[16] A second cycle of study follows at EQF level 7[17] lasting one or two years to attain a master's degree (Greek: μεταπτυχιακό δίπλωμα ειδίκευσης (Μ.Δ.Ε.
The third cycle of study at EQF level 8, lasting three years, awards a doctoral degree (Greek: διδακτορικό δίπλωμα) or equivalent.
With the law 5094/2024, Government Gazette 39/A/13-3-2024,[18][19][20] the establishment and operation of private ("non-state")Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) was permitted.
[26][27] With the paragraph 10 of article 34 of the Law 2725/15-6-1999, Government Gazette 121/A/17-6-1999,[28][29] high school graduate athletes from 17 to 30-year-old who hold specific sport achievements are admitted without entrance Panhellenic Examinations to anyone of their choice undergraduate department of the public Higher Education Institutions of Greece.
In specific disciplines, only the undergraduate programme is five years with awarded qualification (Greek: Δίπλωμα, Latinised version: Diploma) that is legally equivalent to an integrated master's degree, which is often the standard route to chartered status for a regulated profession in Greece.
Upon graduation, all cadets become commissioned as second lieutenants, entry-level rank, and are employed in the Hellenic Armed Forces for a compulsory minimum term of duty service.
After the law 5094/13-3-2024 published on Government Gazette 39/A/13-3-2024[18][19][20] permits in Greece the establishment and operation of private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
[115][116][117] According to the State Constitution of Greece, "education at university level must be provided exclusively by institutions which are fully self-governed public law legal bodies".
[118][119][120][121][122][123] This prohibits private companies from operating post-secondary education that provides studies at Level 6 and higher on the Greek Qualifications Framework.
The monitoring of those agreements as well as of additional provisions for the operation of colleges is carried out by the Ministry of Education and confirmed by Parliament by a 2008 law.
Degrees, diplomas, certificates, and any other type of attestation awarded by universities in European Union and European Free Trade Association countries to students that have completed their studies in an accredited private college located in Greece, can be recognized as professionally equivalent "in terms of the professional (practice) rights only" (Greek: επαγγελματικής ισοδυναμίας) to higher education titles awarded in the formal Greek education system.
Recognition of professional equivalence permits access to a specific economic activity that the title-holder can exercise on the same rules, rights, terms as holders of comparable titles of Greece HEIs education system.
Recognition of legally-recognized professional degree rights in Greece can only be granted by the Independent Department of Implementation of European Legislation (ATEEN; Αυτοτελές Τμήμα Εφαρμογής Ευρωπαϊκής Νομοθεσίας; Α.Τ.Ε.Ε.Ν.)
[138][139] Higher Education qualifications obtained from abroad foreign countries are recognised by the Interdisciplinary Organisation of Recognition Academic Titles and Information (D.O.A.T.A.P.
[143][144][145][146] The Hellenic Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency for Higher Education (ADIP; Greek: Αρχή Διασφάλισης και Πιστοποίησης της Ποιότητας στην Ανώτατη Εκπαίδευση; ΑΔΙΠ), established by law 3374/2005,[147][148][21] keeps the competent bodies of the state and the HEIs informed on current international developments and relevant issues.
The ADIP was reformed by law 4653/2020 to form the Hellenic (National) Authority for Higher Education (HAHE; Greek: Εθνική Αρχή Ανώτατης Εκπαίδευσης; ΕΘ.Α.Α.Ε.).
A "Quality Assurance Unit" (QAU) is established in every HEI in order to coordinate and support evaluation procedures.