4 Best Universities In Thessaloniki For International Students 2025

Thessaloniki is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in Greece. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences.

Out of 4 universities in Thessaloniki, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and University of Macedonia are the top-performing schools in Thessaloniki.

In this article, we’ve compiled the best universities in Thessaloniki. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Thessaloniki.

Rank University Country Type
1 Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Greece Public
2 University of Macedonia Greece Public
3 International Hellenic University Greece Public
4 American College of Thessaloniki Greece Private

How do I get admission to the best universities in Thessaloniki?

Applying to the universities in Thessaloniki involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Thessaloniki to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

As we cover the best universities in Thessaloniki for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Thessaloniki for International Students

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#2 in Greece
#206 in Europe
#448 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 88,283

Besides being the home to more than 80,000 students, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is the most prominent university in Greece because of its high quality of education. The programs it offers are diverse, ranging from economics to medicine. Each is geared towards research, excellence, inclusivity, and more, as reflected in the institution’s vision and mission. AUTH also values international presence by making valuable connections to global institutions and offering programs in foreign languages of instruction, such as English and Italian. These are just a few things that have made AUTH top the national charts, and it only promises to do more in the future.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#14 in Greece
#698 in Europe
#1887 in World
Percentage of International Students
8%
Total Number of students - 19,910
International Number of students - 1,500

The University of Macedonia is a public research university in Thessaloniki, Greece. This university was established in 1957 and continues to serve as the primary university in this region, where domestic and international students can study in various accredited programs such as law, economics, and art. This university is unique because it serves as a focal point for the country’s identity and educational development, and for that reason, it attracts a large number of domestic students.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#16 in Greece
#823 in Europe
#2368 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data

The International Hellenic University stands out among Greek academic institutions for several reasons. It was the first public university to teach all courses in English only and continues to implement such. Also, it primarily caters to graduate students, specifically those pursuing master’s studies. However, it plans to launch a sole, English-taught bachelor’s program.

IHU also offers master’s programs in collaboration with other universities. This opens many opportunities for its students and has the potential to spark impactful partnerships between involved institutions.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#24 in Greece
#1452 in Europe
#4915 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data

The Anatolia College or American College is comprised of different sub-divisions. Each one provides a certain level of education, and one such unit is the American College of Thessaloniki, which offers tertiary programs primarily to students of Anatolia College. It is an excellent place in Greece to pursue a US-accredited degree. Besides the quality of education, this school allows students to experience a multicultural environment. They get exposed to Greek tradition and heritage while staying connected to American philosophy and practices.

We know that choosing your dream school in Thessaloniki not an easy task. After all, you need to consider other factors like the cost of your education, school background, and population, as it can be overwhelming on your part.

So, to help you out further in weighing your school options for studying in Thessaloniki, make sure to visit our list of the best public universities in Thessaloniki! These articles will surely help you in deciding your next study destination!