Occupational guidance through ELECTRE method Stefanos Ougiaroglou 1 , Ioannis Kazanidis 2 1 Dept. of Applied Informatics, University of Macedonia, 54006 Thessaloniki, Greece stoug@uom.gr 2 Dept. of Accountancy, Kavala Institute of Technology, 65404 Kavala, Greece kazanidis@teikav.edu.gr Abstract. Many students do not manage to complete their higher education studies because they chose an university department whose curriculum consists of courses that are out of their interest. If the selection of their studies is done with more caution and knowledge might lead to better decision making. This paper presents a web-based decision support system which allows the student to indicate the degree of interest for courses in secondary education that they has been taught. The system, using the multicreteria analysis method ELECTRE, presents a possible, ranked based on student’s interests, university departments list. Keywords: ELECTRE, occupational guidance, decision support system, higher education. 1 Introduction Secondary education graduates are invited to choose the university department where they are going to continue their studies. In Greece, they have to complete a form stating their preferences in higher education departments. However, often the process of completing the department list is based on some specific factors that lead students to a higher education department, the knowledge domain of which, in fact is out of their interest. Examples of such factors are: (i) Lack of accurate information and proper guidance, (ii). Influence from relatives (eg parents' professional and expectations), (iii) selecting courses based on placement rather than actual intellectual interests and skills. As a consequence many students are often asked to complete a curriculum of a university department which consists of courses that do not interest them. This leads many of them to abandon their studies or to continue by facing various learning difficulties and finally obtain their diploma expecting just a job. It is very likely, these students had another, successful evolution in another science, if they were led to complete their statement with more caution and knowledge. One way that might help students take a right decision for their studies, is to carefully study the curricula of universities and their departments on the basis of having attended courses in secondary education, and choose the courses that really interest them. However, such a procedure is difficult and time consuming. This paper proposes the use of an intelligent decision support system which allows the students to indicate their degree of interest for courses in secondary education that they