Greece has a long history of scholarship and is widely associated with the development of philosophy, medicine, mathematics, and astronomy in Europe. Today, it offers a growing range of English-taught undergraduate and postgraduate programs for international students. Greek universities combine academic study with opportunities to experience the country’s history, culture, and student life. In this article, we will be looking at the top English-taught universities in Greece.
Top Universities for English-taught Programs in Greece
| University | Undergraduate English-taught options | Graduate English-taught options |
|---|
| National and Kapodistrian University of Athens | English-taught options include the BA Program in the Archaeology, History, and Literature of Ancient Greece and the Medical Degree English Program. | The university offers numerous English-taught master’s programs across different academic fields. Available programs and teaching languages should be confirmed through the current postgraduate catalog. |
| Aristotle University of Thessaloniki | English-taught undergraduate options include the Bachelor of Laws and Clean Energy Science and Engineering. Most other undergraduate courses are taught in Greek. | Selected master’s and Ph.D. programs may be completed in English, depending on the school, department, and individual program. |
| University of Crete | The university offers a six-year English-taught medical degree for international students. Greek-language training is included to prepare students to communicate with patients during clinical study. | English-taught master’s options include Data Analysis, Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Environmental Science, and Aquaculture. Doctoral research may be conducted in English with departmental and supervisory approval. |
| University of Patras | The university offers a six-year English-taught medical program in which lectures, practical classes, and clinical rotations are conducted in English. | English-taught graduate options include Human-Computer Interaction, Personalized Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, Marine Policy and Seafood Business, Theoretical and Applied Mathematics, and Entrepreneurship. Doctoral research may also be conducted in English with suitable supervision. |
| University of West Attica | English-taught bachelor’s programs include Artificial Intelligence and Data Science and Applied Philosophy in Business Decision Making. | English-taught or internationally oriented master’s options are available in Public Health, Biomedical Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Networking, Engineering, Education, Business, and related fields. Some programs are offered online or jointly with other universities. |
| National Technical University of Athens | NTUA’s standard five-year integrated engineering programs are primarily taught in Greek. No complete English-taught undergraduate program is identified in this article. | English-taught and internationally oriented master’s options include Data Science and Machine Learning, Computational Mechanics, Energy Systems, Mathematical Logic, Advanced Solid Mechanics, and Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine. Doctoral research may be conducted and written in English with school and supervisory approval. |
| Agricultural University of Athens | The university’s standard five-year integrated agricultural programs are primarily taught in Greek. No complete English-taught undergraduate program is identified in this article. | English-taught master’s programs include Marine Biotechnology and Digital Technologies and Smart Infrastructure in Agriculture. Other international options cover food science, sustainable agriculture, plant breeding, agricultural engineering, natural resources, and agribusiness. Doctoral research may be conducted in English with appropriate approval. |
| Technical University of Crete | The university’s undergraduate programs are primarily taught in Greek. No complete English-taught bachelor’s degree is identified in this article. | Several international and joint postgraduate programs are taught in English. Other postgraduate courses may be offered in English at the professor’s discretion, while English-language doctoral study depends on the program, research project, and supervisor. |
| Athens University of Economics and Business | No complete English-taught undergraduate degree is identified in this article. | English-taught master’s programs are available in areas such as Business Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Economics, Financial Management, International Business, and Innovation. |
| International Hellenic University | No complete English-taught undergraduate degree is identified in this article. | The University Center of International Programmes of Studies offers English-taught postgraduate programs in humanities, social sciences, economics, management, law, data science, ICT, cybersecurity, energy, and technology. English-language doctoral fields include Data Science, ICT, e-Business, Mobile and Web Computing, Cybersecurity, Energy Systems, Environmental Management, Biology, and Bioinformatics. |
1. National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- Study Program
- Degrees taught in English: Bachelor’s, Master’s
The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), commonly known as the University of Athens, is a major public higher education institution in Athens, Greece. It was officially founded in 1837 and is the first university in Greece, the Balkan Peninsula, and the Eastern Mediterranean region. It is also one of the largest universities in Greece, with a broad range of schools, departments, laboratories, university hospitals, and teaching and research facilities.
As a member of international associations and university networks, NKUA attracts students and researchers from different parts of the world. It also participates in exchange programs, joint academic initiatives, and curriculum development projects with partner universities.
Because NKUA is a public university, Greek-taught undergraduate programs are generally tuition-free. However, English-taught bachelor’s programs and many postgraduate programs may charge tuition fees, especially for international students, so applicants should check the fee information for each specific program.
NKUA is among the notable English-taught universities in Greece. Its English-taught undergraduate options include the BA Program in the Archaeology, History, and Literature of Ancient Greece and the Medical Degree English Program. It also offers many postgraduate programs, including master’s programs taught in English and other languages.
What Current Students / Alumni of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Jamal Wadood
Master’s in Palaeontology – Applied Palaeontology Track | All courses in his PANGEA program were taught in English across the partner universities, including his studies in Greece. | Greek was not needed academically. Basic Greek phrases helped him handle everyday situations and communicate with locals. |
Shoaib Ahmed Khan
Master’s in Applied Paleontology | His PANGEA program was conducted in English, so he did not experience academic language barriers. | Greek was not academically required, but basic local-language knowledge was useful for daily interactions; he also used translation apps. |
2. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- Study Program
- Degrees taught in English: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral (Ph.D.)
The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (A.U.Th.), also referred to as the Aristotelian University or the University of Thessaloniki, is one of Greece’s largest public universities. It was founded by law in 1925 and began academic operations in 1926 in Thessaloniki. Over the years, the institution has developed into a broad, multidisciplinary university with faculties and schools covering fields such as arts, sciences, engineering, medicine, law, economics, and theology.
A.U.Th. has a strong international profile through Erasmus+ mobility, international partnerships, and foreign-language study options. While courses at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki are normally taught in Greek, the university also offers courses in other languages and has developed English-taught undergraduate programs, including programs such as the Bachelor of Laws and Clean Energy Science and Engineering. Some postgraduate and doctoral study options may also be available in English, depending on the school and program.
What Current Students / Alumni of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Sayyidah Humairah
Master’s in Biomedical Engineering | Instruction was in English in all countries in her Erasmus Mundus program, and she reported no language barriers in the academic environment. | Greek was not needed academically. Language barriers sometimes arose when interacting with locals, so she learned common words and used translation tools. |
3. University of Crete
Established in 1973, the University of Crete is a public research university with campuses in Rethymno and Heraklion. The Rethymno campus accommodates schools covering philosophy, education, and the social, economic, and political sciences, while the Heraklion campus is home to the School of Medicine and the School of Sciences and Technology.
The university offers an English-taught undergraduate medical program for international students. Its basic science, preclinical, and clinical courses are taught and assessed in English, although students receive Greek-language training to communicate with patients during clinical study. The university also offers English-taught master’s programs in subjects such as data analysis, machine learning, biomedical engineering, molecular biology, environmental science, and aquaculture.
The medical degree normally takes six years, while English-taught master’s programs generally require one to two years. Doctoral research may also be completed in English when approved by the relevant department, research group, and supervisor. Applicants should check the individual program page because tuition fees, application schedules, academic requirements, and language qualifications differ between programs.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Crete Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Jay Tering
Joint MSc in Aquaculture, Environment, and Society | His professors spoke English during classes throughout the program, including the semester in Greece. | He learned some commonly used Greek words, particularly greetings and numbers, for life outside class. |
Divine Anjorin
MSc in Aquaculture, Environment, and Society | All of her classes were offered in English, so Greek was not required for her academic work. | Greek was not academically compulsory, but she found it helpful for everyday conversations, cultural integration, and connecting with locals. She also took a Greek language class. |
Verlyn Intan Luk
MSc in Aquaculture, Environment and Society | All of her classes in Greece were conducted in English, so she experienced no classroom language barrier there. | She learned basic Greek phrases for daily life and found speaking with locals helpful for improving her language skills. |
Madhav Karthikeyan
Master’s in Aquaculture, Environment, and Society STAR | He said differences between the countries’ languages posed little challenge academically during his studies, including his time at the University of Crete. | Local languages affected social interactions more than academics, and he learned new vocabulary from friends in the countries where he studied. |
4. University of Patras
Founded in 1964, the University of Patras is one of Greece’s largest public universities. Its principal campus is located in Rio, near Patras, with additional academic activities in Agrinio and Messolonghi. The university’s schools and departments cover natural sciences, engineering, health sciences, agriculture, economics, business, humanities, and social sciences.
The university offers an English-taught undergraduate medical program in which lectures, practical classes, and clinical rotations are conducted in English. Its English-taught graduate options include programs in human-computer interaction, personalized medicine, biomedical engineering, marine policy and seafood business, theoretical and applied mathematics, entrepreneurship, and other scientific and professional fields.
The undergraduate medical program normally takes six years. Master’s programs generally require one or two years, depending on their curriculum and credit requirements. Doctoral research may be conducted in English when suitable supervision is available, although language arrangements are determined by the department and research team. International students should confirm tuition fees and application requirements directly with their chosen program.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Patras Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Cristian Larios
Master’s in Biomedical Engineering | All courses in his Erasmus Mundus program were taught in English, so academic work in Greece presented no language problem. | Greek was not needed academically, but everyday tasks such as dealing with rental contracts sometimes required basic Greek phrases or translation tools. |
5. University of West Attica
Located in the Athens metropolitan area, the University of West Attica is a public university established in 2018 through the merger of the Technological Educational Institute of Athens and the Piraeus University of Applied Sciences. The National School of Public Health was subsequently incorporated into the university.
The university has introduced English-taught undergraduate programs for international students, including programs in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science and Applied Philosophy in Business Decision Making. English-taught or internationally oriented master’s options are also available in areas such as public health, biomedical technology, artificial intelligence, networking, engineering, education, and business.
Bachelor’s degrees normally take three or four years, depending on the program, while master’s degrees generally take one or two years. Some graduate programs are delivered online or in cooperation with other Greek and international universities. Applicants should verify the language of instruction carefully because the university also lists Greek-taught degrees with selected courses or materials available in English.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of West Attica Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Paula Vallarta
Master’s in Textile Engineering | The language of instruction in her multi-country program was primarily English. | English was generally sufficient for communication, but she found the local language more important for deeper integration and access to job opportunities. |
Abdul Moeed
MSc in Advanced Textile Engineering | English worked for his academic studies in Greece. | He encountered language barriers in daily life and learned basic Greek phrases for activities such as shopping and using transport. |
6. National Technical University of Athens
Founded in 1837, the National Technical University of Athens, commonly known as NTUA or Athens Polytechnic, is Greece’s oldest technical university. It is a public institution comprising nine schools that specialize in engineering, architecture, applied mathematics, physics, and related technological disciplines.
NTUA offers English-taught and internationally oriented master’s programs in areas such as data science and machine learning, computational mechanics, energy systems, mathematical logic, advanced solid mechanics, and translational engineering in health and medicine. Some programs are organized jointly with other Greek or European universities and may include study or research at multiple institutions.
Most master’s programs take three or four semesters and require between 90 and 120 ECTS credits. Doctoral candidates may conduct their research and prepare their dissertations in English when permitted by the responsible school and supervisor. NTUA’s standard undergraduate engineering programs are five-year integrated master’s degrees and are primarily taught in Greek, so they are not generally categorized as English-taught programs.
What Current Students / Alumni of National Technical University of Athens Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Farhan Hussain
Master’s in Advanced Solid Mechanics | All courses in his Erasmus Mundus program were taught in English, so he did not face academic language difficulties. | The local language was not needed academically, but he practiced basic local-language skills to manage daily life and engage with local communities. |
7. Agricultural University of Athens
Established in 1920, the Agricultural University of Athens is Greece’s third-oldest university. It specializes in agriculture, food production, biotechnology, environmental science, rural development, agribusiness, natural resources, and related life sciences, combining classroom education with laboratory and field-based research.
The university offers English-taught master’s programs in specialized agricultural and environmental fields. Available examples include Marine Biotechnology and Digital Technologies and Smart Infrastructure in Agriculture. Other internationally oriented graduate programs cover food science, sustainable agriculture, plant breeding, agricultural engineering, natural resources, and agribusiness, although the language of instruction varies by program.
English-taught master’s programs generally take one or two years, with the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Marine Biotechnology requiring two years of full-time study. Doctoral research may be undertaken in English when suitable supervision and departmental approval are available. The university’s standard undergraduate agricultural programs normally last five years, lead to integrated master’s qualifications, and are primarily taught in Greek.
What Current Students / Alumni of Agricultural University of Athens Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Laurentius H. Kurniawan
Master’s in Marine Biotechnology | The language of instruction remained English at every host university in his Erasmus Mundus program, including the Agricultural University of Athens. | Greek was not required academically. He noted language barriers when communicating with locals, although English was more commonly spoken in Greece than in some of his other host countries. |
8. Technical University of Crete
- Study Program
- Degrees taught in English: Master’s and Doctoral (Ph.D.)
The Technical University of Crete (TUC) is a public technical university in Chania, Crete. It was founded in 1977 and admitted its first students in 1984. The university provides undergraduate and postgraduate studies in modern engineering fields and conducts research in areas connected with technology, engineering, and industry.
TUC offers an academic environment that can appeal to international students interested in engineering and applied research. The university cooperates with international universities and research institutions through research partnerships, student exchanges, staff exchanges, and study abroad opportunities.
The primary language of instruction at TUC is Greek, but the university offers several study programs taught in English and open to international students. At the postgraduate level, courses are usually taught in Greek, although they may be taught in English at the discretion of the professor, and several joint programs are taught in English.
9. Athens University of Economics and Business
Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) is a leading university in Greece for economics and business studies. It was founded in 1920 as the Athens School of Commercial Studies, renamed the Athens School of Economics and Business in 1926, and took its current name in 1989. Today, AUEB’s schools and departments cover fields such as economics, international relations, management, accounting, marketing, informatics, and statistics.
AUEB has played an important role in Greece’s higher education landscape and continues to contribute to research, professional education, and cooperation with international organizations and partner universities. Its programs emphasize theoretical foundations, analytical tools, critical thinking, and practical skills for careers in business, economics, technology, and related fields.
AUEB is one of the most attractive Greek universities for international students at the graduate level. It offers 30 master’s programs overall, including English-taught master’s programs in areas such as business analytics, AI and data science, economics, financial management, international business, and innovation-related fields.
10. International Hellenic University of Greece
- Study Program
- Degrees taught in English: Master’s and Doctoral (Ph.D.)
The International Hellenic University (IHU) was initially established in 2005 in Thessaloniki and was Greece’s first public university where programs were taught exclusively in English. It was re-established by law in 2019 and is now a public university with eight schools and 25 departments, with branches in Thessaloniki, Serres, Katerini, and Kilkis.
The University Center of International Programmes of Studies (UCIPS) at IHU includes the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics and the School of Science and Technology. Its programs are taught exclusively in English and include postgraduate programs in fields such as humanities, social sciences, economics, management, law, data science, ICT, cybersecurity, energy, and technology.
At the doctoral level, the School of Science and Technology awards doctoral degrees in research fields such as Data Science, ICT, e-Business, Mobile and Web Computing, Cybersecurity, Energy Systems, Environmental Management, Biology, and Bioinformatics. Applicants should check the relevant school or department page for current doctoral admission rules and language requirements.
We hope this article on the best English-taught universities in Greece was informative and helpful. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
