Entry requirements and supporting documentation

Academic title

Candidates to study at this Program can apply either to the School of Political Sciences of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki or to the Università degli Studi di Torino. In the former case, candidates are considered as candidates to the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the selection procedures are defined by AUTh in this Regulation. If they apply to the Università degli Studi di Torino, they are considered candidates of the latter and their selection procedures are determined by the Università degli Studi di Torino.

 

Candidates who apply for admission to the Program through the School of Political Sciences of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki must hold a degree of the first cycle of studies (BA or higher) from a Greek or a foreign university. Holders of a first-cycle degree from a foreign institution must have their degree recognized by the Hellenic National Academic Recognition and Information Center or Hellenic NARIC (www.doatap.gr ) before they receive their portgraduate diploma.

 

English language proficiency

The Program is provided in English and, therefore, students must be able to provide evidence of sufficient command of both spoken and written English, which correspond at least to the level C1 of the Common European Framework (CEF) proficiency levels. Acceptable language certificates are the British Council IELTS level 7, the TOEFL iBT 110-120, the TOEIC score 880, the Cambridge English Advanced (CAE), the PTE Academic (ESOL) level 2, and other similar accreditations. Students who have previously completed their university studies (BA or other MA) in English are exempt from this requirement.

 

Supporting documentation

In order to submit their application, candidates to the Program are required to send electronically to the School of Political Sciences the following supporting documentation:

• A letter of application which includes a a motivation letter of up to five hundred (500) words
• a copy of the applicant’s first-degree diploma,
• a transcript of records for all his/her studies,
• a complete curriculum vitae, in English, and a dossier with any published papers or works of the applicant, and
• an English language qualification (level C1) or a certificate of previous university studies in English.

Diplomas and transcripts of records must be submitted in the original language and, in case they are not issued in Greek or in English, with an official translation in Greek or English. In the event any of the files uploaded are found illegible, a notification will be sent to the applicant, for the next step.

Candidates cannot apply for admission to the Program both to the Aristotle University and to the University of Torino.

 

Selection criteria

The Program aims to admit highly qualified graduates from different countries around the world. Decisions on admissions are made based on academic merit and the availability of places, 40 in maximum per academic year (up to 20 through the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and up to 20 through the University of Torino).

The evaluation and ranking of prospective postgraduate students who have applied to the Università degli Studi di Torino shall be carried out by that university in accordance with the provisions laid down by that university. The evaluation and ranking of prospective postgraduate students who applied to the AUTh takes place after examination of their CV and the dossier, written exams in Greek or in English, as by choice from each candidate, and a personal interview in English of each candidate.

The grading of applications takes place as follows, the total score for each candidate being 100 points:

• First degree grade (calculated at 20% of the overall mark). Any score that does not include only integer numbers is calculated up to two decimal points. In the case of foreign degrees where the grade of the degree is not on the scale of 10, the grade is awarded as a percentage of the corresponding top grade.  If a candidate presents more than one first degrees, the grade shall be the average of the grades of the first degrees.
• Grade of another or other master’s degrees (calculated at 10% on the total score). In case a candidate presents more master’s degrees, the grade is the average of the grades of all postgraduate grades.
• Scientific work (calculated at 10% of the overall mark). Published monographs and publications in peer-reviewed journals are credited with two points, each publication in non-peer-reviewed journals is credited with one unit and articles on electronic pages with half a point. All publications must be included as hyperlinks or as files in the application. The credit for this point does not exceed 10 points.
• A two-hour written examination on the topic “European institutions” (calculated by a factor of 40% on the total score). The written exam shall be answered in Greek or in English as the candidate prefers.
• An interview of the candidate in English (calculated at 20% on the total score). The interview aims to understand the candidate’s knowledge of both the working language (English) and the content of the master’s degree.

 

The dates of submission of applications, of written examinations and interviews are announced in a timely manner by the secretariat of the School of Political Sciences. Successful candidates are the top 20, if they have received at least the basis (50 out of 100 points). This number may be exceeded in the event of a tie between the last ones.

Approximately 15 days after the completion of the admission procedure, applicants are notified of the decision. The decision sent will be one of the following:

• An unconditional offer: applicants satisfy all of the academic conditions required before entry and are offering you a place.
• A conditional offer: applicants are offered a place once they satisfy certain conditions, which they failed, such as provide the adequate English language certificates or degree results.
• Reserve list: A limited number of applicants will be made a late offer, should a place become available. The reserve list is not ranked. Final decisions to reserve listed applicants will be sent by the end of September.
• We are unable to offer you a place: Applicants do not satisfy some essential academic or language condition, or the program is already full. The decision is final and is not open to appeal.

To complete admission and secure the place offered, applicants need to send a statement of acceptance and a copy of ID, or Passport, to the program coordinator before the end of a set date. Unconditionally accepted candidates, who need permission to study in Greece, are strongly advised to get in contact with the Greek embassy closest to their residence and apply for a student visa. The time needed to be issued a student-visa is usually two to three months.