State Scholarship Foundation (I.K.Y.) - Scholarships for studies in Greece for the modern Greek language and culture (I.K.Y.)

What the scholarship gives you

You will receive a comprehensive package enabling you to study modern Greek language and culture at a Greek state university for 8 months. In addition to having your tuition fees waived, you will receive:

• A monthly allowance of 170 EUR for personal expenses
• A one-off payment of 200 EUR upon arrival to cover set-up costs
• Free accommodation and meals in a student hall of residence or a student flat
• Emergency medical care in the Greek public healthcare system (EU citizens need their European Health Insurance Card)

The programme usually runs from October to May. It comprises language courses, seminars, cultural events and excursions to historical sites, and concludes with a certificate of attendance. It is organised by the Greek State Scholarship Foundation (IKY) and offers up to 50 places per intake.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are not a Greek citizen. People of Greek descent who do not hold Greek citizenship may also apply. Applicants from all over the world are welcome, although preference will be given to applicants from countries where Greek is rarely taught.
• No dual citizenship: You do not hold both Greek and foreign nationality at the same time.
• Degree: You hold a degree from a university outside Greece.
• Where you live: You are not permanently resident in Greece.
• Language: You can speak English. You don’t need to know any Greek: courses are available for all levels, from beginner to advanced, and you’ll take a placement test on arrival.
• Age: Open to all ages.
• First time: You have not yet received an IKY scholarship.

How to apply

You can obtain the application form from the IKY website or from a Greek embassy or consulate. Please submit it by email, together with your CV, in either Greek or English. If you are selected, you will then need to submit the complete, certified documents in paper form. The results will be published on the IKY website.

How realistic are your chances?

The selection criteria for the scholarship are very strict. You must be a non-Greek university graduate living outside Greece who has never received an IKY scholarship before, which means the pool of applicants is smaller than for open scholarships. With up to 50 places per round and a clear priority given to people from countries where Greek is rarely taught, anyone who fits this profile and applies early has a good chance of success.