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:
National Technical University of Athens
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.
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
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.
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
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.
