Duration of Studies
The duration of studies in the master’s Program leading to the award of a Master’s Degree (MSc) is set at three (3) academic semesters, which include the period required for the preparation of the Master’s thesis.
The maximum permitted time for the completion of studies is six (6) academic semesters. However, a postgraduate student may submit a substantiated request for suspension of studies — which may not exceed two (2) consecutive semesters — as well as a request for an extension of studies for an additional one (1) to three (3) semesters (4th to 6th). Furthermore, students are given the possibility to request withdrawal from the master’s Program.
*The relevant procedures and prescribed actions are defined in the Regulations of the master’s Program (Articles 6.2 & 6.3).
Language of Instruction
The language of instruction of the courses offered in the master’s Program, as well as the language in which the master’s thesis is to be written, is Greek. By decision of the Department’s Assembly, part of the instruction may be conducted in English. Writing the thesis in English is also permitted, subject to the approval of the Coordinating Committee.
Enrollment, Course Registration, and Curriculum
At the beginning of each academic semester (October or February, respectively), on dates set and announced by the Secretariat of the master’s Program, postgraduate students must apply for enrollment in the semester along with their course registration, in printed and/or electronic form, in accordance with the relevant instructions issued by the Secretariat.
Course registration takes place one week before and/or during the first week of classes. Furthermore, in the second semester, postgraduate students may, up to the end of the second week of classes, change at most one course from among the Compulsory Elective (CE) or Free Elective (FE) courses.
After successfully completing at least six (6) courses from the first and second semesters, the postgraduate student must, during the first week of the third semester, submit a declaration of the thesis topic together with the proposed supervisor, using the designated form provided by the Master’s Program. The thesis topic must be stated in both Greek and English.
The master’s Program comprises ten to thirteen (10-13) teaching and learning sessions per semester, each with a duration of three (3) hours. To accommodate postgraduate students who are also professionally employed, courses may be scheduled on any day of the week. If a class is not held, a timely rescheduling is foreseen. The date and time of the rescheduled class are announced via email and on the official website of the master’s Program.
Organization of the Educational Process
Teaching during the semesters is conducted through distance learning methods, covering up to 100% of the total program. Attendance is carried out using modern tools via electronic platforms such as Moodle, eClass, etc., and therefore all postgraduate students are required to have appropriate electronic equipment.
The total number of distance learning hours may reach a maximum of 100%, distributed over 10–13 weeks of instruction per semester, including seminars related to the preparation of the master’s thesis. Furthermore, the teaching process is enriched by προσκεκλημένους distinguished visiting professors and researchers.
Attendance of courses and participation in the related educational activities and assignments of the master’s Program are compulsory. Absences of up to one quarter (¼) of the lectures may be justified, provided that there are exceptional and well-documented reasons, subject to the judgement of the instructor.
*In the case of re-examination and a second failure in the same course, the procedure defined in the Regulations of the master’s Program applies.
Tuition Fees
Postgraduate students are required to pay tuition fees and must fulfill all their financial obligations in a timely manner.
The tuition fee for the entire program is set at €1,800 per student. Payment is made in three (3) installments of €600 per semester. To facilitate students, each semester’s fee of €600 is paid in two (2) equal installments of €300, the first upon enrollment and the second before the start of the examination period.
The payment of tuition fees is made to the Special Account for Research Funds (ELKE), which is responsible for their management.
Additionally, enrolled students in the master’s Program may be granted exemption from tuition fees if they meet the financial or social criteria provided for by law. Consequently, applications for exemption from tuition fees are submitted after the completion of the admission process to the master’s Program.
*In the event of failure in one or two courses of the first or second semester (including the September examination period), as well as in cases of extension of studies, tuition fees must be paid in accordance with the Regulations of the master’s Program (Article 16.1).
Scholarships
The master’s Program may award scholarships for outstanding academic performance. These scholarships are granted to postgraduate students who have achieved the highest grade point average across all courses of the first and second semesters.
The essential requirements for the award of a scholarship for outstanding performance are the following:
- Successful completion of all courses of the two teaching semesters, as specified in the Curriculum.
- A grade point average of at least seven and a half (7.5) out of ten across all courses.
- No exception from tuition fees.
In addition, the master’s Program may award scholarships for training, teaching assistance, or other compensatory purposes.
Master’s Degree (MSc)
Degree Title: The Master’s Program awards a master’s degree in “Human Geography, Development and Spatial Planning.”
To obtain the master’s degree, students must successfully complete all program courses, successfully prepare and defend the master’s thesis, and accumulate a total of ninety (90) ECTS credits.
The award of the MSc requires the fulfillment of the following basic conditions:
- attendance and successful examination in eight (8) postgraduate courses selected by the student.
- active participation in the educational and research activities of the program.
- writing and successful defense of the master’s thesis.
- fulfillment of all academic and financial obligations of the postgraduate student towards the Master’s Program.
The final grade of the master’s degree is derived from the combined evaluation of the grades obtained in the program’s courses and the thesis, weighted according to their respective credit units. The overall grade of the MSc is calculated as the weighted average of the grades of the eight (8) postgraduate courses and the thesis, which corresponds to the credit units of a full semester of courses. Accordingly, the final grade of the MSc is calculated using the following formula:
Final MSc Grade = (Sum of grades of 8 postgraduate courses + 4 × grade of master’s thesis) ÷ 12.