National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine

- Athens, Greece
Abroad

General Information

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) School of Medicine, Athens, Greece 

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) School of Medicine is the oldest and most prestigious medical school in Greece. Located in the capital city, it holds a central position in Greek medical history, education, and clinical practice, maintaining the highest national standards for medical training and research.


General Information

Core Institutional and Program Facts

FeatureDetail
Official NameNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine (NKUA SoM)
Founding YearMedical teaching was established with the university in 1837, giving it a history spanning nearly two centuries.
Institutional StatusConstituent school of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the premier state-funded public university in Greece.
Degree AwardedMD (Medical Degree/Πτυχίο Ιατρικής - Ptychio Iatrikis).
Program Duration6 Years (Standard Undergraduate Entry). This is the fixed duration for all medical schools in Greece.
Instruction LanguageThe language of instruction is almost exclusively Greek (Ελληνικά).
AccreditationFully accredited by the Hellenic Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency (HQA) and the Hellenic Ministry of Education.
Global RecognitionRecognized by WHO World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS).
NMC/International ComplianceThe MD degree is widely accepted across the EU. However, international students (e.g., from India) seeking to practice elsewhere must verify the language requirement and admissions process for compliance with the NExT exam and foreign licensing rules.
Entry RequirementExtremely competitive for EU/Greek citizens, requiring exceptionally high scores on the Panhellenic Examination. Admission for non-EU international students is highly restricted and governed by separate quotas, requiring proof of high-level Greek language proficiency.
Academic FocusKnown for its extensive clinical network, strong tradition in basic and clinical research, and large faculty size.

Campus Facilities

The Medical School is located in the Goudi area of Athens, integrated with its major teaching hospitals and modern research facilities.

Physical Infrastructure and Learning Environment

  • Campus Layout: The Medical School complex is located primarily on the Goudi Campus in Athens, adjacent to major hospitals.

  • Medical Education Facilities: Features large lecture halls, seminar rooms, and dedicated facilities that blend historic sections with modern additions.

  • Simulation Center: Maintains functional Clinical Skills and Simulation Facilities for hands-on procedural training.

  • Anatomy Facilities: Features renowned Anatomy Laboratories with resources for practical study and dissection, upholding a long tradition in anatomical sciences.

  • Laboratories: Extensive, well-equipped research and teaching laboratories for foundational and clinical sciences.

  • Central Library: Access to the specialized Medical School Library and the main NKUA library system.

  • IT Infrastructure: High-speed Wi-Fi access and IT support across the campus.

Hospital & Medical Facilities

Leading tertiary care hospital attached to the institution

Clinical training is provided through a vast network of the largest and most specialized public hospitals in the Athens metropolitan area.

Clinical Facilities and Exposure

  1. Primary Teaching Hospitals: NKUA is affiliated with numerous major public hospitals in Athens, including:

    • "Evangelismos" General Hospital

    • "Laiko" General Hospital

    • "Aretaieio" Hospital (Specialized in Women's Health)

    • "Alexandra" Hospital (Maternity and Gynecology)

    • "Hippokrateio" Hospital

  2. Affiliated Hospitals: Rotations occur across this vast network, ensuring exposure to virtually every subspecialty and complex case.

  3. Patient Load: Exposure to an extremely high volume of diverse and complex pathology is guaranteed, serving the entire Athens metropolitan area and acting as a national referral centre.

  4. Bed Capacity: The affiliated hospital network provides the largest total bed capacity for teaching in Greece.

  5. Clinical Exposure Model: Students gain clinical exposure from the intermediate years onward, with intensive clerkships throughout the later years.

  6. Training Method: Emphasis on bedside teaching, clinical reasoning, and supervised procedural practice.

  7. Language Application: Fluent Greek is an absolute requirement for clinical rotations involving patient interaction.

Fee Structure

State University Affordability

As a public university, fees for EU/Greek citizens are minimal or free. Non-EU international students generally pay tuition, but the official policy and precise fees must be verified due to government subsidies and specific quota rules.

Financial Commitments

  1. Annual Tuition Fee (Non-EU): Greek public university fees for non-EU students are generally low or moderate.

    • Estimate: Could be in the range of €5,000 – €10,000 EUR per year. (Verification with the university is mandatory).

  2. Cost of Living (Annual): High. Athens is significantly more expensive than other Greek cities.

    • Estimate: Approx. €8,000 – €12,000 EUR per year (excluding tuition).

  3. Accommodation (Annual): High. Private rental costs are substantial in Athens, especially in central, desirable districts.

    • Estimate: Approx. €4,000 – €7,000 EUR per year for housing.

  4. Mandatory Charges: Includes registration fees and medical insurance.

City Details

Athens is the historical capital of Europe, a vibrant modern city, and the economic, political, and cultural centre of Greece.

Life in Athens

  1. General Atmosphere: Athens is a bustling, chaotic, yet historically rich city, dominated by the Acropolis. It offers an intoxicating blend of ancient history and modern Mediterranean urban life.

  2. Safety Profile: The city is generally regarded as safe for students, but normal caution is advised in crowded public transport and central districts.

  3. Student Life: Highly dynamic and engaging, with countless opportunities for cultural immersion, social events, and nightlife.

  4. Climate: Experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

  5. Transportation: Served by an excellent and modern public transport system (Metro, buses, tram), making navigation easy despite the traffic.

  6. Famous Food: Famous for Greek cuisine (souvlaki, moussaka), fresh seafood, and vibrant cafe culture.

  7. Indian Food Accessibility: Moderate to High. As a major capital, Athens has a growing number of international and Indian restaurants and specialty grocery stores, particularly in certain districts.

  8. Language in Daily Life: Greek is the exclusive language of daily life and public services.

  9. Cost of Living: High compared to other Greek cities, driven largely by accommodation costs.

Hostel & Mess

Athens offers a dynamic, historic, and cosmopolitan student life experience, with the challenges of a major European capital.

Residential Details and Student Life

  1. Accommodation: The university provides limited student accommodation. Most students rely on the private rental market, which is expensive and competitive.

  2. Self-Catering: All accommodation options support self-catering, though students can access diverse and affordable dining options.

  3. Safety: Athens is generally safe, but standard urban precautions must be taken, particularly in tourist and nightlife areas.

  4. Climate: Experiences a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

  5. Student Amenities: Extremely active student life, with access to countless historical sites, museums, nightlife, and cultural events.

Miscellaneous

Key Student Obligations & Career Pathways

  1. Admission Selection: Extremely difficult for non-EU students outside of specific government agreements. Admission for international students often depends on a limited quota system, typically requiring very high academic scores.

  2. Language Requirement: High-level fluency in Greek (modern Greek language certification) is almost always a mandatory requirement for admission or successful continuation, as the program is taught in Greek.

  3. Internship Requirement: Students must successfully complete the 6-year program to receive the MD degree.

  4. NExT Eligibility (India): Graduates must successfully complete the full 6-year MD program to be eligible for the NExT exam and licensure in India.

  5. Career in Greece/EU: Graduates are eligible for residency programs across the EU.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Students must typically have a minimum of 50% marks in PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) in the 12th standard (40% for reserved categories) and must have qualified NEET in the current or previous two years, as per NMC guidelines.

The duration is generally 6 years in total, which includes 5 years of academic study (54 months) and 1 year of compulsory internship (12 months), fully complying with the latest National Medical Commission (NMC) rules.

The process is simple: 1. Submit scanned documents (10th, 11th, and 12th mark sheets, NEET result, Passport scan, and a recent passport-size photograph with a white background). 2. Receive the Admission Letter from the University. 3. Process the Invitation Letter for Visa. 4. Complete the Visa application with our assistance.

Yes, all our partner universities are recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Medical Commission (NMC). Graduate doctors can also write major global licensing exams such as USMLE (USA), PLAB (UK), AMC (Australia), and the FMGE/NExT exam for India.

While most universities admit based on your 12th marks and NEET qualification, some may require a simple online entrance test or interview. We will guide you through any such requirement.

Fees typically cover the Tuition Fee, Hostel Fee, Medical Insurance, Visa Extension, and administrative charges. A detailed, transparent fee structure showing Tuition Fee, Hostel Fee, Mess Charges, Visa/Invitation Fee, and Medical Assurance Fee for each country and university will be provided upfront.

Payment schedules are determined by the individual university. Some universities allow semester-wise payments, while others require annual payments. We will provide clear guidance on the university's official payment schedule.

We are committed to transparency. All costs, including consultation charges and university expenses, are detailed in your offer letter. We strongly advise against any form of donation.

Yes, we coordinate group departures for students and assist with flight ticket booking. Our representative will meet the students at the destination airport and provide transport to the university hostel.

Hostels offer secure accommodation with separate facilities for boys and girls. Indian meals are generally cooked and served by Indian caterers within the hostel premises or mess hall to ensure a suitable diet for students.

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