Comprehensive guide to all scholarship sources in Greece: state, institutional, private, and European, with tips for a successful application.
Scholarships & Funding for Master's in Greece
Funding should not be a barrier to postgraduate studies. In Greece, there are many scholarship sources.
1. State Scholarships (IKY)
The State Scholarships Foundation (IKY) offers:
- Merit scholarships for master's students
- Scholarships for financially disadvantaged students
- Scholarships for foreign-language programmes
- Amounts: €1,000–€5,000/year
2. University Scholarships
Nearly all universities offer scholarships:
- Merit-based: up to 50%–100% of tuition (GPA > 8/10)
- Need-based: based on family income
- Research-based: tied to research projects
3. Foundation Scholarships
- Onassis Foundation: scholarships for master's in Greece and abroad
- Stavros Niarchos Foundation: scholarships for selected programmes
- Latsis Foundation: scholarships for students from Euboea
- Bodossaki Foundation: educational programmes
4. European Scholarships
- Erasmus+: for joint international master's
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie: for research master's
- ESPA programmes: free tuition at selected programmes
5. Corporate Scholarships
- Banks (National, Piraeus, Alpha Bank): education loans with favourable terms
- Tech companies: scholarships for STEM programmes
- Shipping companies: scholarships for maritime programmes
6. Tuition Discounts
- Early bird: up to 10%–20% for early application
- Same-institution alumni: up to 20%
- Group enrolment: up to 15%
- Military service: some institutions offer discounts
Tips for a Successful Scholarship Application
1. Start early — deadlines are usually 3–6 months before the programme
2. Read eligibility criteria carefully
3. Prepare a strong motivation letter
4. Request recommendation letters from professors who know you
5. Show academic progress and extracurricular activities
6. Apply to multiple sources simultaneously — don't rely on one
Conclusion
By combining multiple funding sources, master's studies in Greece can be affordable even with a limited budget.
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