Categories of Candidates

In the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP) entitled: “Environmental Architectural and Urban Design”, holders of first-cycle degrees from domestic and foreign Higher Education Institutions are accepted, and in particular:

• Holders of first-cycle degrees from domestic Higher Education Institutions (Universities and Technical Educational Institutions – TEIs), especially graduates of the School of Architecture, other Departments within Faculties of Engineering, and graduates of relevant academic Departments. Applications from graduates of other Departments are accepted provided that candidates have relevant professional or research experience.
• Holders of first-cycle degrees from recognized foreign Institutionsof the same or related fields as mentioned in the previous clause.

Final-year students are also eligible to apply, provided they obtain their diploma or degree before the start of the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP) courses. The same eligibility criteria apply to graduating students as for graduates described above.

Number of Entrants

The number of entrants per study cycle in the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP) entitled: “Environmental Architectural and Urban Design” is defined by an upper limit of thirty-five (35) postgraduate students.

Criteria and Selection Process for Admission

The Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP) in “Environmental Architectural and Urban Design”, by a decision of the Assembly of the School of Architecture of the Faculty of Engineering of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, upon recommendation from the Steering Committee (SC) of the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP), announces positions through an open procedure. In particular, the announcement includes the admission requirements, the number of entrants, the categories of candidates, the admission process, the selection criteria, etc., as well as the application deadlines and required documents.

The admission announcement for postgraduate students is published on the website of the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP) and on the website of the School of Architecture of the Faculty of Engineering of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Applications, along with the required documents, can be submitted to the Secretariat of the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP) either in printed form or electronically.

The required documents that candidates must submit include:

• application form (provided by the PSP),
• one (1) recent color photograph,
• photocopy of ID card (or passport for international applicants),
• copy of diploma or degree or a certificate from their Department’s Registrar indicating expected graduation by the start date of the courses,
• transcript of records,
• detailed curriculum vitae (CV),
• certificate of at least B2 level in the English language, accepted by ASEP (Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection),
• two (2) recent recommendation letters from individuals with academic or significant research and professional capacity,
• portfolio or summary of work,
• statement of intent (maximum 600 words).

In addition to the aforementioned documents, candidates may also submit the following, if available:

• copies of additional undergraduate and/or postgraduate degrees,
• documents demonstrating research and/or writing activities,
• documents verifying professional experience,
• certificates of other foreign languages.

All documents should be submitted either as exact copies or as simple photocopies.

Foreign candidates must provide either a certificate of Greek language or a certificate of at least B2 level as a prerequisite for admission to the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP).

The assessment of candidates occurs in two phases:

a. The first phase is preliminary (with a maximum total score of 100 points). The assessment criteria and corresponding weighting coefficients are as follows:

• overall grade of the undergraduate diploma or degree (maximum 20 points): The grade is based on five (5) years of undergraduate studies. The scoring is calculated by multiplying the grade by a coefficient of 2. The scoring for candidates with fewer than five (5) years of undergraduate studies is adjusted proportionally based on the number of years completed.
• relevance of undergraduate studies to the objective of the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP) (maximum 10 points): The relevance refers to relevant courses, research thesis, design thesis, and undergraduate thesis (qualitative criteria).
• additional academic qualifications (maximum 6 points): Additional undergraduate degrees = 1-3 points, postgraduate degrees = 4-6 points (depending on relevance),
• research and writing activity (maximum 12 points): Certificates from seminars, conferences, workshops, research programs, etc. = 1-4 points, scientific publications or announcements = 1-8 points,
• relevant professional experience (maximum 12 points): Up to 12 months = 1 point, one (1) to three (3) years = 4 points, three (3) to five (5) years = 8 points, five (5) years and more = 12 points,
• English language level (maximum 5 points): C2 level = 5 points, C1 level = 4 points, B2 level = 3 points,
• additional foreign language (maximum 4 points): C2 level = 4 points, C1 level = 3 points, B2 level = 2 points, B1 level = 1 point,
• two (2) recommendation letters (maximum 6 points): Each recommendation letter = 1-3 points,
• portfolio or summary of work (maximum 15 points),
• statement of intent (maximum 10 points).

b. The second phase includes an interview of candidates who have been selected in the first phase of assessment (on a scale from 0 to 100 points). The assessment criteria are:

• motivation and interest in the objective of the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP),
• adequacy and preparedness,
• prospects for successful participation and completion of the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP),
• potential for distinction during the studies.

The selection process of candidates is carried out by conducted Trilateral Selection and Examination Committees, established by the Assembly of the School of Architecture of the Faculty of Engineering of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, upon recommendation from the Steering Committee (SC) of the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP), composed of teaching staff of the PSP. The Trilateral Selection and Examination Committees make recommendations to the Steering Committee of the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP) based on the following rules:

The Steering Committee (SC) of the of the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP) compiles a comprehensive list of all candidates and, following necessary checks, rejects those who do not meet the minimum criteria specified by the PSP.

The Selection and Examination Committees assess and select candidates based on the assessment criteria of the first phase, with a maximum number of candidates equal to twice the available positions. The minimum score required for a candidate to progress to the second phase of assessment is 50. In cases where admission positions remain unfilled, candidates with a minimum score of 30 are selected for an interview.

The Secretariat of the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP) sends written invitations to the candidates who have advanced to the second phase for a personal interview on a specific date.

The Selection and Examination Committees assess each candidate following a personal interview.

The grading in the first phase is weighted with a coefficient of 0.7 (70%), while the grading in the second phase is weighted with a coefficient of 0.3 (30%). The combined score from the two phases determines the candidates who are deemed suitable for enrollment in the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP). After completion of the process (evaluation based on document assessment and interview), a final list of successful candidates is compiled.

If there are multiple candidates with the same total score, their overall degree grade is considered for final ranking. In the event of a tie even after this consideration, the grading of related courses to the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP) is taken into account for their final ranking. If there are still candidates with the same total score, all tied candidates are admitted, provided that the total number of admissions does not exceed the maximum number defined in the founding act of the PSP for that academic cycle. If the maximum number of admissions is exceeded, a lottery is conducted among the tied candidates by the Assembly of the School of Architecture of the Faculty of Engineering of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, upon recommendation from the Steering Committee (SC) of the PSP.

In cases where admission positions remain vacant, they are filled up to the specified admission quota (as defined in the announcement), either by ranking successful candidates in descending order of their total score, provided it is at least thirty (30) points, or by issuing a supplementary announcement for the vacant positions.

The final list of successful candidates and any waitlisted candidates, once approved by the Assembly of the School of Architecture of the Faculty of Engineering of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, upon recommendation from the Steering Committee (SC) of the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP), is posted on the PSP website.

Objections to the results can be submitted within five (5) business days from the announcement of the results.

Candidates are informed in writing by the Secretariat of the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP) and are requested to respond in writing within seven (7) days whether they accept or decline their enrollment in the PSP, accepting the terms of operation. Failure of the selected candidate to respond within the above deadline is considered a rejection, and they forfeit their position, which is filled by the next candidate on the waiting list.