Greece will see the launch of four new licensed private non-profit universities in autumn 2025, following the approval of their academic programs by the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (HAHE). Out of 12 initial applications, only four institutions have passed the first round of evaluation, paving the way for the country’s first wave of officially sanctioned private universities.
The approved institutions are:
- UNIC Athens – branch of the University of Nicosia, Cyprus
- American University Anatolia – in cooperation with the UK’s Open University
- University of Keele – Athens branch of the UK university
- CITY College – European campus of the University of York, based in Thessaloniki
Expanding Academic Options
The new universities will introduce three law schools, two medical schools, and at least four psychology departments, alongside programs in business, engineering, computer science, and life sciences. UNIC Athens alone will enroll 850 students, offering degrees in medicine, pharmacy, law, psychology, business administration, marketing, accounting, computer science, and data science.
The University of Keele’s Athens branch will enroll 170 students, offering programs in law, investigative criminology, forensic handwriting analysis, English literature and teaching, psychology with neuroscience, and biomedical engineering in regenerative medicine.
CITY College in Thessaloniki will take in 337 students for programs in business, computer science, psychology, law, English language studies, linguistics, and digital media communication.
While these four institutions have received the green light, HAHE has rejected the majority of applicants, citing failure to meet academic standards. However, the Ministry of Education is expected to allow unsuccessful applicants to revise their proposals to meet requirements and reapply, with the possibility of opening by spring 2026 or in the 2026–27 academic year.
This development comes amid heightened debate over private higher education in Greece, with the new institutions set to reshape the country’s academic landscape and provide more options for students who previously had to study abroad for certain disciplines.
Source: Tovima.com
