The School of Medicine aims to develop a English Medical Program (EMP) in English, enhancing its international presence and contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge. By leveraging its comparative advantages, strengths, and collaborations with international centers, the program aspires to create a dynamic and competitive academic environment.
General Program Information
- Program Type: Six-Year Medical Studies Program
- Total ECTS Credits: 360
- Annual Student Intake: 50 students per year, with a total of 300 students when the program is fully operational
- TuitionFees: €12,000 per year
- Scholarships: 5 scholarships awarded annually based on academic performance and financial criteria, which will be specified in a special announcement
Admission Process
Applicants to the EMP must be foreign nationals, graduates of high schools or equivalent institutions with a physical presence and attendance abroad. They must have completed the last two years of high school or an equivalent institution in a foreign country and must provide a high school diploma or another equivalent secondary education qualification that grants them access to higher education institutions in their country of graduation. Students with a bachelor’s degree in a field related to medicine (i.e. biology, chemistry, physics, pharmacology) can also apply. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English at a B2 level or hold a TOEFL certificate with a minimum score of 79/120.
For selection, candidates must participate in a multiple-choice examination. Additionally, their CVs will be evaluated, and they may be required to attend an interview. Admission criteria are based on academic qualifications, language proficiency, and the overall presentation of candidates.
The official announcement of available positions is published annually on the program’s website (www….) along with exact application submission dates.
Required Documents
Applicants must submit the following:
- National ID orpassport
- High school diploma (original and translated into Greek)
- Final-year transcript (original and translated into Greek)
- Englishlanguageproficiencycertificate
- Letter of interest for the EMP
- Short CV with a photo
- Personal Statement (max 500 words) explaining why the applicant wants to study medicine at the University of Patras English Medical Program.
All the documents should be uploaded to the online application platform, and originals should be available upon request.
Applications are due every year at the end of June (the exact deadline every year appears at the site of the University of Patras English Medical Program). Fifty successful candidates are enrolled every year after selection based on admission requirements as described above, and a personal interview (in person or through an online platform) immediately after the deadline of shortlisted candidates by the selection committee seven (7) senior faculty membersassigned by the Dean of the School of Health Sciences. Diversity, equity and inclusion are adapted in the admission process of the University of Patras English Medical Program.
Notification of Results: Successful applicants will receive an official acceptance letter, which is required for obtaining a visa for candidates from non-Schengen countries.
International Student Support Unit – University of Patras
Successful applicants can seek assistance from the International Student Support Unit of the university.
📍 Address: University Campus of Patras, Directorate of Education and Research, Undergraduate Studies Department, International Student Support Unit
📞 Phone: +30 2610 997-997
Visa Guidelines for Non-EU Citizens
A study visa for Greece is referred to as a Long Stay Visa, National Visa, or Type “D” Visa. Applicants from non-Schengen countries need a student visa for long-term residence. The initial visa duration does not exceed one year but can be renewed through a new visa and/or residence permit. Processing times vary by country, and applications are handled by the relevant Greek embassy.
Applicants are advised to contact the Greek Embassy in their country as soon as possible for details on the visa process. Requirements and procedures are subject to Greek legislation.
Requirements
- Official acceptance letter from the university
- Medical travel insurance that meets the specifications
- Validpassport
Application Process for a Long-Stay Visa in Greece
- Completion of the applicationform
- Scheduling of a visaappointment
- Collection of the requireddocuments
- Attendanceat the scheduledinterview
- Payment of the visafee
ResidencePermit in Greece
Upon arrival in Patras, students staying for more than three months must apply for a residence permit at the Patras Immigration Office:
📍 Address: 52 Gounari & Ypsilantou, P.C. 26224, Patras
📞 Phone: +30 2610 695073, +30 2610 625658
📧 Email: gd.adachias@astynomia.gr
Enrollment & Attendance
First-Year Student Enrollment
Within the first week after results are announced, each student will receive credentials for electronic access to the university portal, which contains all necessary enrollment information, as well as the academic guide and internal regulations. During this week, students will be assigned an academic advisor and have an introductory meeting. Students will also be informed about their academic progress monitoring and the reporting system via “progress.”
Following the schedule announced by the EMP Secretariat, newly admitted students must complete their online registration through the University of Patras’ dedicated platform. Relevant updates will be posted on the following link: _________________.
Personal user account details, academic email (UPnet ID), and certificates will be sent electronically, following a specific process described in the above announcement, upon the finalization of enrollment in the second phase.
Student progress, from enrollment to graduation, is tracked electronically through the university’s student management system, which records course assignments, grade submissions, certificate issuance, and ultimately, degree issuance. These processes are managed through the system available at https://progress.upatras.gr. The platform includes functionalities such as Academic Structure, Grading, and Special Approvals Management.
At the beginning of each semester, students are required to renew their enrollment and then register for courses through the electronic secretary system on dates announced by the Program’s Secretariat.
ATTENDANCE
The academic year begins on September 1st of each year and ends on August 31st of the following year. The educational program of each academic year is divided into two semesters. Each semester consists of at least 13 full weeks of teaching.
Each student will have an academic advisor who will guide them throughout their studies.
There will be three study modules:
Preclinical (1st–4th semester)
b. Clinical (5th–10th semester)
c. Clinical Practice (11th–12th semester)
Attendance of the 2nd and 3rd study modules requires full participation in all courses and the successful completion of at least 2/3 of the total ECTS credits from the previous module. If a student carries forward 1/3 of the ECTS credits from the first module to the second, they must complete that 1/3 before moving on to the third module. They can transfer 1/3 of the ECTS credits from the second module to the third module.
During the first six (6) semesters, students will be taught the Greek language to ensure they attain a satisfactory level of communication skills.
Course instruction may be conducted:
• In the traditional format, including lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions, and clinical training.
• In an electronic format (either synchronous or asynchronous teaching).
• In a hybrid (blended) format.
The course structure will ensure that each topic is taught by the most specialized professor. New knowledge will be incorporated into the curriculum, such as updated guidelines, reducing lecture-based instruction time and increasing interactive learning through assignments, case-based discussions, and small-group teaching.
E-learning courses may be conducted in various ways, including:
• Theoretical presentation of a subject.
• Case studies with active student participation.
Clinical courses will be taught using an integrated teaching system, meaning that some fundamental subjects will be taught alongside their corresponding clinical courses. This approach will allow students to reinforce their knowledge of basic sciences while assimilating clinical knowledge. Clinical course examinations will be entirely separate from basic science exams.
During the first four semesters, students will learn essential clinical skills in a simulation environment. These skills will be taught by clinical professors. In all clinical courses, students will be required to maintain logbooks documenting the clinical skills they must acquire. Students will not be eligible to take the final clinical course exam unless they have completed the required clinical competencies.
Students must actively participate in teaching through:
• Case presentations.
• Analysis of theoretical topics.
• Presentation of articles from current scientific literature.
EXAMINATIONS
The number of weeks allocated for examinations is determined by the Institution’s Regulations. Examinations are conducted exclusively at the end of the winter and spring semesters for the courses taught during those semesters, respectively. Students are allowed to take exams for both semesters’ courses before the start of the winter semester. Special arrangements are made for oral examinations for students with documented dyslexia, following procedures outlined in the Institution’s Internal Regulations. Exact dates for courses and exams are determined by the Senate and published on the University of Patras website: https://www.upatras.gr/en/info/academic-calendar/. Students are entitled to take exams in September for courses from both semesters (winter and spring). In June, they can take exams for spring semester courses only, while in January-February, they can take exams for winter semester courses only. The grading for each course is determined by the instructor, who may organize written and/or oral exams, assign projects, or include laboratory exercises. Examinations can be conducted traditionally or electronically. The examination period lasts 3–4 weeks.
The grading scale is as follows (out of 10):
- Excellent (8.50–10.00)
- VeryGood (6.50–8.49)
- Good (5.00–6.49)
- Fail (0.00–4.99)
The minimum passing grade is 5. Students are not required to complete an internship outside the department. Clinical practice takes place only at the University General Hospital of Patras (PGNP): https://www.pgnp.gr.
There is no requirement for a dissertation or thesis.
Student progress and the smooth operation of the program are monitored by departmental bodies, including the Academic Advisor, the Student Affairs Committee, and the Internal Evaluation Group (OMEA). The department’s goal is the continuous improvement of the curriculum, the promotion of high-quality professionals, innovation, outreach, professional placement, and academic excellence.
For attendance, teaching, and examinations, the provisions of the General Internal Regulation of Higher Education Institutions (P.D. 160/08) apply until a new regulation is issued.
HOLIDAYS
Lectures, laboratory sessions, clinical practice, tutorials, and field exercises do not take place on October 28, November 17, November 30, during the Christmas holidays (from December 24 to January 6), on January 30, Clean Monday, March 25, during the Easter holidays (from Lazarus Saturday to Thomas Sunday), on May 1, the Feast of the Holy Spirit, and on the day of student elections. Any practical exercises conducted during holiday periods are considered official duty for those responsible for the exercises and for the participants.
DEGREE AWARD – CALCULATION OF DEGREE GRADE
To obtain a Medical Degree, students must complete 12 semesters (six years of study) and successfully pass all mandatory courses of the curriculum as well as the required elective courses, accumulating a total of 360 ECTS credits. A student completes their studies and obtains a degree upon successfully passing the required courses and accumulating the necessary credits. According to Law 4009/2011, the maximum duration of study for students admitted from the academic year 2011-2012 onwards is equal to the number of years specified in the standard curriculum of each department, plus an additional two years.
The degree grade is calculated by multiplying the grade of each course by its weighting factor, summing up the individual products, and dividing by the sum of the weighting factors of all courses. Foreign language courses are not included in the degree grade calculation, however, successful completion and examination in these courses are required for graduation.
STUDENT GRADUATION CEREMONY
Students who have completed or are about to complete their academic requirements and wish to participate in an upcoming graduation ceremony must submit a written declaration to the Department’s Secretariat at least one (1) month in advance, following a relevant announcement posted on the Secretariat’s Notice Boards. Additionally, for participation in the Graduation Ceremony, students who have completed their academic requirements must submit the following necessary documents along with their application within the exclusive deadline indicated in the Secretariat’s announcement:
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
- Application form (available at the Secretariat)
- Certificates from the Medical Library and the Library & Information Center confirming that no books are owed
- Statutory Declaration (Law 1599/86) stating that:
They do not receive meal vouchers for the corresponding academic year
b. They have no outstanding obligations with the Student Housing Service
c. They do not hold a Student Health Booklet - Student ID card (Pass)
- StudentIdentificationCard
Graduation ceremonies are held after the completion of the official graduation exam periods in October, April, and July.
ELECTRONIC SERVICE FOR OBTAINING ACADEMIC IDENTIFICATION
Students of the EMP are entitled to receive an academic ID card, which also includes the Student Travel Pass and remains valid for the duration of their student status. The new ID card features enhanced durability and security measures against forgery.The ID cards will be delivered to the pick-up location selected by each student during their application process, at no cost. The new ID cards indicate the exact validity period of the Student Ticket entitlement. If a student is not eligible for a Student Ticket, the card serves as a standard identification document. Furthermore, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, an additional social service is provided. Each student has the option to declare any allergies they have, as well as whether they are or wish to become an organ donor. Declaring and recording this information on the Academic ID is entirely optional. Once the Academic ID is printed, all allergy and organ donor information is deleted from the Central Information System. Each institution may also utilize the new ID cards for the development of new services and applications aimed at improving student services. The Electronic Service for Obtaining an Academic ID is provided by the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, with technical support from the National Research and Technology Network (EDET, http://academicid.minedu.gov.gr).
According to the Internal Regulations of the University of Patras (Government Gazette 7494/31.12.2024, Section B), Article 60, the following apply:
- Students are provided with transportation benefits throughout the year, in accordance with applicable laws. Specifically, students enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs must obtain an Academic ID, which also incorporates the Student Ticket (Pass). The issuance process, conditions, and included details are governed by the provisions of Article 287 of Law 4957/2022. The Academic ID is strictly personal and valid only for the eligible student. The termination of student status automatically results in the revocation of the right to hold an Academic ID.
- An Academic ID is also issued to international students enrolled at the institution or participating as exchange students under international or European educational and research cooperation programs, for the duration of their studies at the University of Patras.