Panhellenic Exam Results Announced a Day Early – Thousands Secure University Places

The results of the 2025 Panhellenic Examinations were released a day ahead of schedule, bringing an end to the anxious wait for candidates on Thursday afternoon, July 24.

A total of 70,276 candidates competed for places in higher education, including 59,822 from General Lyceums (GEL) and 10,454 from Vocational Lyceums (EPAL). Of those, 62,848 candidates were successful in securing a spot.

How University Admission Thresholds Shifted

Admission scores (“bases”) rose in 232 departments, in some cases by as much as 2,600 points. Conversely, 200 departments saw a drop, with the most notable being the Fire Academy Officers program (for firefighters only), where the base fell by 4,810 points—from 14,750 in 2024 to 9,940 this year. Sixteen departments remained unchanged.

Due to the Minimum Admission Threshold (EBE), 10,628 places remained unfilled by GEL candidates and 250 by EPAL candidates. The EBE particularly impacted military schools, leaving 473 places vacant.

Medical Schools Remain Stable

Admission thresholds for medical schools saw minimal changes. Athens Medical School remained steady at 18,775 points. Thessaloniki rose slightly by 25 points (18,575), while Larissa dropped by 25 points (18,100), Patras by 15 points (18,445), and the Medical School of the Military Corps Officers School (SSAS) fell by 50 points (17,550).

Architecture and International Studies on the Rise

Architecture schools saw significant increases:

• Athens: +1,045 points (20,380)
• Thessaloniki: 18,135
• Patras: 18,690

International and European Studies programs also recorded notable increases:

• University of Piraeus: +2,195 points (18,990)
• University of Macedonia: +400 points (19,295)

Similarly, Maritime Studies in Piraeus rose by 890 points, reaching 19,210 points. These increases include performance in required special courses.

Science & Technology Fields Climb

Several STEM-related programs saw rises:

• Physics (Athens): 14,513 (+330)
• Mathematics (Athens): 14,500 (+95)
• Civil Engineering (Athens): 17,265 (+433)
• Accounting & Finance (Athens): 15,775 (+435)
• Computer Science (Athens): 17,590 (+370)

Declines in Psychology, Law, and Humanities

Psychology programs mostly saw drops, except for Didymoteicho (+150 to 15,450). Athens dropped by 120 points (17,475), while Ioannina fell by 445 points (16,575).

Law in Athens fell by 150 points (17,875), and Philology in Athens saw a sharp drop of 1,356 points (11,304). English Literature in Thessaloniki dropped by 400 points.

Engineering School Trends

• Mechanical Engineering (Athens): slight drop to 18,128 (down from 18,230)
• Electrical Engineering:
  • Athens: 18,390 (-100)
  • Kozani: 13,290 (-355)
  • Thessaloniki: 17,960 (+40)
  • Patras: 12,611 (+688)

The Rise of the New Polytechnic Schools

Recognition of equivalence with the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) has made new polytechnic programs increasingly attractive—especially those at the University of West Attica (PADA). Many families are opting for local schools to save on housing costs, now that graduates enjoy equal professional rights.

• Electrical & Electronic Engineering: +1,700 points (14,520)
• Mechanical Engineering: +1,110 points (15,477)
• Naval Engineering: +870 points (14,850)
• Civil Engineering: +815 points (13,600)
• Surveying & Geoinformatics: +730 points (11,950)
• Biomedical Engineering: +220 points (13,885)
• Industrial Design & Production: +200 points (12,032)
• Computer & Information Engineering saw a slight drop: -44 points (15,336)

The University of the Peloponnese also saw rises:

• Mechanical Engineering (Patras): +1,700 (13,400)
• Civil Engineering (Patras): +718 (11,221)
• Electrical & Computer Engineering (Patras): +688 (12,611)

In Crete, the Hellenic Mediterranean University recorded gains:

• Mechanical Engineering (Heraklion): +1,120 (12,515)
• Electrical & Computer Engineering (Heraklion): +690 (11,520)
• Electronic Engineering (Chania): +331 (10,071)

The International Hellenic University saw similar upward trends:

• Mechanical Engineering (Serres): +1,640 (11,980)
• Surveying & Geoinformatics (Serres): +1,130 (11,280)
• Production & Management Engineering (Thessaloniki): +685 (12,585)
• Civil Engineering (Serres): +677 (12,154)
• Environmental Engineering (Thessaloniki): +425 (10,510)
• Computer, Info & Telecom Engineering (Serres): +10 (13,450)
• Only Computer Engineering & Electronic Systems (Thessaloniki) fell: -290 (14,740)

Military Schools See Sharp Decline

Despite new incentives, military academies struggled to attract candidates this year. A total of 473 positions remained unfilled among GEL applicants, largely due to the EBE.

Most vacancies:

• Army School of Permanent NCOs (Weapons): 162
• Evelpidon Military Academy (Weapons): 131
• Nursing Officers School: only 16 vacancies

Notable drops in bases:

• Evelpidon (Weapons): -1,365 points
• Air Defence Controllers’ School: -1,035
• NCO Corps School: -1,810
• NCO Weapons School: -1,120