The University of Patras (UP) School of Health Sciences is one of the most prestigious institutions for health education in Greece. Located in Patras, the largest city in the Peloponnese, the School is highly regarded for its research contributions and its close integration with a major university hospital.
| Feature | Detail |
| Official Name | University of Patras School of Health Sciences (UP SHS), including the Faculty of Medicine |
| Founding Year | The University of Patras was established in 1964; the School of Health Sciences and the Medical Faculty were established later, significantly contributing to the region's healthcare. |
| Institutional Status | Constituent school of the University of Patras, a state-funded public university. |
| Degree Awarded | MD (Medical Degree/Πτυχίο Ιατρικής - Ptychio Iatrikis). |
| Program Duration | 6 Years (Standard Undergraduate Entry). This is the fixed duration for all medical schools in Greece. |
| Instruction Language | The language of instruction is almost exclusively Greek (Ελληνικά). |
| Accreditation | Fully accredited by the Hellenic Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency (HQA) and the Hellenic Ministry of Education. |
| Global Recognition | Recognized by WHO World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS). |
| NMC/International Compliance | The 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 Requirement | Extremely competitive for EU/Greek citizens, based on the Panhellenic Examination scores. Admission for non-EU international students is highly restricted and governed by separate quotas, often requiring proof of high-level Greek language proficiency. |
| Academic Focus | Known for its strong research profile, particularly in basic biomedical sciences and molecular medicine. |
The School of Health Sciences is situated on the main university campus in Rio, near Patras, featuring extensive modern facilities.
Campus Layout: Located on the large, modern, and scenic University Campus in Rio, Patras, adjacent to the University Hospital.
Medical Education Facilities: Features modern lecture halls, seminar rooms, and dedicated laboratories for preclinical teaching.
Simulation Center: Maintains functional 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 sciences, supported by the university's strong research focus.
Central Library: Access to the main university library and specialized medical library resources.
IT Infrastructure: High-speed Wi-Fi access and excellent IT support across the campus.
Leading tertiary care hospital attached to the institution
Clinical training is provided through the regional university hospital, which serves as the tertiary referral centre for Western Greece.
Primary Teaching Hospital: University General Hospital of Patras (Πανεπιστημιακό Γενικό Νοσοκομείο Πατρών - ΠΓΝΠ), located on the campus, is the main teaching hospital and tertiary referral centre for the Peloponnese and Western Greece.
Affiliated Hospitals: Rotations may also include the General Hospital of Patras (Agios Andreas) and other specialized clinics in the region.
Patient Load: Exposure to a high volume of diverse regional pathology is guaranteed, serving a large and geographically varied referral area.
Bed Capacity: The University Hospital provides substantial bed capacity for teaching and clinical rotations.
Clinical Exposure Model: Students gain clinical exposure from the intermediate years onward, with intensive clerkships throughout the later years.
Training Method: Emphasis on bedside teaching, clinical reasoning, and supervised procedural practice.
Language Application: Fluent Greek is an absolute requirement for clinical rotations involving patient interaction.
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.
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).
Cost of Living (Annual): Moderate. Patras is significantly more affordable than Athens or major Western European capitals.
Estimate: Approx. €6,000 – €9,000 EUR per year (excluding tuition).
Accommodation (Annual): Affordable private rental or limited university housing.
Estimate: Approx. €2,500 – €4,000 EUR per year for housing.
Mandatory Charges: Includes registration fees and medical insurance.
Patras is the third-largest city in Greece, a major port, and the regional capital of Western Greece. It is known for its vibrant student life and famous carnival.
General Atmosphere: Patras is a bustling port city with a youthful energy, famous for its lively atmosphere, historic architecture, and status as the gateway to Italy.
Safety Profile: The city is generally regarded as safe for students and residents.
Student Life: Extremely active, driven by the University of Patras. Social life is centered around the city's cafes, bars, and coastal areas. Patras is nationally famous for hosting the largest carnival in Greece.
Climate: Experiences a Mediterranean climate, enjoying relatively mild winters and hot summers.
Transportation: Served by an efficient and affordable local bus system. The city is also connected by rail.
Famous Food: Famous for its pastries, seafood, and robust local cuisine typical of the Peloponnese region.
Indian Food Accessibility: Limited. While there are diverse local options, dedicated Indian restaurants and specialty grocery stores are few.
Language in Daily Life: Greek is the exclusive language of daily life and public services.
Cost of Living: Affordable compared to Athens or major Western European cities.
Patras provides a vibrant, student-focused environment with a Mediterranean coastal setting.
Accommodation: The university provides limited student accommodation (dormitories on the Rio campus). Most students rent affordable private apartments in the city or in the Rio area.
Self-Catering: All accommodation options support self-catering, and local grocery costs are reasonable.
Safety: Patras is generally considered very safe for students.
Climate: Experiences a typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Student Amenities: Highly active student life, driven by the large student population, with a strong focus on social gatherings, cafes, and coastal activities.
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 (equivalent to $A+$).
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.
Internship Requirement: Students must successfully complete the 6-year program to receive the MD degree.
NExT Eligibility (India): Graduates must successfully complete the full 6-year MD program to be eligible for the NExT exam and licensure in India.
Career in Greece/EU: Graduates are eligible for residency programs across the EU.
Well-equipped Library
Experienced Faculty
Computer Lab
Sports Activities
Heritage Campus