13 Free and Cheap Universities in Greece for International Students

In Greece, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in Greece without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in Greece, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 28 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Greece, make sure to read more!

How do I get admission to affordable universities in Greece?

Greece is home to 2,525 international students, and a lot of them enjoy quality education without paying high costs!

Applying to cheap universities in Greece requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in Greece for a more comprehensive guide!

What can I study at Best affordable universities in Greece?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Greece. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Greece is the American College of Greece, which offers Art History, Cinema Studies, and Music Performance to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the American College of Greece offers Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy, Advertising Communications, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in Greece for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Greece ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
University of Crete 0 EUR 100%
American College of Greece 8,760 EUR - 11,300 EUR -99%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 4,381 EUR for universities in greece.

1. University of Crete

The island of Crete, one of Greece’s most populated regions, hosts the prestigious University of Crete, a world-renowned institution that offers programs encompassing multiple disciplines and study levels. Students may study on either of the two campuses: Gallos in Rethymnon and Voutes in Heraklion. Besides honing their academic knowledge and skills, students are also involved in the university’s advocacy, which is quality research. Such is the institution’s dedication to research that it collaborates with universities worldwide to expand techniques, resources, and opportunities.

University of Crete is the most affordable educational institution in Greece for undergraduate studies. Incoming international bachelor’s students are required to pay as low as 0 EUR.

2. American College of Greece

The next university on our list of cheap universities in Greece is American College of Greece.

Find the balance between Western and European education at the American College of Greece. What began as a primary education school for girls has become a prestigious private college for American education. Besides offering liberal arts, sciences, business, and fine arts courses, ACG also plays a critical role as the intermediary between Northern America and Europe. After all, it is the oldest and largest US-accredited institution on the continent.

International students planning to study for a bachelor's degree at American College of Greece must prepare a tuition fee of 8,760 EUR to 11,260 EUR.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in Greece for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Greece ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Panteion University 0 EUR 100%
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 0 EUR - 5,000 EUR 100%
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens 0 EUR - 4,800 EUR 100%
University of Crete 0 EUR - 4,000 EUR 100%
National Technical University of Athens 0 EUR 100%
University of Patras 0 EUR - 1,800 EUR 100%
University of West Attica 800 EUR 39%
University of Thessaly 967 EUR - 3,600 EUR 26%
Athens University of Economics and Business 1,250 EUR - 6,467 EUR 4%
University of Western Macedonia 1,333 EUR - 1,533 EUR -2%
University of Macedonia 2,133 EUR - 2,600 EUR -63%
International Hellenic University 2,500 EUR - 4,000 EUR -92%
American College of Greece 7,920 EUR - 11,700 EUR -508%

* Average Master’s International Tuition is 1,301 EUR for universities in greece.

1. Panteion University

Panteion University is a public higher education institution that offers interdisciplinary political and social sciences programs. It was established in 1937 and has played a vital role in the country’s social, economic, and political development. The university is also dedicated to conducting scientific research to understand different national and international issues further and formulate solutions to address them.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Panteion University should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 0 EUR annually for their master's degree.

2. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is 0 EUR to 5,000 EUR.

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.

3. National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens has some significant accomplishments. It is one of Greece’s top universities, one of the oldest in its region, and one of the largest in Europe. By these alone, it’s apparent what a significant role the University of Athens has played in shaping academic tradition and culture in the country. It has contributed a lot in the past, and it’s only expected to give more in the future.

The tuition fee at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens for incoming international master’s students is 0 EUR to 4,800 EUR. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. University of Crete

Another affordable university to consider in Greece is University of Crete.

The island of Crete, one of Greece’s most populated regions, hosts the prestigious University of Crete, a world-renowned institution that offers programs encompassing multiple disciplines and study levels. Students may study on either of the two campuses: Gallos in Rethymnon and Voutes in Heraklion. Besides honing their academic knowledge and skills, students are also involved in the university’s advocacy, which is quality research. Such is the institution’s dedication to research that it collaborates with universities worldwide to expand techniques, resources, and opportunities.

The tuition fee in University of Crete for master’s program for foreign students starts from 0 EUR.

5. National Technical University of Athens

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, National Technical University of Athens has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 0 EUR yearly.

The National Technical University of Athens, which is also referred to as the Athens Polytechnic, is the best place for aspiring engineers in Greece. Its teaching prowess in the field is unmatched in the country and is among the best worldwide. This is evidenced by global rankings, such as the QS World Ranking for Civil and Structural Engineering, in which the university placed 50th. NTUA also fared well in the US News rankings for chemical, civil, electrical, and electronic engineering.

6. University of Patras

The University of Patras stands in the ranks of Greece’s most prestigious universities. It is especially renowned for its chemical engineering program, which ranked 251st in the QS Ranking By Subject 2022. Based on US News rankings, the institution also fares well in other engineering fields, chemistry, medicine, computer science, geosciences, and material science. But the university’s degree offerings aren’t limited to those subjects. Indeed, the University of Patras offers courses that encompass the humanities, arts, business, and sciences and make them available at undergraduate and graduate levels.

7. University of West Attica

One of the younger universities in Greece, the University of West Attica is a reputable educational institution founded in 2018. It is a public university with around 26 undergraduate and 67 graduate programs. Student services such as accommodations, restaurants, and healthcare are available to ease campus life. The university also sees research as an integral part of its function, with laboratories, committees, and projects specifically made for it.

8. University of Thessaly

The University of Thessaly offers undergraduate and postgraduate education at Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate levels. It has around ten schools that handle programs in different fields of study. Most of these programs are interdepartmental, allowing students to receive multidisciplinary education. Aside from the traditional academic programs, internships and foreign language programs are also available for those who seek them.

9. Athens University of Economics and Business

The Athens University of Economics and Business is one of Greece’s most specialized institutions. Since it was founded in 1920, it has focused on business studies and was appropriately named the Athens School of Commercial Studies. Such a choice of expertise may be because its origins are traced back to a merchant academy.

Besides specialization, another aspect that sets the AUEB apart is that it provides English-taught programs, albeit for the graduate level. It is a step towards internationalization and globalization, which are essential concepts in business.

10. University of Western Macedonia

Last 2019, the University of Western Macedonia underwent a significant change when it merged with the former Technological Education Institute of Western Macedonia. But instead of impeding progress, such a combination of elite institutions promoted the university’s growth. The merger also allowed UoWM to welcome more students and provide them with excellent education and opportunities.

As UoWM moves on bigger and better, it strives to achieve its goals, which are to develop education and culture, contribute to economic advancement, and enable a just and open society.

11. University of Macedonia

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.

12. International Hellenic University

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.

13. American College of Greece

Find the balance between Western and European education at the American College of Greece. What began as a primary education school for girls has become a prestigious private college for American education. Besides offering liberal arts, sciences, business, and fine arts courses, ACG also plays a critical role as the intermediary between Northern America and Europe. After all, it is the oldest and largest US-accredited institution on the continent.


It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in Greece, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in Greece as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on free and affordable institutions in Greece for international students was helpful!