GREECE · ATHENS
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
public · Founded 1837 · Languages: en, el
In short
The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens is Greece's oldest and largest university, offering a wide range of programs in a historic and vibrant city. It provides competitive fees for international postgraduate students and a rich cultural experience.
Key facts
- Type
- Public
- Founded
- 1837
- Students
- 70,461
- International students
- 3,500
- Acceptance rate
- 35%
- Tuition (intl)
- €2–4k/yr
- Languages
- EN, EL
- Location
- Athens, Greece
The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) is Greece's oldest and largest university, founded in 1837 just a few years after Greek independence. With over 70,000 students across faculties of medicine, law, sciences, philosophy, economics, theology, dentistry, pharmacy, and more, NKUA is the academic heart of the country. Its campuses are embedded in the historic city of Athens, offering students a unique blend of world-class academic tradition and vibrant Mediterranean city life. NKUA participates in Erasmus+ and dozens of international research partnerships, and its affiliated teaching hospitals are leading centres for clinical training in the region.
Why study here
- Study at Greece's oldest and most prestigious university, founded in 1837
- Access a wide spectrum of faculties — from medicine and law to sciences, philosophy, and economics
- Benefit from strong Erasmus+ links and European research networks
- Live and study in Athens, a global cultural capital with an unrivalled ancient heritage
- Low or no tuition for EU students; competitive fees for non-EU postgraduate programmes
Student life
NKUA's student community spans all districts of Athens, with faculty buildings distributed across the city. Students have access to libraries, sports halls, student associations, and the university's cultural programme. Athens offers affordable cost of living by Western European standards, a vibrant nightlife, world-class museums, and easy access to the Greek islands — making it a popular destination for international students and Erasmus exchanges.
Fees
InternationalNon-EU international students pay approximately EUR 1,500–4,000 per year depending on the postgraduate programme. Some master's programmes charge higher fees.
HomeEU/Greek students are generally exempt from tuition fees at undergraduate level; postgraduate fees apply.
LivingEstimated EUR 700–1,000/month in Athens, covering accommodation, food, and transport.
Fee levels vary widely by faculty and level of study. Check individual programme pages for exact figures.
Admissions
Undergraduate entryGreek national examinations (Panhellenic) or equivalent for EU/international applicants
Postgraduate entryBachelor's degree (minimum 3 years); programme-specific GPA thresholds
DocumentsTranscripts, CV, motivation letter, two references (varies by programme)
IELTS6.0+
TOEFL iBT79+
Rankings
QS World University Rankings390
University scholarships
Erasmus+ Study MobilityMonthly grant (varies by destination country); open to enrolled NKUA students
State Scholarships Foundation (IKY)Need- and merit-based grants for Greek and international students
Accreditation
Accredited by the Hellenic Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency (HQA / ETHAAE); member of EUA.
Programs
a selectionNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens · Greece
Cultural and Cinema Studies
The Postgraduate Programme in "Cultural and Cinema Studies" offers a comprehensive exploration of film and cultural theory. This Master's program delves into the history, theory, and criticism of cinema, examining its relationship with broader cultural contexts, historical events, and various art forms. Students will engage with key theoretical texts and a diverse range of films to develop a critical understanding of cinematic language, narrative, and style. The curriculum is structured across two semesters, beginning with compulsory courses in Film Studies and Cultural Studies. Students then select elective courses to tailor their studies, focusing on areas such as archival practices, directing, literary analysis, artistic creation, and observational cinema. The program emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical application, encouraging students to analyze complex cultural phenomena and develop their own critical perspectives.
Master's
Level
—
Tuition
24 mo
Duration
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens · Greece
Information Theory
This course, Information Theory (Course Code: K35), is a compulsory track course within the Computer Engineering and Telecommunications (CET) track for Bachelor's students. It is typically taken in the 6th semester and contributes 6 ECTS credits. The module delves into the fundamental principles of information theory, covering its historical context, core mathematical concepts, and practical applications. It explores how information is quantified, transmitted, and compressed, laying a theoretical groundwork for advanced studies in computer science and engineering.
Bachelor's
Level
—
Tuition
—
Duration
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens · Greece
MSc Data Science and Information Technologies
The Master of Science (MSc) in Data Science and Information Technologies (DSIT) is a highly interdisciplinary program designed to enhance your knowledge and skills in key areas like Data Science, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), applied mathematics, and statistical methods. The program emphasizes the practical application of these fields, particularly within Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biomedical Data Science, and the broader Life Sciences. You will delve into the management, processing, analysis, and software development for massive and complex datasets, which are fundamental for machine learning and AI. The curriculum also covers the development of mathematical models, algorithms, statistical analysis techniques, image processing, and natural language processing. Furthermore, the program explores advanced tools in bioinformatics, computational biology, and systems biology, crucial for navigating the era of 'omics' big data to improve human health. Organized by the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), this MSc is a collaboration with the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA) and the ATHENA Research Center. Instruction is provided by experienced professors and researchers from these institutions, alongside PhD scientists from other Greek and international institutions, and industry specialists.
Master's
Level
—
Tuition
24 mo
Duration
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens · Greece
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) is a leading institution in Greece and South-eastern Europe, recognized globally for its academic excellence and research. In the 2024 Shanghai Ranking (ARWU), NKUA is placed in the 301-400 bracket worldwide, ranking 1st in Greece and among the top universities in the Balkans and the Mediterranean. It is also recognized within the top 1.3% of universities globally. NKUA's strong performance is driven by its faculty's research output and per capita academic achievements, as reflected in its high rankings in indicators such as highly cited researchers and publications in prestigious journals. The university is particularly noted for its strengths in Clinical Medicine, Dentistry & Oral Sciences, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Telecommunication Engineering, Nursing, Physics, Public Health, and Human Biological Sciences.
Master's
Level
—
Tuition
—
Duration
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens · Greece
Physics (Spectroscopy Specialization)
This Master's program focuses on Atomic Spectroscopy, offering a deep dive into the fundamental principles and practical applications of atomic spectral data. You will gain expertise in analyzing and interpreting spectroscopic data, crucial for various scientific and technological fields. The program draws upon extensive data compilations and computational methods to understand the behavior of atoms and their interactions with light.
Master's
Level
—
Tuition
24 mo
Duration
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens · Greece
Teaching of Visual Arts
This course explores the historical development of visual arts education as a field of study. It examines the theoretical frameworks of prevailing educational models and discusses contemporary issues and practices in art teaching. The program also delves into various theoretical approaches for analyzing children's drawings, focusing on how children's representational abilities reflect cognitive processes. It highlights the contribution of artistic activities to the emotional, perceptual, and social development of learners. Furthermore, the role of the educator in guiding this process through the design of lesson examples, with a focus on children's representational capacities, is emphasized.
Master's
Level
—
Tuition
—
Duration
Scholarships
for Greece
full fundingA. G. Leventis Foundation / Alba Graduate Business School (American College of Greece)
A. G. Leventis Foundation Scholarships at Alba Graduate Business School
Open to Nigerian citizens who hold a first-class or upper second-class bachelor's degree (GPA 3.9 or higher), have a strong command of English, and (for the MBA award) have at least three years of work experience.
full
Funding
€30k
Max
Apr 4, 2027
Deadline
full funding
Wellcome Trust
Wellcome Trust Fellowships and Grants (for international researchers)
For researchers at different career stages working on health-related science. Wellcome funds a family of fellowships and grants — early-career, career-development, and discovery awards, plus team and translational funding — each with its own eligibility, value, and call deadline. There is no single scholarship application; you apply to the specific scheme that fits your stage and project.
full
Funding
€3000k
Max
Rolling
Deadline
full funding
Wellcome Trust
Wellcome International Training Fellowships
For early-career researchers based in low- and middle-income countries (outside the high-income world) who want protected time and support for research training in health, often including a PhD or postdoctoral research. Wellcome's scheme names and exact criteria change over time, so applicants should check the current relevant Wellcome funding scheme.
full
Funding
€150k
Max
Rolling
Deadline
full funding
European Commission - European Research Executive Agency (REA)
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships
Open to researchers of any nationality who hold a PhD (or will have defended their doctoral thesis by the call deadline) and have at most 8 years of full-time-equivalent research experience after the PhD. Applicants apply jointly with a host organisation - a university, research institution, business, SME, or other body based in an EU Member State or a country associated to Horizon Europe. European Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to all nationalities for a project inside the EU or an associated country; Global Postdoctoral Fellowships are reserved for EU nationals or long-term residents who carry out a phase in a third country before returning to Europe. Researchers who have been displaced by conflict and those restarting a research career after a break are explicitly encouraged to apply.
full
Funding
€100k
Max
Sep 10, 2026
Deadline
full funding
Rotary Foundation
Rotary Peace Fellowships
For professionals committed to peace and development, with relevant work experience and (for the master's) a strong academic background and proficiency in English. Applicants apply through their local Rotary district and are selected globally by The Rotary Foundation for study at a Rotary Peace Center.
full
Funding
€90k
Max
May 15, 2027
Deadline
full funding
Independent Social Research Foundation (ISRF)
ISRF Europe Early Career Fellowship
Open to early-career researchers in the social sciences and humanities who are within 10 years of their PhD award (career breaks considered) and hold a salaried position at a higher education or research institution, or are independent scholars with a host institution. Research must be hosted at a European institution and address innovative, interdisciplinary social research questions. Open to scholars of all nationalities.
full
Funding
€82k
Max
Feb 14, 2027
Deadline
Frequently asked questions
What are the tuition fees for international students at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA)?
+
Non-EU international students typically pay between EUR 1,500–4,000 per year for postgraduate programs, though some master's degrees may have higher fees. Undergraduate tuition is generally free for EU/Greek students.
What is the estimated cost of living for students in Athens?
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The estimated cost of living in Athens is around EUR 700–1,000 per month. This estimate covers accommodation, food, and transportation, and is considered lower than in most Western European capitals.
What are the English language requirements for international students?
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For admission, international students usually need an IELTS score of 6.0+ or a TOEFL iBT score of 79+. Specific program requirements may vary.
What academic qualifications are needed for admission?
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Undergraduate admission requires passing the Greek national examinations (Panhellenic) or an equivalent qualification for EU/international applicants. Postgraduate admission requires a Bachelor's degree (minimum 3 years) and program-specific GPA thresholds.
Does NKUA offer any scholarships for international students?
+
NKUA participates in the Erasmus+ Study Mobility program, offering monthly grants to enrolled students. The State Scholarships Foundation (IKY) also provides need- and merit-based grants for both Greek and international students.
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