NATIONAL AND KAPODISTRIAN UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS EUROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT INFORMATION FOR INCOMING STUDENTS ACADEMIC YEAR

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1 NATIONAL AND KAPODISTRIAN UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS EUROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT INFORMATION FOR INCOMING STUDENTS ACADEMIC YEAR GENERAL INFORMATION General information about the University The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens was inaugurated on 3 rd May It is the oldest state institution of higher education in Greece, and among the largest universities in the European Union with a students body of about 80,000 undergraduate students, over 2,000 members of academic staff and 1,000 administrative, secretarial and specialised personnel. The Faculties and their respective Departments, functioning within 8 larger academic units entitled Schools, as well as a number of independent Faculties, offer a wide range of undergraduate courses, leading to a Diploma equivalent to a Bachelor of Arts or Sciences degree, after a minimum of four years of studies. Participation in the Socrates/Erasmus programme The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens under the framework of the Socrates/Erasmus programme has established bilateral agreements with several European Higher Education Institutions, with which it exchanges annually an increasing number of students. For the academic year bilateral agreements have been established between the University of Athens and 263 European Universities. Academic matters The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens accepts only exchange students from partner Universities with which there is a current bilateral agreement. This information can be obtained by contacting the International Relations Office of the partner University. In preparing for studies at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens within the framework of a Socrates/Erasmus bilateral agreement, students should know the following: Courses at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens are normally taught in Greek. However, there are courses in other languages too, especially at the Foreign Language Faculties and the Faculty of Law. Some postgraduate courses are also taught in other languages (mainly in English). In all other cases there are special arrangements for Socrates/Erasmus students, mainly the assignment of essays in

2 English with the use of English bibliography. Information concerning courses and other academic matters can be obtained a) at the web site of the University: and b) by contacting the Secretariats of the Faculties at the following telephone numbers: School of Theology: Faculty of Theology: , Faculty of Social Theology: School of Law, Economics and Political Sciences: Faculty of Economics: , Faculty of Law: , Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration: School of Medicine: School of Dentistry: School of Pharmacy: School of Nursing: School of Philosophy: Faculty of Philology: , Faculty of History and Archeology: , Faculty of Philosophy, Pedagogy and Psychology: , Faculty of English Studies: , Faculty of French Language and Literature: , Faculty of German Studies: , Faculty of Italian and Spanish Language and Literature: School of Sciences: Faculty of Physics: , Faculty of Chemistry: , Faculty of Mathematics: , Faculty of Biology: , Faculty of Geology: , Faculty of Informatics: Independent Faculties: Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science: , Faculty of Primary Education: , Faculty of Early Childhood Education: , Faculty of Theatre Studies: , 303, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies: , Faculty of Music Studies: , 302, Faculty of the Philosophy and History of Science: Students may select courses across the Faculty's curriculum and work out their personal programme of study with the help of the local coordinators, whose contact details can be obtained from the International Relations Offices of the Universities. Academic calendar The academic year is divided into two semesters: WINTER SEMESTER: beginning of October mid January examinations: mid January beginning of February SPRING SEMESTER: beginning of February end of May examinations: June There is a two-week vacation for Christmas and for Easter. Students can get information about the specific starting and ending dates of each semester by contacting the Secretariat of each School/Faculty. REGISTRATION PROCEDURE Before arrival Students who have been selected by their home Institution to study at the National 2

3 and Kapodistrian University of Athens as Socrates/Erasmus exchange students have to 1) fill in the Student Application Form and send it by mail, fax, or to the European and International Relations Department and 2) get a certificate from their home University stating that they have been selected under the Socrates/Erasmus programme. This certificate is necessary for their registration. Registration Upon arrival all incoming students have first to register with the European and International Relations Department where they will also receive information concerning their stay and studies and obtain the "Certificate for the Admission as an Exchange Student". After that, they can be enrolled at the Faculty they have chosen. The Secretariats of all the Faculties are open Monday-Wednesday-Friday 11 a.m.-14 p.m. The documents needed for the enrollment of exchange students at the Secretariat of the Faculty, are the following: * 5 photographs * passport or identity card * a certificate from the home University stating that the student has been selected under the Socrates/Erasmus programme * the "Certificate for the Admission as an Exchange Student" issued by the European and International Relations Department of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The Faculty's Secretariat will provide students with the following: a student identification card which gives right of access to libraries, sport facilities etc. a student transport card which enables students to buy tickets at half of the price of regular tickets a student medical care booklet a certificate which enables students to have two free meals per day. GREEK LANGUAGE COURSES FOR SOCRATES/ERASMUS STUDENTS Greek language courses, which will enable exchange students to understand and read the Greek language, are offered free to Erasmus students who are registered at the University of Athens, by the Modern Greek Language Teaching Centre of our University. Throughout the year there are three courses: Winter course: mid October-mid June Spring course: beginning February-mid June Summer course: mid June-end July For the enrollment in these courses students should submit to the Modern Greek Language Teaching Centre the following: two photographs a photocopy of their student identification card. For more information you can contact: Modern Greek Language Teaching Centre 3

4 School of Philosophy, 6 th floor Panepistimioupolis, Zographou tel ,3 fax nglt.info@nglt.uoa.gr PRACTICAL INFORMATION Accommodation Finding accommodation in Athens is very difficult since the rooms in the Residence Halls are not sufficient even for the Greek students. In order to assist foreign students, the University of Athens has come to the following two alternatives: 1. Students may stay for the first days or weeks at certain hotels and youth hostels located in the centre of Athens, at relatively low prices. Each year the list of the hotels is available after 1 st September. 2. Upon arrival in Athens, and during their registration at the European and International Relations Department, students are provided with a list of persons who let rooms or apartments to students. Each year this list is available after 10 th September and cannot be sent to the students before their arrival. Prices for a single room in a shared apartment range between EURO ( drachmas) per month. Prices for small apartments for one person start at 235 EURO ( drachmas) per month. Usually, renters are asked to pay in advance a fixed amount (equivalent to the rent of two months) as a guarantee, which will be returned to them upon their departure. Meals Our University offers two free meals per day (lunch and supper) at one of the four (4) University restaurants to all Socrates/Erasmus exchange students. For that service, students have to submit to the Meals Service of the "University Club" the relevant certificate obtained by the Faculty's Secretariat upon their registration. The Meals Service will supply them with a card, which they can use in order to have free meals at one of the University restaurants. Residence permit Students from EU countries who are going to stay in Greece for more than three months are required to apply for a Residence Permit at the Police Aliens' Department having the following: 3 photographs passport or identity card certificate from the Secretariat of the Faculty certifying that the student is registered as exchange student for the current academic year health certificate obtained by the Health Direction of the Athens' Prefecture ( , Kifissias Avenue, tel ) statement of the student or other documents stating that he/she has sufficient means of support during residence in Greece statement of the student that he/she has medical insurance which is valid for Greece certificate of accommodation (such as rental contract etc.) 4

5 Students from other European countries are advised to contact the Greek Embassy or Consulate in their country for entrance regulations prior to their departure and then to apply for a three-month student visa to Greece. Students who are going to study in Athens for more than three months should apply for a Residence Permit at the Alien s Department of the Municipality of Athens (Sofokleous 70 & Pireos street, tel ) having the following: 2 photographs passport with a student visa certificate from the Secretariat of the Faculty certifying that the student is registered as exchange student for the current academic year health certificate obtained by a Greek public hospital statement of the student or other documents stating that he/she has sufficient means of support during residence in Greece documents that prove that he/she has medical insurance certificate of accommodation (such as rental contract etc.) a deposit of 150 EURO bought by a tax office Health insurance All exchange students registered at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens are entitled to free full medical care, including medication and hospital treatment. It should be noted however, that they have to contribute themselves approximately 25% of the cost for medication. A student medical care booklet will be given to students upon registration at the Faculty. Whenever students need medical care, they may address the Medical Service of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Students originating from an EU Country and have the E128 Certificate may also be covered by the Social Security Institution (IKA). Public holidays 1 st January (New Year s Day) 6 th January (Epiphany Day) 30 th January (for Educational Institutions) Shrove Monday 25 th March (National Holiday) Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday/Monday 1 st May (Labour Day) Whit Monday 15 th August (Dormition of Virgin Mary) 28 th October (National Holiday) 17 th November (for Educational Institutions) 25 th December (Christmas Day) 26 th December (Boxing Day) Important addresses Schools/Faculties School of Philosophy / School of Sciences / Faculty of Pharmacy: Panepistimioupolis Zografou, bus number: 222, 221, 220 from Akadimias str., bus stop: terminal 5

6 Faculty of Law: 45, Akadimias street, contact person: Ms. Papadopoulou, tel , . Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration: 19, Omirou str. Faculty of Economics: 8, Pesmazoglou str. School of Medicine / School of Dentistry / School of Nursing: Goudi, bus number: 622, 815 from Akadimias str., bus stop: LAIKO hospital Faculty of Communication and Media Studies: 5, Stadiou str. Faculty of Primary Education: 13a, Navarinou str. Faculty of Early Childhood Education: 13a, Navarinou str. Faculty of the Philosophy and History of Science: Panepistimioupolis, bus number: 221 from Akadimias str., bus stop: main gate of Panepistimioupolis Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science: 41, Ethnikis Antistaseos str., metro: Dafni terminal station Other University Club of the University of Athens: 15, Ippokratous str. Meals Service: University Club, 15, Ippokratous str., (5 th floor), tel , opening hours: a.m. Medical Service of the University: University Club, 15, Ippokratous str. (1 st floor), tel Sport Activities Center: Panepistimioupolis, bus number: 221, 220 from Akadimias str., bus stop: 5 th Social Security Institution (IKA), Administration: 10, Amerikis Str., Consulting Rooms: 64, Pireos str., tel Alien s Department: 173 Alexandras str., tel THE EUROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT The European and International Relations Department is located at the Main Building of the University, in the centre of Athens. One of the Department s main assignments is the implementation of the Socrates programme activities. The Socrates/Erasmus staff is assigned to inform and assist, on practical and academic matters, foreign students intending to study at the University of Athens as well as Greek students willing to study abroad. Its staff also assists the teaching staff members of the University of Athens who are interested in participating in the programme. Address National and Kapodistrian University of Athens European and International Relations Department 30 Panepistimiou (El. Venizelou) street GR Athens Socrates/Erasmus contact persons Ms. FRYDA Fotini Ms. ANESTI Elena tel tel fax socrates@interel.uoa.gr web-site: Reception hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday p.m. 6

7 USEFUL INFORMATION A. Athens Airport Located 27km northeastern of Athens, the new Athens International Airport, is accessible via Attiki Odos, a motorway which constitutes the Athens City Ring Road. Public transport is provided by express airport bus connections with Athens center and the port of Piraeus on a 24h basis. Future developments such as the Suburban Rail, to be completed in 2003, in combination with the existing sections and the extensions under construction of the Attica Metro network will further improve airport access and enhance intermodality. Transportation to and from the airport By Bus All buses depart from the designated area on the inner curbside of the arrivals level of the Main Terminal Building exactly outside the Schengen Exit (doors 4-5) There are three bus itineraries dedicated to carry passengers to and from the airport. Line E94 connects the Ethniki Amina Metro Station with the Airport. Passengers can transfer from the Metro line to the Airport Bus at this departure point. Line E95 Syntagma Square - Airport Express has its departure point at the center of Athens (Syntagma Square) and via Vas. Sofias Avenue, Mesogion Avenue and Attiki Odos terminates at the airport. Line E96 Pireaus - Airport Express starts from the center of Pireaus (Karaiskaki Square) and via Posidonos Avenue, Varis-Varkizas, and Varis-Koropiou Roads terminates at the airport. For Express Lines E94-E95-E96, the ticket costs 3 EURO (1.000 GRD) and is valid for 24 hours on all public transport means (buses, trolley-buses and metro). The monthly ticket cards are also valid on the above three lines and cost 35 EURO ( GRD). For those meeting certain requirements, a discounted monthly card is also available for 17,50 EURO (6.000 GRD). Express Line E94: Ethniki Amina - Airport Route From Ethniki Amina From the Airport First 06:00 06:40 Last 24:00 23:20 Frequency Every 16' (06:00-20:30) Every 16' (06:40-21:05) Every 25'-30' (20:30-24:00) Every 25'-30' (21:05-23:20) Express Line E95 (24hour operation): Syntagma - Airport From Syntagma From the Airport Every 25' (06:00-19:50) Every 25' (06:30-21:20) Every 25' (19:50-06:00) Every 25'-30' (21:20-23:35) Every 15'-20' (23:35-01:30) 7

8 Every 30'-35' (01:30-06:30) Express Line E96 (24hour operation): Piraeus - Airport From Piraeus From the Airport Every 20' (05:00-19:00) Every 20' (07:00-20:45) Every 30' (19:00-20:30) Every 25' (20:45-22:05) Every 40' (20:30-05:00) Every 40' (22:05-06:00) Every 30' (06:00-07:00) By Tourist Bus Tourist buses will embark their passengers from the tourist bus parking area adjacent to the north part of the Main Terminal Building. By Taxi The taxi queue will start from Door 4 of the Arrivals Level and extend up to Door 1. Final prices for getting to/from the airport have not yet been defined. Still, the tariff to the airport is single and not double. By Chartered Taxi The chartered taxis will park and collect their clients on the outer side of the inner curb. By Car Private cars can use the outer curbside of the arrivals level for embarkation. Extensive signage is available on the Attiki Odos for the junctions leading to the southern suburbs, and the rest of the destinations. B. Public transport Bus and trolley bus routes Tickets are sold at newspaper kiosks (periptera), at special booths or stands found in the main squares of the city and several bus stops. The price of a single (one-way) ticket is 0.45 EURO each and that of the reduced fare 0,20 EURO. You can also buy a multiple-journey transport card which costs 17,50 EURO and allows free journeys on buses and trolley buses for a month, while that of the reduced fare for special categories of citizens costs 8,80 EURO. There are also three minibus routes (bus numbers: 100, 150 and 200) which cover only the centre of the city. If you want to use a public means of transport, 185 is a number you need to remember. Dial it from every day and you will be given all the information you need about which bus or trolley bus goes where, when and via which route. Operating hours of bus and trolley bus: every 10 to 30 minutes depending on the route and the traffic conditions. Electric railway line (ISAP) The electric railway line (Line 1) serves the area from Piraeus to Kifissia, passing under Omonia Square and part of the centre of Athens, with 23 stations. Tickets for the electric railway are bought in every station from selling offices and automatic vending machines. The price varies according to the distance you cover. The line is divided into 3 zones. The fare within one or two zones is 0,60 EURO and within three zones is 0,70 EURO. There is also a multiple-journey transport card which costs 35 EURO and allows free journeys on electric railway, buses and trolley 8

9 buses for a month, while that of the reduced fare for special categories of citizens costs 17,50 EURO. Operating hours of the electric railway: every five minutes. Metro lines Two new Metro lines (underground railway) connect the central area of the city with a two-line system : Line 2 (Sepolia - Dafni) and Line 3 (Ethiniki Amyna - Syntagma) and 19 state-of-the-art and ergonomically designed stations come to provide the city with a modern and reliable transport mode characterized by its benefits to transport and to quality of life in the city by providing speed, reliability, comfort and thus contributing to the continual improvement of the environmental conditions. The price of the ticket is 0,70 EURO, while that of the reduced fare for special categories of citizens is 0,40 EURO. Each ticket is valid for 90 minutes from the time of its validation and for Line, 2, 3 or ISAP Line 1 interchanges. It is not valid for return via the route already covered. The multiple-journey transport card which costs 35 EURO and allows free journeys on metro, electric railway, buses and trolley buses for a month, while that of the reduced fare for special categories of citizens costs 17,50 EURO is also available. Additionally, there is a one day ticket valid for unlimited number of trips and all the public transport modes (METRO, ISAP, BUSES and TROLLEY BUSES), which cost 2,90 EURO. Operating hours of the metro lines: C. Money - Currency Exchange The unit of currency is the EURO. You will have to deal with coins of 1 and 2 EURO, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents, and notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 EURO. Exchange rates fluctuate daily, so you need to find out the current rate before exchanging your money. All the major international banks have branches in Athens. Banks are open from Monday to Friday: a.m p.m. Some bank branches stay open until after banking hours for currency exchange, as for example the two branches of the National Bank of Greece in Syntagma square and Omonia square in the central area of Athens. D. Telephone - Postal Service Public phones in Athens mostly work with phone cards instead of coins. Phone cards are available at the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) offices and newspaper kiosks (periptera). OTE offices are open from to Some central OTE offices however, remain open until late, for example those situated in the following addresses: Stadiou St., near Syntagma sq., open daily 24 hours a day. 2. Omonia sq., Stoa Protodikiou, open daily, except Sat & Sun: All post offices in Athens are open Monday to Friday from to There are, however, some central post offices that stay open until later, for example: 1. Mitropoleos St. Syntagma, tel , Open: daily:

10 Sat: Sun: , Aiolou St. Omonia sq., tel , Open: daily Sat: Sun: If you need to send a letter after these hours there are stamp vending machines and post-boxes outside all central post offices. You can also buy stamps in some kiosks in the central area of Athens. 10