University of the Aegean

The University of the Aegean is a pioneering, multi-island institution established in 1984 across the Aegean archipelago. Operating as a unique university network, it features six campuses located on the islands of Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Rhodes, Syros, and Lemnos. This geographic distribution creates a vibrant academic ecosystem that bridges the gap between traditional education and the challenges of the 21st century.

UAegean offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across diverse fields, including Social Sciences, Environmental Studies, Engineering, Business, and Humanities. The curricula are designed to be interdisciplinary, encouraging students to think critically and approach global issues from multiple perspectives. At UAegean, research and teaching go hand in hand, with a strong focus on sustainable development, maritime studies, and digital transformation. Small-scale academic communities foster close collaboration between students and faculty, while international partnerships provide global opportunities for exchange and research.

Mission

In accordance with articles 101 and 106 of the Greek Constitution, the State should take into consideration the designated role and structure of the University of the Aegean as one of the eminent institutions of the insular region, providing for its development.

(Re) Founded in 1984, the UAegean aims to introduce new approaches in tertiary education and promote regional development through innovative educational programs and interdisciplinary fields of study and research. The decision to develop in more than one university unit is based on firm strategic and geopolitical criteria.

The twofold aim of UAegean, i.e. focusing on academic excellence and development and unifying the geographically fragmented and culturally diverse Aegean area, with respect to its particular features, has been accomplished through the effective organisation and interconnection of academic and administrative units and the standardization of required proceducres via the use of ICTs and the multifarious connection and mutual support to local communities and their agencies.

Our university is dedicated to conduct high level research & qualitative teaching on contemporary dynamic study subjects serving the economic & social development of the country, the cohesion of the European area & the values of a universal culture, of which the Archipelagos is an integral part.

Welfare Provisions and Amenities

Aiming to ensure satisfactory living conditions for students and promote socio-cultural development as well as physical and mental health and recreation during their studies, the University of the Aegean supports a series of services and welfare provisions.

Catering

In all the academic units of the University of the Aegean, located on six Aegean islands, there are Refectories providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Refectories function on a daily basis and on weekends and holidays, apart from the Christmas and Easter holidays, from September 1st through June 30th, every academic year.

Accomodation

The University of the Aegean has the capacity to provide free accommodation for a specified number of students on every island. The number of beneficiaries depends on the availability of infrastructure and/ or available funds.

More specifically, the University of the Aegean has 672 beds (in rented and privately owned dorms) allocated as follows per University Unit.

Medical and Pharmaceutical Care

Undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as doctoral candidates, who do not have other medical, pharmaceutical, or hospital coverage, are entitled to full medical, pharmaceutical, and hospital care within the National Health System (Ethniko Systima Ygeias – ESY) with the relevant costs covered by the National Organization for Health Care Services Provision (Ethnikos Organismos Parochis Ypiresion Ygeias – EOPYY), by analogous application of Article 33 of Law 4368/2016 (Government Gazette A’ 83). The terms, conditions, and procedure for the provision of such care are determined by a joint decision of the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, and the Minister of Health.

European Youth Card

The European Youth Card is a discount card for products, tickets, and services in 37 countries. In Greece, it is provided by the General Secretariat for Vocational Education, Training, Lifelong Learning and Youth and the Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation (Idryma Neolaias kai Dia Viou Mathisis  – INEDIVIM).

Young people up to the age of thirty (30) are eligible to obtain it. The card is valid for one year from the date of issue and can be renewed annually. The issuance fee is 10 euros.