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Greece is home to six medical faculties, four of which offer programs in English (listed in order from the oldest to the newest programs):
All are public institutions. Medical studies in Greece follow a six-year integrated program, culminating in a "Πτυχίο Ιατρικής" (Doctor of Medicine, MD).
The medical curriculum is generally divided into three unofficial phases. The pre-clinical phase (years 1 and 2) introduces students to foundational medical sciences, beginning at the cellular level and progressing to anatomy and physiology. In years 3 through 5, students dive into the study of diseases across all specialties, with an emphasis on core knowledge essential for all physicians. The final year focuses on hands-on clinical experience, where students complete semester-long rotations through major medical specialties
Admission is based on a separate competitive selection process, which varies according to the university. Detailed information is available on each university's page on our website, but in general, applicants must meet academic eligibility requirements, including English language proficiency. Students are able to apply to multiple medical schools through separate applications.
Students are taught mainly through lectures involving the entire class and tutorials in smaller groups. Class sizes range from 30 to 60 students, depending on the university, which is a contrast to the larger classes seen at some other European universities. Lectures are almost always non-interactive, but in tutorials, teachers are more than happy to field questions. Furthermore, students have access, for example, to anatomy labs where they review cadavers, and physiology labs where they put some of their acquired knowledge to the test. Most lecturers are easily accessible to students if they have a query.
While lecture attendance is technically "mandatory," it is rarely enforced. However, attendance at tutorials and clinical rotations is closely monitored, with strict guidelines regarding absences.
Student assessment typically occurs at the end of each academic year through final exams. These exams may include essay papers, oral assessments, multiple-choice questionnaires, and practical evaluations. Some courses include a tutorial grade, assessed through a mix of seminars, quizzes (MCQs), essays, clinical skills tests (OSCEs), oral exams, and projects. These tutorial grades are combined with the final exam results to calculate the overall course grade.
The grading scale is from 0 to 10, with 5 being the minimum passing grade. A "Καλά" or "Good" grade is between 5/10 and 6.5/10, a "Πολύ Καλά" or "Very Good" is 6.5/10 to 8.5/10, and an "Άριστα" or "Excellent" is anything above 8.5/10.
If a student fails an exam, there is an opportunity to retake it in September, before the new semester begins. It doesn't matter if they don't pass; they don't have to repeat the entire module—they can retake it in the next or any further examination period. However, some schools have progression requirements (barrier years) at key stages, such as from years 2 to 3 and 5 to 6, where students must pass two-thirds of their ECTS credits from the previous years. Additionally, the course must be completed within a certain timeframe, typically six years, with a maximum of nine years (referred to as the "n+3" rule).
Students experience a great quality of life in Greek medical schools. Of course, there is a large workload with a course of this nature, but it is not overwhelming. Medical students in Greece have the freedom and time to join societies, clubs, or go out drinking and clubbing, along with students from other courses (med parties are well known to be the best parties). For the preclinical years, the school year in Greece runs from October to July. It is divided into two semesters: the first from October to winter break, the second from February to July. Clinical years may extend slightly longer. There are breaks in winter, spring, and summer, as well as on individual Greek national holidays.
Greece is a great country to live in. The major cities (Athens, Thessaloniki) have decent public transport, and there are many things to see and do. Its cities, where the universities are based, are as safe as you'll find anywhere. The nightlife is second to none, but if clubbing isn't your scene, there are many other accessible hobbies to be found. The scenery of Greece is incredible, especially its islands. The weather is almost always sunny, and when summer comes around, there is no better place to be. Although Greece may retain the image of being an impoverished nation that never fully recovered from the financial crisis, the situation has greatly improved in the past 10 years. Across the board, Greece has a high average standard of living and regularly ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world.
Greece is a country rich in history and beauty. Students are not only trained to be doctors but are also shaped by the experiences, friendships, and culture that make Greece unique. This journey will stay with you for life, shaping both your career and the way you see the world. We wholeheartedly recommend Greece to anyone considering studying medicine in English. It’s a decision that will enrich you in more ways than you can imagine.
