The Greek educational system is broadly divided into three levels, namely primary, secondary and tertiary, with an additional post-secondary level providing vocational training.

Primary education is divided into kindergarten lasting one or two years, and primary school spanning six years (ages 6 to 12).

Secondary education comprises two stages: Gymnasio (variously translated as Middle or Junior High School), a compulsory three-year school, after which students can attend Lykeio (an academically-oriented High School) or Vocational training. Tertiary education is provided by Universities and Polytechnics (A.E.I.), Technological Educational Institutes (A.T.E.I., 2001 ~ present) and Academies which primarily cater for the military and the clergy.

 Undergraduate courses typically last 4 years (5 in polytechnics and some technical/art schools, and 6 in medical schools), postgraduate (MSc level) courses last from 1 to 2 years and doctorates (PhD level) from 3 to 6 years.

All levels of education are catered for by both private and public schools. State-run schools and universities do not charge tuition fees and textbooks are provided free to all students. There are also a number of private tutors schools, colleges and universities operating alongside the state education and providing supplementary tuition. These parallel schools (Greek: φροντιστήριο, frontistirio (single)) provide foreign language tuition, supplementary lessons for weak students as well as exam preparation courses for the competitive Panhellenic national examinations. Students typically attend such classes (and examinations) at the tutors schools in the afternoon and evening in addition to their normal schooling.