Greece has long been associated with history, literature, the arts, and medicine. Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician from Kos, is traditionally regarded as the father of medicine. Today, Greek universities continue to offer public health-related graduate programs that combine medical, social, environmental, and policy perspectives.
Combining Greece’s strengths in medicine and society, students can explore public health education through these universities:
Top Schools Offering Public Health Programs in Greece
1. University of Crete
The University of Crete offers the Master’s program in Public Health – Primary Health Care – Health Services through its School of Medicine. The program has two specializations: Public Health and Primary Health Care, and Health Services. It is designed to train graduates who can contribute to public health, primary health care, and health services through research, education, leadership, and administration.
The program has a minimum duration of four academic semesters and carries 120 ECTS credits. It is taught in Greek and is listed with a tuition fee of €2,000.
2. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki offers the Master’s program in Applied Nutrition and Health Promotion through the Department of Medicine of the School of Health Sciences. The program has three directions: Clinical-Medical Nutrition, Nutrition and Public Health, and Pediatric Nutrition. The Nutrition and Public Health direction is the most closely related to public health, and each direction accepts up to 20 students.
The program totals 90 ECTS credits and is designed to prepare graduates for work in public or private research and educational institutions, organizations connected with clinical nutrition or public health services, and health care services or units. The curriculum includes common and specialization-focused coursework, with study leading to a master’s thesis.
3. Harokopio University
Harokopio University offers the MSc in Public Health and Nutrition through the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. The program focuses on public health nutrition, applied epidemiology, health promotion, and nutrition-related public health policy. It aims to train public health scientists to design and manage population health interventions and to prepare graduates for roles in public and private organizations related to public health and nutrition.
All courses are conducted in English. The program is available as a full-time course lasting three semesters, with a part-time option extending up to a maximum of six semesters. It requires 90 ECTS credits, including coursework and a master’s thesis. The total tuition and fees are €10,000.
Courses include Principles of Public Health, Basics of Human Nutrition, Health Promotion and Planning in the Community Setting, Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics for Public Health Practice, Global Public Health, Biological Aspects of Human Nutrition, Environmental Health, Foodborne Diseases, and Toxicology in Public Health Practice.
4. University of Thessaly
The University of Thessaly’s Faculty of Medicine was founded in 1985, welcomed its first students in the 1990-1991 academic year, and became an autonomous department in 1995. Its facilities include pre-clinical laboratories, clinical units, lecture halls, an auditorium, and administrative offices. The University General Hospital of Larissa is also connected with the medical school environment in Larissa.
For public health, the University of Thessaly offers the MSc in Public Health and Applied Epidemiology or MSc in Public Health and Maritime Transport. The program is taught in English, delivered by distance learning, requires no travel to Greece, and lasts two years full-time or four years part-time. Students complete 120 ECTS credits and choose between two streams: Public Health and Applied Epidemiology, or Public Health and Maritime Transport.
The Faculty of Medicine also lists related programs, including the Interdepartmental Master’s Program in Primary Health Care, which is structured over three academic semesters and 90 ECTS credits, and the Greek-language MSc in Applied Public Health and Environmental Hygiene, which is listed as a four-semester, 120-credit program. Students should check the official program pages for the most current application calls, fees, and language of instruction.
5. University of Patras
The University of Patras offers an MSc in Public Health through its School of Medicine. The program aims to provide postgraduate education in public health, including the study of modern public health problems and ways to prevent and address them at the level of social groups.
The program leads to a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health with two specializations: Health and Environment, and Preventive and Social Medicine. It has a minimum duration of three academic semesters and a maximum duration of six semesters. The course structure includes two academic terms of coursework followed by a dissertation, and students must complete at least 90 credits for graduation.
FAQS About Studying Public Health in Greece
Is a Bachelor of Public Health Marketable?
A bachelor’s degree in public health can lead to entry-level roles in areas such as community health, health education, health promotion, research support, and public health administration. However, many specialized or leadership-oriented roles in epidemiology, health policy, public health research, and program management may prefer or require a master’s degree.
Public health remains an important field because it addresses disease prevention, vaccination programs, clean air and water, health promotion, and population well-being. To build a stronger career in public health, students may consider graduate study after completing a bachelor’s degree. You can explore the open courses listed on our page, as we do not have public health courses at the moment.
We hope that this article on the Best Universities for Public Health in Greece was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Programs in Europe for International Students to learn more!
