WELCOME GUIDE
FOR LLP / ERASMUS STUDENTS
LLP/ERASMUS OFFICE
ERASMUS CODE: G VOLOS 01
Address: University of Thessaly
Office of International Relations and Educational Programmes
Argonauton –Filellinon
382 21 Volos – GREECE
Fax Number: +30 24210 7 4603
Office E-mail : irep@uth.gr
Web site: http://www.uth.gr
Penelope Dalli, LLP/ERASMUS Administrative Co ordinator
Tel : +30 24210 7 4609, E-mail : pdalli@uth.gr
Filomila Mougogianni, Contant Person for Incoming & Outgoing Erasmus Students
Tel : +30 24210 7 4566, E-mail : mfilomila@uth.gr
Kostas Patsis, International Relations & Bilateral Agreements' Responsible
Tel : +30 24210 7 4602, E-mail : kpatsis@uth.gr
Erasmus Academic Co ordinators
1. Department of Agriculture, Crop Production & Rural Environment
- Professor Stergios Tzortzios, E-mail : stzortz@agr.uth.gr
- Assistant Professor Athanassios Sfougaris, E-mail : asfoug@agr.uth.gr
2. Department of Agriculture, Ichthyology & Aquatic Environment
- Associate Professor Konstantinos Kormas E-mail : kkormas@uth.gr
- Assistant Professor Elena Mente, E-mail : emente@uth.gr
3. Department of Primary School Education
- Associate Professor Georgios Androulakis, E-mail : androulakis@uth.gr
- Assistant Professor Eleni Andreou, E-mail : elandr@pre.uth.gr
- Assistant Professor Nikos Chaniotakis, E-mail : chaniot@uth.gr
4. Department of Pre-School Education
- Associate Professor Katerina Michalopoulou, E-mail : kmihal@ece.uth.gr
- Assistant Professor Vassilios Pantazis, E-mail : pantazisv@ece.uth.gr
5. Department of Special Education
- Assistant Professor Magda Nikolaraizi, E-mail : mnikolar@uth.gr
- Assistant Professor Ioulia Nissiotou, E-mail : nisiotou@sed.uth.gr
6. Department of History, Archaeology, Social Antropology
- Assistant Professor Demetrios Palaiothodoros, E-mail : palaio@uth.gr
- Assistant Professor Polymeris Voglis, E-mail : povoglis@uth.gr
7. Department of Planning & Regional Development
- Associate Professor Olga Christopoulou, E-mail : ochris@prd.uth.gr
- Assistant Professor Marie-Noelle Duquenne, E-mail : mdyken@prd.uth.gr
8. Department of Architecture
- Associate Professor Vasso Trova, E-mail : vatrova@arch.uth.gr
- Associate Professor Spyros Papadopoulos, E-mail : spap@uth.gr
- Assistant Professor Aris Tsagrassoulis, E-mail : atsagras@arch.uth.gr
9. Department of Civil Engineering
- Professor Athanassios Loukas, E-mail : aloukas@civ.uth.gr
- Associate Professor Nikitas Milopoulos, E-mail : nikitas@civ.uth.gr
10. Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Professor Anastassios Stamatellos, E-mail : stam@mie.uth.gr
- Associate Professor Errikos Stapountzis, E-mail : erikos@mie.uth.gr
11. Department of Computer & Communication Engineering
- Assistant Professor Christos Antonopoulos, E-mail : cda@inf.uth.gr
- Associate Professor Emmanouel Vavalis, E-mail : mav@uth.gr
12. Department of Medicine
- Professor Konstantinos Kappas, E-mail : kappas@med.uth.gr
- Associate Professor Georgios Koukoulis, E-mail : gnkouk@med.uth.gr
13. Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Lecturer Polychronis Kostoulas, E-mail : pkost@vet.uth.gr
14. Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology
- Professor Demetrios Kouretas, E-mail : dkouret@uth.gr
- Lecturer Grigoris Amoutzias, E-mail : amoutzias@bio.uth.gr
15. Department of Physical Education & Sport Science
- Assistant Professor Nikolaos Diggelidis, E-mail : nikdig@uth.gr
- Assistant Professor Vasiliki Zissi, E-mail : vzisi@pe.uth.gr
16. Department of Economics
- Lecturer Pashalis Arvanitidis, E-mail : parvanit@uth.gr
The University of Thessaly participates actively in approximately 290 exchange agreements, with higher education institutions in the framework of bilateral agreements LLP/ERASMUS mobility programs.
The International Relations Office - part of the Department of Cultural Exchange & Public Relations - is responsible for administering the exchange programs concerning the incoming and outgoing students & personnel, in solving practical, administrative and educational matters during their study period.
Studying at the University
Registration
All incoming Erasmus students are kindly requested to send the official documents, namely: Student Application Form and Learning Agreement, duly completed and signed by the authorised persons to the International Relations Office by the end of June for the winter semester and by the end of November for the spring semester.
Upon arrival, they should contact the International Relations Office before they enrol at the relevant academic department of the University. To this aim, they should provide 2 photos and their passport or identity card. There are no tuition fees. ) The Secretariats of the Academic Departments accept students from Monday to Friday from 11.00 to 13.00.
Residence Permit
Non EU member students are advised to contact the Greek Embassy or Consulate in their country before their departure in order to check if a student visa is required and those who are going to stay in Greece for more than three months are required to apply for a Residence Permit at the Municipality's Foreigners' Department, having the following:
* 3 photographs
* Passport
* Student identification card
* Health insurance
* Foreign exchange receipt (pink slip) obtained by the bank where students have opened an account
* A certificate from the University of Thessaly, certifying that students are registered as exchange students for the current academic year
* Health certificate obtained by a public Greek Hospital, depositing a chest x-ray and a blood analysis test.
They might be also asked for an Internal Revenue Service's deposit after arrival
Volos: Topali & Dimitriados Street, Volos tel. +30 24210 39828
Larissa: Papanastasiou 86,412 22, Larissa tel. +30 2410 683175
Trikala: Giannitson & Farmaki, 421 00, Trikala tel. +30 24310 27273
Karditsa: 2nd km Circular Road Karditsa-Trikala, 431 00, Karditsa tel. +30 24410 22310
EU member students, that are staying in Greece for longer than 3 months, straight after their arrival must apply for a European citizen residence permit, to the Police Foreigners' Department (Rozou & G.Kartali Street in Volos, 3th floor) tel: +30 24210 76960),
having the following:
* 4 photographs
* Passport or identity card
* Student identification card
* European Card for health insurance (or other translated to Greek) from their home country
* A certificate from the University of Thessaly, certifying that students are registered as exchange students for the current academic year
Accommodation – Living Expenses
The cost of living in Thessaly for an average Erasmus Student varies from 400 to 700 € per month for all expenses depending of course on the life style of each student.
Accommodation is offered to ERASMUS students in private fully furnished apartments, houses or hotel rooms at reasonable prices. The cost may vary, depending on the kind of accommodation (location, available equipment, number of rooms, roommates, bills etc.).
Indicatively we mention the following:
Studios (bills included*):
One person per studio: 240 - 260 €,
Shared by two: 170 - 180 € (each)
Shared by three: 120 - 130 € (each)
The studios are located opposite from the Pedion Areos Park, they have a view to the sea and they are near the School of Engineering of the University and the bus station (~ 7 minutes away on foot) Except from the main furniture, the studios are also equipped with air conditioners, heaters, refrigerators, and ovens.
Apartments or Houses of 3 - 4 bedrooms, shared with other students:
One person per room: 180 – 220 € (part of the bills is included)
These apartments are located in various places of the city. The Schools of the University can be easily reached by using the city buses.
Except from the main furniture, they are also equipped with heaters refrigerators, ovens and sometimes with some bed linen, towels, kitchenware etc.
One room Apartments or Houses
These are located in various places in the city of Volos and the prices depend on what each one offers. They are furnished and the cost may vary from 300 to 400 (bills included).
Hotels in Alykes (4 km from the center of Volos)
One person per room: 250 - 300 € (kitchen is not available)
There is a city bus connecting Alykes with the bus station of Volos
* Bills concern electricity, heat & water and they usually vary from 60 to 80 € per month, per person if they are not included in the price
ERASMUS students must inform the International Relations Office at least a month before their arrival to Volos, of their exact date and time of their arrival in order to be expected (especially those who need help with accommodation). Accommodation cannot be reserved. After arrival the students are informed of their options and they can decide which one covers their needs. However since most of these places are not hotels, if the students stay there for even one night, they will have to keep the apartment for the whole Erasmus period. A temporary contract with all the terms and useful information is signed right away between both parts. We will gladly help the students find accommodation and get adjusted to the new environment.
University's Restaurant Card
University's Restaurant Card is offered to all ERASMUS students, by which, they can have three meals per day -free of charge- at the University's restaurant (2as Noemvriou & Vernardaki Street). The Restaurant is open, every day from 08.00 to 09.30 for breakfast, from 12.30 to 15.30 for lunch and from 18.00 to 20.30 for dinner, weekends included. It is closed during Christmas & Easter Vacation as well in July & August. The relevant cost is covered by our University budget, as financial support to our guest students.
Student's Card
A student card (passo) is also offered to all ERASMUS students, by which they can have reduced prices in transportation (buses, trains, ships etc.), as well as in museums, concerts, cinemas etc.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Teaching comprises basically lectures that are normally attended by around 30-40 students depending on the course (compulsory or optional). Besides, tutorials and seminars are offered and smaller groups of students attend them.
The lecture is formal and it is very important for the student to take notes that are helpful for further study. In seminars and tutorials students can discuss a subject for which they should be previously well prepared. In some courses students have to write an essay on a topic chosen from a list given by the professor. Sometimes this essay is absolutely necessary for the evaluation of the work carried out by the student.
Teaching Language
The official teaching language is Greek. However, other languages are usually used (bibliography, tutoring, exams) in order to facilitate the academic work of the ERASMUS students, with the consensus of the responsible professor. Some of the courses might be in English or in French in some Departments.
Incoming students can get information concerning academic issues, entering our Departments' web-sites. For specific information that is not mentioned in the site, the student should address to the Erasmus Academic Coordinator of the relevant Department.
Greek Language Courses & EILCs
After arrival the students can attend the Greek language courses for foreigners, offered by the University of Thessaly without tuition fees. There are three groups operating. English speaking students (Volos and Trikala) French speaking students (Volos) (3 ECTS credits per semester)
The EILCs, a scheme supported by the European Commission, are specialised courses in the less widely used and less taught European languages. The EILCs give Erasmus students (and possibly Erasmus personnel) the opportunity to study the language of the host country for 3-8 weeks, in the host country.
The closest University to Thessaly that organizes EILCs, is the Aristotle's University in Thessaloniki. Application forms as well as more information can be found in the EU website:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/llp/erasmus/eilc/index_en.html
Assessment Methods /Examinations
The majority of courses are assessed by examination. Some courses are assessed by a combination of a dissertation and examinations, some others by coursework assignments and exams. Students are evaluated in each course through a combination of projects and final examinations. Exams take place three times a year, in February, June and September. For the Erasmus students a catalogue of lessons is offered for which the professor undertakes the obligation to help incoming students to analyze in detail a subject relevant to the courses whose evaluation will be done at the semesters' end. The student for the specific lesson will get grades, academic units and ECTS credits.
The gradation of each lesson's examination is expressed in 10-grade climax, from 0 to 10 where five (5) expresses the base success and ten (10) the maximum success.
European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)
The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System is a student-centered system based on the student workload required to achieve the objectives of a programme, preferably specified in terms of learning outcomes and competences to be acquired. ECTS makes study programs easy to read and compare for all students, local and foreign. It facilitates mobility and academic recognition. It helps universities to organize and revise their study programs and can be used across a variety of programs and modes of delivery.
ECTS is based on the convention that 60 credits measure the workload of a full-time student during one academic year. The student workload of a full-time study programme in Europe amounts in most cases to 36/40 weeks per year and in those cases one credit stands for 24 to 30 working hours. Workload refers to the notional time an average learner might expect to complete the required learning outcomes.
Credit is also a way of quantifying the outcomes of learning. Learning outcomes are sets of competences, expressing what the student will know, understand or be able to do after completion of a process of learning, short or long. Credits in ECTS can only be obtained after completion of the work required and appropriate assessment of the learning outcomes achieved.
Student workload in ECTS includes the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, independent study, preparation for, and taking of, examinations, etc.
Students with Disabilities
The University offers facilities for students with disabilities and is willing to provide special support. ERASMUS students with disabilities are kindly requested to contact the International Office and discuss arrangements, well in advance of their arrival to Thessaly
The Library
Library Structure:
Similarly to the University its Library has an urban character and a decentralized structure, with branches situated in four Thessalian cities (Volos - Larissa - Trikala - Karditsa).
The Central Library deals the acquisition of all library material. The library catalogue, the CD-ROM network and the digital library material can be accessed from the Internet via its Web page (http://www.lib.uth.gr ).
All Erasmus students can be members of the University Library free of charge, depositing one photo, their identity card or passport and their UTH student card.
Opening Hours
| Library |
Mon.-Frid |
Sat.-Holid. |
Public |
City |
| Central |
08.30 –21.00 |
|
|
Volos |
| Kitsos Makris Folk Art Center |
08.00 -14.30 |
|
08.30 –12.30 |
Volos |
| School of Medicine |
08.30 -20.00 |
09.00-14.30 |
|
Larissa |
| School of Physical Education & Sport |
09.00 -19.00 |
|
|
Trikala |
| School of Veterinary Medicine |
08.00 -18.00 |
|
|
Karditsa |
|
|
|
|
|
Sports Activities
The Physical Education Office of the University, organizes the following Sports Activities:
Basketball, Football, Aerobic-Pilates-Stretching, Judo - Self Defense, Swimming.
The Students who are interested may contact the Physical Education Office
Mr. Giannis Kafentarakis, Tel: +30 24210 7 4714, E-mail: iokafe@uth.gr
Mr. Panagiotis Keramidas, Tel: +30 24210 7 4713, E-mail: pkeram@pe.uth.gr
Ms. Artemis Papa, Tel: +30 24210 74681, E-mail: artpap@uth.gr
Art Groups
Students who are interested in participating in the art groups of the University of Thessaly may contact:
Drama Group: Office of Public Relations, Ms Zeta Barelier, Tel: +30 24210 74604,
E-mail: zeta@uth.gr
Music Band: Ms Maria Thoidou, Tel: +30 697 48 91 445, E-mail: thoidou@uth.gr
Greek Traditional-Folk Dances
Students, who are interested in participating in traditional-folk Greek dance activities of the Dept. of Physical Education & Sports Science, may contact:
Mr. Dimas, Tel: +30 24310 47060. E-mail: jdimas@pe.uth.gr
This activity includes instruction of Greek dances, film presentations on related performances, etc.
ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2011 – 2012
Winter Semester
Beginning of courses: 26 September 2011 End of courses: 13 January 2012
Examination period: from 23 January 2012 to 10 February 2012
Spring Semester
Beginning of courses: 13 February 2012 End of courses: 01 June 2012
Examination period: from 11 June 2012 to 22 June 2012
Examination period of September 2010
Beginning: 03 September 2012
End: 21 September 2012
National and Other Holidays 2011-2012
Winter Semester
28th of October: National Holiday
17th of November: University's Holiday
4th of December: Holiday only for the city of Karditsa
6th of December: Holiday only for the city of Volos
24/12/2011-06/01/2012: Christmas Holidays
30th of January: University's Holiday
Spring Semester
27th of February: Shrove Monday
25th of March: National Holiday
09/04/2012 to 20/04/2012: Easter Vacation
1st of May: Official Holiday
15th of May: Holiday only for the city of Larissa
4th of June: Holly Spirit's day
USEFUL INFORMATION
Upon Arrival
Greece (Hellas) consists of the mainland Greece, that is: Macedonia, Thrace, Epirus, Thessaly, Peloponnese, Sterea Ellada, Crete and the islands of the Ionian and the Aegean Sea.
Its population is approximately 11 million people. Mild winters and warm summers are the main characteristics of weather conditions. It is not an exaggeration to point out that the sun in Greece shines for more than 3.000 hours all over the year.
Greece is well known for its long and rich history throughout centuries, for its famous artists, architects, poets, writers and philosophers, for the Olympic Games, for its museums, its archaeological sites and its historic monuments.
Try to enjoy your stay in Greece and be sure that this stay will certainly be an unforgettable experience.
Thessaly consists of four major cities, namely Volos, Larissa, Karditsa and Trikala. The main campus as well as the administration services of the University is located in Volos. However many of its Departments are situated in the other three cities. Thessaly is located in Central Greece and train or bus can easily reach it. The connections from Athens or Thessaloniki are very frequent and will bring you directly to the host cities of the University. There are also charter flights connecting Thessaly with Europe, landing at the airports of Nea Anchialos and Skiathos and the port of Volos connects Thessaly with some of the Aegean islands.
Distances in kilometres:
From Athens to: Volos: 324 km, Larissa: 362 km, Karditsa: 309 km, Trikala: 331 km
From Thessaloniki to: Volos: 218 km, Larissa: 158 km, Karditsa: 218 km, Trikala: 220 km
Volos, one of the most beautiful Greek towns, is situated between the crystal-clear waters of the Pagasitikos Bay and Pelion "the pride of mountains", and is the capital city of Magnesia. It is built at the location of the ancient town of Iolkos, which was the birthplace of Jason, the leader of the Argonautic Expedition. The Pelion Mountain, the summer residence of the twelve Gods of Olympus and the country of the Centaurs, creates picturesque rocky coastline in magnificent bays and it hosts 24 villages of unique architecture.
Volos hosts 12 Departments of the University of Thessaly: 4 Departments of the School of Humanities, 5 of the Polytechnic School, 2 of the School of Geotechnical Sciences and the independent Department of Economic Studies. More information: www.pelion.gr
Larissa is the largest of the four geographic areas of Thessaly and has a population of about 250,000. Digging at numerous archaeological sites has revealed important findings dated to the Neolithic age.
The capital of Larissa offers sight seeing and significant cultural activity, especially through the Thessaly Theatre. The Department of Medicine of the University of Thessaly was founded in Larissa in 1985 along with the University Hospital. Larissa also hosts the Department of Biochemistry-Biotechnology. More information: www.tourismlarissa.gr
Karditsa and Trikala are located at the west of Thessaly, which is comprised of both mountainous landscape and fields. Karditsa is a beautiful and peaceful rural town from which one can drive to the Monastery of Korona and Plastira Lake, a gorgeous landscape between the Agrafa Mountains of Thessaly and Evritania. Karditsa hosts the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Thessaly. The Department operates in modern buildings, labs, and facilities. More information: www.mykarditsa.gr
Trikala is a beautiful town with rich history. It is considered to be the hometown of Asklipios, father of medicine. The river Litheos that crosses the town, displays a great variety of monuments and sights worth visiting. In Prefecture of Trikala one can visit Meteora, one of the most significant monuments in the world, protected by UNESCO. Meteora hosts a monastic community since the 11th century on the untrodden peaks of the imposing rocks. Traditional villages are spread all around the Pindos mountain such as Elati and the Pertouli ski area. Trikala hosts the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science of the University of Thessaly since 1994. More information: www.trikala.gr
Access to the University Administration Building
Airports
Macedonia Airport in Thessaloniki
There are city buses that connect Macedonia airport with the intercity bus and/or train station
Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, in Athens
There are city buses, metro and suburban railway that connect E.Venizelos Airport with the centre of Athens where the Intercity buses for Thessaly (Liossion Street) and Larissis train station, are.
(Notice! Larissis Station is in Athens however Larissa is a city near Volos where you switch trains).
Buses
Tel : 14-21
Webpage: www.ktelvolou.gr
From Thessaloniki (~ 2,5 hours to Volos)
From Athens (~ 4 hours to Volos)
From Larissa ((~ 50 minutes to Volos)
Trains
Tel: 11-10 & 14-40
Webpage: www.ose.gr
From Athens (~ 4,5 hours to Volos)
From Thessaloniki (~ 2,5 hours to Volos)
From Larissa ((~ 50 minutes to Volos)
Edited by the
International Relations Office
of University of Thessaly
with the support of the European Commission
Volos, November 2011
International Relations 
