ACADEMIC YEAR 2011-2012

GENERAL INFORMATION

General Information about the University

The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is a state institution established in 1925 during the First Greek Democracy under Decree no.3341/14.6.1925 which was ratified by the Fourth National Assembly, proposed by the Prime Minster Alexander Papanastasiou.

Five faculties were initially set up; those of Theololy, Philosophy, Legal and Economic Sciences, Physics and Mathematics and the Faculty of Medicine. Since then many new faculties have been established covering a wide range of humanities and applied sciences. The structure of the University today, its range of activities and its size make it the largest and most complex institution of higher education in the country. More than 95,000 students study in the University's 42 school and the teaching and research staff (professors, associate professors, assistant professors, lecturers) number approximately 3,000. These numbers are supplemented by about 1,500 administrative and technical support staff.  

Participation in the LLP/Erasmus programme

The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki develops a variety of cooperation programmes with notable number of European Institutions of Higher Education. More precisely, for the academic year 2006-2007 it cooperated with 500 European Institutions within the frame of Life Long Learning Programme.

Academic matters

The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki accepts only exchange students from partner Universities with which there is a signed bilateral agreement for the academic year 2011-2012. This information can be obtained by contacting the International Relations Office of the partner University.  

In preparing for studies at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki within the framework of a LLP/Erasmus bilateral agreement, students should know the following:

Courses at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki are normally taught in Greek. However, there are courses in other languages too, especially at the Foreign Language Faculties, Faculty of Law (courses in English, French and German language), School of Journalism & Mass Communication, and School of Economics. In all the other cases, there are special arrangements for LLP/Erasmus students, such as assignment of essays in English with the use of English bibliography in small group of students.  

Information concerning courses and other academic matters can be obtained at the web site of the University www.auth.gr/academics/

Academic Calendar

The academic calendar provides a framework for the educational programme and determines the pattern of campus life. There are two semesters each lasting 13 weeks.

Contracts are as a rule allocated and must be accepted for full semesters.

Autumn semester: 1 October - 31 January.

Spring semester: 1 March - 31 May.

Exam period: February and June.        

It is possible to terminate a contract before it expires by giving notice on a special form.

Special deadlines must be observed.

Apart from July and August there are no classes on the following dates:

Autumn semester

Spring semester

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE

Before arrival

Students, who have been selected by their home Institution to study at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki as LLP/Erasmus exchange students, have to apply on-line at: 

https://eurep-online.ad.auth.gr/moveonline/incoming/

Application for an international mobility at our Institution is only possible by use of the online application form, available on the above mentioned website, under "My application".

Registration

Upon arrival all incoming students have first to register at the Erasmus Office where they will obtain the "Certificate for the Admission as an Exchange student".

After that, they can be enrolled at the School they have been accepted.

The documents needed for the enrollment of exchange students at the Secretariat of their Faculty are the following:

-        2 photographs

-        the "Certificate for the admission as a LLP/Erasmus student" issued by the Erasmus Office of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

The School's Secretariat will provide students with the following:

-   a student identification card "passo" which gives right of access to libraries, sport facilities and gives a 25%-50 % reduction in the fares of all means of transport (rail, bus, airplane).

-   To NON EU STUDENTS: a student medical care booklet which gives free full  medical care, including medication and hospitalization. 

-   (EU STUDENTS who have the European Health Card may covered by the Social Security Institution or may visit any public hospital http://www.ika.gr/en/home.cfm)

Student Restaurant

Our university offers two free meals per day (lunch and supper) at the Student Restaurant. Visiting students can take advantage of the Students' restaurant, which is open during the academic year, including free meals twice daily, lunch and supper, every day from Monday to Sunday.

For that service, students have to submit to the Meals Service of the University Students' Club the relevant certificate obtained by the Erasmus Office upon their registration, their student identification card "passo" (which will be stamped) and one photograph.

  http://www.auth.gr/students/services/board/index_en.html

GREEK LANGUAGE COURSES FOR LLP/ERASMUS STUDENTS

-There are four two-week courses organized specifically for LLP/ERASMUS students with the support of the EU (LLP) at the beginning of each semester: two in October and two in March (beginners' level).

-The School of Modern Greek Language of A.U.T.H organizes Erasmus Intensive Language Courses (E.I.L.C.) on the following periods:

a)Intensive Summer Course

b)Intensive Winter Course

Information on the website:

http://ec.europa.eu/education/erasmus/doc902_en.htm

Residence Permit

NON EU-STUDENTS 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. These students will receive from the Erasmus Office of A.U.T.H an invitation letter prior their arrival in Greece. Students who are going to study in Thessaloniki for more than three months should apply for a Residence Permit at the Immigration Office of the Municipality of Thessaloniki (19,  Odysseos str, , tel: +30 2310375339 & 2310556390) having the following:

1. 4 colored photos-small size.
2. A copy of your passport and a copy of your visa.
3. A certification that you are an Erasmus student which is provided by our Department in Greek language.
4. A confirmation of scholarship from your home University that needs to be translated by a translation office.
5. A confirmation of health examinations (blood test and chest x-rays) which can be done in every public hospital.
6. A copy of the health booklet that is provided by our University.
7. The letter of acceptance which was sent by our Institution to your University.
8. 3 yellow application forms which you will be given by the immigration office
9. 2 File-folders with two elastic cords.

In the following pages, you will find the main points concerning the housing contract of your stay in the students' residences. More detailed information can be obtained from the Department of European Educational Programmes, (Mrs. Nikoletta Kapnizou, tel: +30 231 0995166, Mr. Theocharis Chatzistathis, tel: +30 231 0991391).

ACCOMMODATION

We may reserve accommodation for you after the 28^th of September for the autumn semester and after the 28^th of February for the spring semester

The lodging possibilities are basically three:

Our University can accommodate ERASMUS students in two dormitories:

1.                       7, K. Matsi str., with

a) 40-Single rooms with bathroom at 7,5 € per day

b) 2-Double rooms at 6,00 € per day / per person

Check-in hours 07:00 a.m.-12:00 noon (from Monday to Friday)

In case of a later arrival (after 12:00 noon)-you should spend the night in a hotel (www.all-hotels.gr) as you will not be able to enter the Residence for safety reasons

2.               134, Kassandrou str., with

a)    6-Single rooms with  bathroom and kitchenette at 11,00 € per day

b)     7-Single rooms with shared bathroom and kitchenette at 10,00 € per day

c)     6-Double rooms with bathrooms and kitchenette at 7,00 € per day/per person

Check-in hours 08:00 a.m.-20:00 p.m. (from Monday to Saturday)

In case of a later arrival (after 20:00 p.m.)-you should spend the night in a hotel (www.all-hotels.gr) as you will not be able to enter the Residence for safety reasons

- The residences (7, K. Matsi str. and 134, Kassandrou str.) are in walking distance from the University Campus while Efxinos Leschi is 15 minutes far (by bus).

-The dormitories provide the students with blankets and bed linen and there is a common kitchen with all the necessary equipment. There are also several card telephones for the students. There are also washing machines and internet connection for the students.

-                Foreign students are in principle guaranteed a single or double room  in one of the students' residences under the condition that a)the form has reached our Department before the main application deadlines for the Autumn (June 30) and Spring (November 30) semesters and b) there are still free places at the students' residences.

-        The rent should be paid every three months in advance and no reimbursement will be made in case of early departure. Please be sure that you are able to meet this payment otherwise, you cannot obtain the key of the room.

ARRIVAL: Once we have received the student's application form, the student will receive a letter or fax informing him/her of the possible places that has been reserved for him/her (about a week before arrival). It is necessary to indicate the arrival date on the application form since the lodging will only be available on the mentioned date. Any change in the arrival date should therefore be communicated a week in advance.

Shared Flats: There are private flats, rented by the owners directly to the students. Flats rented by separate rooms are uncommon; therefore, the rent must be paid in total to the owner.

The electricity, water and telephone expenses are not included in the rent and will have to be paid separately to the owner. The flats usually have blankets but not always bed linen and almost never towels.

-Our Department provides only advice on privately rented property available in the area close to the University Campus. For more information, plese visit: http://www.eurep.auth.gr/content/incoming/ADS_FOR_RENT.PDF

Cost of Living

Thessaloniki is known as a "friendly" city with an active cultural life. Beyond the museums, there are numerous movie theaters, (foreign films are screened with subtitles), several theaters, a state and a city orchestra, cafes, restaurants and bars.

It is estimated that, on the average, a Greek student spends at least 600 Euro per month for private accommodation, utilities, food and transportation. The following list includes the prices of some basic goods that determine the cost of living:

Students with dependents

The majority of property available to accommodation services is for single people only. Students seeking accommodation for dependents, such as spouse and children, should ensure that this is mentioned in detail in the accommodation form. Do not attempt to bring dependents to Thessaloniki without first securing accommodation. Due to the limited availability of family accommodation, this procedure may prove time-consuming and very difficult.

Students with special needs

Students with special needs are required to submit details of any disability, which may affect the type of accommodation suited to their particular needs together with the application for help in finding accommodation.         

Social Policy Committee of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (www.auth.gr/spc/, e-mail: socialcom@ad.auth.gr, tel: +30 2310995360/5386)

The Social Policy Committee of A.U.T.H, established in 1997, contributes to the following issues:

-confronting problems which the students of our University might face.

-strengthening the inner life of A.U.T.H

-connection of A.U.T.H. with the city of Thessaloniki

-cooperation with the foreign students of A.U.T.H

-cooperation and promotion issues of students with special needs

-enforcement of the cultural life of students' groups

-organization of events/lectures for students

-establishment of Center of Counseling and Psychological Support in the students' club

-establishment of Blood Bank of A.U.T.H

The Social Policy Committee reinforces the development of several interests of the University society and contributes in everyway to set up the University as resort of scientific, cultural and social offer.

University Gymnasium

The University Gymnasium (about 22 acres), including an indoor athletic center, is open to students and staff and operates from September to June. All students have the opportunity to exercise and take part in various sports such as Keep-fit, floor gymnastics for female students (modern, classical aerobic), gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, handball, athletics, football, table tennis, weightlifting, ski, water sports (swimming, water polo) and Greek traditional dances.

The Sport Centre organizes annual internal championships for many different sports, and it also participates successfully in all inter-university national championships organized by the Sport Committee for Higher Education. A total of 150 students participate in A.U.Th. Sport teams. The Sport Centre has also a traditional Greek dancing group.

Information

To use the sports facilities, you have to submit:

• 1 photo
• Student's passo (which will be given by the Erasmus office)
• Health certification in English language (issued in you country and brought by you)

Registration: Every week day at the secretariat of the University Gym 10:00-13:00 and 15:00-19:00

Tel.:+30.2310.99.2672
E-mail:  vaspap@phed.auth.gr
Web page: www.auth.gr/gym

The students have also access to a number of sport facilities scattered in the city, including tennis, basketball courts and swimming pools. The following sport centers are located within walking distance from the campus:

-National Swimming Pool (in the North of the University campus), tel: 231 0203126 (to-129),

-Kaftatzoglio Sports Stadium, tel: 231 0205535,

-YMCA, tel: 231 0274710 and 231 0275026

A.U.T.H Camping facilities

During summer the students can use the A.U.T.H. camping facilities at Poseidi in Chalkidiki, a summer resort at a distance of about 150 km from Thessaloniki, at a very low cost. The Camping facilities include sports and entertainment facilities, hygiene facilities, restaurant, two life-guard towers, fire-protection, a beach bar, a students' kiosk, and a small convenience store.

Information: www.auth.gr/students/camping