Greece is a country in southern Europe. Nursing school in the country was established in1861 with education and training mostly granted to men in the army as initiated by the Directorate of Health Services of the Greek army. The first professional school for nursing was founded in 1875 for 2 years, which was later on changed to 3 years in 1930. The first nursing professional license was issued in 1914. In 1946, nursing education became more popular, and more nursing schools are built and established all over the country. During this time, Greece became the first country in Europe to offer a generalized nursing program and was considered the best in the region.
The nursing profession in Greece has thinned out over the years, and because of this, the government allows nurses from other parts of the world to practice their profession in the country. For international students seeking to study nursing in the country, proficiency in Greek is required and one of its other requirements is to pass the Greek high school examination.
Undergraduate degree in nursing is taken for 4 years in Greece, with licensure examination taken after graduation to practice the profession. Post-graduate nursing education in the country is offered by a few institutions. Let’s take a look at the best nursing institutions in Greece!
Top Nursing Schools in Greece
1. University of Nicosia
The University of Nicosia is among the best schools for nursing in Greece that offers its nursing school under the Department of Life and Health Sciences in the School of Sciences and Engineering. The university is one of the largest universities in Europe and has international ties such as in St. George’s University of London. These international ties are utilized for research collaboration, exchange programs, and clinical and internship placements.
The school of sciences and engineering is renowned for its contribution to research and was granted funding by local and European agencies. Its programs are the incorporation of theoretical and practical education, provided with the best facilities to aid in its student’s learning. The department of life and sciences also has its fair share of contribution in research and is associated with the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics.
The undergraduate program in nursing is taught in either English or Greek, costing US$10,423 per year for local students and US$10,626 for international students. Master’s is taught in Greek and is offered only to local students for US$10,670 for the entire program. Ph.D. in nursing is offered to both local and international students for US$15,228 for the entire program.
2. University of the Peloponnese
The University of the Peloponnese offers its nursing program under the School of Health Sciences at the Tripolis campus. The university was established in 2000 and consists of 5 campuses located in 5 capitals of the Peloponnese region: Tripolis, Corinth, Nafplion, Sparta, and Kalamata. The university provides education at the undergraduate to post-graduate levels. Also, the University of the Peloponnese is among the best universities for nursing in Greece and has developed both local and international partnerships with other institutions for research collaboration, clinical and internship placements, and exchange programs.
The Department of Nursing was founded in 2005 and continues to provide its students with knowledge and training that is relevant to the evolving medical health industry. The department is also highly involved in scientific research that contributes to its growth and development. Information on tuition and other fees is available on the university website upon request.
3. Technological Educational Institute of Epirus
The Technological Educational University of Epirus is another leading university for nursing in Grece that offers its nursing program under the Faculty of Health and Welfare Professions. It is a public institution founded in 1994 in the northwest of Greece. It is autonomous and belongs to the technological area of higher education. The language of instruction is in Greek, but international students are allowed to conduct assignments in their language and encouraged to attend tutorials on the Greek language. The tuition fee is free of charge to all students. The Institute offers some of its programs in collaboration with 2 other universities in the country: the University of Ioannina and the University of Thessaly.
The Department of Nursing is offered and taught in the University of Ioannina, one of the universities that first transitioned to higher education in nursing in 1984 in the country. Aside from degree levels, it also offers continuing education for professionals. The incorporation of research in the curriculum is also established together with research centers for integrated care, health, and well-being; and for the psychology of patients, family, and health professionals.
4. National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens offers its nursing program under the Faculty of Health Sciences. The university was founded in 1837 and is the first university in Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean region. It is the largest state university in Greece and among the largest universities in Europe. The university is known for delivering a world-class nursing program in Greece and is highly involved in academic research with contributions from its various Faculties and Departments.
In its foundation in 1980, the department of nursing was under the School of Medicine and it wasn’t until 1984 that the nursing department was placed under the Faculty of Health Sciences. In 2005, the department provides nursing education for the Military Nursing Academy. Undergraduate programs are free, while graduate studies cost US$565 per semester. The language of instruction is in Greek.
5. University of Western Attica
The Department of Nursing, under the Faculty of Health and Caring Sciences, was founded in 1983 at the Technological Educational Institution of Athens, but later on, joined the university in 2018. The University of Western Attica is an excellent institution for nursing in Greece that offers undergraduate and Master’s in nursing education with various specialties and focus. It publishes a scientific journal that is well known internationally, called the Rostrum of Asclepius.
The university is part of the ERASMUS University and cooperates with various institutions around the world for exchange programs and practical training through clinical placements in participating institutions. Fees are not available on the website and maybe attained upon request.
We hope that this article on Best Nursing Schools in Greece was helpful. Check also the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying in Europe.
