Study in Greece

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? Read on….

Universities in Greece

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.

Six universities in Greece are included in the QS World University Rankings 2014/15, 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, placed within Europe’s top 250 universities and among the top 450 universities in the world. Established in 1837, the National Technical University of Athens (or NTUA) is one of the oldest universities in Greece. Today it has around 15,000 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.

University of Crete

The second Greek representative in the QS World University Rankings is the University of Crete, placed among the world’s top 460 universities and the top 250 in Europe. The university’s two campuses are both on the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, Crete: one is in Heraklion, the administrative capital of Crete, and one in Rethymno, which is an ancient town dating back to the Minoan civilization. Established in 1973, the University of Crete has developed quickly, and has almost 17,000 students enrolled across its five faculties. It participates in various educational and exchange programs, including Erasmus, Lingua, Tempus and others, and has numerous partner universities across the world.

 

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 2014/15, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is ranked within the 470 top universities in the world.

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Also ranked among the world’s top 500 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 65,000 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 two universities in Greece currently included in the QS World University Rankings are the University of Patras and Athens University of Economics and Business.