Universities & Tuition — Greece
Updated July 20, 2026
Top Universities in Greece for International Students and Immigrants
Greece has become an increasingly attractive destination for international students due to its low cost of living, rich cultural heritage, EU membership benefits, and growing English-taught program offerings. Below is a detailed breakdown of leading Greek institutions.
Important Note: Public universities in Greece are tuition-free for EU/EEA citizens for undergraduate programs. Non-EU students often pay modest fees compared to Western Europe/US standards. Rankings and figures fluctuate—please verify with QS, THE, and official university websites before making decisions.
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1. National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA)
- City: Athens
- Global Ranking: ~500-600 (QS World University Rankings, 2024)
- Renowned For: Oldest university in Greece; strengths in medicine, law, humanities, and theology
- Annual Tuition (International Students):
- Undergraduate: €1,500–3,000 (~$1,600–3,200 USD)
- Postgraduate: €2,000–6,000 (~$2,150–6,400 USD)
- Language of Instruction: Primarily Greek; select graduate programs in English
- International Student Percentage: ~5-8%
- Notable Scholarships: Greek State Scholarships Foundation (IKY), Erasmus+ funding, university-specific bilateral agreements
- Acceptance Difficulty: Moderate to High (competitive for medicine/law)
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2. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH)
- City: Thessaloniki
- Global Ranking: ~450-550 (QS 2024)
- Renowned For: Largest university in Greece; strong in engineering, health sciences, philosophy, and agriculture
- Annual Tuition (International Students):
- Undergraduate: €1,500–3,000 (~$1,600–3,200 USD)
- Postgraduate: €2,500–5,000 (~$2,700–5,350 USD)
- Language of Instruction: Greek primarily; some English-taught master's programs
- International Student Percentage: ~6-9%
- Notable Scholarships: IKY State Scholarships, DAAD (for German-affiliated exchanges), Erasmus Mundus
- Acceptance Difficulty: Moderate to High
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3. National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) – "Athens Polytechnic"
- City: Athens
- Global Ranking: ~450-550 (QS 2024); consistently top in engineering disciplines
- Renowned For: Premier engineering and architecture school in Greece
- Annual Tuition (International Students):
- Undergraduate: €2,000–3,500 (~$2,150–3,750 USD)
- Postgraduate: €3,000–6,000 (~$3,200–6,400 USD)
- Language of Instruction: Greek (undergraduate); English options at graduate level
- International Student Percentage: ~4-6%
- Notable Scholarships: IKY Scholarships, Onassis Foundation Grants, Fulbright (for US-Greece exchanges)
- Acceptance Difficulty: High (among most competitive in Greece, especially engineering)
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4. Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB)
- City: Athens
- Global Ranking: ~700-800 (QS 2024); strong regional reputation in business/economics
- Renowned For: Business, economics, informatics, statistics
- Annual Tuition (International Students):
- Undergraduate: €2,000–3,000 (~$2,150–3,200 USD)
- Postgraduate (MSc programs, many in English): €4,000–9,000 (~$4,300–9,650 USD)
- Language of Instruction: Greek (undergrad); numerous English-taught MSc programs
- International Student Percentage: ~8-10% (higher in MSc programs)
- Notable Scholarships: AUEB merit scholarships, IKY, Stavros Niarchos Foundation grants
- Acceptance Difficulty: Moderate to High (MSc programs increasingly popular with internationals)
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5. University of Crete
- City: Heraklion/Rethymno
- Global Ranking: ~700-800 (QS 2024)
- Renowned For: Medicine, natural sciences, and research output relative to size
- Annual Tuition (International Students):
- Undergraduate: €1,500–2,500 (~$1,600–2,700 USD)
- Postgraduate: €2,000–4,500 (~$2,150–4,800 USD)
- Language of Instruction: Greek primarily; some graduate programs in English
- International Student Percentage: ~4-6%
- Notable Scholarships: IKY, university research assistantships, EU mobility grants
- Acceptance Difficulty: Moderate (more accessible than Athens/Thessaloniki flagships)
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6. University of Piraeus
- City: Piraeus (Athens metro area)
- Global Ranking: ~800-1000 (QS 2024)
- Renowned For: Maritime studies, economics, finance, informatics
- Annual Tuition (International Students):
- Undergraduate: €1,500–2,500 (~$1,600–2,700 USD)
- Postgraduate (English-taught MSc): €3,000–7,000 (~$3,200–7,500 USD)
- Language of Instruction: Greek (undergrad); English options for select master's programs
- International Student Percentage: ~5-7%
- Notable Scholarships: IKY, Erasmus+, shipping industry-sponsored scholarships
- Acceptance Difficulty: Moderate (more accessible, especially graduate programs)
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7. International Hellenic University (IHU)
- City: Thessaloniki (main campus)
- Global Ranking: Not consistently ranked in top global lists (newer institution, est. 2005/merged 2019); regionally recognized
- Renowned For: Designed specifically for international students; English-medium instruction across most programs
- Annual Tuition (International Students):
- Undergraduate: €3,000–6,000 (~$3,200–6,400 USD)
- Postgraduate: €4,000–8,000 (~$4,300–8,600 USD)
- Language of Instruction: English (primary medium—unique among Greek public universities)
- International Student Percentage: ~20-30% (highest proportion in Greece)
- Notable Scholarships: IHU merit-based tuition waivers, IKY, partial scholarships for top-performing students
- Acceptance Difficulty: Low to Moderate (most accessible for non-Greek speakers; designed for international intake)
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8. University of Macedonia
- City: Thessaloniki
- Global Ranking: ~900-1000+ (QS 2024, regionally strong in economics/social sciences)
- Renowned For: Economics, business administration, international relations
- Annual Tuition (International Students):
- Undergraduate: €1,500–2,500 (~$1,600–2,700 USD)
- Postgraduate: €2,500–5,000 (~$2,700–5,350 USD)
- Language of Instruction: Greek primarily; some English MSc/MBA programs
- International Student Percentage: ~4-6%
- Notable Scholarships: IKY, university-specific merit awards
- Acceptance Difficulty: Moderate (generally accessible)
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Summary Comparison Table
| University | City | Difficulty | Best For | Int'l Friendliness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NKUA | Athens | High | Medicine, Law | Low-Moderate |
| AUTH | Thessaloniki | High | Engineering, Health | Moderate |
| NTUA | Athens | Very High | Engineering | Low |
| AUEB | Athens | Moderate-High | Business/Econ | Moderate-High |
| U. of Crete | Heraklion | Moderate | Medicine, Sciences | Moderate |
| U. of Piraeus | Piraeus | Moderate | Maritime, Finance | Moderate |
| IHU | Thessaloniki | Low-Moderate | English-medium programs | Highest |
| U. of Macedonia | Thessaloniki | Moderate | Economics | Moderate |
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Key Considerations for International Students/Immigrants
- Cost of Living: Athens/Thessaloniki: €600–900/month; smaller cities: €400–600/month
- Visa Requirements: Non-EU students need a national (D) visa and residence permit; process typically takes 4-8 weeks
- Greek Language: Required for most undergraduate programs (Greek proficiency exam or foundation year often needed); IHU is the major exception
- EU/EEA Advantage: Free or near-free tuition at public universities for EU citizens; non-EU students pay the fees listed above
- Recognition: Greek public university degrees are recognized EU-wide and internationally
Recommendation: Verify current tuition, rankings, and scholarship details directly through university international offices, the Greek Ministry of Education, IKY (State Scholarships Foundation), and updated QS/THE rankings, as figures change annually and exchange rates fluctuate.
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More about immigrating to Greece
Immigration laws, costs, and policies change frequently. This guide is AI-researched for information only and is not legal advice. Always verify with official government sources and licensed immigration professionals before making decisions.