Top Universities in Greece 2027: Rankings, English Degrees, Costs & Student Guide
The National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) is the highest-ranked Greek university in the QS World University Rankings 2027 among the institutions compared in this guide, at #378 globally. But that does not automatically make it the best university for every student. NKUA ranks close behind, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki offers several English-taught bachelor’s options, and Athens University of Economics and Business performs far better in business subjects than its overall ranking suggests.
For international students, Greece has another unusually important decision factor: language of instruction. Study in Greece currently lists a relatively small number of English-taught bachelor’s degrees compared with the much larger number of undergraduate programs taught in Greek.
The best shortlist therefore depends on your subject, teaching language, tuition, recognition requirements and admission route, not just a university’s overall ranking.
To learn more about the country, visit the Greece country page.
Top Universities in Greece at a Glance
| University | QS World University Rankings 2027 | Strongest reason to consider it | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Technical University of Athens | #378 | Strong engineering and technology case | English undergraduate accessibility needs program-level checking |
| National and Kapodistrian University of Athens | #=402 | Strong multidisciplinary option with important English degrees | Some international programs have relatively high tuition |
| Aristotle University of Thessaloniki | #=502 | Several clearly listed English bachelor’s programs | Lower overall QS rank than NTUA and NKUA |
| University of Crete | #=649 | Research-oriented alternative plus English medicine | Much narrower English bachelor’s selection |
| University of Patras | #771–780 | Worth comparing particularly for English medicine | Lower overall global position |
| Athens University of Economics and Business | #1001–1200 | Strong specialist case in business and economics | Not a broad all-subject university |
QS released its 2027 World University Rankings in 2026. NTUA is #378, NKUA #=402, AUTH #=502, the University of Crete #=649, the University of Patras #771–780 and AUEB #1001–1200. Source: QS World University Rankings.
Quick Answer: Which Greek Universities Should You Consider?
- Strongest Greek university in QS 2027: National Technical University of Athens.
- Strong engineering choice: National Technical University of Athens.
- Strong multidisciplinary international option: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
- Worth serious consideration if you need an English bachelor’s: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
- Strong specialist choice for business and economics: Athens University of Economics and Business.
- English medicine options worth comparing: AUTH, University of Patras, University of Crete and NKUA.
These are not universal winners. Each recommendation is based on a different type of evidence.
How We Chose These Universities
We did not simply sort Greece’s universities by one global league table.
QS World University Rankings 2027 was used as the main overall-ranking reference. Subject rankings were considered where they materially changed the recommendation. We also compared current English-language program availability, published program tuition, international admission routes, higher-education accreditation and current international-student rules.
We did not create an employability ranking, acceptance-rate comparison or student-satisfaction score because reliable, current and comparable institution-level evidence was not strong enough to support those claims.
That distinction matters because a serious university guide should not manufacture a winner where the available data does not justify one.
Is NTUA Really the Best University in Greece?
It depends on what you mean by “best.”
QS 2027 places NTUA at #378, ahead of NKUA at #=402. Source: QS, NTUA.
Times Higher Education’s 2026 ranking produces a different order. THE places NKUA in the 401–500 band, the University of Crete in 601–800, and both AUTH and NTUA in 801–1000. Source: Times Higher Education.
That disagreement is useful rather than inconvenient. QS and THE use different methodologies, so there is no ranking-independent basis for declaring one university the undisputed number one institution in Greece.
For students, the more useful question is: Which university performs strongly in the area I want to study and offers a program I can realistically enter?
National Technical University of Athens: Strongest Starting Point for Engineering
Why We Recommend NTUA
NTUA deserves a core place in the shortlist because its case is more specific than simply being Greece’s highest-ranked institution in QS 2027.
NTUA ranks #378 globally in QS World University Rankings 2027, the highest position among the Greek universities in this comparison. Source: QS.
Its technical specialization is the main reason engineering students should investigate it first. This is a better basis for recommending NTUA than generic claims about prestige or academic reputation.
Best Suited To
NTUA makes most sense for students prioritizing engineering, architecture and technical disciplines, particularly when subject strength matters more than broad multidisciplinary choice.
Important Tradeoff
A high engineering or overall ranking does not answer the language question.
Students who need a full bachelor’s degree taught in English should verify the exact degree before placing NTUA at the top of their application list. Greece’s official international bachelor’s database currently gives clearer English-language undergraduate pathways at institutions such as AUTH, NKUA, AUEB and the University of West Attica. Check English bachelor’s programs on Study in Greece.
A student could therefore rationally choose a lower-ranked institution if it actually offers the required degree in English.
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens: Strong Multidisciplinary International Option
Why We Recommend NKUA
NKUA has one of the most balanced cases in Greece.
NKUA ranks #=402 in QS 2027, only slightly behind NTUA. THE gives NKUA an even stronger relative position, placing it in the 401–500 global band in 2026. Source: QS, NKUA.
The university also offers concrete international undergraduate routes rather than relying purely on global reputation.
| English Program at NKUA | Published Tuition |
|---|---|
| Medical Degree | €17,000/year |
| Integrated Master in Pharmacy | €9,000/year |
The English pharmacy program is five years and 300 ECTS. The official program listing also reports strong international subject performance for NKUA in pharmacy. Source: Study in Greece.
Best Suited To
NKUA is particularly worth considering for students wanting a major multidisciplinary university in Athens and for international applicants investigating medicine, pharmacy or other internationally oriented programs.
Important Tradeoff
English-language study is not automatically inexpensive.
NKUA’s English medical degree is currently listed at €17,000 per year, which is higher than the English medical programs at AUTH, Patras and Crete in the current official listings.
That creates a real ranking-versus-cost decision rather than a simple hierarchy.
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki: Particularly Practical for English-Taught Bachelor’s Study
AUTH ranks below NTUA and NKUA overall, but international undergraduate students should not dismiss it.
Why We Recommend AUTH
AUTH is #=502 in QS World University Rankings 2027. Source: QS.
More importantly for English-speaking undergraduates, Greece’s current Study in Greece database lists several English programs at AUTH, including options in law, materials science and engineering, sport and exercise sciences, medicine and other science-related areas.
That gives AUTH a practical advantage for students whose first constraint is: “Can I actually complete my bachelor’s degree in English?”
English Medicine at AUTH
AUTH’s six-year English medical degree is currently listed at €12,000 per year. Source: Study in Greece.
Best Suited To
AUTH is particularly attractive for international applicants who want an established major Greek university but require a clearly available English undergraduate program.
Important Tradeoff
AUTH’s overall QS position is lower than NTUA and NKUA.
But if the higher-ranked institution does not offer your degree in a language you can study, the ranking difference may have little practical value.
This is one of the clearest examples in Greece of fit outweighing overall rank.
University of Crete: Research-Oriented Alternative Outside Athens and Thessaloniki
The University of Crete deserves inclusion because the evidence supports a distinctive alternative rather than another generic “top university.”
It ranks #=649 in QS 2027 and falls in the 601–800 band in THE World University Rankings 2026. Source: QS.
Why We Recommend It
The university is particularly relevant to research-oriented students and international medical applicants.
Its English International Program in Medicine is a six-year, 360-ECTS degree currently listed at €15,000 per year. Source: Study in Greece.
Best Suited To
Students who want a credible academic option outside Athens and Thessaloniki, particularly those comparing English medical programs.
Important Tradeoff
Do not interpret the existence of an English medical degree as evidence that most University of Crete undergraduate programs are available in English.
Its international undergraduate value is currently more program-specific than AUTH’s.
University of Patras: A Serious Option for English Medicine
The University of Patras is not included because it outranks Greece’s leading institutions. It does not.
It is #771–780 in QS World University Rankings 2027. Source: QS.
Its real decision value comes from medicine.
Why We Recommend It
The University of Patras offers an English six-year medical program worth 360 ECTS, with tuition currently listed at €12,000 per year. The official program description says clinical training takes place at the University General Hospital of Patras and the University Health Centre. Source: Study in Greece.
That puts Patras directly into the shortlist for international students comparing English medical degrees in Greece.
English Medicine Tuition Comparison
| University | Current Listed Annual Tuition |
|---|---|
| Aristotle University of Thessaloniki | €12,000 |
| University of Patras | €12,000 |
| University of Crete | €15,000 |
| National and Kapodistrian University of Athens | €17,000 |
These figures come from current program-level listings on Greece’s official Study in Greece platform. They are not universal university tuition rates.
The table also does not establish which medical school is “best.” Applicants still need to compare admissions, curriculum and professional recognition.
Athens University of Economics and Business: Why Subject Rankings Matter
AUEB is the clearest warning against choosing solely from an overall ranking table.
Its overall QS World University Ranking for 2027 is only #1001–1200. Source: QS.
But AUEB’s subject results are much stronger.
| Subject | QS Subject Ranking 2026 |
|---|---|
| Business & Management Studies | 201–250 |
| Accounting & Finance | 251–300 |
| Economics & Econometrics | 251–300 |
| Social Sciences & Management | #322 |
AUEB’s official ranking information reports these positions and says it is the highest-ranked Greek institution in several of those evaluated fields. Source: AUEB.
Why We Recommend AUEB
Students interested specifically in business, economics, accounting or finance should judge AUEB through subject evidence rather than its much weaker overall QS position.
It also currently lists an English International Business and Technology bachelor’s program at €6,000 per year. Source: Study in Greece.
Important Tradeoff
AUEB’s specialist strength should not be generalized across unrelated fields.
It is a strong example of a university that may be a better fit for one type of student despite ranking far below Greece’s leading institutions overall.
Two Specialist English Options Worth Knowing About
Not every useful university belongs in the main overall-ranking shortlist.
University of West Attica for AI and Data Science
The University of West Attica currently offers an English bachelor’s in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science at €6,000 per year. Source: Study in Greece.
The recommendation is therefore highly specific: students searching for an English undergraduate AI and data-science pathway in Athens should investigate it.
There is not enough evidence to present the university as an overall national academic leader.
University of the Aegean for Eastern Mediterranean Studies
The University of the Aegean’s English bachelor’s in Eastern Mediterranean Studies: Archaeology, History, Culture is a four-year, 240-ECTS program in Rhodes currently listed at €4,500 per year. Source: Study in Greece.
Again, this is a specialist recommendation.
For a student focused on Mediterranean archaeology, history and culture, the program itself may matter more than the university’s overall league-table position.
English or Greek-Taught Study Changes the Entire Shortlist
This is one of the most important Greece-specific issues.
Study in Greece states that Greece has 24 state-funded universities offering more than 1,000 undergraduate programs in Greek, while English-taught bachelor’s options remain a much smaller part of the system. Source: Study in Greece.
That means an international student who can study in Greek has access to a much larger set of undergraduate choices than a student who needs a fully English-taught degree.
Do not therefore shortlist universities first and language second.
For Greece, the safer sequence is:
subject → language → program → recognition → cost → university ranking.
What Does University in Greece Actually Cost?
Greece does not have one meaningful university tuition figure.
Program, language and student status matter.
European Education Area guidance says EU/EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition for Greek-taught undergraduate study at public universities, while non-EU bachelor’s tuition can be around €5,000–€15,000 per year. It estimates typical student living costs at roughly €700–€1,200 per month, depending on location and lifestyle. Source: European Education Area.
Current official program listings show why students should not treat a general tuition range as an absolute ceiling. NKUA’s English medical degree is currently €17,000 per year.
For non-EU applicants, the practical conclusion is simple:
Do not assume a bachelor’s degree is free merely because the university is public. Verify the exact fee for your program and admission category.
Current English Bachelor’s Tuition Examples
| Program | University | Current Published Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Mediterranean Studies | University of the Aegean | €4,500/year |
| International Business and Technology | AUEB | €6,000/year |
| Artificial Intelligence and Data Science | University of West Attica | €6,000/year |
| LL.B. | AUTH | €7,000/year |
| Integrated Master in Pharmacy | NKUA | €9,000/year |
| Medicine | AUTH | €12,000/year |
| Medicine | University of Patras | €12,000/year |
| Medicine | University of Crete | €15,000/year |
| Medicine | NKUA | €17,000/year |
These figures should only be used as program-specific examples.
For broader housing, food and transport planning, see our Cost of Living in Greece guide.
How International Undergraduate Admission Works
International applicants need to distinguish between conventional Greek-taught admission and dedicated international English programs.
For the 2026–27 academic year, Greece’s Ministry of Education opened the special electronic application period for qualifying foreign applicants from July 2 to July 9, 2026. Applicants submitted their university and department preferences electronically.
The Study in Greece helpdesk explains that foreign applicants to Greek-taught bachelor’s programs use a process that requires relevant academic and identity documentation.
English international programs use their own admissions processes.
Common requirements can include:
- a secondary-school diploma or equivalent;
- final transcripts;
- passport or ID;
- English proficiency, often around B2 level or higher;
- and, depending on the program, a CV, motivation letter, interview or entrance examination.
Medical programs may have additional requirements.
The exact requirements should therefore be checked against the specific program.
What About Acceptance Rates?
We found no sufficiently reliable, comparable official acceptance-rate data for the universities in this guide.
Unofficial percentages from third-party SEO websites should not be used to decide whether a Greek university is “easy” or “hard” to enter.
Recognition and Accreditation: Important for Regulated Degrees
For some students, accreditation matters more than whether a university is ranked #378 or #649.
The Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (HAHE) is Greece’s independent higher-education quality authority. Its responsibilities include evaluating and accrediting higher-education institutions and study programs. Source: HAHE.
Students entering regulated professions should go further.
This is particularly important for:
- medicine;
- pharmacy;
- engineering;
- law;
- and other professions where registration requirements apply.
A degree can be academically valid in Greece without automatically guaranteeing professional registration in another country.
If you intend to work outside Greece, check the specific degree with the professional regulator in your intended destination before paying tuition.
Scholarships: Do Not Build Your Budget Around a Generic Promise
Scholarships exist, but the evidence does not support presenting Greece as though every international undergraduate has access to a large, predictable scholarship package.
The better approach is to search current schemes by provider, nationality, degree level and academic year and only include funding in your budget after eligibility is confirmed.
You can also explore the Visaboards scholarship database.
Can International Students Work While Studying?
EU citizens can work in Greece without the restrictions that apply to third-country students.
Current Study in Greece guidance states that non-EU students holding a residence permit for study purposes can work part-time. Source: Study in Greece.
Students should not assume part-time earnings will cover full tuition or living costs.
A Major 2026 Change: Post-Study Stay in Greece
This is one of the most important recent changes for international students considering Greece.
Older online guidance may still say that international students must leave Greece after completing their degree.
However, Greece changed its domestic migration legislation in 2026.
Law 5275/2026 introduced residence permit type H.11, allowing qualifying third-country students and researchers to remain in Greece for one year after completing their studies or research to seek employment or pursue entrepreneurship, subject to the applicable legal requirements. Source: Law 5275/2026.
Because immigration rules can change, students approaching graduation should confirm the current implementing requirements at that time.
Greece’s New Non-State Universities: What Changed?
Older Greece university guides often describe the higher-education landscape as entirely public.
That is now incomplete.
Greece has introduced licensed non-state university entities known as Νομικά Πρόσωπα Πανεπιστημιακής Εκπαίδευσης (ΝΠΠΕ).
In July 2026, Greece’s Ministry of Education announced seven licensing decisions for non-state university entities intended to operate during the 2026–27 academic year. Four were new approvals and three were reassessed applications. Source: Greek Ministry of Education.
This is a significant structural change.
However, these institutions are too new to compare responsibly with NTUA, NKUA, AUTH and other established Greek universities using the same depth of historical ranking, research and graduate evidence.
Students considering an ΝΠΠΕ should verify its current licence, parent university, exact awarding arrangement, program accreditation, tuition and professional recognition.
Ranking Does Not Tell the Whole Story
Several comparisons from Greece make this particularly clear.
NTUA vs NKUA
QS 2027 favors NTUA, while THE 2026 places NKUA substantially higher. A statement such as “NTUA is unquestionably Greece’s best university” would therefore be too strong.
NTUA vs AUTH
NTUA has the stronger overall QS position, but AUTH currently offers several clearly listed English undergraduate programs. For a student who cannot study in Greek, that difference can outweigh league-table position.
AUEB vs Greece’s Ranking Leaders
AUEB sits at #1001–1200 overall in QS 2027 but performs much more strongly for business, accounting, finance and economics. Students in these fields should therefore look at subject evidence before rejecting it based on the overall table.
NKUA vs AUTH and Patras for Medicine
NKUA has the stronger overall ranking, but its English medical tuition is currently €17,000 per year compared with €12,000 at AUTH and the University of Patras.
These are useful tradeoffs because they can genuinely change a student’s shortlist.
Which University in Greece Should You Choose?
Choose NTUA as your first institution to investigate if engineering or technical strength is your priority and the required program is accessible to you.
Consider NKUA if you want a high-ranking multidisciplinary university with concrete English international options, especially in fields such as medicine and pharmacy.
Consider AUTH particularly seriously if you require an English bachelor’s degree. Its overall ranking is lower than NTUA and NKUA, but its current English undergraduate selection can make it much more practical for an international applicant.
Consider the University of Crete if you want a research-oriented alternative outside Athens and Thessaloniki or are comparing international medicine.
Add the University of Patras if English medicine is your focus, particularly because its current €12,000 annual tuition is below the listed rates at Crete and NKUA.
Choose AUEB over a higher-ranked general university when business, accounting, finance or economics is the actual priority. Its subject rankings make a stronger case than its overall league-table position.
Investigate the University of West Attica specifically for English AI and Data Science, and the University of the Aegean for Eastern Mediterranean archaeology, history and culture.
The most defensible order for choosing a Greek university is therefore:
subject fit → teaching language → recognition → affordability → admission feasibility → overall ranking.
That sequence is much more useful than simply applying to whichever institution appears first in a league table.
Sources and Methodology
This guide primarily uses the QS World University Rankings 2027 for overall positions. THE World University Rankings 2026 is included where the difference between ranking systems materially affects the recommendation.
English-program availability and tuition were checked against Study in Greece / AtSiG, Greece’s official international-study platform. International undergraduate admission information was checked against the Greek Ministry of Education and Study in Greece. Accreditation information was checked against HAHE. The new non-state university framework was checked against Ministry of Education information, and the 2026 post-study change was checked against current Greek migration legislation.
We did not use unofficial acceptance-rate estimates, invented employability statistics, unverified salary claims or synthetic university scores.
Last reviewed: August 2026.
