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Mission Statement
Studies at the School of Applied Arts and Culture are founded on the juncture between Applied Scientific Knowledge and Artistic Creation. They cover the fileds of Graphic Design (including packaging design), Photography, Interior Architecture and the Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art, examined equally though theoretical inquiry and practical application, as an integral part of technology, material culture, society, and human expression. The study programs delve into a wide range of topics through laboratory and theoretical teaching, aiming to cultivate practical skills along with the necessary foundation knowledge of the history, philosophical understanding, and future-driven implementation of works in each field. Following up-to-date teaching methods, studies at the School of Applied Arts and Culture encourage experimentation, innovation and extrovert thinking with an outlook of implementation outside the walls of the institution. Aiming at high knowledge and the development of philo-"sophia"—an amorous relationship to wisdom—, along with a conscious understanding of the responsibilities it holds against its cultural impact, the School of Applied Arts and Culture operates with high educational and research standards meeting the high demands of contemporary society for the creation of alumni equipped with artistic, scientific, and technocratic competence.
International Role
Since its original inception back in the ‘70s, the School of Applied Arts and Culture remains a highly extrovert academic entity, with over 60 international partnerships under the scope of Erasmus+, with extremely high levels of mobility each year, incoming and outgoing.
National Role
The University of West Attica (UNIWA) originates from three historical and dynamic educational and research entities in the region of Attica: the Technological Educational Institute of Athens, the Piraeus University of Applied Sciences, and the National School of Public Health, which have produced thousands of graduates and contributed decisively to the development of the country, but also at a worldwide level. The first two institutions have had a remarkable 45-year course since their establishment, nearly 20 years of which in higher education. The National School of Public Health was founded in 1929 by Eleftherios Venizelos, preserving an outstanding contribution of 90 years. As a new academic entity, the University of West Attica (UniWA) is bringing forth high academic standards, capitalizing on individual attributes of the former institutions and creating economies of scale and scope. It consists of 6 Schools (the School of Public Health, the School of Administrative, Economic & Social Sciences, the School of Food Sciences, the School of Health & Care Sciences, the School of Applied Arts & Culture, and the School of Engineering) and 27 Departments, covering a broad spectrum of disciplines.
Spanning across three Campuses (two in the Municipality of Egaleo—at Egaleo Park and the Ancient Olive Grove—and the third in Athens) while a fourth Campus is currently being developed in the area of Moschato, UniWA has approximately 55,700 undergraduate, 5,500 postgraduate and 460 doctoral students enrolled, the latter being a rapidly increasing number considering the fact that the preexisting institutions did not have the authority to provide doctoral studies.
Main Focus
The School of Applied Arts and Culture has a 50 year-long history and a prominent position of teaching at graduate level. Since its re-introduction in the form of a University in 2018, it has turned its efforts to offering high-quality studies at a post-graduate and doctoral level, either alone or through partnerships, with great success.
Faculties and Departments
The University of West Attica emerged in 2018 from the integration between two Technological Educational Institutes (TEI): the TEI of Athens and the TEI of Piraeus, in Attica, Greece; as well as the subsequent certification its various Faculties from external and internal evaluations. Today, UNIWA includes twenty-seven departments, organized into six Schools: the School of Public Health, the School of Administrative, Economic and Social Sciences, the School of Food Sciences, the School of Health and Care Sciences, the School of Applied Arts and Culture and the School of Engineering.
The School of Applied Arts and Culture consists of four (4) Departments:
- the Department of Graphic Design and Visual Communication,
- the Department of Interior Architecture,
- the Department of Photography and Audiovisual Arts, and
- the Department of Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art
Bachelor Level Programs
The School of Applied Arts and Culture maintains 4-year graduate programs (48 months / 8 semesters), offering Diplomas in the following subject areas:
- Graphic Design and Visual Communication
- Interior Architecture
- Photography and Audiovisual Arts
- Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art
Master Level Programs
The School of Applied Arts and Culture maintains six (6) post-graduate programs (18 months / 3 semesters), offering Diplomas in the following subject areas:
- ANIMATION (2D and 3D Animation) [Department of Graphic Design and Visual Communication]
- Intelligent packaging: New Technologies and Marketing [Department of Graphic Design and Visual Communication]
- Sustainable Design of Architectural Space [Department of Interior Architecture]
- Photography: Research and Methodology [Department of Photography and Audiovisual Arts]
- Conservation of Cultural Heritage [Department of Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art]
- Museum Studies [joint program between the Department of Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art, University of West Attica, the Department of History and Archaeology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and the Department of Geology and Geo-Environment (ibid)].
Research Activity and Main Areas
The School of Applied Arts and Culture is host to six (6) Research Laboratories with continuous academic presence in local and international research programs and partnerships:
- the Laboratory for Design, Interior Architecture and Audiovisual Documentation (DesArDo)
- the Laboratory for Advanced Research Technologies for Investigation & Conservation (ARTICON)
- the Laboratory for Space, Aesthetics, Sustainability
- the Laboratory for the Study & Conservation of Ancient and Modern Cultural Properties (CULTLAB)
- the Laboratory for Architectural Conservation
- the Laboratory for Hellenic Graphic-Media Research (GRAPHMEDLAB)
Doctorate Level Programs
The Doctoral Studies Program (DSP) at the School of Applied Arts and Culture leads to the acquisition of a Doctoral Degree (PhD), which certifies the production of independent and original scientific research that reflects the substantial contribution of the holder to the development of knowledge and science. The purpose of Doctoral Studies is fulfilled by the preparation of an original Doctoral Thesis in accordance with international academic standards under the supervision of a Three-Member Advisory Committee, as per Hellenic law.
Research at a Doctoral Level is conducted in subjects that are relevant to each Department's field of study and in scientific areas that are supported by ongoing research at the School's research Laboratories and/or the expertise of its faculty members.
Subject Areas for Exchange Students
The School of Applied Arts and Culture offers exchange opportunities within the framework of the specific partnerships each separate Department holds with other institutions at a European and International level. As such, opportunities for student and faculty exchanges are offered within the scope of:
- Graphic Design and Visual Communication
- Interior Architecture
- Photography and Audiovisual Arts
- Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art
European and International existing and prospective partners may also enjoy exchange opportunities for research purposes, either at a Departmental level or through the various Research Labs the School supports.
Application Deadlines
Applications for exchange students and faculty are generally considered one (1) month before the beginning of each semester. This means that the applications should be processed by the outgoing institution at the latest until:
- the first week of September, for the Winter semester
- the first week of January, for the Spring semester
Teaching Languages
Courses at the School of Applied Arts and Culture are officially offered in Greek. While the Departments themselves are not obliged to offer courses or classes in languages other than Greek, many tutors create multilingual environments for exchange students within the framework of specific courses. Depending on the tutors, exchange students will find themselves able to communicate in English, French and German. Prospective students are advised to consult with each Department's Academic Coordinator before choosing their specific program of study.
Semester Dates
- Winter semester: from early October until mid-to-late February
- Spring semester: from early March until mid-July
Cost of Living Per Month (Studying and Living)
The University does not offer housing options; therefore the cost of living is affected greatly upon the price of the accommodation depending on the area where they are located and the type of room or apartment that it is. Greece can be considered as quite an affordable country when compared to others in central and western Europe, albeit Athens is probably the costliest city to live in the country. As an average approximation, an Erasmus student in Greece can spend around € 600-700 per month—an amount which can vary though, depending on one's lifestyle.
