Greek universities at a glance

Established in 1837, The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens has maintained a strong institutional role aiming to advance knowledge in sciences and arts that will best serve the world and individual communities in contemporary society. NKUA seeks to infuse each member of its academic community with the passion of research and the most noble scholarly virtues while staying committed to innovation and academic excellence.  

The university encourages cultivation of creativity, maturation of social and cultural sensibilities as well as critical thinking, by supporting free and open dialogue and a culture of integrity and diversity. 

The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is the largest university in Greece and is widely recognised as a vibrant centre of learning based on a long tradition of academic excellence. The university's international role is reinforced by its academic expertise in fields such as science, arts, theology, medicine, and technology.  

Through the continuous development of its scientific goals and teaching methods, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki aims to maintain a high level of education, research, culture, and connection with society. 

The Athens School of Fine Arts (ASFA) is Greece’s only university dedicated exclusively to the arts. Building on its long history in arts education, ASFA focuses on providing high-quality teaching while encouraging students to develop their artistic and research skills.  

The university also has a strong international outlook, connecting its students and creative work with the wider global arts community. 

Offering multiple undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in agricultural sciences, the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) combines teaching with research focused on the needs of modern agriculture and the agri-food sector. The university aims to achieve excellence in education and research while maintaining a strong connection with Greek society and the wider international academic community.  

AUA is also renowned for their continuous work in addressing challenges in the agri-nutrition sector, developing research and solutions that respond to the needs of both the economy and society. 

Recognised for its focus on equality, sustainability and a diverse learning environment, Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH) gives students opportunities to engage with people, perspectives and ideas from across cultures and borders. 

With a range of academic programmes and research opportunities, DUTH helps students prepare for changing professional and societal needs. Its commitment to inclusion, social responsibility and academic freedom is reflected across university life, while its strong regional and international connections create opportunities for innovation and collaboration. 

International Hellenic University features multiple campuses across northern Greece offering students a plethora of subjects to choose from. Its name represents a commitment to students from around the world, with a focus on preparing graduates with a strong international outlook and encouraging global engagement. 

The university aims to strengthen its position as a hub of academic excellence in education and research, while encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship and strong connections with local and international communities. 

National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) follows the continental European model for engineering education, giving students a strong academic and technical foundation. 

Its international reputation is built on high-quality teaching and research, experienced staff and students, and modern technical infrastructure. NTUA’s strong academic standards have also helped many graduates go on to distinguished teaching and research careers at leading universities around the world. 

Founded in 1997, Hellenic Open University (HOU) aims to make higher education more accessible and flexible for students through distance learning. 

The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes supported by innovative teaching methods and dedicated learning resources. Alongside education, HOU promotes research and the development of new technologies and approaches in distance learning. 

Hellenic Mediterranean University is made up of eleven academic departments, offering study programmes designed around the latest scientific developments and the evolving needs of the job market. 

The university places a strong emphasis on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and communication skills. Research in its advanced laboratory facilities is an integral part of its study programmes, giving students opportunities to gain valuable hands-on experience while contributing to new knowledge. 

Founded in 1984, Ionian University is based across the islands of Corfu, Zakynthos, Lefkada and Kefalonia. It has a unique academic heritage, with ties to the Ionian Academy, the first academic institution of modern Greece, founded in Corfu in 1824. 

This long-standing tradition, combined with the university’s location in the Adriatic Sea, shapes its distinctive academic profile. Ionian University is particularly known for subjects including Tourism, Music and Ethnomusicology, Foreign Languages, and Translation and Interpreting Studies. 

Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) is one of Greece’s leading universities for Economics and Business, as well as the country’s third-oldest university. Its three Schools and eight Departments offer programmes across areas including Economics, International Relations, Management, Accounting, Marketing, Informatics and Statistics. 

AUEB offers 30 Master’s programmes, many of which are taught entirely in English, attracting students from Greece and around the world. More than 250 Erasmus+ students join the university each year, adding to its international campus environment. With highly qualified staff, many with international academic backgrounds, and a central location in downtUniversity of the Aegean own Athens, AUEB offers students a strong setting for learning, research and global connections. 

University of the Aegean is an institution dedicated to high-level research and quality teaching in contemporary and dynamic fields of study. Their work contributes to the economic and social development of the country, the cohesion of the European area, and the values of a universal culture, of which the Archipelago is an integral part. 

The university’s unique location provides an excellent setting for studies in mediterranean archaeology, migration and refugee flows, and environmental studies, particularly in the areas of marine sciences and sustainability. 

The University of West Attica is a dynamic and constantly evolving institution with a clear vision for providing modern, student-focused education. It invests in teaching methods tailored to the needs of students, the labour market and society, as well as in up-to-date teaching and technical infrastructure, including classrooms, laboratories and teaching aids. 

The university offers modern undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that provide graduates with specialised scientific knowledge and skills. Its programmes also help connect the academic community with society and the labour market. 

The University of Western Macedonia operates on the basis of knowledge, research, green innovation, and contribution to society. With these pillars as their driving force, UoWM provides a high-quality student experience, implements an academic culture of excellence and participation, and excels in green and sustainable development.  

The university's undergraduate and postgraduate programmes aim to promote knowledge, adhere to scientific consistency, and meet requirements that guarantee a high level of education. 

The University of Ioannina is a modern institution with campuses spread across four cities in northwestern Greece: Ioannina, Arta, Preveza, and Igoumenitsa. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes across multiple schools and departments, all of which prioritise quality assurance, student services, and career development through dedicated administrative and academic units.  

Located in Ioannina, a historic city with a vibrant academic environment, the university offers students an experience that combines scholarly tradition with dynamic campus life. 

Located on the island of Crete, a place rich in ancient and modern Mediterranean cultures, the University of Crete offers a vibrant social and intellectual environment for research and education. 

Students benefit from quality teaching delivered by an outward-looking academic community of around 450 members, supported by adjunct lecturers, postdoctoral researchers, laboratory staff and instructors, as well as around 300 technical and administrative staff. 

The university’s international outlook is reflected in its collaborations with leading research and educational institutions across Europe and around the world. It also actively promotes student mobility and exchange programmes, giving students opportunities to gain international experience. 

The University of Macedonia is the second and “youngest” university in Thessaloniki, specialising in economic and social sciences. 

The university continuously develops its undergraduate programmes, while offering high-standard postgraduate programmes and placing a strong emphasis on scientific research. They aim to respond to the needs of society through collaboration with public organisations, private businesses, universities and research centres, building partnerships that complement and strengthen its academic activities. 

Founded in 1964, the University of Patras began operating in the academic year 1966–1967. Since then, it has grown into the third-largest university in Greece, with campuses across three major cities in Western Greece and a large community of students, faculty and staff. 

Its main campus is located in Patras, a city shaped in part by its university community and known for its vibrant student life, making it an appealing place to live and study. The University of Patras has also built a strong reputation for high-quality, innovative education and its involvement in a wide range of research projects, scientific organisations and research groups. 

The University of Piraeus is a modern, innovative, internationally recognised leading university, guided by its commitment to excellence in education and research.  

Throughout its operation, this university has contributed significantly to the cultivation and consolidation of the sciences it teaches, both at a research level and by producing scientists who form the backbone of the private and public sectors in Greece and internationally. 

The University of the Peloponnese provides students with a rich, high-quality educational experience while producing research and new knowledge that benefits communities locally, nationally and internationally. 

The university promotes an inclusive learning environment built on academic freedom, equal opportunities, academic ethics, democratic values and respect for diversity. It also places a strong emphasis on inclusivity, ensuring students can learn and participate in university life in a supportive environment. 

Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences is a higher education institution dedicated to teaching and research across a wide range of fields in social and political theory. With a long and distinguished history of teaching, research, public service and social contribution, the university has played an important role in developing and sharing knowledge in these fields across Greece. 

Panteion University aims to be a hub for creating and sharing new knowledge. Its teaching and research staff are recognised for research focused on academic excellence, addressing sociopolitical challenges and engaging with issues in Greece and abroad.

The Technical University of Crete is a young, dynamic university with a clear mission to expand knowledge and benefit society through research integrated into education. At the heart of this mission is a strong commitment to academic and research excellence. 

The university has more than 70 laboratories equipped with advanced technology and high-quality infrastructure, supported by highly qualified staff. Its 120 faculty and staff members bring international academic experience to the university, contributing to the quality of its teaching and research. 

This strong focus on excellence has helped establish the Technical University of Crete as one of Greece’s prominent research institutions. 

Harokopio University of Athens is recognised as one of the most competitive universities in Greece and internationally. Its academic excellence and the quality of its teaching and research are reflected in its strong positions in international rankings, as well as in the research achievements of its academic community. 

The university is also committed to internationalisation, building collaborations with prestigious institutions around the world. Its Schools offer international study programmes and promote student and researcher mobility, welcoming students and researchers from across the globe. 

Since 1986, and as the fourth constituent institute of CIHEAM, the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania has pursued three main missions: specialised postgraduate education, networked research and facilitating regional debate. 

The institute focuses on areas including business economics and management, geoinformation in environmental management, horticultural genetics and biotechnology, food quality and chemistry of natural products, and sustainable agriculture. Through this work, it has established itself as an authority in mediterranean agriculture, food and rural development.