Exploration & Sustainable Exploitation of Mineral Resources
GENERAL INFO
Establishment and Regulations
The MSc Programme entitled “Exploration and Sustainable Exploitation of Mineral Resources” is supported by the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). The establishment of the Programme was approved at the 5th meeting of the NKUA Senate on 4 February 2026.
The subject area of the MSc Programme is the scientific field of economic geology and mineral deposits, encompassing the exploration, extraction, management and sustainable exploitation of mineral raw materials (metallic, energy, industrial and other mineral resources).
Purpose of the MSc Programme
The purpose of the MSc Programme is to meet contemporary requirements for the education of specialized scientific personnel, provide high-level scientific and technological training, and prepare the next generation of researchers and executives capable of successfully addressing the complexity of problems arising in every modern field of activity relating to the exploration, discovery, extraction, exploitation and sustainable management of mineral resources.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Programme, graduates will be able to:
develop and apply innovative ideas in basic and, above all, applied research on Mineral Raw Materials, based on the knowledge and skills acquired;
solve problems in the Exploration and Sustainable Exploitation of Mineral Resources in new or unfamiliar environments and situations within a broader interdisciplinary context;
integrate knowledge and apply their acquired skills comprehensively in complex situations, enabling them to substantiate their judgement and make decisions, even on the basis of incomplete information and data;
manage contemporary challenges in the exploration, evaluation and exploitation of mineral raw materials, taking environmental, economic and social factors into account.
The Degree Awarded
The MSc Programme awards a Postgraduate Studies Diploma (MSc) in “Exploration and Sustainable Exploitation of Mineral Resources” (MSc) involving advanced study of the geosciences and modern techniques and technologies for the exploration, discovery and evaluation of mineral raw materials; the study of contemporary methods for their management and sustainable exploitation; an understanding of legislation and policies relating to mineral-deposit exploration, the extractive industry, mining in general and sustainable development; training in modern data-analysis and geospatial-visualization techniques for mineral-deposit exploration and the sustainable exploitation of mineral raw materials; and the development of critical thinking and decision-making skills for the sustainable and responsible management of mineral resources (90 ECTS).
Duration of Studies
The duration of study in the MSc Programme leading to the award of the Postgraduate Studies Diploma is three (3) academic semesters, including the period required to prepare the Master’s thesis.
Governing Bodies of the MSc Programme
In accordance with Law 4957/2022 and the University’s Regulations for Second- and Third-Cycle Studies, the bodies responsible for the operation of the MSc Programme are:
At University level, the Postgraduate Studies Committee and the Senate.
At Department level, the Assembly of the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, whose responsibilities include the following:
appointing the Director and the members of the Coordinating Committee of each MSc Programme of the Department;
establishing Committees to evaluate applications from prospective postgraduate students and approving their enrolment in the MSc Programme;
assigning teaching duties among the MSc Programme’s instructors and, under the supervision of an MSc Programme instructor, assigning supplementary teaching duties to doctoral candidates of the Department or School;
establishing examination committees for the assessment of postgraduate students’ Master’s theses and appointing a supervisor for each thesis;
certifying the successful completion of studies and awarding the Postgraduate Studies Diploma.
The MSc Programme Coordinating Committee (CC) consists of the Director of the MSc Programme and four (4) members of the Department’s Teaching and Research Staff (faculty), as well as emeritus professors, whose subject area is related to that of the MSc Programme and who undertake teaching duties in it. The CC is responsible for monitoring and coordinating the Programme’s operation. Its responsibilities include:
the financial management of the MSc Programme;
approving the award of scholarships, whether work-study or otherwise, in accordance with the decision establishing the MSc Programme and the Regulations for Postgraduate and Doctoral Studies; planning amendments to the curriculum and submitting them to the Departmental Assembly;
recommending to the Departmental Assembly the redistribution of courses among academic semesters, as well as matters relating to the qualitative enhancement of the curriculum.
The Director of the MSc Programme is selected from among the Department’s faculty members, preferably at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor, and is appointed by decision of the Departmental Assembly for a two-year term, renewable without limitation. The Director has the following responsibilities:
chairs the CC, prepares the agenda and convenes its meetings;
submits matters concerning the organization and operation of the MSc Programme to the Departmental Assembly;
submits to the CC and the other bodies of the MSc Programme and the Higher Education Institution matters relating to the effective operation of the MSc Programme;
serves as the Programme’s Scientific Coordinator and exercises the corresponding responsibilities;
monitors implementation of the decisions of the MSc Programme’s bodies and of the Internal Regulations for Postgraduate and Doctoral Study Programmes, as well as execution of the MSc Programme budget;
exercises any other responsibility specified in the decision establishing the MSc Programme.
The MSc Programme “Exploration and Sustainable Exploitation of Mineral Resources” is supported by the Programme Secretariat, which is based in NKUA’s Department of Geology and Geoenvironment and operates under the supervision of the Secretariat of NKUA’s Department of Geology and Geoenvironment. The MSc Programme Secretariat provides administrative support for the Programme, including preparation of the candidate-admission procedure, maintenance of the Programme’s financial records, administrative support for the CC, registration of grades, and related duties.
Categories and Number of Admitted Students
The MSc Programme accepts university graduates of Departments of Geology and Geoenvironment, Geology and Mineral Resources Engineering, Schools of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering and Mineral Resources Engineering, and related Departments in Greece, as well as graduates of Departments of recognized equivalent institutions abroad and graduates of Technological Educational Institute Departments in a relevant discipline.
The maximum number of students admitted to the Postgraduate Study Programme is set at twenty (20) in total. The maximum intake is determined in accordance with the number of instructors in the MSc Programme and the student-to-instructor ratio, available infrastructure, teaching rooms, and graduates’ absorption by the labor market.
In addition to the number of admitted students, one (1) member of the Special Educational Staff (SES), Laboratory Teaching Staff (LTS) or Special Technical Laboratory Staff (STLS) categories may be admitted each year, provided that the work they perform at the University is related to the subject area of the MSc Programme.
State Scholarships Foundation (SSF) scholars and international scholars of the Greek State in the same or a related subject area may be admitted without examinations, provided that they meet the Programme’s admission terms and conditions.
Admission Criteria – Selection and Admission Procedure
Students are selected in accordance with the legislation in force, the NKUA Regulations for Postgraduate and Doctoral Studies, and the provisions of these Regulations.
Each May, following a decision of the Assembly of NKUA’s Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, a call for applications for admission to the MSc Programme is published and posted on the websites of the Department and the University. Applications and the required supporting documents are submitted to the MSc Programme Secretariat within the deadline specified in the call, which may be extended by decision of the Departmental Assembly.
The Departmental Assembly assigns the admission-selection procedure to the CC.
The required supporting documents are:
Application form
Curriculum vitae
Photocopy of both sides of the national identity card or passport
Copy of degree certificate or certificate of completion of studies
Transcript of undergraduate course grades
Certificate of English-language proficiency at a minimum level of B2. A candidate who does not hold a qualification or equivalent certificate of English-language proficiency may request certification of their level through written and oral examinations before a Special Examination Committee appointed by the CC.
Letters of recommendation
Scientific publications, where applicable
Evidence of professional or research activity, where applicable
Certificate of proficiency in Greek or sufficient knowledge of the Greek language, as verified by the CC, for international candidates.
Recognition of a foreign academic qualification. The relevant procedures are described in detail in the MSc Programme Regulations and determined by the legislation in force.
Certificates of computer skills, training seminars related to the programme’s subject areas, etc.
Candidates are evaluated and admitted based on the following criteria:
Undergraduate degree grade (30%)
Grade in undergraduate courses related to the subject area of the MSc Programme (10%)
Grade of an undergraduate dissertation or thesis related to the subject area of the MSc Programme, where applicable (10%)
Knowledge of other foreign languages (5%)
Relevant research activity, scientific publications and participation in conferences (5%)
Relevant professional activity (5%)
Possession of a postgraduate or doctoral degree (5%)
Oral interview before a three-member committee appointed by the CC (30%)
On the basis of the overall criteria, the CC draws up the candidate evaluation table and submits it to the Assembly for approval.
Successful candidates must enroll with the MSc Programme Secretariat within thirty (30) days of the Assembly’s decision. In the event of tied scores, mathematically rounded to the nearest whole number on the 100-point scale, the tied candidates are admitted up to a number not exceeding 10% of the maximum intake.
If one or more admitted students fail to enroll, the next candidate on the approved ranking list, where available, will be invited to enroll in the MSc Programme.
Interruption and Suspension of Studies
Part-time study is available following a reasoned application by the student and approval by the Assembly.
The following students are entitled to apply for part-time study:
students who can demonstrate that they work at least twenty (20) hours per week;
students with disabilities and special educational needs;
students who are also athletes and, during their studies, belong to sports clubs registered in the electronic register of sports clubs under Article 142 of Law 4714/2020 (Series A, 148), maintained by the General Secretariat of Sports. The specific requirements are set out in detail in the Programme Regulations.
The duration of part-time study may not exceed six (6) academic semesters. The maximum duration of study also applies in this case.
An extension may be granted following a reasoned application by the student and approval by the Assembly or the Study Programme Committee. The extension may not exceed the number of semesters of the MSc Programme’s standard period of study. The maximum permitted period for completing the programme is therefore set at six (6) academic semesters.
Students who have not exceeded the maximum period of study may, following a reasoned application to the Departmental Assembly, suspend their studies for a period not exceeding two (2) consecutive semesters. Suspension of studies is granted for serious reasons. The application must state the reasons and be accompanied by all relevant supporting documents from competent public authorities or organizations proving the grounds for suspension. Student status is suspended during the interruption of studies, and participation in any educational process is not permitted. Semesters during which student status is suspended are not counted towards the prescribed maximum duration of standard study.
At least two weeks before the suspension period ends, the student must re-enroll in the Programme in order to continue their studies with the rights and obligations of an active student. Students may apply to terminate their suspension and return to the Programme only where they originally requested suspension for two consecutive academic semesters. An application to terminate the suspension must be submitted no later than two weeks before the beginning of the second semester of suspension.
The duration of a suspension or extension of study is considered and approved on a case-by-case basis by the CC, which submits its recommendation to the Departmental Assembly.