Graduates of Higher Tourism Schools Can Now Join University Tourism Departments Without Entrance Exams – What the New Ministerial Decision Provides
A major breakthrough in tourism education in Greece is marked by the Joint Ministerial Decision (JMD) signed by Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni and Deputy Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports Nikos Papaioannou. The decision, titled “Placement of Graduates of Higher Schools of Tourism Education (A.S.T.E.) into Departments or Single-Department Schools of Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) with a focus on Tourism Studies”, allows A.S.T.E. graduates to continue their studies at a university level.
Key Provisions:
According to the regulation, placement is done upon application by interested graduates, based on their year of admission to A.S.T.E.:
Those admitted before the 2006–2007 academic year will be placed in the 5th semester.
Those admitted from 2006–2007 onward will be placed in the 7th semester.
The percentage of admitted students is set at 6% of each department’s or school’s intake capacity and is in addition to the general placement percentage defined by Law 3404/2005. The selection criteria are determined by each university department’s Assembly.
Applications will be submitted to the Secretariat of the respective department from October 15 to 31 each year, and placement decisions will be issued by November 15.
Recognition, Perspective, and Advancement
Minister Kefalogianni described the decision as a “strategic move to upgrade tourism education,” noting that it implements provisions of Law 5121/2024 and enables A.S.T.E. graduates to earn a Level 6 degree without entrance exams.
“We recognize the value of their studies and give them a ticket to a broader professional future. Tourism in Greece represents culture, social cohesion, and competitiveness. We invest in quality, and that starts with education,” she stated.
Deputy Minister Papaioannou emphasized that this opportunity aligns with a “fair and cohesive system” that supports the academic and professional development of graduates.
“This JMD strengthens the status of tourism studies in Greece’s modern academic landscape,” he said.
A Decades-Old Demand Finally Fulfilled
This decision addresses a longstanding demand of A.S.T.E. graduates, who until now had limited academic progression options. Despite their two-year program and practical specialization, these schools’ graduates were excluded from university-level education.
The new regulation not only gives them access to recognized academic programs but also establishes a formally sanctioned framework for credential recognition. It opens up new opportunities for postgraduate studies and enhances their competitiveness in the job market with improved qualifications.
