Recognition of Professional Rights

Recognition of Professional Rights

British Hellenic College graduates receive British University degrees, from the cooperating University.

These degrees are recognized worldwide both typically and substantially.

Besides, British Hellenic College is recognized by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) as an Independent Institution of Higher Education.

Furthermore, British Hellenic College has built during the last 20 years a great reputation as an Independent (private) Institution of Higher Education.  This is – among others – based on the fact that all our graduates follow a successful career in Greek companies and organizations.

The professional rights corresponding to our graduates’ degrees are recognized throughout Europe according to the European Directive 48/1989, as amended and supplemented with the European Directive 36/2005. The first Directive was integrated in Greek Law with the Presidential Decree 165/2000, while the second one was integrated with the Presidential Decree 38/2010.  This Presidential Decree includes the articles of the New Directive, which fully clarifies the recognition of European Union University Degrees regardless of the place of study.

You may see more information regarding the European Directive 36/2005 here.

It should be noted that graduates whose degrees are recognized based on the above mentioned Presidential Decrees, have the right to take part in ASEP examinations in order to seek employment in the Greek public sector. This is clearly stated in the Presidential Decree 44 of 9/3/2005 (par. 5 of the only article). 

Besides, two recent decisions of the European Court (Decision of 23/10/2008 of the case C-274/05 and decision of 4/12/2008 of the case C-151/07) and especially the last decision of the Council of State (853/2010) confirm the full effect of European Directives 48/1989 and 36/2005, thus the Greek Government cannot:

• Rejects applications from graduates who acquired their degrees (from European universities) after studying in Greece
• Control the courses’ content as this is a responsibility of the University that issues the degrees

Finally, it should be noted that:

• The College does not create neither interprets Laws or European Directives.  The College only informs students about published information and shares the graduates’ experience on this matter.
• The courses offered at British Hellenic College are based on the University’s programme and are fully accredited by the University.  The degrees awarded at the end of studies are fully accepted in the UK, regardless of the fact that part or all of the studies took part in Greece.
• The total time required for further studies or practice after the Bachelor degree, in order to have full professional rights in the UK, is set by Professional Institutions in the UK not by the University or by ourselves.
• And certainly, there is no magic way for students studying Engineering at British Hellenic to become chartered engineers more easily compared to students pursuing a degree in the UK from the beginning of their studies or studying at a Greek Engineering University.