Historical Backround

The Department of Occupational Therapy was established in 1977 at the Higher School of Health and Social Welfare (A.S.Y.K.P.) of the Centers of Higher Technological and Professional Education (K.A.T.E.E.), which were integrated into higher education.

Since 1983, with the establishment of the Technological Educational Institutions (T.E.I.), which became part of higher education, the Department of Occupational Therapy has been one of the 15 departments of the School of Health and Welfare Professions (S.E.Y.P.) of the Technological Educational Institute of Athens. It is the only department in Greece that offers education in the field of Occupational Therapy. It is located on the first floor of the building situated at the intersection of Leoforos Athinon and Mitrodoro 24 (the ERGAS building) in Plato’s Academy.

Technological Educational Institutions (T.E.I.), according to their founding law (Law 1404/83, Official Gazette 173/Α’/24.11.83), are part of higher education along with universities. According to the same law and their internal operating regulations, T.E.I.s are self-governing institutions (N.P.D.D.) and are overseen by the Minister of National Education and Religious Affairs.

With the latest legislative regulation (Law 2817/2000), it is clarified that higher education consists of two parallel sectors: a) the University sector and b) the Technological sector, which includes the T.E.I.s.

According to Law 4521/2018, the T.E.I. of Athens and the University of Piraeus (T.T.) were merged into the newly established University of West Attica. In the formation of the new Schools and Departments, the Department of Occupational Therapy remained autonomous and is part of the School of Health and Welfare Professions of the University of West Attica.

The duration of studies is eight (8) semesters, including 35 compulsory courses and 9 elective courses, with clinical practice courses in work environments such as general and specialized hospitals, clinics, special schools, rehabilitation centers, etc.

The number of admitted students to the Department of Occupational Therapy is determined each academic year by a relevant ministerial decision. Additionally, students from various other categories are admitted, such as expatriates, foreigners, and those through classification, among others.