The School of Medicine of the Faculty of Health Sciences in collaboration with the School of Dentistry of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Faculty of Law and the School of Theology of the Theological Faculty of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) organize and operate from the academic year 2011-2012 the Joint Postgraduate Programme of  Studies “Contemporary Medical Acts: Legal Regulation and Bioethical Dimension“.

The object of the Programme is the study and research of medical, ethical, social and legal issues arising from or related to medical and biomedical research and practice, the applications of biotechnology, health care, as well as health policy, with particular emphasis on modern developments. The purpose of the Programme is the cultivation and promotion of scientific knowledge and research in the above fields.

The main objectives of establishing the Programme are the following:

• The provision of training and specialization for the dimensions of the individual problems associated with the exercise of the medical function, biomedical research and biotechnological applications, with the aim of producing academic work in these fields.
• The acquisition of skills and experiences aimed at providing high quality research, professional and generally scientific work.
• The specialization of doctors, biologists-biotechnologists, lawyers, theologians, sociologists, political scientists with subject-related skills and experiences to be able to offer high-quality professional, research and scientific work in general, as well as to be executives in organizations related to the fields of the Programme.
• The development of critical and research skills required for doctoral level studies.

The learning outcomes and qualifications of those who have successfully attended the Programme are the training of graduate students in modern scientific developments and the provision of high scientific level theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of biotechnology applications as well as health policy.

The general operating objectives of the Programme aim to:

a. the formation of a reinforced cooperation framework with University Institutions and Research Centers in Greece and abroad,

b. In the promotion of the students’ research work at international and Greek conferences, in which the students will be invited to present their research works,

c. In attracting candidates admitted from other Universities, in Greece and abroad.

After completing their postgraduate studies, students will be able to:

• To develop critical and research skills required for doctoral level studies.
• To acquire knowledge and skills for a successful career in the private, public and academic sectors.
• To research and write an academic project with the ability to analyze, synthesize and interpret information.

The duration of study at the Programme leading to the receipt of the Postgraduate Studies Diploma is defined as a minimum of three (3) semesters, which also includes the time for preparation and assessment of the postgraduate diploma thesis.

The maximum number of admissions is thirty-five (35) and the minimum is 10, of which at least 14 graduates in Medicine and at least 14 graduates in Law. The remaining positions, and the positions of the aforementioned categories that remain vacant, are filled by all candidates in order of success.

The Programme has tuition fees set at the amount of one thousand eight hundred euros (1800) per study cycle. The payment of tuition fees is made by the student himself (or by a third natural or legal person on behalf of the student) and is made in two equal installments, the first upon registration and the second before the start of the 3rd semester.

Tuition fees are paid to the bank account of the Special Research Funds Account of A.P.Th. The delinquent payment of the financial obligations constitutes a sufficient reason for the non-awarding of the Diploma or deletion from the Programme.