The School of Medicine is located in the Voutes campus, integrated with the University Hospital outside Heraklion.

Physical Infrastructure and Learning Environment

• Campus Layout: The School of Medicine is located on the modern Voutes Campus, a large area housing the Health Sciences faculties and the University Hospital, providing a focused environment.

• Medical Education Facilities: Features modern lecture halls, seminar rooms, and dedicated laboratories for preclinical teaching.

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

• Anatomy Facilities: Features dedicated Anatomy Laboratories with resources for practical study and dissection.

• Laboratories: Well-equipped research and teaching laboratories for foundational and clinical sciences. The UOC is particularly known for its biomedical research infrastructure.

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

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

Clinical training is provided through the regional university hospital, which serves as the tertiary referral centre for the island of Crete.

Clinical Facilities and Exposure

1. Primary Teaching Hospital: University General Hospital of Heraklion (ΠαΓΝΗ - Πανεπιστημιακό Γενικό Νοσοκομείο Ηρακλείου) is the main teaching hospital, located directly adjacent to the Medical School campus on the Voutes site.

2. Affiliated Hospitals: Rotations may also include the General Hospital of Heraklion (Venizelio) and other regional hospitals across the island.

3. Patient Load: Exposure to a high volume of diverse regional pathology is guaranteed, as the hospital is the tertiary referral center for the large population of Crete and its seasonal tourist volume.

4. Bed Capacity: The University Hospital provides substantial bed capacity for teaching and clinical rotations.

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.

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): Moderate to High. While the cost of living is lower than Athens, tourist areas on Crete can be costly.

   • Estimate: Approx. €7,000 – €10,000 EUR per year (excluding tuition).

3. Accommodation (Annual): Affordable private rental or limited university housing.

   • Estimate: Approx. €3,000 – €5,000 EUR per year for housing.

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

Heraklion is the largest city and administrative capital of the island of Crete. It is a major port, ancient city, and a vibrant cultural and economic hub.

Life in Heraklion

1. General Atmosphere: Heraklion is a bustling, cosmopolitan city with a rich history, close to the Minoan Palace of Knossos. It blends historical sites with modern urban life and excellent access to beaches.

2. Safety Profile: The city is generally regarded as safe for students and residents.

3. Student Life: Very active, driven by the University of Crete. Social life is focused on the central squares, the old harbor, and cafes.

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

5. Transportation: Served by an efficient and affordable local bus system, connecting the city to the university campus (Voutes) and other parts of the island.

6. Famous Food: Cretan cuisine is world-renowned for its health benefits, featuring olive oil, fresh vegetables, cheese (mizithra), and unique local dishes.

7. Indian Food Accessibility: Moderate. Due to the high number of tourists and a small resident expatriate community, there are some international and Indian options, but not as abundant as in larger Western capitals.

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

9. Cost of Living: Moderate, though tourists can drive up prices in the summer months.

Heraklion offers a highly attractive student life environment, blending a major city feel with access to beaches and historic sites.

Residential Details and Student Life

1. Accommodation: The university provides limited student accommodation near the campus. Most students rent affordable private apartments in Heraklion or the surrounding area.

2. Self-Catering: All accommodation options support self-catering, and local grocery costs are reasonable.

3. Safety: Heraklion is generally considered very safe for students.

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

5. Student Amenities: Highly active student life, with numerous cafes, restaurants, bars, and a strong focus on coastal and outdoor activities unique to Crete.

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.