Where do you find the best universities in the world? Well, pretty much anywhere – including Greece! Cool, huh? In Greece you can find plenty of top-ranked universities that take their rightful place next to some of the biggest international university names out there.
Greece’s universities, colleges, medical schools, engineering schools, and law schools are highly respected and well-known in the education and academic communities, and they continue to offer prestigious Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D programmes for smart, driven adventurers like you. Feel free to choose from some of the most competitive degrees in the best universities in Greece.
Greece’s capital and largest city, Athens has a history dating back thousands of years. The city has been called the cradle of western civilisation as well as the birthplace of democracy.
The classical city-state of Athens has been transformed into a busy modern metropolis, home to around 34 percent of Greece’s total population. Rising thirteen places this year, Athens is now ranked 76th in the Best Student Cities 2022.
Considered the birthplace of modern thinking, Athens is home to some of Greece’s most prestigious universities, three of which are included in the QS World University Rankings® 2022.l
In fact, in the student survey, Athens’ affordability is frequently mentioned, with one individual saying, “in contrast to other European cities, Athens is much more affordable.” Another respondent praised “the weather and the nightlife.”
Best universities in Athens – QS Best Student Cities ranking: 76th
| World ranking | University |
| =421 | National Technical University of Athens |
| 651-700 | National and Kapodistrian University of Athens |
| 1001-1200 | Athens University of Economics and Business |
More about Athens
Home to three universities, the beautiful city of Athens ranks 76th in the most recent Best Student Cities ranking. Its top scores were for the affordability and student view indicators.
To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.
| Number of universities ranked by QS | 3 |
| Top ranked institution | National Technical University of Athens (447th in the world) |
| Population | 3,153,000 |
| Average international fees (at ranked unis) | US$2,100 |
| Desirability rank | =82nd |
| Employer Activity rank | 78th |
| Affordability rank | 4th |
| Student View rank | 83rd |
Why study in Athens?
The low cost of living
With a low cost of living and tuition fees, Athens is incredibly affordable for students. It ranks fourth worldwide for affordability.
The people
The friendliness and hospitality of the Greek people is widely known around the world.
The nightlife
As it gets dark, the city’s cafés turn into bars and friends rush to the Gazi district to dance and drink in its nightclubs.
The sights
Enjoy the city’s amazing monuments, including the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Acropolis.
Cost of studying in Athens?
Greece earns its highest score in the affordability indicator, placing in fourth place worldwide. This is due to its relatively low tuition fees and inexpensive cost of living.
For example, a one-bedroom apartment in the city center would cost you only US$470 per month, compared to US$1,400 for the same thing in France’s capital, Paris.
Life & culture in Athens
Home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (including the world-famous Acropolis), the city retains much of its classical heritage, with many ancient monuments such as the famous Parthenon. Athens is a city that certainly mixes old and new – you can’t walk the streets without seeing reminders of its fascinating history.
As well as exploring one of the oldest cultures in the world, you could also spend time enjoying the city’s lively nightlife, delicious Greek food, great shops, its long tradition in sports, as well as theater and entertainment.
Greek people are noted for their warmth and friendliness and, if you fancy more exploration, the city is just a quick ferry ride away from beautiful Greek islands such as Kea and Aegina.
Career in Athens
Finding a job in Athens isn’t exactly easy. The Greek economy is still recovering financially and the unemployment rate is high. Despite this, there is a growing demand for specialised skilled workers, particularly in the technology sector.
If you’re looking to work in Athens after graduation, tourism accounts for around a fifth of Greece’s GDP so there is often work in the hospitality, retail and transportation industries.
However, it’s worth noting that it’s significantly more difficult to find work in Greece if you come from outside the EU/EEA.
Best Universities in Greece according to International Rankings
| Universities | Times Higher Education Ranking (2021) | Shanghai Jiao Tong University Ranking (2020) | TopUniversities Ranking (2022) | U.S. News & World Report Ranking (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Crete | 351 | 801 | 651 | 547 |
| National and Kapodistrian University of Athens | 401 | 301 | 651 | 257 |
| Aristotle University of Thessaloniki | 601 | 501 | 551 | 335 |
| Athens University of Economics and Business | 601 | – | 1001 | – |
| National Technical University of Athens | 601 | 601 | 421 | 385 |
| University of Ioannina | 601 | 801 | – | 599 |
| University of Thessaly | 601 | 901 | – | 1003 |
| University of the Aegean | 801 | – | – | 831 |
| University of Patras | – | – | 801 | 840 |
| Agricultural University of Athens | – | – | – | 1078 |
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