We understand that the transition to Deree, The American University of Greece – University Legal Entity (ULE), may raise a number of practical questions—from tuition and scholarships to how existing policies will apply. Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions, designed to help you better understand what to expect.
Tuition, Fees, Scholarships, and Financial Support
1. Are tuition/fees different for Deree University compared with Deree College? (show)
Tuition and fees at Deree University are comparable to those at Deree College, but not exactly the same. Deree University will utilize one price per credit for all students.
2. Will there be any financial benefits for students who need to retake courses at Deree University? (show)
Students who move from Deree College to Deree University cannot transfer credits earned at Deree College. However, if they retake the same classes at Deree University, they will receive a 20% discount on tuition for those classes. This does not apply to non-credit preparatory classes.
3. Will students who currently receive a grant or merit scholarship at Deree College retain the same scholarship at Deree University? (show)
For a Deree College student currently receiving a grant or merit scholarship and starting again at Deree University the resulting cost of attendance will be similar to what they currently pay.
4. Will athletic scholarships, if applicable, extend to Deree University students under the same criteria? (show)
Yes. Athletic scholarships will continue to be available under the existing criteria.
5. Will scholarships be offered based on performance in the Panhellenic Examinations? (show)
No. Scholarships based on performance in the Panhellenic Examinations will not be offered.
6. Will new scholarship policies apply to university students? (show)
Current scholarship policies will continue to apply.
Programs, Majors, Minors, Curriculum, and Academic Model
1. Which programs will be offered at Deree University? (show)
The programs offered at Deree University are subject to certification by the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (HAHE). The timing and mode of the announcement will be confirmed once the certification process is complete.
2. Will the same majors be offered at each entity? (show)
No. 1) Deree University will not offer every major currently available at Deree College, and it will also introduce some new majors that are not currently offered at Deree College.
2) Even where majors are offered in the same subject area, the curriculum at Deree University will differ from that of Deree College, since Deree University follows Roger Williams University standards, while Deree College conforms to Open University requirements.
3. Are Deree University-approved programs of study identical to Deree College programs? (show)
No. Programs at Deree University are overseen by Roger Williams University, which has different expectations than the Open University. Indicatively, Deree University majors will offer more diverse assessment approaches, and include more elective options.
4. Will there be a time limit to complete the degree at Deree University, as is the case at Greek Universities? (show)
The time limit for completing a degree at Deree University will be 8 years, subject to the Greek authorities’ licensing processes.
5. Will students who retake Deree College courses at Deree University be required to complete all course requirements again? Will they be required to attend classes regularly? Will there be an opportunity to retake courses online? (show)
In accordance with the direction of the Greek authorities, and given that this is the first implementation of the new law, ULEs will begin operating by offering first-year courses only, with subsequent years added progressively. For this reason, transfers will not be possible, at least during the initial phase of operation.
Courses at Deree University must be completed through coursework submitted to Deree University. However, Deree University may be able to waive the requirement to retake courses completed prior to enrollment, though no credit can be granted for them. Attendance policies at Deree University will be the same as those at Deree College. At least during the first year, Deree University will not offer online courses.
6. Will minors be designated as “University Minors”? (show)
Certificate Minors (CTMs) will continue to be offered at Deree College. Minors within Deree University will be available only to university students. Deree University students who want to pursue a minor or certificate offered only at the College may do so through parallel study.
7. Will students who begin a program at Deree University be able to change majors or add a minor at a later stage? (show)
Students are not required to declare a major or minor upon enrollment at Deree University. Even after selecting a major, they may change their major or minor at any time.
8. Will the course structure, teaching methodology, and assessment system remain the same as those currently followed at Deree College? (show)
There will be some differences in general education and program requirements, and Deree University will encourage a range of pedagogical approaches. In addition, because Deree University courses will not be subject to Open University validation requirements, class assessments will be more flexible. Course assessment will follow the U.S. approach. Course credit and grades will be based on work completed throughout the semester, rather than on passing a particular component such as a final exam.
9. Will Deree University courses be easier than similar Deree College courses, or will grading be more flexible? (show)
Deree University and Deree College courses are similarly rigorous and hold students to equivalent performance expectations. Both systems have robust quality assurance mechanisms in place. At Deree University, assessments are more varied, since the U.S. model gives greater emphasis on papers, projects, and other authentic measures of performance, and less on high-stakes examinations.
10. How many credits are required to graduate from Deree University? (show)
Students will need to complete at least 121 credits [242 ECTS] to graduate from Deree University, including general education requirements and a major.
11. In what ways does Deree University differ from general education programs in Europe? (show)
Unlike most European systems, where degree requirements are concentrated almost entirely within a student’s chosen field, Deree University follows the U.S. model of general education, requiring all students to complete coursework across multiple areas, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and quantitative reasoning.
12. In what ways does Deree University align with U.S. higher education standards? (show)
Deree University follows U.S. higher education standards across its entire academic programs, as its academic structure is governed by the standards of its parent institution in the U.S.
Admissions, Entry Requirements, and Eligibility
1. Can a Deree College student apply for admission to Deree University and begin studies from the beginning? (show)
Yes.
2. Do students need to take the Panhellenic examinations for admission to Deree University? (show)
Greek students must submit either Panhellenic examination results or an IB diploma. International students are not required to take the Panhellenic examinations for admission.
3. Can current College students transfer to Deree University, or will they need to enroll as first-year students? (show)
In accordance with the direction of the Greek authorities, and given that this is the first implementation of the new law, ULEs will begin operating by offering first-year courses only, with subsequent years added progressively. For this reason, transfers will not be possible, at least during the initial phase of operation.
4. Can a student who took the Panhellenic Exams in one field use those grades to apply to a different field at Deree University? (show)
Deree University follows the educational policies of its parent institution, under which students are admitted without declaring any course of study. Students do not need to declare a major during the admission process.
5. Do students need to take the Panhellenic examinations for admission to Deree University? (show)
Greek students must submit either Panhellenic examination results or an IB diploma. International students are not required to take the Panhellenic examinations for admission.
6. Are all academic curricula accepted for admission, such as the IB, A Levels, and national diplomas? (show)
Yes.
7. What are the minimum grade requirements for applicants holding diplomas other than the Apolytirion? (show)
Deree University employs an American-style holistic admission process that evaluates each applicant based on their overall academic record and performance.
8. Are credits from Higher Level courses accepted, such as IB Higher Level, AS/A Levels, the French Baccalauréat, and SATs? (show)
This has not yet been determined.
9. Can a student choose any program, regardless of the subjects studied in high school? (show)
Yes. Students may choose any major at Deree University, regardless of the subjects they studied in high school.
10. Can students enrolled in a Greek public university apply to Deree University and pursue a major or minor? (show)
Students enrolled in a Greek public university who pursue parallel studies will continue to be enrolled in Deree College, not Deree University.
Transfers, Retakes, and Academic Progression
1. Will there be an internal transfer mechanism from Deree College to Deree University? (show)
In accordance with the direction of the Greek authorities, and given that this is the first implementation of the new law, ULEs will begin operating by offering first-year courses only, with subsequent years added progressively. For this reason, transfers will not be possible, at least during the initial phase of operation.
2. If students retake Deree College courses under the Deree University umbrella, will they have to redo all of their coursework? (show)
In accordance with the direction of the Greek authorities, and given that this is the first implementation of the new law, U.L.E.s will begin operating by offering first-year courses only, with subsequent years added progressively. For this reason, transfers will not be possible, at least during the initial phase of operation.
In its first year of operation, Deree University courses must be completed with work done at Deree University. While no credit may be granted for courses completed prior to enrollment at Deree University, Deree University may deem certain program requirements met, waive the requirement to retake the courses, and permit students to take different courses instead.
3. Will regular attendance be required? (show)
Yes. Attendance requirements at Deree University will be the same as those currently in place at Deree College.
4. Will there be an option to retake courses online? (show)
Online course retakes will not be available during the first year.
Recognition, Accreditation, Degrees, and Future Value
1. Will Deree College continue its affiliation with the Open University? (show)
Yes.
2. Will Hellenic National Academic Recognition and Information Center (DOATAP) recognition apply to Deree University degrees? (show)
DOATAP recognition is not required for Deree University degrees. These degrees will be validated by the Ministry of Education.
3. Will there be differences in academic or professional recognition? (show)
Yes. Under the new ULE law, Deree University degrees will receive academic recognition in Greece, whereas Deree College degrees do not. Professional rights will vary depending on the program and curriculum.
4. What will be the status of alumni degrees after Deree University implementation? (show)
The status of degrees already awarded to alumni will not change.
5. Will retroactive recognition or redesignation apply to past graduates? (show)
Under the current ULE framework, there is no provision for retroactive recognition or redesignation.
6. What will happen to students graduating in 2025–2026? (show)
Students graduating in 2025–2026 will graduate from Deree College.
7. How, if at all, will Deree University impact the accreditation of Deree College degrees? (show)
It will have no impact. Deree College degrees will continue to be accredited by NECHE, through The American University of Greece, and validated by the Open University.
8. How will Deree University affect students planning graduate studies or employment in the United States as compared with Greece? (show)
In the U.S., there is no difference between Deree College and Deree University degrees. Both are NECHE-accredited and therefore fully recognized in the U.S. State recognition is not a relevant factor in the U.S. higher education system.
9. Will the parent institution be involved in curriculum oversight, faculty appointments, or degree issuance? (show)
Yes. All academic policies will be overseen by the parent institution.
10. What is the difference between the current validation model and the new model under the ULE framework? (show)
The ULE is not a “validation” model. Instead, it follows the specifically prescribed ULE framework model of the parent institution–ULE. The parent institution recognizes programs offered at the ULE and grants its degrees.
11. Will Deree College and Deree University operate as parallel entities? (show)
Yes.
12. Will the current U.S. accreditation alignment remain unchanged long term? (show)
Yes.
Student Life, Athletics, Housing, and Campus Experience
1. Will Deree University students have the same athletics and recreation privileges as Deree students? (show)
Yes.
2. Will Deree University students be eligible to participate in Deree intercollegiate teams? (show)
Yes.
3. Will the buildings used by Deree University comply with accessibility requirements and applicable legislation? (show)
Yes. All buildings used by Deree University will be fully accessible and will comply with applicable legislation.
4. Will all students (Deree College, Alba, Deree University, Study Abroad, CTM) have equal eligibility and access to Student Life (clubs, organizations) and Career Services offerings, including advising, internships, and job postings? (show)
Yes, they will.
5. Will courses be delivered exclusively at the Aghia Paraskevi campus? (show)
Yes. At least at the beginning, courses will be offered exclusively at the Aghia Paraskevi campus.
International, Study Abroad, and Mobility
1. Will students be able to transfer Deree University courses back to their home institution? (show)
Yes. All courses offered at Deree College and Deree University are NECHE-accredited and therefore eligible for transfer.