The web portal Study in Greece is campaigning for the promotion and international visibility of Greek Universities and the comparative educational advantages of our country. In particular, the campaign focuses on the foreign language study programs that Greek Universities offer to Greek and international students. The initiative is supported by the General Secretariat of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs and the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. In this context, a number of educational programs and actions are presented in detail on a regular basis, such as undergraduate and postgraduate programs, summer schools etc, to inform international students about the many foreign language options offered by Greek Universities.

Konstantinos Alexandris is a Professor and Dean of the School of Physical Education and Sport Science at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He also serves as Director of the newly established Bachelor's program, “Sport and Exercise Sciences for Health and Performance,” which is designed for students interested in the scientific principles of human movement, athletic performance, and health. He leads several European Union and nationally funded research projects (including Erasmus+, Interreg, and Innovation programs), focusing on sport tourism, sustainability, and the promotion of active living.

Study in Greece interviewed Professor Konstantinos Alexandris on the Bachelor program “Sport and Exercise Sciences for Health and Performance,” its features and what it has to offer to international students.

Professor Alexandris, please provide us with a brief overview of the brand new Bachelor in “Sport and Exercise Sciences for Health and Performance”, its structure and main research areas.

The Bachelor in Sport and Exercise Sciences for Health and Performance is a newly established, fully English‑taught undergraduate program designed to offer an international, modern, and scientifically grounded education in the fields of sport, health, and human performance. Delivered jointly by the Schools of Physical Education and Sport Science of Thessaloniki and Serres at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the program spans 4 years (240 ECTS) and integrates academic study with hands‑on professional training.

Program Focus

Students follow a structured curriculum that blends:

• Scientific coursework in sport and exercise sciences
• Laboratory‑based training using state‑of‑the‑art facilities
• Applied practice and fieldwork in real‑world sport and health environments
• Research activities that develop analytical and critical thinking skills

This combination ensures graduates gain both theoretical knowledge and practical competencies relevant to contemporary professional settings.

Specialization Pathways

Students choose one of two focused pathways:

• Sport Performance Emphasizes coaching science, athletic performance optimization, training methodologies, and applied sport analysis.
• Exercise for Health and Rehabilitation Focuses on exercise prescription, health promotion, chronic disease prevention, and rehabilitation strategies.

Graduate Outcomes

The program prepares students for diverse careers in:

• Sport Sciences and Performance analysis
• Exercise, Fitness, and Wellness professions
• Health promotion and rehabilitation settings
• Sport development officers
• Research and postgraduate academic pathways

Graduates are equipped with the scientific knowledge, practical skills, and international perspective required to work in multidisciplinary environments across the global sport, health, and exercise sectors.

What would you say are the qualities that help your Bachelor’s program stand out, compared to others of its kind?

• A World‑Class University

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is one of the largest Europe’s leading universities, internationally recognized for excellence in education, research, and innovation. Its long academic tradition and global reputation provide students with a strong and respected academic foundation.

• A Top‑Tier School of Physical Education and Sport Science

The School of Physical Education and Sport Science is consistently ranked among the top institutions worldwide in sport science research, education, and professional training. The school has more than 3,000 undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students, taught and supported by over 100 faculty members who are actively engaged in international collaborations and cutting‑edge research. Several world‑leading researchers teach within the school. Numerous EU‑funded projects are coordinated by faculty, offering students opportunities for international exposure, networking, and hands‑on research experience.

• Strong Integration of Science, Practice, and International Orientation

The program uniquely blends academic knowledge with applied training and real‑world experience. It is designed specifically for international students and to be delivered in a multicultural academic environment. It emphasizes laboratory work, field practice, and evidence‑based approaches. This combination ensures graduates are prepared for global careers in sport, health, and human performance.

• Thessaloniki: A Student‑Friendly European City

Thessaloniki is known for being:

Affordable, compared to other major European cities

Multicultural and vibrant

Safe and welcoming for international students

Its lively student community and rich cultural life make it an ideal place to study and live.

• Greece: The Birthplace of Sport and the Olympic Ideals

Studying sport science in Greece adds a unique cultural and historical dimension. Students experience the origins of sport, physical culture, and the Olympic spirit — an inspiring backdrop for academic and professional development.

• Competitive Tuition and Cost of Living

The program offers excellent value with its competitive tuition fees. The cost of living in Thessaloniki is also significantly lower than many European university cities. This makes high‑quality international education more accessible.

What kind of facilities and labs does the program include and what are the practical applications for them?

Exceptional Facilities and State‑of‑the‑Art Laboratories

The school is located within a dedicated sport campus of more than 200 acres, offering one of the most comprehensive sport and exercise environments in the region. The campus includes:

• Two fully equipped indoor sport courts
• Four football pitches
• Multiple tennis courts
• A full track and field stadium
• Modern fitness and strength‑training facilities

These facilities support both academic learning and high‑level athletic development.

The School also hosts state‑of‑the‑art laboratories specializing in:

• Sport medicine
• Biomechanics
• Coaching science
• Motor learning and control
• Exercise physiology
• Sport psychology
• Sport and tourism management

These labs are used extensively for research, teaching, and professional consultation, giving students direct access to advanced scientific tools and real‑world applications.

What are the academic or professional prospects that students are expected to have upon graduation?

Career and Academic Prospects

Graduates of the BSc in Sport and Exercise Sciences for Health and Performance complete the program with a strong foundation in scientific knowledge and a comprehensive set of practical skills. This combination enables them to pursue a wide range of professional and academic pathways in the sport, health, and human performance sectors.

Professional Opportunities

Graduates are prepared for careers across multiple fields, including:

• Sport science and performance analysis
• Health and fitness industries
• Clinical exercise and rehabilitation settings
• Coaching and athletic development
• Sport management and administration

Indicative professional roles include:

• Sport scientist
• Clinical exercise specialist
• Coach or performance trainer
• Fitness instructor
• Health and wellness advisor
• Educator for individuals with disabilities
• Sport development officer
• Sport manager

Academic Pathways

The program also provides a strong platform for further study. Graduates are well‑prepared to pursue postgraduate degrees (MSc and PhD) in areas in sport related areas.

In what way does your program align with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki’s broader strategy for internationalization?

A Strong Commitment to Internationalisation

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki maintains an extensive global network, with more than 600 Erasmus partnerships and over 4.000 international students enrolled across its programs. As a university that actively promotes internationalisation, it fosters a vibrant, multicultural academic environment where students from diverse backgrounds learn and collaborate.

The BSc in Sport and Exercise Sciences for Health and Performance is fully aligned with the University’s mission to expand international education. By offering high‑quality English‑taught undergraduate and postgraduate programs, the University strengthens its global presence and provides international students with accessible pathways to study in Greece.

If you could send a message to a student who is considering studying in your program, what would it that message be?

This program offers a unique opportunity to study sport and exercise sciences within a truly international, research‑driven, and multicultural environment. By choosing this degree, you will gain not only strong theoretical foundations and advanced practical skills, but also the experience of becoming part of a dynamic academic community in Greece — the birthplace of sport and the Olympic ideals.

You will be encouraged to challenge yourself, think critically, and engage with real‑world applications across sport performance, health, and rehabilitation. Throughout your studies, you will develop competencies that are highly valued in scientific, clinical, and professional environments around the world.

If you are passionate about sport, health, and human performance, this program offers a powerful foundation for a meaningful and globally relevant career. It provides not only knowledge and practical skills, but also the opportunity to grow within an international academic community shaped by the rich cultural heritage of Greece — the birthplace of sport and the Olympic ideals.

Applications are now open! For more, follow the link:

https://apply.studyingreece.edu.gr/en/programmes/bsc/1729/details/sport-and-exercise-sciences-for-health-and-performance.

The post International Program Stories: Bachelor in “Sport and Exercise Sciences for Health and Performance” in Thessaloniki appeared first on Greek News Agenda.

A warm welcome was extended in Brussels to the forthcoming branch of the International Hellenic University (IHU – Thessaloniki, Serres, Katerini, Kilkis) by the Greek Commissioner to the European Union, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, and members of the local Greek Community, who received the Rector of the University, Professor Stamatios Angelopoulos, and the university delegation.

The Brussels branch will offer an undergraduate programme in European Institutions and Organisations Management, as well as a postgraduate programme in European Programme Management. “We believe that, in its initial phase, the Branch will operate successfully with these two programmes, while also serving as a hub for the coordination and management of European programmes through the University’s Research Committee. At the same time, the Brussels Branch of the International Hellenic University will function as a communication and promotion hub for all English-taught postgraduate programmes, as well as for the University’s other postgraduate offerings,” noted the Rector of the IHU.

The International Hellenic University (IHU) is a public university of Greece with a strong international orientation and a growing presence in Europe. Established with the mission to promote academic excellence, innovation, and outward-looking engagement, IHU offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across diverse scientific fields, many of which are delivered in English and designed to meet contemporary international standards. With campuses across Northern Greece, the University plays a key role in higher education and research in Southeastern Europe, combining high-quality teaching with applied research and strong links to society, industry, and public institutions. IHU actively participates in European and international academic networks and places particular emphasis on cooperation with EU institutions, universities, and research centres.

An in-depth discussion was held with Commissioner Tzitzikostas regarding the specific plans and prospects of the new initiative, for the implementation of which his assistance and support have been unwavering from the outset. In particular, the Rector of the IHU briefed Commissioner Tzitzikostas on the stages and procedures that will be followed for the establishment of a University branch in Brussels—an especially demanding project, yet one of great significance for the future development of the International Hellenic University. Plans were also discussed for further activities of the IHU Brussels branch, as well as potential areas of cooperation between the University and the European Commission.

The Rector, Professor Stamatios Angelopoulos, also signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Greek Community of Brussels, which is providing the premises that will house the University’s branch. The Memorandum was signed on behalf of the Community by its President, Filippos Kotsaridis. The premises are located in the building that hosts the Greek Community of Brussels, at Rue de Suède 37, where the sign of the International Hellenic University has already been installed. The Greek Community of Brussels is a historic community, having been founded on 3 October 1943.

“This is a moment of great joy and honour for our University and for me personally, as today we begin a dynamic effort with the support and assistance of both the Greek Commissioner to the European Union and the President of the Greek Community. We are bringing to fruition a vision of the International Hellenic University to expand and develop in an emblematic way at the heart of Europe,” noted the Rector of the IHU, Mr Angelopoulos. He also announced that the International Hellenic University intends to offer two scholarships to the Greek Community, for young people to enroll in the University’s postgraduate programmes. “For the first time, a Greek university is spreading its wings at the seat of Europe,” the Rector of the IHU concluded.

Mr Tzitzikostas, after referring to the history of the overall initiative, congratulated both the Rector of the IHU and the Greek Community and its President. “This collaboration demonstrates two things. First, that Greek communities abroad truly function as embassies of Greece in foreign countries. Second, that the International Hellenic University is among the largest, highest-quality universities in Southeastern Europe, distinguished by the breadth of its schools and the opportunities it offers,” noted the Greek Commissioner. He concluded by describing the establishment of the Brussels Branch as a major opportunity: “What is opening in the welcoming building of the Greek Community is a gateway for promoting our country and our educational system.”

On behalf of the Greek Community, its President Filippos Kotsaridis, in his address, spoke of “a historic day for the Greek Community of Brussels, where 50,000 Greeks now live.” “Our aim is to support as many young people, students, and researchers as possible,” he noted. Mr Kotsaridis symbolically handed over the key to the building to Rector Angelopoulos.

The signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Cooperation was also attended by, and included addresses from, the former Ambassador of Greece to Belgium, Dionysis Kalavrezos, the Coordinator of the Education Office of the Greek Embassy in Belgium, Amalia Kapsala, as well as many representatives of educational associations and the Greek Diaspora, who welcomed the establishment of the IHU Brussels Branch with very warm remarks.

IHU is a Greek public university with 5 campuses in Northern Greece

The University Center of International Programmes of Studies (UCIPS) of the IHU (Thermi Campus), consists of the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics and the School of Science and Technology and offers programmes that are taught exclusively in English. A wide range of international postgraduate programs is offered (Source: Study in Greece, masters.minedu.gov.gr).

Read more: https://studyingreece.edu.gr/universities/ihu/

I.A.

The post The International Hellenic University Establishes a Branch in Brussels appeared first on Greek News Agenda.