Vakalo Art & Design College

Athens, Greece

Vakalo Art & Design College is the first school of Applied Arts in Greece to offer full programmes of study at tertiary level. Founded in 1958, it has established a reputation as the foremost design education institution in Greece and has appeared among the top colleges internationally.

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Athens, Greece

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Experience Exceptional Student Facilities & Services at Vakalo Art & Design College

The College's infrastructure includes a main specially designed six-storey building. This building houses studios, computer labs, lecture rooms, an auditorium, a library, a reading room, a cinema, administration offices, an exhibition gallery, a cafeteria, and a small atrium. Additionally, there are specially equipped facilities that include a printing and engraving studio with an adjacent workshop for three-dimensional constructions and architectural scale modelling, as well as computer labs. The main annex has been recognized for its architectural value and has been included in the Open House Athens guided tour.

Activities Offered

Art

Performance Art

In-House Facility

Auditorium

Infrastructure

Student Support

The programme leader is responsible for supervision and support in a student-friendly climate where personal issues can be more easily identified and referred to the Vakalo College Dean, who is entrusted with the pastoral care of students. Students with specific needs are supported by a special “Protocol” (Support Plan) devised by the College, following consultation with professionals and/or carers, and agreed with the student. The Personal Development Planning (PDP) process in Stage 2 is designed to offer support and assist students in understanding their progress.

Student Life

The student experience at Vakalo is described as a most positive one, as attested by student statements. Students are offered opportunities to investigate a wide range of design areas and are supported to develop their creative skills and intellectual capabilities. Vakalo provides a well-equipped and friendly environment that fosters a sense of belonging to a special kind of team. Visits to galleries, museums, and archaeological sites are regularly organised, and trips within Greece and abroad combining pleasure and learning strengthen the ‘Vakalo spirit’. Recent visits abroad include trips to New York, Amsterdam, and Berlin. Live projects are frequently conducted with firms, NGOs, social welfare societies, and charities, bringing students into direct contact with the market and social issues.

Student accommodation at Vakalo Art & Design College

Housing facilities (Accommodation)

Vakalo Art & Design College does not provide on-campus dormitories or student housing facilities. As a private college located in central Athens, it does not operate residential halls. Students are responsible for securing their own accommodation in the private rental market. The College's location in the Lycabettus area, near Ambelokipi, is well-served by public transport, including the Ambelokipi metro station which is a seven-minute walk away, making it accessible for students living in various neighbourhoods across Athens. The College's administrative staff can provide general guidance and information about the local area to assist incoming students in their housing search.

Student Safety

The safety of students at Vakalo College is addressed through the institution's commitment to providing a secure and supportive learning environment. The College's facilities are accessible to people with disabilities and hold fire safety certificates, ensuring compliance with essential safety regulations. The College operates a policy of equal treatment and ensures that all students are treated with dignity and respect. The administrative management is easily accessible in the "small school" environment, allowing students to raise any concerns, including those related to personal safety, directly with staff. The campus is located in a central, well-trafficked area of Athens, and the College maintains a student-friendly climate where personal issues can be identified and referred to the Dean, who is entrusted with pastoral care.

Career services at Vakalo Art & Design College

Career Support

The programme is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge to be immediately employable in the visual communication professions. The School has set up an e-mail communication network with all graduates informing them of job opportunities. Vakalo staff and invited speakers present and discuss issues such as self-assessment, career management, target-setting, portfolio presentation, scheduling and planning. These extensive links with industry provide a steady flow of employment opportunities for Vakalo students. The programme includes consultation and support both in terms of programme development and employment opportunities.