Admissions & Scholarships

Categories of Candidates for the JEUPS

Foreign candidates who are eligible to apply are:

  • Graduates of high schools or equivalent schools based abroad. Interested parties, provided they have completed the last two (2) years of high school or equivalent school in a foreign country, must submit a high school diploma or other equivalent secondary education qualification that entitles them to enroll in higher education institutions in the country in which they graduated.
  • Graduates of a recognised foreign school in other Member States of the European Union or third countries, which is legally established and operates in Greece, whose qualification entitles them to admission to higher education institutions located in the country whose curriculum is followed by the foreign school from which they graduated, provided that:
    • they and their parents do not have Greek nationality and
    • they have attended at least the last two (2) years of high school in full-time education.
  • Students of Agriculture or corresponding Schools of higher education institutions abroad, who hold the certificate referred to in paragraph 1 of Article 314A of Law 4957/2022, in order to continue their studies in the corresponding semester and be awarded a degree by the JEUPS.

Foreign schools in Greece must be recognised as legally operating by the local Secondary Education Directorate.

The authenticity of the high school diploma and the candidate’s detailed grades can be verified:

  • with an Apostille stamp, provided that the country of origin of the documents is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention,
  • with a notary’s certification (notarial act),
  • with certification by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and/or the Ministry of Education of the issuing country,
  • by submitting the leaving certificate and/or detailed transcript and simultaneously informing the foreign school by the interested party. The notification is accompanied by an official email from the foreign school, enabling the Programme Secretariat to verify the authenticity of the documents in question.

Proof of English language proficiency

Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in English at least at level B2, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), in one of the following ways:

  1. English as their mother tongue.
  2. Possession of a language proficiency certificate of at least level B2 from a recognised examination body, in accordance with the applicable decisions of the Supreme Council for Personnel Selection (ASEP) or the Ministry of Education on recognised language proficiency certificates.
  3. Degree from a School of Foreign Languages and Literature or a School of Foreign Languages, Translation and Interpreting in Greece, or an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution abroad.
  4. Bachelor’s/Master’s/Doctorate degree from a recognised foreign university, provided that the programme is conducted entirely in English.
  5. High school diploma, provided that the candidate has attended at least the last two (2) years of secondary education at a school where the official language of instruction is English.

A foreign language teaching certificate does not constitute proof of knowledge of that language, as it is necessary to submit the certified degree on the basis of which the certificate was issued, as well as an official translation of it, if required.

Number of Admissions, Selection Criteria and Required Documents

The annual number of admissions to the JEUPS is set at a maximum of forty (40) students, while the minimum number of students required for the JEUPS to operate is set at fifteen (15) students. Upon recommendation by the Programme Committee, decision by the Senate and publication in the Government Gazette, the minimum and maximum number of admissions may be changed for each cycle of the Programme.

The selection of admitted students is based on the candidates’ CVs, following evaluation of their files and supporting documents by the Study Programme Committee and the candidates’ participation in the selection process. This includes an online interview conducted by members of the Committee, which assesses communication and reasoning skills, academic and personal readiness, and general understanding of issues in the agri-food sector. By decision of the Curriculum Committee, which is mentioned in the announcement, a test of knowledge in the English language may be conducted prior to the interview, in a form and on topics to be specified each time in the announcement. The relevant announcement and the corresponding required supporting documents are published on the programme’s website.

Applications are submitted electronically throughout the year. Prospective students are invited to submit their applications, accompanied by the necessary supporting documents, to the Programme Secretariat in electronic form. The English language test and interviews are conducted on predetermined dates set by the Programme Committee, while the order of evaluation follows the chronological order of receipt of applications.

Candidates must submit the following supporting documents:

  • Application form for participation in the JEUPS, available in electronic form on the Programme website.
  • Photocopy of both sides of the Police Identity Card or Passport.
  • High school diploma (with official translation into English).
  • Detailed transcript of all courses taken in the final year of high school (with official translation into English).
  • Certificate of English language proficiency at least at level B2.
  • Motivation letter of up to five hundred (500) words, presenting the candidate’s interest in sustainable agriculture and food science, their motivation for studying the programme, and their future goals.
  • A brief CV including information on studies, distinctions, volunteer work or other activities related to the subject.

The above-described candidate selection criteria and supporting documents may be revised upon recommendation by the Programme Committee and approval by the Senate of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

In addition, the following optional academic criteria are taken into account in the evaluation of the candidate’s file:

  • Minimum overall high school diploma grade: seventy per cent (70%) of the maximum grade or equivalent.
  • Possession of admission test certificates for higher education, such as:
  • International Baccalaureate (IB): at least 28/45,
    • SAT / ACT: SAT: ≥ 1200/1600 ACT: ≥ 25/36
    • TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment): ≥ 70/100 or raw score ≥ 28/50

Additional criteria are taken into account for the evaluation and selection of candidates, which are defined and may be revised upon recommendation of the Curriculum Committee and in accordance with the applicable legal framework.

The relevant original documents, if deemed necessary, may be requested from the candidate to be sent by post or submitted in person to the Programme Secretariat.

The final selection process for candidates to the Programme is carried out by the Curriculum Committee as follows: The Committee compiles a complete list of all candidates and, after the relevant checks, it rejects those who do not meet the minimum criteria set by law and the Programme and invites the shortlisted candidates who have submitted the required supporting documents to an interview.

After completion of the process (evaluation based on the supporting documents, the interview and the knowledge test (if applicable), the final list of successful candidates is drawn up.

The final list of successful candidates and any alternates is validated by the Programme Committee. The candidate selection process, the publication of results and the enrolment of successful candidates must be completed by 30 September of each academic year, subject to the filling of vacancies arising from students who have voluntarily withdrawn from the Programme by discontinuing their studies who voluntarily withdrew from the Programme by discontinuing their studies. These places are filled in order of priority from the list of runners-up compiled by the Study Programme Committee during the evaluation of applications.

In addition to the above, students of Agricultural Schools of higher education institutions abroad who hold a certificate of evaluation of periods of study which have been completed at a recognised higher education institution abroad (paragraph 1 of Article 314A of Law 4957/2022, as amended by Article 128 of Law 5094/2024), to the D.X.P.P.S. in order to continue their studies and be awarded the corresponding degree.

Students submit an expression of interest form with the required supporting documents to the Secretariat of the JEUPS in printed or electronic form, via the Electronic Registration Information System of the Ministry of Education, Religion and Sports.

Filling vacant positions

In the event of a student’s withdrawal or expulsion, the Study Programme Committee may, by means of a specially justified decision, fill the vacant position in order to ensure the smooth operation of the Programme by maintaining a stable number of students in each year of study.

Candidates may be selected either from among those who submitted an application in the initial application cycle or through a separate public call.

Interested parties are requested to submit the following supporting documents:

  • Copy of police ID or passport,
  • High school diploma (original and official translation into English),
  • Transcript of all final year high school grades (original and official translation into English),
  • Detailed transcript from the school of origin,
  • Official study programme of the school of origin for academic equivalence verification (in the cases of paragraph 1 of Article 314 A of Law 4957/2022),
  • Proof of proficiency in English in accordance with the relevant section of Article 4 of these Regulations,
  • Letter of interest and
  • Curriculum vitae.

The Committee evaluates the candidates’ files and may invite them to an interview before issuing its final decision.

Appeals against the results may be submitted within five (5) working days of the notification of the results, by written request to the Secretariat of the JEUPS.

The registration of successful candidates takes place following a relevant announcement by the Secretariat of the JEUPS within fifteen (15) days, with the submission of any necessary supporting documents. If a candidate does not enroll within the specified deadline by paying the relevant advance tuition fees, this will be considered a refusal to accept the place, which will be filled by the next candidate on the waiting list.

It should be noted that applications and the possible acceptance of candidates relate exclusively to the academic year specified in the relevant call for applications. There is no provision for provisional admission for subsequent academic semesters or years, regardless of the reason, including, but not limited to, military service or personal obligations. Candidates who wish to study in a subsequent year must reapply in the next cycle and the corresponding call for applications.

Exceptionally, the Study Programme Committee may, by reasoned decision, approve the postponement of the start of studies for one academic year, provided that there are serious reasons that are adequately documented by the candidate concerned. The decision to grant or deny the postponement is at the sole discretion of the Committee.

Tuition fees

For studying at the JEUPS, a total tuition fee of thirty-five thousand (35,000) euros, seven thousand (7,000) euros per academic year, is payable. The amount of tuition fees is set and amended by decision of the Senate of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, while the method and time of payment may be adjusted by decision of the Program Steering Committee.

Tuition fees are paid by the students themselves (or by a third party on their behalf) into a bank account held by the Special Account for Research Funds (SARF) of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. A.P.Th., in ten (10) equal instalments of three thousand five hundred euros (€3,500): The first instalment is due during the student’s enrolment in the Programme, and the subsequent instalments are due before the start of each semester. After the tuition fees have been paid, the corresponding receipt is issued and the student is notified electronically.

When submitting their application, candidates must pay the amount of one hundred and fifty (150) euros as a file management fee. The application is not considered complete and is not forwarded for evaluation if the corresponding amount has not been paid and the relevant proof of transaction has not been sent by the candidate.

Payment is made electronically, according to the instructions sent with the confirmation of receipt of the application. The amount is deposited with the E.L.K.E. A.P.Th. and is not refundable in case of rejection or withdrawal of the application.

If accepted into the Programme, candidates are required to pay the amount of one thousand euros (€1,000) as a deposit for tuition fees. This amount is also paid to the ELKE-AUTH and is non-refundable in case of withdrawal from the programme.

Scholarships & Funding

Within the framework of the Joint Undergraduate Program of Studies in English , there is the possibility of awarding scholarships to students, based on academic and objective criteria and following a decision by the Study Programme Committee. For example:

  • Up to three (3) scholarships per academic year may be awarded to students who distinguish themselves during the selection process, based on an overall assessment of their qualifications (including the results of the oral interview), and ranked among the top admitted students of the cycle. These scholarships consist of full exemption from tuition fees for the first academic year.
  • A scholarship of excellence with a fifty per cent (50%) exemption from tuition fees for the following academic year may be awarded to the student with the highest average grade in all courses each year, provided that they have successfully completed all courses within the prescribed time. In the event of a tie, the scholarship may be awarded to more than one student.
  • The Program Steering Committee may award prizes for excellence to students who demonstrate outstanding performance during their studies. The awards may be accompanied by an honorary distinction or a cash prize. In particular, at the end of each academic year, an award may be given to the first-year student based on their overall performance in all courses and their consistency in attending classes. Similarly, an award for the best graduate may be given to the student with the highest academic performance during the course of study.
  • Following a reasoned decision by the Program Steering Committee, full or partial exemption from tuition fees for students from war zones or under international or subsidiary protection, based on documented social and humanitarian criteria.
  • In exceptional cases, a social scholarship may be awarded to candidates or students of the Programme who face serious financial difficulties, health issues, loss of a parent, or are living in a state of emergency or long-term crisis, following examination of the relevant application and accompanying supporting documents by the Program Steering Committee.
  • There is also the possibility of granting reciprocal scholarships, which consist of exemption from paying part of the tuition fees, with the obligation of the student to offer specific work in support of the Programme. This work may include library assistance, administrative support, assistance with research projects or other activities to be determined by the Program Steering Committee, in consultation with the Secretariat and the members of the Academic Staff. The duration and content of the reciprocal scholarship are clearly specified at the time of award, and failure to comply with the obligations may result in its revocation.

The awarding of the above-mentioned scholarships and/or excellence awards, the specific conditions for awarding them, the obligations and rights of the scholarship recipients are determined following a decision by the Program Steering Committee and are at its sole discretion based on the financial capabilities of the Programme and its cash reserves.