Study in Greece

Sponsored by Study in Greece

Greece is home to over 20 public higher education institutions, located all across the country. While teaching is mainly in Greek, these universities have made an important shift towards internationalisation: as of 2025, they offer 12 English-taught undergraduate programs in key disciplines such as medicine, business, finance, and archaeology, alongside more than 200 highly specialised international master’s programmes. 

Moreover, Greece has been part of the Lisbon Convention since 2024, ensuring that degrees and qualifications awarded by Greek institutions receive official recognition across Europe. 

Read our guide to Greek universities at a glance to learn more about the strengths of each institution.

Life in Greece

With so much rich history to explore, beautiful beaches, world renowned cuisine and buzzing “party islands”, stunning countryside and glorious weather throughout much of the year, it’s little surprise that tourism is one of the largest industries in Greece.

Combined with low tuition fees and low living costs, the vibrant student life catering to all needs and the high level of English spoken all around the country, Greece becomes an attractive option for studying abroad.

Discover some of Greece’s major student cities:

Athens

Beneath the iconic Acropolis – the internationally recognisable ancient site which continues to dominate the Athens skyline – the Greek capital buzzes away as one of the busiest cities in Europe.

Its wider metropolitan area is a multicultural hub of some 3.75 million people, a significant part of the total national population of around 11 million.

Athens is also one of the world’s oldest cities, having been continuously inhabited for at least 7,000 years, and it remains one of the globe’s most prominent archaeological and cultural hubs.

While still known for its often chaotic traffic, Athens now boasts one of Europe’s largest pedestrian zones, covering a large part of the historic center, and in recent years has enjoyed a new wave of stylish shops, restaurants and hotels.

All of this makes for an exciting and eclectic student experience, from historic sites to modern bars, and vibrant nightlife to leisurely coffees. For students who value an active social scene for their study abroad destination, Athens was even awarded the title 'best nightlife' on a global scale survey in 2025.

Athens is home to some of the most prestigious universities in Greece, including the National Technical University of Athens, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the Athens University of Economics and Business.

Thessaloniki

Greece’s second-largest city, Thessaloniki is the administrative capital of the region of Macedonia. Located on the coast towards the north-east of the country, it has a long history (spanning 2,300 years) of being a major commercial, economic and cultural centre, and in recent years has risen to growing prominence as a top choice for travellers.

Thessaloniki was once the “co-reigning” city of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire, alongside Constantinople, and this has left a legacy of historic Byzantine buildings and structures. Today, the city is known for its vibrant cultural scene, café culture and nightlife.

It’s the home of the Greek National Theatre, prides itself on having one of Europe’s most impressive ratios of cafés and bars per capita, and has been listed among the world’s top five 'ultimate party cities'. It was also the 2014 European Youth Capital.

Patras

As Greece’s third-largest city, Patras is a lively seaside urban centre with a strong student identity. Its renowned Carnival, held each February, attracts students from across the country and is widely regarded as one of the highlights of Greek student life.

With roots stretching back to antiquity, Patras has long played a pivotal role as a trading hub connecting the Peloponnese with the Adriatic Sea. This strategic position has shaped the city’s rich cultural fabric, influenced by Greek, Italian, and Turkish elements, making Patras an engaging destination to explore.

Today, the city hosts the largest campus of the University of Patras, with more than 1,000 faculty members serving approximately 25,000 students, including around 1,500 international students.

The university is distinguished by its strong research output and extensive international academic network, further reinforcing Patras as a dynamic academic and student-oriented city.

Heraklion (Crete)

The administrative capital of the island of Crete (the largest among the Greek islands), Heraklion is the fourth-largest city in Greece.

As you’d probably expect of any major Greek metropolis, Heraklion (also known as Iraklio) has a long and interesting history. Established in 824 by the Saracens, the city has been occupied by numerous different civilizations and empires, before being incorporated into Greece along with the rest of Crete in 1913.

Following a recent period of renewal, it combines a rich and diverse cultural legacy with a new urban polish, and as a leading hub for Cretan nightlife, commerce and cuisine, it’s popular among tourists and international students alike.

Heraklion is home to one of the two campuses of the University of Crete (the second is in the town of Rethymnon), as well as the Technological Educational Institute of Crete.

Applying to study in Greece

With the number of international study programmes in Greece steadily increasing, the need for a modern, student-friendly application framework has become essential.

To meet this demand, the @SiG platform (Apply to Study in Greece) was developed, with the aim of facilitating programme searching and applications in one central hub.

Requirements for admission to international bachelor’s and master’s programmes are straightforward and typically include a limited number of documents. These may consist of an IB, Baccalaureate, SAT, or equivalent secondary education certificate for undergraduate programmes, a bachelor’s degree diploma for postgraduate programmes, proof of language proficiency in English (TOEFL/IELTS), and, in some cases, a CV, a motivation letter, and an interview at a later stage.

International students may also apply to undergraduate programmes taught in the Greek language. Eligibility criteria and detailed application requirements can be found in the official application guide of the Hellenic Ministry of Education.

The application process for Greek-taught programmes involves two steps. First, applicants submit an online application through the international student application portal, indicating their preferred study programmes.

The second step includes a physical file sent by mail, addressed to the Directorate of Examinations and Certificates of the Hellenic Ministry of Education, containing all the necessary documents. In order to enroll in a Greek-taught programme, students must provide certified proficiency in the Greek language of a B2 level or higher.

Application periods vary depending on the programme. Most accept applications during the spring months. Greek-taught undergraduate programmes are an exception, with applications for international students typically open for a single week within the first ten days of July.

Visas to study in Greece

Citizens of the European Union will be happy to hear that they do not need a visa to study in Greece. However, if you come from a non-EU country, you need to obtain a student visa (long stay - type D) from your nearest Greek embassy or consulate.

To do so, you first need an official acceptance letter from your chosen university in Greece, which must be an institution certified by the Greek Ministry of Education.

Contact the Greek Embassy in your country, visit the Global Visa Center World website or consult the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, for a detailed list of the documents required for a student visa and information about how to submit your application. You will need to attend an interview to gain your visa.

All students, both from EU and non-EU countries, must prove they have health insurance, sufficient funds to support themselves during their expected stay, and a valid passport.

Fees and funding

International bachelor’s programmes at Greek universities typically have annual tuition fees ranging from €4,000 to €6,000, with the exception of medical degrees, which range from €12,000 to €17,000 per year.

Most master’s programmes charge total tuition fees between €1,500 and €4,000, depending on the programme’s duration and discipline, while some are offered entirely tuition-free. All undergraduate programmes taught in Greek are fully tuition-free.

There are also multiple scholarship pathways available for international students wishing to study in Greece. The Greek government offers targeted scholarships through its embassies and consular authorities worldwide.

In addition, funding opportunities are provided by organisations such as Fulbright Greece and the Greek State Scholarships Foundation (IKY), while individual study programmes may also offer scholarships or tuition waivers based on academic merit or financial need.

Living costs in Greece are among the lowest in Europe, despite the economic challenges the country faced during the previous decade. While cities such as Athens and Thessaloniki are slightly more expensive than other student destinations, international students can expect to comfortably cover all living expenses with approximately €8,000 ($9,500) per year.

As an added benefit, students are eligible for discounts of up to 50 percent on transportation, travel, cultural events, and other services.