt to attend a General High School, an Experimental General High School or a Model General High School (mainly for graduates of Experimental and Model Junior High Schools respectively), or any High School specializing in music or the arts. Students from foreign countries can enroll in a Multicultural High School, while there are Special Vocational Education & Training Institutes for students with special needs. Students may also pursue vocational training in Vocational High Schools, or, once they are 16, they may enroll in a Vocational Evening High School and graduate after 4 years of study. In addition, there are Vocational Training Schools; in these schools, as well as in all Vocational High Schools students attend general education courses combined with workplace courses. At the final stage of their studies, a student may work as an apprentice and gain valuable work experience. As of September 2021, there are also Model Vocational High Schools.

Greek High Schools offer a combination of General Education courses and Advanced Placement courses. Students who wish to pursue studies in Higher Education take Panhellenic exams in a specific number of Advanced Placement courses which fall into one of the following categories: Humanities, Science and Medical Studies, Finance and Computer Science Studies. This is considered to be a tough and highly competitive exam process that students go through in order to ensure education at a higher level.

Higher Education

The percentage of university graduates is considerably high in Greece. Most of them attend four-year studies in University departments and in Technological University departments, as well as in the various departments of the School of Pedagogical and Technological Education, while those attending Technical University departments – specializing in fields like architecture and engineering – graduate after five years of studies. Students who wish to enroll in the School of Fine Arts take special exams, and graduate after five years of studies too. Courses in Higher Education institutes in Greece are in the form of lectures or workshops, and most of the courses last one semester, that is, at least 13 weeks. Most university departments in Greece offer one-year or two-year postgraduate courses, as well as the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree. Students may also enroll in the Hellenic Open University for graduate or postgraduate studies, where they pay tuition fees, and are admitted through an annual lottery system.

Listing of Greek Institutions of Higher Education

Lifelong Learning

Lifelong Learning centers are the main providers of Lifelong Learning in Greece, and they usually supervised by Municipality services. These centers offer a variety of courses, aiming at both formal and informal education. On the other hand, Vocational Training Institutes and Vocational Training Schools often adapt their curriculum to suit the needs of their adult students and of the labor market. Finally, Second Chance Adult Education Schools cater for those students who have dropped out of school at some point in their life, but wish to continue with their studies at a later date.

Text by Despina-Alexandra Constantinides (last updated July 2021),
2014-2015 Fulbright participant in the Study of the United States Institutes program,
Teachers Institute for Secondary School Educators at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL.