Ministry of education prepares for major reforms in University Admission System
The Ministry of Education plans to implement significant changes to the university admission process, set to take effect in 2028. These reforms include holding higher education entrance exams (Panellinies) twice a year and allowing students with an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma to gain direct admission to Greek public universities without exams.
Two Annual Entrance Exams
Currently, the entrance exams are held only once a year, causing a year-long delay for unsuccessful students. Under the new system, students will have the opportunity to retake the exam six months later. Studies show that approximately 15% of students who fail the first exam attempt the second one. The success rate for these students increases from 18% to 50% when a second exam is available. This change aims to reduce the gap year to just six months.
University Admission for IB Diploma Holders
Another proposed reform is allowing students with an IB diploma to enter Greek public universities without exams. At present, IB diploma holders can only access private universities. The Minister of Education highlighted that this restriction violates the principle of equality.
Starting in the 2026-2027 academic year, IB programs will be introduced in six pilot public high schools, expanding to 21 schools in 2027-2028. Public universities will allocate specific quotas for IB diploma holders. Additionally, international students may also enroll in public universities under certain conditions, such as proving proficiency in Greek.
These changes aim to make the university admission process more flexible and accessible, reducing time lost and enabling students to transition more quickly into the workforce.
