Questions & Answers

We have compiled answers to the questions most frequently submitted to the Secretariat by prospective and current students. In all cases, the MSc Programme Regulations take precedence.

Admission & Application

Who may apply to the Programme?

Applications are open to graduates of Schools of Medicine and related health sciences or biological sciences departments of Greek Higher Education Institutions, as well as graduates of recognised institutions abroad, in accordance with the applicable legislation and the Programme Regulations.

Can I apply if I have not yet received my degree?

Yes. You may submit an official certificate confirming the completion of your studies in place of the degree certificate.

Is proof of English-language proficiency required?

Yes. A certified C2-level (Proficiency) qualification in English is required and is taken into account in the selection score.

What documentation is required for a degree awarded by a university abroad?

You must submit either a DOATAP recognition decision or the documentation required for the School’s competent committee to verify the institution and degree through the official national registers. In some cases, a certificate of the place of study issued directly by the awarding institution may also be required.

When and where is the Call for Applications published?

The Call for Applications is issued following a decision of the School Assembly and is published on the websites of the School of Medicine, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the Programme. It specifies the application period, required supporting documents and submission procedure.

Which supporting documents must I submit?

The required documents are: the application form; a curriculum vitae; a copy of the degree certificate or certificate of completion of studies; a copy of both sides of the identity card or passport; proof of C2-level English-language proficiency; and two letters of recommendation. Publications and evidence of relevant professional or research experience may also be submitted, where available.

How are applicants selected?

Applicants are assessed on a 100-point scale: academic record (40%), research and academic writing activity (30%), and letters of recommendation together with the interview (30%). Financial circumstances are not a selection criterion.

How many students are admitted each year?

Up to 30 students may be admitted each academic year. In the event of a tie for the final place, up to 3 additional applicants may be admitted.

Can I appeal the provisional ranking results?

Yes. Following publication of the provisional results, applicants may submit an appeal within the deadline and according to the procedure announced by the Secretariat.

What must I do if I am admitted?

You must complete your registration within 30 days of the announcement of the results. Any places that remain vacant are offered to applicants on the reserve list in ranking order.

Programme Structure

What is the duration and structure of the Programme?

The Programme lasts three academic semesters and corresponds to 90 ECTS credits. The first and second semesters comprise taught courses and clinical training, while the third semester is devoted to the Master’s dissertation.

When are classes held, and can I combine the Programme with employment?

Classes are generally held on Saturdays. Approximately 70% of teaching is delivered synchronously online via Webex and 30% in person at the Pathological Anatomy Amphitheatre in Goudi. Clinical training is conducted in person. This structure is designed to facilitate participation by working professionals.

What is the language of instruction?

The language of instruction is Greek. Lectures delivered by invited international speakers may be held in English.

Is attendance compulsory?

Yes. Attendance of at least 80% of each course is compulsory. Students who exceed the permitted number of absences may be required to repeat the course, while absence from more than 20% of the Programme overall may lead to deregistration. If a class is postponed, it is rescheduled and the new date is announced on the Programme website and/or eClass.

Where can I access course materials?

Course materials are made available through the NKUA eClass platform.

Clinical Training

Is clinical training compulsory?

Yes. Clinical training is compulsory and is carried out in person. It comprises three hours per week in the first semester (6 ECTS) and seven hours per week in the second semester (14 ECTS).

What does the clinical training include?

In the first semester, clinical training focuses on breast screening and imaging. In the second semester, it includes outpatient clinics, operating-theatre observation, multidisciplinary team meetings and clinical seminars. Training takes place in collaborating clinics, breast units and specialised centres under faculty supervision.

How is clinical training successfully completed?

Students must attend at least 80% of the scheduled clinical hours and receive a satisfactory assessment from the supervising faculty member. Attendance and activities are recorded in the student’s Clinical Training Logbook.

Examinations & Assessment

How are courses assessed?

Assessment takes place at the end of each semester. Theoretical courses are generally assessed through written multiple-choice examinations, while the specific assessment method for each course is described in the Course Guide. Grades are awarded on a scale of 1 to 10, with 5 as the minimum passing grade.

When are examination results announced?

Examination results are normally announced within four weeks of the examination date.

What happens if I fail a course?

Students who fail a course may sit the resit examination in September. If they do not pass the resit examination, they must repeat the course. Successfully completed clinical training remains valid.

Can an examination grade be corrected?

A grade may be corrected only in the event of an evident clerical or calculation error. The correction requires a documented request from the instructor and approval by the School Assembly.

Are alternative assessment arrangements available for students with disabilities or specific educational needs?

Yes. Alternative assessment arrangements may be provided following a decision of the Programme Coordinating Committee and a recommendation from the School’s competent committee for students with disabilities and/or specific educational needs.

How do students evaluate the Programme?

At the end of each semester, students complete anonymous evaluation questionnaires for each course and instructor. The results are used for the continuous improvement of the Programme.

Master’s Dissertation

When can I begin the Master’s dissertation?

The Master’s dissertation corresponds to 30 ECTS credits and is completed during the third semester. Students may begin the dissertation only after successfully completing all courses in the first and second semesters.

How are the dissertation topic and supervisor selected?

The student submits a proposed title, a brief abstract and the name of the proposed supervisor. The School Assembly approves the topic and appoints the supervisor and the three-member examining committee.

In which language is the dissertation written, and what is its required length?

The dissertation may be written in Greek or English and should be approximately 12,000–15,000 words, excluding references and appendices. It must include abstracts in both Greek and English.

How is the dissertation approved and deposited?

The dissertation is publicly defended before the three-member examining committee and is passed with a grade of at least 5. Following approval, the final version must be deposited in the NKUA Pergamos institutional repository.

Tuition Fees, Scholarships & Mobility

What are the tuition fees?

The total tuition fee is €3,600, payable in three equal instalments of €1,200 at the beginning of each semester.

Is exemption from tuition fees available?

Yes. Students may apply for exemption on the basis of the financial and social criteria provided by law. Exemptions may be granted to up to 30% of admitted students. Applications are submitted after completion of the selection process.

Is a tuition-fee reduction available for family members studying simultaneously at NKUA?

Yes. A 50% reduction is available when relatives up to the second degree are enrolled simultaneously in NKUA Master’s programmes, subject to the applicable rules.

Are scholarships or awards available?

The Programme may award up to two scholarships for academic excellence, based on performance during the first semester, covering the tuition fees of the final taught semester. Up to three work-study scholarships may also be offered. The three highest-performing graduates receive an academic excellence award.

Are there opportunities for training abroad?

Yes. Students may have the opportunity to undertake a two-month observership at Akademiska University Hospital in Uppsala, Sweden, and may also participate in Erasmus+ mobility activities, subject to availability and the applicable selection criteria.

Study Arrangements & Special Circumstances

Can I suspend my studies?

Yes. For documented serious reasons, students may apply to suspend their studies for up to two consecutive semesters. The suspension period is not counted towards the maximum duration of study.

What is the maximum period for completing the Programme?

The maximum period of study is five semesters. A single extension of up to two additional semesters may be granted by decision of the School Assembly for documented serious reasons.

Is an Academic Adviser assigned to each student?

Yes. At the beginning of the Programme, each student is assigned an Academic Adviser from among the teaching staff, who provides guidance throughout the student’s studies.

How can I submit a complaint or appeal?

Students should first contact their Academic Adviser. If the matter is not resolved, they may submit the relevant form to the Programme Coordinating Committee and, subsequently, to the School Assembly. Students may also contact the NKUA Student Ombudsman.

Degree & Graduation

What degree is awarded and how is the final grade classified?

Graduates are awarded a Master of Science (MSc) in Breast Diseases by the School of Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The final grade is stated to two decimal places and is classified as follows: Excellent, 8.50–10.00; Very Good, 6.50–8.49; Good, 5.00–6.49.

Is attendance at the graduation ceremony compulsory?

Attendance is not required for completion of the Programme, but it is normally required in order to receive the physical degree certificate. An exemption may be requested for documented reasons such as residence abroad, employment obligations or health issues.

Can I receive the Diploma Supplement in English?

Yes. Upon request, the Diploma Supplement is issued in both Greek and English.

For further information, please contact the Secretariat at breastmsc@med.uoa.gr.

MSc in Breast Diseases Secretariat · NKUA School of Medicine

Contact telephone: +30 6936576528
Email: breastmsc@med.uoa.gr
Office hours: 9:00–15:00, Monday to Friday