Want to study in Greece, the very birthplace of academia (or, in Ancient Greek, Akadēmía)? This Mediterranean country is widely recognized as the intellectual wellspring to which modern Western culture owes many of its linguistic, philosophical, cultural, legal, social and ethical beliefs and systems. Concepts of individualism, freedom, democracy and government all have their roots in the great thinkers of Ancient Greece, whose ideas are still widely read and debated today. Keen to follow in the footsteps of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus and so many other great questioners and innovators – while enjoying some delicious Greek cuisine, sunny weather and lively cities?
There are just over 20 universities in Greece, spread across the country and all within the public sector. While teaching is mainly in Greek, specialized study programs are also available in other languages (most commonly English), at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. These universities are joined by 15 Technological Educational Institutes (TEIs), which offer higher education programs with a focus on practical and professional skills, in subjects such as applied technology, healthcare, agriculture, management and art and design. Overall Greece’s higher education system is well-respected, ranked 41st in the world in the first edition of the QS Higher Education System Strength Rankings.
Six universities in Greece are included in the QS World University Rankings® 2021, with the country’s highest-ranked universities as follows:
The National Technical University of Athens is Greece’s highest-ranked institution, joint 477th in 2021. Established in 1837, the National Technical University of Athens (or NTUA) is one of the oldest universities in Greece. Today it has around 23,900 students, most studying five-year programs that lead to a diploma equivalent to a Master in Engineering or Science. Its nine academic schools (faculties) cover a range of engineering disciplines, as well as architecture and applied mathematics and physics. Teaching is in Greek, but students attending as part of the Erasmus exchange program complete projects in English. NTUA has several campuses, all located in the lively and historic Greek capital, Athens.
The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is the largest university in Greece, and one of the largest in southeast Europe. Its large main campus is located in the center of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, and a popular destination for visitors to the country. Established in 1925, the institution is named for the famed philosopher Aristotle, who was born close to the city, and is variously referred to as Aristotle University, the University of Thessaloniki or AUTH. It offers courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level across a broad spectrum of subjects, with most courses taught in Greek. In the QS World University Rankings 2021, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is ranked 571-580 in the world.
Also ranked among the world’s top 700 universities is the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Usually shortened just to “the University of Athens”, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens was established in 1837, making it the oldest among universities in Greece. It has around 125,000 students enrolled, offering programs across a diverse range of subjects, including law, languages, health sciences, philosophy, political science and natural sciences. The university has four main campuses, each in a different neighborhood of Athens.
The other three universities in Greece currently included in the QS World University Rankings are the University of Crete, the University of Patras and Athens University of Economics and Business.
You could also consider one of the smaller private colleges in Greece, such as the American College of Greece, which includes Alba Graduate Business School at the American College of Greece and Deree – The American College of Greece.
Studying in Greece is like going to the holy grail of higher education studies and knowledge. Greeks were the first ones to develop the idea of higher education through philosophical schools set up… well… about 2 millennia ago.
If you want to be a part of this long academic tradition as an international student — and enjoy the sunny Mediterranean climate on the side — it’s time to get some up-to-date info about what you need to do to apply to a university in Greece.
In order to apply for a degree in Greece, you first have to decide what you want to study. If you want to study for an English-taught degree in Greece you have to search carefully because, unlike other countries, Greece only has a limited number of Masters taught in English.
Here are some great internationally-oriented universities:
In order to apply to a Greek university, you have to first make sure that your educational background makes you eligible. The basic admission criteria for different degrees are:
Don’t worry if you don’t meet all these criteria. From one university to another, the admission criteria can vary significantly. If you invest enough time in your search, you’ll find degrees that have less strict admission processes.
As with the admission requirements, the application process varies according to the degree level you are applying to.
If you want to apply for a Bachelor’s degree, you will have to submit your application documents electronically through the national admission platform managed by the Hellenic Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs. The good news is that because the system is centralised, you can list in the online application as much as 20 undergraduate programmers to be considered for.
After that, you also have to print and send the documents to the same government authority. We have been talking about these application documents, but what do they contain exactly? Here is the essential list:
The deadline for applying to a Bachelor’s degree in Greece is usually in July. You will be notified about the results through an announcement on the Ministry website.
By comparison, applying to a Master’s degree in Greece is much simpler, especially if you are going for an English-taught programme. There is no centralized system, so you have to apply directly through the programme and university website.
The selection is also done by each university. This is why it’s important to become best friends with your chosen programme website by constantly reading and checking the admission procedure.
The application documents for a Master’s degree often include the following:
Additional requirements might be:
Many graduate programmes in Greece accept applications on a rolling/ongoing basis. However, since most programmes start in autumn, typical application deadlines are in May-July.
Whether you’re accepted to a Bachelor’s or Master’s programme at a Greek university, if you are from outside the EU/EEA, you will need a student visa.
Remember that if you go for a Bachelor’s degree and you don’t speak Greek, you will have to take a preparatory year to learn the language before you can enrol at the university.
When you receive the letter of acceptance, you will be guided about the next steps in the enrolment process and about the fees you will have to pay (if you are a non-EU/EEA student). To give you an idea about the costs of your studies in Greece here are some essential figures:
THE PIONEERS IN AMERICAN EDUCATION, INNOVATION & PROFESSIONAL CAREER TRAINING SINCE 1982
The American University of Athens is accredited by Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges and Universities (ASIC). The University has earned Premier status with ASIC for its commendable areas of operation. ASIC accreditation helps students and parents make a more informed choice and will also help a school, college, university, training provider or distance education provider, demonstrate to the international student body that they are a high quality institution.
ASIC is recognised by UKVI in UK, is a member of the CHEA International Quality Group (CIQG) in USA and is listed in their International Directory, is a member of the BQF (British Quality Foundation) and are institutional members of EDEN (European Distance and E-Learning Network).