The Ultimate Guide to Studying in Greece in 2023
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Study in Greece
Although Greece is bound to offer you unforgettable memories and some amazing experiences, it’s more than just a place for a nice holiday. Who says you can’t also enjoy the Mediterranean weather, the delicious and fresh seafood and charming beaches as a foreign student living in Greece?
One of the oldest nations in the world, with an extraordinary history and culture, Greece has several universities that welcome thousands of international students each year. In Greece, you have the amazing opportunity to study your favourite discipline, visit remarkable sites from Ancient times and enjoy the most laid-back atmosphere you can imagine.
Why study in Greece?
1. Greece is famous for its hospitality
Greeks are some of the most hospitable people in the world. So even if you might suffer from a (minor) cultural shock, the friendly environment will soon make you feel right at home.
2. Greek universities provide modern high education standards
Greek universities have a long history in academics and an increasing number of international students have been enrolling in the past few years.
University classes are not typically formal, so you can expect open debates between students and professors. Courses usually combine theoretical knowledge with research, laboratory work, and internships.
3. Low tuition fees and living costs
Greek universities have affordable tuition fees for International students. On average, students pay a tuition fee of 5,000-13,000 EUR per year for international Bachelor’s degrees, and 1,000–8,000 EUR per year for Masters. Being one of the most affordable countries in Europe, you won’t spend a lot on accommodation in Greece. For instance, students with financial needs can often live in university residence halls for free. If you choose to live in an apartment, the rent is between 250 and 600 EUR/month. Monthly utilities can cost you around 80–120 EUR.
4. Relaxing sunny weather
If you love the sun and cannot get enough of it, then Greece is the right place for you. With a Mediterranean climate that involves warm summers, gentle winters, and beautiful beaches, you can forget about thick clothes, frozen fingers, and the especially frustrating runny nose.
5. Greece is the cradle of civilization
With a long history and stunning landmarks and monuments, it's no wonder that Greece is a major touristic attraction.
After you get tired of enjoying the sunny beaches and visiting the largest islands, don't forget to check out the Acropolis in Athens, Delphi, the Metéora Monasteries, the temple ruins of the Parthenon, the sacred site of Delos, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, etc.
Which universities and colleges to attend in Greece?
Greece has 24 public higher education institutions. Greek universities award Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees in a broad range of scientific disciplines from STEM to Arts and Humanities, Health Sciences, Economics and Business.
Examples of higher education institutions in Greece:
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- Athens University of Economics and Business
- University of the Aegean
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- Alba Graduate Business School
What is it like to study in Greece?
In Greek universities, the class atmosphere is generally very relaxed, and professors are friendly, encouraging students to ask questions. You will be surrounded by international students coming from all over the world, so you will enjoy a multicultural environment.
Generally, the class schedule is pretty busy, lectures start early in the morning and you would have to attend several lectures in a row. Practical exercises or laboratories always complement theoretical knowledge, regardless of your chosen study field.
In most university campuses, students frequently organise social activities like plays, painting exhibitions, or scientific lectures.
What to study in Greece?
Greece is known as the birthplace of democracy and the country had also had a major influence on early sciences such as mathematics and physics. Plus, many of the world’s best-known philosophers were known to teach around Ancient Athens: Socrates, Plato, or Aristotle – to name a few.
Due to this interesting legacy, you can’t go wrong if you choose to study history and philosophy, but you can also find many Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees specialising in fields like Archaeology, Finance, Communications, Shipping, and Business.
Here are some of the most popular study options in Greece
You can find more study programmes by browsing through this booklet.
Where to study in Greece?
A large portion of Greek universities are located in the country’s biggest cities, Athens and Thessaloniki; but you can also find other universities in Heraklion, Mytilini, Patras, and Volos.
In any student city you will choose, you will feel the relaxed atmosphere that everyone talks about in Greece. Major Greek cities are filled with cultural attractions, from old churches to castles and since all cities are surrounded by the sea, you can either enjoy walks on a beach or boat rides in your free time.
Check out some of these cities and learn more about what it is like to study there:
How to apply
Let's look at a few useful tips and tricks you can use during the university application process:
Apply for a Bachelor’s degree
You have to submit all required application documents online through the Hellenic Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs.
All of your documents must be translated into Greek and authenticated by a Greek diplomatic authority abroad or by the Translation Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Greece.
Apply for a Master’s or PhD degree
You have to apply online and send all of the required application documents to your chosen university.
Carefully check all the required application documents, making sure they are all translated into Greek. For instance, an internationally recognised Bachelor's degree or equivalent is the main requirement for enrolling in a Master’s degree at a university in Greece.
Make sure to know what the language requirements are, and whether you need to prove skills in English before enrolling in a degree programme.
Show how you performed as a student, and be sure to know what your Grade Point Average (GPA) was during your studies.
To help your chances of going to Greece, be sure to apply to more than one university!
You can submit your application using the @SiG platform
How to qualify for a Greek university?
Take Preparation Courses
These kinds of courses enable degree-seeking students to get an extra educational boost just before they start their Master’s degree or other post-graduate degree programmes.
Try a pre-M.B.A., pre-Law, or pre-Medicine programme, as well as any other foundation or preparation courses that will allow you to study in the degree programme of your choice.
Improve your English through an English-language prep course
If you’re attending a degree programme in Greece, you will sometimes need to prove that your language skills are good enough to participate in the classes and understand the lectures. These courses will also prepare you for any of the English-language tests that universities require.
English-language tests
There are over 200 English-taught programmes in Greece.
Universities in Greece will want to see proof that you have good English-language skills so that you can easily succeed in their courses. Almost all Greek universities accept these official English exams:
Living in Greece
Let's take a closer look at tuition and living expenses in Greece:
Tuition fees in Greece
Higher Education degrees in Greece are cost-effective.
International students are charged affordable tuition fees. On average, students pay a tuition fee of 5,000-13,000 EUR per year for international Bachelor’s degrees, and 1,000–8,000 EUR per year for Masters.
Accommodation costs
Being one of the most affordable countries in Europe, you won’t spend a lot on accommodation in Greece. For instance, students with financial needs can often live in university residence halls for free.
If you choose to live in an apartment, the rent is between 250 and 600 EUR/month. Monthly utilities can cost you around 80–120 EUR.
Health care
EU citizens have free access to most healthcare services provided by public hospitals in Greece with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Students coming from some non-EU countries might benefit from free medical care due to reciprocal agreements with Greece. If this is not the case, you will need to arrange private health insurance before your departure to Greece. However, most hospitals that accept foreign insurance are those in Athens or Thessaloniki.
Food costs
Buying from local supermarkets would lead to food bills of around 200 EUR/month. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant is around 10 EUR, but you can also find cheap food for around 5 EUR.
At some university canteens, you can have 3 free meals per day with a student card that costs only 20 EUR per semester.
Overall, you should prepare about 400–600 EUR/month for living costs in Greece.
About Greece
Greece is located in south-eastern Europe, on the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula. Greece lies at the meeting point of three continents – Europe, Asia and Africa. Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning around 3,400 years. Athens is widely referred to as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy.
Greece is a democratic country with an advanced economy; some of the most important sectors include shipping, trade, education, healthcare, real estate, transport, finance, public administration and hospitality services.
Greek is the official language, but don’t worry! You shouldn’t encounter language barriers, as most young people in Greece speak English well.
Iconic places to visitWhile in Greece, you can learn about classical civilization, wander around ancient streets, witness the sites of “Colossus of Rhodes”, and soak in several monuments and archaeological sites from Byzantine churches, to unique villages and castles.
Some of the most popular attractions in Greece are:
- Acropolis of Athens
- Ancient Agora
- Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounio
- Temple of Delphi
- Ancient Mycenae & Epidaurus
- Mount Olympus
- Byzantine city of Thessaloniki
- Palace of Knossos in Crete
- Santorini Island
- Meteora Monasteries
- The famous saying “taking the bull by its horns” comes from the Greek myth of Hercules who saved Crete from a raging bull by seizing its horns.
- Athens is one of the oldest cities in Europe and it is known as the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy, the Olympic Games, political science, major mathematical principles, and theatre traditions of tragedy and comedy.
- The blue colour of house roofs and church domes in Greece is used because of an ancient belief that this shade of blue keeps evil away.
- The name of Athens, the city’s capital originates from Greek mythology; Athena gave the city an olive tree as a gift, which gods considered extremely valuable.
- The Greeks greatly influenced the early concepts of science, and most symbols used in physics and higher mathematics are derived from Greek alphabet.
Universities, colleges and schools in Greece
Athens
- Mediterranean College (8 Bachelors)
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (1 Bachelor)
- Aegean Omiros College (1 Bachelor)
- Metropolitan College (2 Bachelors)
- Business and Economics (1 Bachelor)
- ELGS - European Law and Governance School (2 Bachelors)
- American College of Greece (29 Bachelors)
- Business College of Athens (4 Bachelors)
- Webster University Athens (14 Bachelors)
- Hellenic American College (5 Bachelors)
- New York College (25 Bachelors)
Glyfáda
- Alpine Center (7 Bachelors)
Komotiní
- Democritus University of Thrace (15 Bachelors)
Thessaloníki
- AAS College (4 Bachelors)
- Mediterranean College, Thessaloniki (3 Bachelors)
Interesting programmes for you
Find Bachelor's Degrees in Greece
What subject to study in Greece?
- Agriculture & Forestry 1 Masters
- Applied Sciences & Professions 6 Masters
- Arts, Design & Architecture 11 Masters
- Business & Management 56 Masters
- Computer Science & IT 13 Masters
- Education & Training 7 Masters
- Engineering & Technology 11 Masters
- Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences 2 Masters
- Hospitality, Leisure & Sports 10 Masters
- Humanities 12 Masters
- Journalism & Media 4 Masters
- Law 2 Masters
- Medicine & Health 7 Masters
- Natural Sciences & Mathematics 10 Masters
- Social Sciences 28 Masters
Education initiatives created in the past years greatly encourage university international cooperation and academic exchange attracting Bachelors degree students and staff from all over the world. These policies also facilitate mobility of students, graduates and higher education staff. Specialized institutions help prepare students for their future careers and, most importantly, they offer broad global access to high-quality higher education.
The possibility to study worldwide, for instance in Australia, Asia, Europe or North America, opens up opportunities to see more of the world. Not just because you would have the opportunity to travel, but also because it is becoming increasingly easier to go abroad to follow a semester at a different university. There is a wide range of different study options, and one of them can prove to be your dream Bachelors degree programme.
The number of English-taught Bachelors degrees in the world has increased explosively in the last couple of years. Some of the countries with the most English-taught study programmes include Australia, Belgium, China, Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States. However, higher education is often delivered in English in many other countries as well. From highly ranked research universities to smaller, specialised universities, the choices are endless.
Bachelors Degree
A bachelors degree is an academic degree earned for an undergraduate course of study that could range in length of time. This depends on the country, discipline and sometimes the education institution. There is usually a difference between professional and academic bachelor programmes. A professional bachelor?s degree usually takes 4 to 5 years to complete, while an academic bachelor is 3 years long, in most countries. Although this is not always a general rule.
Bachelors degrees exist in almost every country in the world. The study programmes mainly lead to degrees such as: Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Law (LL.B.), Bachelor of Business (B.BA), amongst others.
A one-year honours degree can be achieved after the completion of a regular Bachelors degree in the same field. Sometimes, this means one year of research culminating with a written thesis. It is usually available only to students who achieve high scores in their previous years of undergraduate studies.
At some universities, you have the option of a joint honours degree. This requires at least half of the credits required for each of the respective majors (two subject areas). The subject areas do not have to be highly related, but they usually overlap both faculties and subjects.
Discover other countries
The Netherlands is a very popular study destination. Internationals choose this beautiful country because Dutch universities are some of the best in Europe, the living standards are high, foreigners are always welcome, and you get to live in one of the happiest and safest countries in the world. The Netherlands is also renowned for innovative technologies and engineering solutions, which is reflected in the wide range of Engineering degrees offered by universities.
English is spoken by around 90% of Dutch citizens, so forget about language barriers. Also, bike lanes and the “cycling culture” will help you to stay fit and healthy, and there are diverse job opportunities and internships for international students.
Finland is an excellent choice for all internationals and especially for EU/EEA students who can study at local public universities for free. The beautiful Nordic country has one of the best education systems in the world and ranks among the safest and happiest nations in the world. You can also choose from over 400 English-taught programmes.
In your spare time, you can explore the breathtaking Finnish nature and landscapes, as well as the numerous lakes that give the country the nickname ‘The Land of a Thousand Lakes.’ From here, you can easily travel to neighbouring countries like Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, or Estonia.
Ireland is among the top countries in the world in terms of quality of life, peace, safety, and development. It represents an appealing blend of beautiful landscapes, English-speaking environments, and a strong, welcoming, and rich culture — of which the Irish people are very proud. International students also enjoy the full support of Irish universities, which hire and train staff that are able to help with accommodation, studies, visa details, or any other challenge.
Norway is a paradise for anyone who wants to study abroad for free. Public universities don’t charge any tuition fees. This policy applies to all international students, regardless of their nationality. The academic standard is very high, and professors are easy to approach, always willing to go the extra mile for their students. Additionally, classes are organised in small groups, which further improves learning and cooperation.
You can choose from a wide range of English-taught programmes, and you don’t need to worry about language barriers outside of classes either, because most Norwegians speak English as a second language. Internationals should find it easy to adapt to Norway’s society, which is based on equality and fair opportunities — reflected both in the legal system and in people’s behaviour.
Greece is the cradle of European civilization and the birthplace of philosophy. Greek universities and colleges have a long history in academics, attracting international students from all over the world. Classes are not typically formal, so you can expect open discussions between students and professors, in line with the classical philosophical debate tradition. EU/EEA students don’t pay any tuition at public universities, while non-EU/EEA citizens pay low fees.
In Greece, you’ll also enjoy the well-known local hospitality and the wonderful Mediterranean climate. There are many landmarks and monuments waiting to be explored, including the Acropolis, Delphi, the Parthenon, and many others.
Sweden is a very ambitious, eco-friendly, and visionary country. For example, by 2040, it aims to produce all its energy from renewable sources. Universities play an important role in achieving development goals, thanks to their world-class research facilities. If you’re from the EU/EEA, you can study at public universities for free.
As a student, you will discover and easily adopt the three main values of Swedish society: freedom, equality, and sustainability. These values are reflected in every aspect of the local society, and you’ll quickly learn to appreciate them. Language barriers are also almost non-existent since around 80% of Swedes speak English.
Switzerland has one of the most advanced free-market economies, which is reflected in the high living standards and the satisfaction of people living here. In terms of higher education, Swiss universities are constantly ranked among the best in Europe, and they shine in areas like Business, Tourism, Culinary Arts, and Engineering.
When compared to Western universities, tuition fees in Switzerland are affordable, and all studies — especially PhD programmes — are world-class. You’ll have the opportunity to develop in a multilingual environment and try learning international languages like German, French, or Italian. If you settle down here, the unemployment rates are low, and salaries are well above the European average.
Universities in the UK are some of the most highly regarded in the world, and for good reasons. Some of the world's most highly regarded research takes place in British universities, which are regularly featured in international rankings. While studying in the UK, you will be able to develop in a highly multicultural environment with high chances of pursuing lucrative careers after graduation. The teaching in the UK is designed to encourage new idea generation, encouraging individual research and group cooperation, through class discussions and creative assignments.
Canada is one of the most popular study destinations in the world due to its high focus on the quality of its universities and its emphasis on attracting international students who can later immigrate. Canadians are very welcoming to international students and they invest a lot into making sure students are safe, treated fairly, and enjoy their stay in the country. Study in one of the strongest economies in the world while enjoying a high living standard and a flexible study environment. Classes have smaller student groups ensuring everyone gets the attention they need, and encouraging group assignments and debates.
The United States is home to some of the most prestigious universities and colleges in the world. With over 150 universities featured in international rankings, the U.S. has some of the best business schools, medical schools, and engineering schools. Universities and colleges in the U.S. are well known for academic flexibility and ways to customize your study experience with optional studies and extracurricular activities. Depending on where you will be studying, you will be able to visit iconic places like the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Goldengate Bridge, The Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Disney's Magic Kingdom Park, and much more.
Israel attracts international students through high standards of education and a wide range of English-taught degrees. Local universities shine in areas like Technology, Sciences, Business, and Entrepreneurship. In fact, Israel is a renowned land of innovation, having earned itself the nickname ‘Start-Up Nation’.
While living and studying here, you will discover a wonderful culture developed throughout 4,000 years of history; different cultural influences are noticeable everywhere, especially in Israeli food, art, and history.
In major cities, English is widely spoken, so communication shouldn’t be a problem. In your spare time, you can visit one of the over 400 nature reserves and 80 national parks.
By studying in Australia you will take advantage of the great student environment both inside and outside classrooms. In addition to some of the best business and engineering schools in the world, you will be able to explore a greatly developed country that still retains its wild side with its warm climate, beautiful beaches, and the Great Outback, with over 500 national parks. Many Australian universities provide internships and work placements, preparing students early on for the job market.