The Greek government has approved the permits for the establishment and operation of four private universities for the academic year 2024-25.
The Ministry of Education granted the licenses to the four tertiary education institutions, two of which will operate in the country’s capital, Athens, and the other in the second largest city, Thessaloniki, following the go-ahead given by the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education and the National Organization for Certification of Qualifications & Vocational Guidance.
The private universities that will take the form of a legal entity for university education are the following:
- The Open University, with the title “American University of Anatolia” in Thessaloniki, provides courses in humanities and social studies, business management, and technology and sciences.
- The University of York, named “CITY, European subsidiary of YORK University,” in Thessaloniki, offers courses in law and humanities, science, and business management.
- The University of Keele, titled “The University of Keele, Greece,” will offer courses in law, humanities, social sciences, medicine, and healthcare.
- The University of Nicosia, named “UNIC ATHENS,” offers courses in medical school, humanities and social sciences, business management, engineering and sciences, law, and health and wellbeing sciences.
The evaluation process was carried out under strict criteria focusing on quality assurance, adherence to the academic procedures of the parent institution, adequacy of academic and administrative staff, infrastructure and technical equipment, organizational structure, and the availability of support services. In parallel, the National Organization for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance (EOPPEP) assessed the technical and building specifications of the facilities.
“We are completing a historic step for the benefit of the younger generations of our country,” Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports Sophia Zacharaki said. In line with its institutional role, HAHE approved applications that met the rigorous requirements defined by law. All applications came from internationally recognized universities, and their inclusion in Greece’s academic landscape is expected to bring positive results.
Zacharaki noted Greek society now has the maturity, experience, and knowledge to recognize what has been lost for decades and how the country can turn the development of a regional educational hub into a strategic advantage. “We are giving higher education in Greece the opportunity to align with international trends, strengthening outward orientation and offering more choices to our young people,” she added.
