Curriculum
18 January 2024 2024-01-30 13:16- January 18, 2024
- 8:30 pm
Curriculum
Studies
Undergraduate studies
The Undergraduate Study Program on Tourism Studies has been designed to provide knowledge (general and specialized) on a multitude of subjects in the Tourism industry, guided by contemporary market trends and needs.
The Undergraduate Study Program of the Department of Tourism Studies aims at educating and highly training in contemporary topics of management of tourism enterprises, tourism marketing, human resource management in tourism enterprises, total quality management, finance, accounting, information systems and law in tourism enterprises, as well as in subjects of tourism geography, promotion of tourist destinations, distribution and procurement, negotiation, leadership, development and management of new technologies in tourism enterprises, preparation of business plans, and specialization in subjects such as special forms of tourism (such as wine tourism, educational tourism, etc.), European tourism policy, etc.
To obtain the Tourism Studies Degree, a student must successfully complete the requirements of a total of forty-eight (48) courses, of which forty (40) are Mandatory and eight (8) are Elective, and accumulate the required number of a total of 240 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits.
The Full-Time Undergraduate Study Program is structured in eight (8) semesters with six (6) courses per semester. With the structure of the undergraduate program of the Department of Tourism Studies, students enjoy a program that ensures a smooth and uninterrupted transition from their first to their last semester of studies. A plethora of courses (40 mandatory and 16 elective) are offered, covering a wide range of academic fields in the tourism sector, so that upon graduation, the student has both the background and specialization to work in any sector of the Tourism Industry in Greece or other countries. In this way, the undergraduate study program provides flexibility in course selection and the ability to adapt to the personal needs or requirements of its students. The number of courses offered within the undergraduate study program makes it competitive compared to other Tourism Study Programs in the country and abroad.
Additionally, the undergraduate study program provides the opportunity for direct connection with the labor market and practical application of the knowledge taught in the program, as students can undertake Internships in tourism enterprises, in lieu of elective courses.
Graduates of the undergraduate study program will be in a position to:
- Define, describe, interpret, apply, and synthesize concepts related to management and strategy, human resources, accounting and finance, marketing, organization and quality management, entrepreneurship, law, innovation management, information systems and new technologies, destination management, and environmental management in tourism enterprises and organizations.
- Demonstrate skills in the more efficient and effective organization and management of tourism enterprises and organizations.
- Use new information and communication technologies and digital media to support business functions and processes, decision-making, improving the quality of services, and promoting the tourism product.
- Interpret and evaluate tourism statistical data and other Big Data at national, european, and international level.
- Utilize statistical and quantitative methods for analyzing and solving business problems, decision-making, and identifying business opportunities.
- Support the development, transfer, implementation of innovative practices at the level of enterprises and organizations, as well as at national, european, and international level.
- Analyze situations and solve problems.
- Apply principles of business ethics and social responsibility.
- Recognize and implement different styles of leadership and motivation.
- Distinguish forms of alternative tourism and propose promotion strategies.
- Communicate orally and in writing on matters relating to enterprises and organizations in at least two languages (Greek and English) using the corresponding terminology.
- Effectively integrate and function as members of a team.
- Use service quality improvement models.
- Compare tourism businesses, evaluate employee management practices and promotion strategies, and develop competitive practices and strategies for their business.
- Recognize different types of tourists and use appropriate management techniques, as well as develop suitable attraction strategies.
- Review decisions and strategies and reorganize tourism enterprises.
- Identify and describe concepts of globalization and cultural diversity and heterogeneity.
- Develop and support multifaceted research activities contributing to the production of original and valuable knowledge in the field of management and organization of tourism enterprises/organizations.
- Adapt to new situations and data, and examine all the concepts covered in the undergraduate study program in different contexts.
To view the undergraduate studies regulation (in Greek) click here.
- To view the student handbook for the academic year 2023-2024, click here.
- For the Academic Calendar of the academic year 2023-2024 (in Greek) select here.
(Last updated: 25/07/2023)
From the academic year 2010-11, textbooks are provided through EUDOXUS, an electronic service for the integrated management of textbooks aimed at the direct and comprehensive provision of textbooks to students of Universities and TEIs across the country. Each semester, students declare in the Service the desired textbook for each course.
To access the EUDOXUS Service, click here (in Greek).
For the textbooks that students of the Department can choose for:
- Academic calendar 2023-2024 select here (in Greek).
- Academic calendar 2022-2023 select here (in Greek).
- Academic calendar 2021-2022 select here (in Greek).
- Academic calendar 2020-2021 select here (in Greek).
- Academic calendar 2019-2020 select here (in Greek).
- Academic calendar 2018-2019 select here (in Greek).
- Academic calendar 2017-2018 select here (in Greek).
The Academic Advisors inform, advise, and support students in all aspects of their studies (courses, assignments, exams, study planning, etc.), postgraduate studies or professional orientation, and generally their subsequent professional career. They also provide special supportive care to students facing family, personal, or other difficulties in successfully completing their studies.
The Academic Advisors for each year of study for the academic year 2023-2024 are as follows:
- First year (1st – 2nd semester): Assistant Professor Georgia Zouni
- Second year (3rd – 4th semester): Assistant Professor Ioannis Katsanakis
- Third year (5th – 6th semester): Assistant Professor Olga Siskou
- Fourth year (7th – 8th semester): Assistant Professor Christos Kampouris
The Department of Tourism Studies at the University of Piraeus, in its effort to offer its students not only excellent theoretical training but also work experience, has included in its Study Program from the Academic Year 2021-22 the courses Internship I & II – (4+4 ECTS credits). This allows students, if they wish, to choose them as ‘elective courses’, which are equivalent to two elective taught courses, thus integrating practical training as part of the Department of Tourism Studies’ curriculum. The practical training aims to:
- Connect theoretical studies with application in the workplace for solving business problems, contributing to the better assimilation of scientific knowledge.
- Acquire professional experience which allows students to strengthen their resumes and develop maturity regarding their future choices for studies or/and employment.
- Inform and familiarize students with the real working conditions.
- Prepare students to take on positions of responsibility in the future.
- Acquire additional skills, such as communication, networking, problem-solving through teams.
- Familiarize with modern production and management technology.
- Develop a communication channel between the University and its student body with the labor market, aiming to absorb students into the workforce.
The Department of Tourism Studies’ Internship Program is part of the operational program ‘Human Resources Development, Education and Lifelong Learning’ of the ESPA 2014-2020 and is co-financed by the European Union – European Social Fund (ESF). It lasts three (3) months of full-time employment for students and can be carried out during the months of May to September. The exact start and end date of the Internship is determined each year by the Scientific Responsible of the Subproject.
For the academic year 2023-2024, Assistant Professor Chrysa Agapitou has been appointed by the Department as the Scientific Responsible and Assistant Professor Sotirios Varelas as the deputy Scientific Responsible for the Internship Program.
More information about the Internship Program can be found in the Department’s Internship Regulation. For the Department’s Internship Regulation (in Greek) click here.
The Erasmus+ program is the European Commission’s initiative for education, training, youth, and sports. It aims to enhance skills, employability, and the modernization of education, training, and youth systems in all lifelong learning sectors. The Erasmus+ program seeks to strengthen the European dimension of studies. It provides opportunities for students to benefit from linguistic, cultural, and educational experiences from other European countries and from the offered study subjects. Young people are thus equipped with high specialization, broad understanding, and international experience, which will be useful in their subsequent professional career and life in general.
The activities within the Erasmus+ program for undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral students include:
- Student mobility for studies.
- Student mobility for internships (Era-Places).
The Department of Tourism Studies has activated the program for undergraduate and doctoral studies and plans to implement it for postgraduate studies as soon as postgraduate programs are established in the Department.
The Department is in the process of establishing bilateral agreements within and outside Europe. Until their establishment, it relies on the agreements of the University of Piraeus for the International Mobility Program within and outside Europe.
Incoming Students’ Attendance (Student mobility for studies):
Incoming students can choose courses from the entire range of undergraduate study program courses offered each semester by the Department. Depending on the number of students per course, it is possible to organize teaching in foreign languages or independent teaching – supervision – evaluation of students by the Professors of the respective courses, which is credited to the teaching work of the Professors.
Outgoing Students’ Attendance (Student mobility for studies):
The eligibility criteria and the selection criteria for outgoing students are defined based on the regulations for Erasmus+ of the State Scholarship Foundation (I.K.Y.), as published by the Department of International and Public Relations of the University of Piraeus. The selection of each student must be justified in writing and have relevant documentation, according to the set criteria, to clearly demonstrate why one student was chosen over all other candidates. The credits, duration of study, successful attendance of courses, and grades of outgoing students at the host university are taken into account, transferred, and considered to have been carried out at the home university, provided that these courses are included in an approved cooperation program.
The recognition of ECTS credits through the Erasmus+ program is certified by a decision of the Department Assembly, which states whether the learning outcomes achieved and assessed at another Institution are fully consistent with the learning outcomes of the offered courses of the Department. Also, the initial matching of Department courses for the Department students with Erasmus+ program courses at foreign universities is done by the relevant Professors of the Department of Tourism Studies in consultation with the Academic Coordinator. It is noted that, by decision of the Department Assembly, the following courses are excluded from matching with courses of the Erasmus+ program at foreign universities:
- Microeconomics (1st semester)
- Introduction to Informatics (1st semester)
- Macroeconomics (2nd semester)
- New Technologies in Tourism (2nd semester)
- Accounting for Tourism Enterprises (2nd semester)
- Human Resource Management in Tourism Enterprises (2nd semester)
- Tourism Marketing (3rd semester)
- Financial Management for Tourism Enterprises (6th semester)
- Brand Management for Destinations and Tourism Enterprises (7th semester)
- Strategic Management of Tourism Enterprises (8th semester)
- Feasibility Studies and Business Plan for Tourism Enterprises (8th semester)
Student Mobility for Internship:
Within the framework of the Erasmus+ program, recent graduates can also move for internships in the first year after their graduation. The duration of their movement for an internship is counted in the maximum limit of 12 months per cycle of studies. Students interested in undertaking an internship period after obtaining their degree in a company or organization in a participating country must submit their application during their last year of study and before obtaining their degree. It should be noted that both the application and the selection of students who wish to move as recent graduates must be made while they still maintain student status. Finally, it is noted that students can apply for an Internship from their 1st year of study.
For the academic year 2023-2024, Assistant Professor Alexandra-Paraskevi Chytiri has been appointed by the Department as responsible and Assistant Professor Olga Siskou as deputy responsible for the Erasmus+ program.
More information about the Erasmus+ program can be found in the Department’s Student and Staff Mobility Regulation. For the Department’s Student and Staff Mobility Regulation (in Greek) click here.
Postgraduate studies
The Department of Tourism Studies of the University of Piraeus is planning to develop in the future postgraduate programs in the academic fields it covers.
PhD studies
The third cycle of studies in the Department of Tourism Studies includes the preparation of a Doctoral Thesis and is completed with the award of a doctoral degree. The acquisition of the doctoral diploma is governed by the existing provisions.
The structure and operational rules of the doctoral studies in the Department are outlined in the Department’s Doctoral Studies Regulations (Official Government Gazette 940/B’/16.03.2018). The detailed Doctoral Studies Regulations of the Department can be found here.
The application template for doctoral studies in the Department in Greek is available here.
A detailed list of the doctoral candidates of the Department can be found here.
The Department of Tourism Studies of the University of Piraeus aims at the creation of high-quality scientific research as well as the creation of scientists capable of contributing to the advancement of scientific research and its applications. To this end, the Department of Tourism Studies welcomes doctoral candidates in all areas associated with the fields of study of the Department. Applications submission of PhD candidates can be made throughout the academic year. Additionally, the Department, following a justified decision of the Assembly and evaluating its research needs, may also proceed with the announcement of PhD candidate positions.
The completion of a doctoral thesis is a process that entails a multifaceted interpersonal relationship between the doctoral candidate and supervisor. For this reason, the mutual consensus of both is essential for a fruitful collaboration of this kind.
A Doctoral Thesis is characterized by a high level of originality, recognized by the international academic community. The aim of the Department’s doctoral program is to produce high-caliber research and to offer comprehensive training to new researchers. The procedures for the preparation of a doctoral thesis are conducted in accordance with current legislation. PhD studies lead to a degree at level 8 according to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
The graduates of the doctoral studies program are destined to work at research, business and educational sectors in Greece and abroad. At the same time, the doctoral studies program constitutes a source of academic prestige and international distinction for the Department and contributes to the enhancement of research output, with a focus on the development of scientific works.
