ATHENS – Seeking to further attract foreign students after beginning undergraduate programs in English for a number of fields, the University of Athens School of Medicine said it will do the same.

The new program is expected to secure recognition from the Higher Education Authority this month and plans to start welcoming its first students in 2022, the school’s Dean, Dr. Petros Sfikakis, told Kathimerini.

The 12-semester program will take 40 students per year with an annual tuition of 13,000 euros ($15,807.35), while the cost at Harvard – the world's number one medical school – is $45,050, some three times higher.

A part of the proceeds will be used to fund a scholarship program for outstanding students. Foreign students will have to accumulate a total of 360 credits under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) so that their qualifications are recognized, the paper also reported.

With Greece having a reputation for sterling doctors but poor facilities, the schools ranks 1056th in US News and World Report's Best Global Universities and 413th in Europe.

Athens University launched its first English-language undergraduate degree, in ancient Greek archaeology, history and literature during the COVID-19 pandemic year when many classes were limited to online at times.