The following categories of candidates can be admitted to the Joint Master's Programme in Semiotics, Culture and Communication: 

1. Holders of Bachelor degrees from Hellenic Universities and Hellenic Universities of Applied Sciences. 

2. Holders of Bachelor degrees of similar institutions operating in other countries. The Diploma of Postgraduate Studies can not be awarded to a student whose Bachelor degree from a non-Hellenic institution has not been recognized by the Hellenic National Academic Recognition and Information Center (D.O.A.T.A.P.), in accordance with Law No. 3328/2005 (Α' 80). 

3. If members of the E.E.P. (Special Teaching Staff), E.D.I.P. (Laboratory Teaching Staff) and E.T.E.P. (Special Technical Laboratory Staff) categories meet the requirements of the first section of par. 1, Article 34, they may register as supernumerary students. Only one person per year can be admitted, per Master’s Programme organized by Schools of the Institution they serve in, and whose field of study is relevant to the degree and the work they carry out in the institution concerned. 

Applications are submitted following a call of interest, in accordance with a decision of the Special Interdepartmental Committee (SIC), which is published in the press and on the website of the JPSP. 

The maximum number of postgraduate students admitted per year is set at thirty (30), and may be modified, without exceeding the maximum number set, following a decision of the SIC and depending on the circumstances at the time of the announcement of the call of interest. 

On dates determined by the SIC, the SIC itself shall advertise the places available by way of an open admission procedure (call of interest) for graduate students interested in attending the JPSP. The call shall specify the admission requirements, the categories and number of graduates to be admitted, the admission procedure, selection criteria, etc., the deadlines for submitting applications, and the supporting documents required. Applications, together with the necessary supporting documents, must be submitted to the Secretariat of the School responsible for the JPSP, either in paper or digital form. An examination fee for the application file is required and the deposit should be made to a bank account of the Special Account for Research Fund (ELKE) of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. 

Candidates are required to submit the following documents: 

• Application (in paper form, available at the websites of the collaborating Schools). 

• Curriculum Vitae 

 • A copy of diploma or Bachelor’s degree certificate. 

• Certificate of degree equivalence or degree recognition by DOATAP (if applicable). 

• Foreign language certificates (at least B2 level). 

• Copy of recognized postgraduate qualifications (if any). 

• Academic transcript certificate for undergraduate and/or postgraduate studies. 

• Two (2) reference letters (optional). 

• Evidence of research activities (if any). 

• Certificates of prior work experience (if any). 

• Photocopy of Identity Card or Passport. 

• Two (2) photographs. 

• Solemn declaration document stating that all documents submitted are authentic and original, or exact photocopies of the originals. 

Candidates who do not submit a Bachelor’s degree should submit a certificate of studies with a detailed academic transcript instead. Their registration will be finalized once they have submitted a copy of their degree. 

The duration of study in the JPSP in "Semiotics, Culture and Communication" is set at three (3) semesters. 

In order to obtain the Master’s degree, postgraduate students must attend and successfully pass eight (8) semester courses. Courses are divided into compulsory and elective.  

• In the 1st semester of studies, postgraduate students attend one (1) compulsory and three (3) elective courses. 

 • In the 2nd semester, postgraduate students attend one (1) compulsory and three (3) elective courses. 

 • In the 3rd semester, postgraduate students are engaged in writing their Master's thesis (Diploma Thesis). 

In accordance with par. 2, Article 33 of Law No 4485/2017 (114 A'), postgraduate students are provided with the possibility of part-time study. This applies for working students, who are required to submit proof/certificate of employment of at least 20 hours per week. The duration of part-time study may not exceed double the duration of the full-time duration of study. All certificates issued by private sector institutions must be submitted to the secretariat of the JPSP, after being certified by the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate. 

 Upon submission of the relevant supporting documents to the secretariat of the JPSP and following a decision of the Special Interdepartmental Committee (SIC), the possibility of part-time study is also provided for non-working postgraduate students who are unable to meet the minimum requirements of the full-time programme due to special and extremely serious reasons, such as illness, serious family reasons, military service, reasons of force majeure. 

 In addition, postgraduate students may be granted, upon application, a temporary suspension of studies, which may not exceed two (2) consecutive semesters. During the period of suspension of studies, the postgraduate student loses his/her status as a university student. 

Candidate selection criteria include: 

o Bachelor’s Degree/Diploma awarded mark (up to 10 points) 

o Marks in undergraduate courses, as well as overall performance in a thesis - if required for obtaining a Bachelor’s degree - in subjects related to the JPSP programme (up to 10 points). 

o Competency in the English language (level B2, according to the CEFR) is a prerequisite (10 points). The level of foreign language competency can be proven in one of the following ways: a) State Certificate of Language Competency, in accordance to Law No. 2740/1999, as amended by par. 19, Article 13 of Law No 27404040. b) Bachelor's Degree in a foreign language and literature or Bachelor’s Degree in foreign language translation and interpreting by a Hellenic university or one equivalent by corresponding universities abroad, c) Diploma, undergraduate or postgraduate degree or doctoral degree of any recognized higher education institution abroad, d) School Leaving Certificate, equivalent to the one granted by Greek Secondary Education, if obtained after at least six years of regular study abroad. It should be clarified that a foreign language Teaching Permit does not prove knowledge of a foreign language (Decree 347/2003). Candidates who hold such a permit must provide a certified copy and an exact translation of the degree/diploma on the basis of which the foreign language Teaching Permit was issued. 

o Competency in a second or other foreign language, at B2 level (5 points for each language and up to two languages). Language competency is proved in the aforementioned ways. 

 o Reference letters (optional)

o Interview by an appointed committee (30 points)

o Professional experience. Duration and relevance of the candidate's employment to the content of the programme should be documented (up to 10 points) 

o Research experience in the field of semiotics, culture, and communication (up to 10 points) 

o Publications and authorship in the field of semiotics, culture, and communication (up to 10 points).

Attendance of lessons, workshops and other activities of the JPSP is compulsory. The maximum number of absences per course cannot exceed 30% of the thirteen (13) weekly courses. Absences exceeding that number must be approved by the Special Interdepartmental Committee (SIC), after students submit all necessary supporting documents. If absences are not approved or a postgraduate student is absent for more than the maximum number of absences allowed, the student must repeat the course. 

Exams are conducted according to the AUTh academic calendar. 

At the beginning of each academic semester and at a time set by the SIC, postgraduate students renew their registration in the JPSP. In case of ERASMUS agreements, the SIC decides on the equivalence of courses. 

Postgraduate students admitted to the JPSP are required to: 

- Attend the courses included in the current curriculum, as indicated above. 

- Submit the required assignments for each course, meeting the deadline specified in the course outline, as indicated in the aforementioned regulations. 

- Take the required exams. 

- Pay tuition fees upon registration for each semester. 

- Respect and comply with the decisions of the JPSP institutions, and academic ethics. 

- Submit to the Secretariat and prior to the evaluation of their Master's thesis, a solemn declaration that there is no evidence of plagiarism in their thesis.