A historic milestone for Greece’s higher education system marks the admission of the first students for the 2025–2026 academic year at the four non-state universities (Legal Entities of University Education – ΝΠΠΕ) that have been officially licensed to operate.

The four institutions approved by the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (HAHE) are:

■ UNIC Athens – Branch of the University of Nicosia (Cyprus)

■ CITY College – European Campus of the University of York

■ University of Keele Greece – Branch of the University of Keele (UK)

■ Anatolia American University – Branch of The Open University (UK)

Programs and Tuition

Across the four universities, 28 undergraduate programs will be offered, covering a wide range of disciplines from Humanities and Social Sciences to Technology, Management, Psychology, Biology, and Medicine.

Tuition fees range between €9,000 and €27,000 per year, depending on the field of study. Higher fees apply to high-demand programs such as Medicine and Law (once approved).

Additional fees include those for applications, registration, technology services, transcripts, ECTS transfers, re-examinations, and graduation requests.

Outlook

Program accreditation by HAHE follows the same rigorous evaluation standards used for public universities since 2018, assessing academic adequacy, research activity, staffing, and infrastructure. Evaluation is conducted by five-member academic committees with expertise relevant to each program.

Non-state universities emphasize personalized student support, high-quality teaching through modern methods, and international partnerships and networking, aiming to enhance graduate competitiveness in both Greek and global labor markets.

Of the 28 total undergraduate programs, 16 have already been approved by HAHE, while evaluation of the remaining 12 — including three in Law and one in Medicine — is expected to conclude by the end of the month.

Challenges

According to reports, some obstacles have been identified concerning infrastructure, staffing, and program content, varying in importance depending on the institution.

Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki stated that classes will begin in November with a full semester program and all required credits. The first phase of accreditation has been completed, while the second phase, covering programs and facilities, is still in progress.

What Prospective Students Should Know

1. Admission Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, English proficiency (B2 or higher), interview, and supporting documents (CV, recommendation letters, and a personal statement).
2. ECTS Transfer: Allowed from accredited Greek or international institutions.
3. Special Requirements: Certain programs (e.g., Medicine or Law) may require additional admission criteria.
4. Tuition and Fees: Vary depending on program and student origin.
5. International Students: Must obtain a student visa and comply with Greek regulations.

Study Programs

UNIC Athens (University of Nicosia – Cyprus)
Includes six schools:

1. Medicine
2. Humanities & Social Sciences
3. Business Administration
4. Science & Engineering
5. Life & Health Sciences
6. Law

Programs offered: Doctor of Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, Psychology, Data Science, Computer Science, Accounting, Business Administration, Marketing Management.

Admission requires a recognized high school diploma (minimum GPA 7.5/10) and English proficiency. Additional academic support is available for students with lower grades, and ECTS transfer from other institutions is permitted.

University of Keele Greece (University of Keele – UK)
Comprises three schools:

1. Humanities & Social Sciences
2. Medicine & Health Sciences
3. Law

Programs approved or under final evaluation: English Language & Teaching, Psychology with Neuroscience, Biomechanics (Regenerative Medicine), Investigative Criminology (with Forensic Graphology or Environmental Criminology), Law.

Admission follows the academic criteria of the parent university, in accordance with Greek Law 5094/2024. Tuition is adjusted annually to maintain high academic standards.

Anatolia American University (The Open University – UK)
Comprises three schools:

• School of Business Administration: Business Administration with specializations in Entrepreneurial Management, International Business & Finance, Marketing, Hospitality, and Tourism.
• School of Humanities & Social Sciences: English Language, Political Science & International Relations, Psychology.
• School of Science & Technology: Applied Informatics, Computer Science, Biology.

Applicants must have a high school diploma, English proficiency certificate (minimum B2), CV, essay on a provided topic, and two recommendation letters. An interview is also required.

CITY College (University of York – UK) – Thessaloniki
European campus of the University of York, a Russell Group member (the UK’s equivalent of the Ivy League), ranked 146th globally by Times Higher Education 2025.

Comprises three schools:

1. Law & Humanities
2. Science
3. Business Administration

Certified programs include:

• Business Studies (Management, Hospitality, Accounting & Finance, Marketing)
• Psychology
• English Language, Linguistics & Literature
• Communication and Digital Media

Accreditation for Computer Science and Law programs (Greek Law with English Law elements) is expected soon. Classes begin in early November with a full first-semester schedule.

Annual Costs and Fees

EU students may pay in four installments per semester. Non-EU students must comply with Greek immigration law. Early payments receive a 4% discount, while late payments incur a 4% surcharge.

Additional fees apply for applications, registration, technology services, transcripts, ECTS transfers, re-examinations, and graduation requests.

The establishment of non-state universities in Greece marks an important step toward broadening educational diversity, expanding student options, and enhancing the international recognition of Greek degrees. Ongoing monitoring of accreditation processes and quality assurance remains essential to the success of this reform.