Academic Affairs
The Campus
The campus is located on a panoramic site on the peninsula of Akrotiri and covers an area of 750 acres, 7 km northeast of Chania. It includes the University Hall of Residences, the University Restaurant and Cafeterias, the Departmental Secretariats, the Library, the Information Systems Centre, the Network Operation Centre, the Career Services Office, the Liaison Office, the Technical Services, classrooms, lecture halls and laboratories as well as faculty and graduate students offices
The institution also owns several historical buildings in the city of Chania, including the former French School, which now houses the Department of Architectural Engineering. The Venetian complex of the Old Prisons and the Barracks today house the offices of the Rector and Vice-Rectors as well as Administration offices. The former Army Headquarters, also a part of the Venetian complex is scheduled for renovation, in order to house the Fine Arts Department.
Accommodation – Hall of Residences
The University Hall of Residences, built on campus, can accommodate up to 78 students in furnished rooms. There are three main buildings with 70 single-bed rooms and 4 double-bed rooms, all of which have private bathrooms. There are 11 common areas for all the students staying at the Halls with lounges, TV sets, refrigerators, kitchenettes, a phone and 2 lifts. There are also laundry facilities, a first-aid room, maintenance facilities and 24hour surveillance security. Two of the rooms have been rearranged to serve the needs of students with disabilities. Students can also connect to the Internet from their rooms at the Halls. Students may be accommodated for free at the University Halls of Residences provided that they fulfil certain financial and social requirements with regard to their personal or family status and that they apply to the Academic Affairs Office. However, the majority of students rent rooms or small apartments either in the area near the campus or in the city.
Student Restaurant - Cafeterias
Every day, approximately 550 students have breakfast, lunch and dinner for free at the student restaurant, which is open daily, including weekends and holidays, from 13:00 - 16:00 p.m. for lunch and 19:00 - 21:00 for dinner. Students may have meals for free at the University Restaurant provided that they fulfil certain financial and social requirements with regard to their personal or family status and that they apply to the Academic Affairs Office. A considerable number of undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as Erasmus students have free meals while the rest of the students have meals at extremely low prices. In 2007-2008, students who are not entitled to free meals, pay 2.84 for three meals per day (free breakfast, 1.64 for lunch and 1.20 for dinner or they can choose a monthly meal card for € 2.34 per day). Students may also take their meals in packages if they wish for no extra charge. Apart from students, University personnel (faculty members, administrative employees) and visitors very often choose the university Restaurant for their meals, paying from 1.80 to 2.15€ per meal (it includes main course, salad, cheese, dessert).
Two cafeterias are open daily for snacks, coffee and refreshments or/and for relaxation and meetings with friends.
Student ID card
Α student ID card is issued to each student by the Secretariat of each Department upon matriculation. This 10 card entitles the student to reduced fare on public transportation, in theatres, cinemas, concerts, museums, etc.
Health Insurance
All students are fully covered for illness or accident. The same applies to foreign students, who automatically benefit from Greek social services. Students receive a voucher booklet giving them access to free health services: medical or hospital examination, prescriptions, subsidiary examinations, house calls, labour, physiotherapy, dental care, orthopaedic care. Students requiring medical attention can visit a university-designated doctor during regular office hours exhibiting their student voucher booklet issued by the Secretariat of their Department. The voucher booklet includes the student's name, identification number, identity (or passport) number, the location of health services, and the regulations. The secretariat of every Department renews students' voucher booklets every year.
Students with disabilities
TUC welcomes students with disabilities and makes a continuous effort to improve all its services to better serve the needs of the students. For this purpose, there are two specially arranged rooms in the University Hall of Residences; there are two lifts in the Hall as well as ramps all over the campus to facilitate access. Students who have a specific disability should mention it to the Academic Affairs Office and the Secretariat of their Department so that they may receive help on any matter connected to their studies at the Technical University of Crete.
Academic calendar
The academic year starts on September 1st and ends on August 31st of the following year. The first semester normally starts during the last two weeks of September and the second semester ends during the last two weeks of June (the University Senate determines the exact dates). Each semester includes at least thirteen full weeks of teaching and a two-week examination period. Throughout the year, there are three examination periods. Students who fail to pass a course can be re-examined during the September examination period.
Official Holidays during the academic year
Winter Semester
October 28th
November 17th
November 21st (local holiday)
Christmas (2 weeks)
January 30th
Spring Semester
Ash Monday (moving holiday)
March 25th
Easter (2 weeks)
May 1st
Whit Monday (moving holiday)
Student Elections Day
Educational Excursions
Within the framework of compulsory courses in the 3rd, 4th and 5th year of studies, one week educational excursions are organised for the practical training of students. These excursions include visits to companies and industries and they are held only when student participation is over 70%.