The Greek university preference form (mixanografiko): how to fill it in well
In short
- Only list departments you would actually attend.
- The order of preference is decisive: put first what you want most, not what you think you’ll “get into”.
- For each department, check the curriculum, the professional rights and the minimum entry score.
The preference form (mixanografiko) is the list of university departments a candidate wants to enter through the Panhellenic Exams. It is completed online, usually in the summer after the exams. It looks like an administrative step, but in practice it is the decision that determines where you will study.
How the order of preference works
A candidate is admitted to the first department on their list for which their points are enough, based on their ranking compared with the other candidates. This means that:
- The order should reflect your real preferences, not your estimates of entry scores.
- If you put a department you don’t really want too high, you may be admitted there and “lose” one you would have preferred.
The minimum entry score (EBE)
Each department sets a minimum entry score (Elachisti Vasi Eisagogis). If your points are below it, you cannot be admitted to that department, even if places remain unfilled. That is why it is important to check each year’s official, up-to-date figures before finalising your list.
How to choose departments
Choosing a programme shouldn’t rest only on a school’s name or a general impression. For each department, check:
- The curriculum: which modules will you take over the four (or more) years?
- The professional rights: which professions does the degree lead to?
- Career outcomes and options for a master’s degree.
- The city: cost of living, distance, student housing.
- The link with your goals: does it bring you closer to what you want to do?
The most common mistakes
- “Filling the list just to be safe” with departments you would never attend.
- Ordering by last year’s entry scores instead of your own preferences.
- Not reading the curriculum and judging only by the department’s title.
- Leaving the decision to the last day.
When to start researching
The form is filled in at the end of the final year of Lykeio, but research is best started earlier, ideally in the 2nd year, when the academic field is chosen. Read our guide to career guidance too.
How we help
We don’t only ask “where can I get in?”. Above all we ask: “Which choice can take me where I really want to go?” See more about studying in Greece.
Frequently asked questions
How many departments should I list on the preference form?
As many as truly interest you and you would attend. There is no reason to list departments you would not go to.
Does the order on the preference form matter?
Yes, it is decisive. You are admitted to the first department on your list for which your points are enough, so the order should follow your real preferences.
What is the minimum entry score?
It is the lowest number of points set by each department. If your points are lower, you cannot be admitted to it, even if places remain unfilled.
