NKUA – SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
POSTGRADUATE STUDY PROGRAMME
Breast
Diseases
MSc in Breast Diseases
An academic journey centred on knowledge
and care in breast diseases.
The 2026–2027 academic cycle begins in October
The next call for applications is expected in May 2027.
The MSc Programme at a Glance
The only postgraduate programme in Greece dedicated exclusively to breast diseases. It provides healthcare professionals with specialised, comprehensive scientific training, creating opportunities for professional and academic development in the field.
Who the Programme Is For
The Programme is open to graduates of Schools of Medicine, related health professions and biological sciences from Greek universities or recognised equivalent institutions abroad.
DURATION
Three academic semesters
CREDITS
90 ECTS
PLACES
Up to 30 per
academic cycle
START
Winter
Semester
LECTURES
Saturday
CLINICAL TRAINING
Weekly
MODE OF STUDY
In person. Some theoretical courses may be delivered through synchronous online teaching.
LANGUAGE
Greek.
Lectures by invited speakers from abroad are delivered in English.
TUITION FEES
€3,600
DEGREE AWARDED
Master of Science degree awarded by the NKUA School of Medicine, Level 7
Origins & Partnerships
The MSc Programme in Breast Diseases was established in 2022 by the School of Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. It welcomed its first cohort in the 2022–2023 academic year and enters its fifth academic cycle in 2026–2027.
The prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast diseases require close collaboration among numerous specialties: surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and psychiatrists, as well as nurses, radiologic technologists, biologists and psychologists. The Programme is built on this interdisciplinary foundation and is taught by academics and clinicians from across the biomedical sciences in Greece and abroad.
Students complete their clinical training in relevant outpatient clinics and treatment units, principally at the Breast Unit of the First Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, and the Fourth Department of Surgery, Attikon University General Hospital.
Watch the MSc Programme video
Studies
The curriculum covers benign and malignant breast diseases across all stages of care, in accordance with current national and international guidelines.
Foundations and Prevention
Anatomy and physiology of the breast; cancer epidemiology and staging; and the principles of clinical research. The curriculum also covers risk factors and screening, heredity, familial syndromes and genetic counselling.
Diagnosis
Mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis, ultrasonography and elastography, breast MRI and PET. Cytological and histological diagnostic techniques are also covered, from fine-needle aspiration to stereotactic biopsy.
Surgical Treatment
Breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy, oncoplastic techniques and breast reconstruction, and axillary surgery including sentinel lymph node biopsy.
Adjuvant Therapies
and Follow-up
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy, targeted therapies and immunotherapy, as well as oncological follow-up and psychological support for patients.
Clinical Training & Research
From the first semester, theoretical teaching is combined with compulsory in-person clinical training under the supervision of faculty members.
First Semester
Breast screening, imaging and diagnostic approaches to breast diseases.
Second Semester
Advanced diagnostic training, attendance at outpatient clinics, observation of breast surgical procedures and participation in specialised seminars.
Master’s Dissertation (Third Semester)
Development of scientific writing and critical literature appraisal skills
Participation in multidisciplinary tumour board meetings forms part of the training in both semesters.
The Study Programme
The MSc Programme in Breast Diseases spans three (3) academic semesters. The first two combine theoretical teaching and clinical training, while the third is devoted to the master’s dissertation. A total of ninety (90) ECTS credits is required for the award of the Master of Science degree.
The Programme corresponds to Level 7 of the European and Hellenic Qualifications Frameworks.
First Semester ·
Prevention and Diagnosis
- Introduction to benign and malignant breast diseases
- Imaging in breast cancer oncology
- Percutaneous biopsies – Histology of breast lesions
- Clinical Training I: Diagnosis & Prevention
30 ECTS
Second Semester ·
Treatment
- Surgical treatment of breast cancer
- Adjuvant therapies in breast cancer management
- Clinical Training II: Clinics & Operating Theatres
30 ECTS
Third Semester ·
Master’s Dissertation
- Master’s dissertation
30 ECTS
Total Credits: 90 ECTS
Tuition Fees & Financial Support
Tuition fees are €1,200 per semester and €3,600 in total. Students who meet the statutory eligibility criteria may apply for exemption from tuition fees in accordance with applicable legislation.
The Programme also offers merit scholarships, work-study scholarships and awards for academic excellence, with the aim of providing financial support and recognising student achievement. Scholarships are available to students who do not hold salaried employment.
Institutional Framework
The Programme operates in accordance with Law 4957/2022, the NKUA Regulation for Postgraduate and Doctoral Studies, and the Programme’s Rules of Operation.
Government Gazette Establishing the MSc Programme 08.09.2022 - Series B, No. 4732
Original Rules of Operation 12.09.2022 - Series B, No. 4786
Current Rules of Operation 24.04.2024 - Series B, No. 2448
Study Guide 2026-2027
Quality Assurance
The quality of the MSc Programme in Breast Diseases is assured through NKUA’s Internal Quality Assurance System. Each year, the Programme sets measurable objectives and undergoes internal evaluation by the School of Medicine’s Internal Evaluation Group (OMEA) and the University’s Quality Assurance Unit (MODIP), with the active participation of students and teaching staff. Evaluation findings are translated into specific improvement actions, which are published on the Programme website. In parallel, the MSc Programme is undergoing academic accreditation by the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (HAHE).
Governance & Organisation
The Programme is administered by the NKUA School of Medicine, whose Assembly has overall responsibility for its organisation and operation.
Oversight and coordination of the Programme’s day-to-day activities are entrusted to a five-member Coordinating Committee appointed by the Assembly. The Committee comprises the Director and four faculty members or professors emeriti of the School of Medicine whose academic expertise is relevant to the Programme.
The Director of the MSc Programme serves as its Scientific Coordinator, chairs the Coordinating Committee and is appointed for a two-year term.
Nikolaos Arkadopoulos
Professor of Surgery
Director of the MSc Programme
Georgios Zografos
Professor Emeritus of Surgery, NKUA
Flora Zagouri
Professor of Medical Oncology, NKUA
Konstantinos Dimitrakakis
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, NKUA
Nikolaos Michalopoulos
Professor of Surgery, NKUA
Coordinating Committee
Benefits & Educational Advantages
• Comprehensive specialisation
Training across the full spectrum of breast diseases, from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and follow-up, in Greece’s only university MSc Programme dedicated exclusively to breast diseases.
• Clinical training
Hands-on training in specialised university Breast Units, including participation in outpatient clinics, operating theatres and multidisciplinary tumour boards.
• Interdisciplinary approach
Experience in collaboration among the different specialties involved in the diagnosis and treatment of breast diseases, based on current international guidelines.
• Research experience
An introduction to the principles of clinical research in breast oncology from the first semester, with participation in research-group seminars, journal clubs, conferences and scientific meetings. The Programme culminates in a research-based or review-based master’s dissertation in the third semester.
• Recognised degree
A Master of Science degree awarded by the NKUA School of Medicine, carrying a total of 90 ECTS.
• Career support
Access to counselling services offered by the NKUA Career Office and opportunities to network with faculty members and alumni from across the field’s specialties.
Attendance, Assessment & Graduation
• Attendance: compulsory, with attendance required for at least 80% of the teaching hours for each course.
• Grading: on a scale from 1 to 10. The degree records the final grade and classification as Excellent (8.5–10), Very Good (6.5–8.49) or Good (5–6.49).
• Duration: studies may be completed within up to five semesters where an extension is approved. Students may also suspend their studies for up to two semesters.
• Graduation: upon completion of the Programme, students receive a certificate of completion. The degree is awarded following the graduation ceremony.
The Programme in Numbers
2022
year established
5th
academic cycle (2026–27)
3
semesters
90
ECTS
5
theoretical courses
2
clinical training cycles
30
places each year
18
Training facilities across 13 collaborating hospitals and centres.
180+
180+ participants
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
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