The green light has been given to four non-state universities, which, after evaluation by the National Authority for Higher Education, will begin operating in Greece in September.

Out of an initial 12 applications, the following licenses for the establishment and operation of branches of Legal Entities of University Education (NPE) were approved by the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports: in Athens, the University of Keele, Greece, and UNIC Athens (University of Nicosia); and in Thessaloniki, the American University of Anatolia and City University.

Student admissions to the NPPE will be subject to the Minimum Admission Base, as required during the Panhellenic Examinations. Degrees from non-state universities will have the same academic and professional validity as those from public universities.

Profiles

UNIC ATHENS – Medical Institution, University of Nicosia
The University of Nicosia was the only institution to apply independently; the other applications from foreign universities were made through colleges already operating in Greece. The parent institution is ranked among the top 501-600 universities worldwide, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE WUR) 2025.

In Athens, the following schools will operate: School of Medicine, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Business Administration, School of Science and Engineering, School of Life and Health Sciences, and School of Law.

Curricula will include Accounting, Business Administration, Marketing Management, Psychology, Law, Pharmacy, Medical Informatics, and Data Science.

Annual tuition fees will range between €15,000 €18,000, with Medicine costing around €29,000.

Regarding facilities, the first building, currently under construction, is on the site of the old Olympic Catering premises: a 12,500 sqm facility near The Ellinikon, expected to be completed this autumn.

Over the next 12 months, the Ellinikon Hotel at the same site is scheduled to open.

The modern campus includes 14 classrooms, two auditoriums, 43 specialized laboratories, and clinical skills infrastructure with 19 OSCE-type examination rooms supporting medical simulation and interdisciplinary research. The premises are equipped with advanced technology to support modern pedagogical approaches. Additionally, student residences with approximately 1,000 rooms will be available.

Open University – Open University of America, University of Anatolia
Partnered with Anatolia College, the Open University in Greece is part of the largest UK-based university network. It received a Gold Award from the Office for Students (OfS) in 2023 for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. The university has been recognized with this award for 20 years.

NUPE at Anatolia will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs across faculties: School of Business Administration, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, and School of Science & Technology, with courses in Applied Computer Science, Computer Science, and Biology.

Facilities are located on the 270-acre Anatolia campus, comprising 33 buildings. Construction of four new buildings is planned, with the first expected to be operational by fall 2027.

City University – University of York
The public University of York has partnered with City College Thessaloniki. Initially, the European branch will offer undergraduate and postgraduate studies within three faculties: the School of Law and Humanities, the School of Science, and the School of Business, with programs in Management and Economics, Psychology, Computer Science, Communication, English Literature, and Law.

Starting in 2026, doctoral programs will also be available. Notably, law studies will combine Greek Law with elements of English Law, exclusively for Greek students.

Undergraduate programs are expected to commence in October. The Law Department will operate solely at the Thessaloniki campus. As a branch of the University of York, the European campus adheres fully to the UK parent institution’s educational procedures.

Students must complete all courses within the prescribed timeframe to progress. There are no “perpetual students.” Students also have the option to study at the University of York in the UK.

Graduates will receive the same academic and professional rights as Greek public university graduates, as well as equivalent rights recognized in the UK.

The University of York is ranked among the top 6% of global universities, placed 146th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, and is a member of the prestigious Russell Group in the UK.

The University of Keele, Greece – NPE
Affiliated with Metropolitan College, the University of Keele is ranked 401st in the Times Higher Education rankings (by subject: Business and Economics).

In Greece, the University of Keele Greece (NPE) will operate from modern premises in central Athens, with faculties including the School of Law, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The faculties include Humanities, Social Sciences, and Medicine. Final approval for each student is granted by the parent university. Students will be evaluated according to the academic regulations of the parent institution and will have opportunities to study or intern abroad at the parent university, excluding the School of Medicine.