Acropolis Athens — Study in Greece destination guide

Greece Study Guide 2026

Masters & MBA in Greece 2026 — National Visa D & Aristotle University Guide

Masters & MBA in Greece 2026: this guide compiles current tuition fees, top universities, student visa requirements, scholarships and post-study work rights for international students applying for Greece's next intake. Updated for 2026 with the latest visa rules and tuition figures.

Last updated: July 2026 · Reading time: 6 minutes · Verified by: Passport 2 Degree counselors

Quick Facts — Study in Greece 2026

CapitalAthens
CurrencyEuro (€ / EUR)
Tuition (Postgraduate)€1,500 – €8,000/year
Living Cost€600 – €900/month
Popular IntakeSep / Feb
Primary VisaNational (Type D) Student Visa
Est. 1837
University of Athens
€1.5K–€8K
Tuition Per Year
Schengen
EU Member State
30,000+
International Students

Why Choose Greece for Masters or MBA?

Lowest Tuition in the Eurozone

English-taught Master's from €1,500/year and living costs of €600–€900/month make Greece one of Europe's most affordable EU study bases.

Historic Public Universities

The University of Athens (est. 1837) and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki are internationally ranked with growing English-language portfolios.

Maritime & Tourism Powerhouse

Greece controls ~20% of the world's shipping fleet — its Shipping, Maritime and Tourism Master's connect directly to industry.

Full EU + Schengen Membership

An EU degree with borderless travel across 29 Schengen countries — at a fraction of Western European cost.

Top Universities in Greece for International Students

These institutions consistently rank in QS, Times Higher Education and ARWU global tables and actively admit international Masters and MBA students.

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens neoclassical building — top Greek university
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens — Greece's flagship, est. 1837
  • National & Kapodistrian University of Athens
    Est. 1837 · THE-ranked

    Greece's flagship — Medicine, Law, Humanities and a growing English MSc portfolio.

  • Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
    Greece's Largest

    95,000 students; Engineering, Agriculture and Archaeology strengths.

  • National Technical University of Athens
    Top Engineering School

    Civil, Mechanical, Naval and Electrical Engineering — the 'Polytechneio'.

  • Athens University of Economics & Business
    Top-Rated (Business)

    Finance, Marketing, Analytics — strongest business faculty in Greece.

  • University of Crete
    Research-Intensive

    THE-ranked; Sciences, Psychology and Medicine in Heraklion & Rethymno.

  • The American College of Greece
    English-Medium (Private)

    US-accredited degrees in Athens; MBA and liberal-arts Master's.

Tuition Fees and Cost of Living in Greece (2026)

CategoryIndicative RangeNotes
Public Master's (Greek-taught)Free – €1,500/yearMany state programs charge no tuition
English-Taught International Master's€1,500 – €8,000/yearAthens, Thessaloniki, Crete
MBA (ALBA, AUEB, ACG)€8,000 – €15,000 (full program)Athens-based business schools
Medicine (English MD)€10,000 – €12,000/year6-year English MD tracks (e.g., Athens)
Cost of Living€600 – €900/monthAthens slightly higher; Thessaloniki and islands cheaper
Health Insurance€150 – €300/yearPrivate policy required for the visa

Most Popular Courses for International Students in Greece

The highest-demand Master's and MBA programs at top Greece universities, ranked by international enrolment volume.

  • Shipping & Maritime Management
  • Tourism & Hospitality
  • Archaeology & Heritage
  • Business Administration
  • Computer Science
  • Civil Engineering
  • Medicine
  • International Relations
  • Data Science
  • Finance
  • Renewable Energy
  • Classics

Step-by-Step Application Process for Greece

The standard timeline runs 9–14 months from shortlisting to landing in Greece. Start at least one intake cycle ahead of your target start date.

Santorini sunset — student lifestyle in Greece
Santorini sunset — student lifestyle in Greece
  1. Shortlist universitiesResearch English-medium Master's and MBA programs at top Greece institutions and identify 4–6 target universities by fit and ranking.
  2. Take English language testIELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT as required. Many universities accept PTE Academic or Duolingo English Test.
  3. Prepare and submit applicationSubmit transcripts, CV, Statement of Purpose, recommendation letters, and any GRE/GMAT scores required.
  4. Receive admission letter and pay depositUniversities issue an admission/offer letter after evaluation. Pay the tuition deposit to confirm your seat.
  5. Apply for the student visaFile the Greece student visa application with the embassy/consulate; bring admission letter, financial proof, accommodation proof, health insurance and passport.
  6. Travel and register on arrivalWithin the first weeks of arrival, register your address with local authorities and apply for a residence permit if required.

Student Visa Requirements for Greece

Greek passport and National Visa D for Masters in Greece
Greek passport and National Visa D for Masters in Greece

Non-EU students need Greece's national Type D student visa: university acceptance letter, proof of funds (about €400–€500/month for the stay), accommodation evidence, health insurance, medical certificate and criminal-record check, plus passport and application forms filed at the Greek consulate. After arrival you convert to a student residence permit valid for your program duration.

Top Scholarships for International Students in Greece

Government and university scholarships open to international applicants — most are merit-based and require a separate application alongside admission.

  • IKY Greek State Scholarships
  • Onassis Foundation Scholarships
  • Erasmus+ Mobility
  • University Merit Awards
  • Fulbright Greece (US applicants)

Post-Study Work and PR Pathway from Greece

Students in Greece may work part-time (up to 20 hours/week) once they hold a residence permit. After graduation, employment converts your permit to a work-based residence; Greece's growing tech scene (Athens), shipping industry and tourism sector actively hire English-speaking graduates. Long-term EU residence is reachable after 5 years.

FAQs — Study in Greece for International Students

What language do I need to study in Greece?
English-taught Master's at Greek universities require IELTS 6.0+/TOEFL; Greek is not needed for these programs, though it helps in hospitality and public-sector work.
How much does a Master's in Greece cost?
English-taught Master's cost €1,500–€8,000/year — among the lowest in the Eurozone — and living costs are €600–€900/month.
Can I work while studying in Greece?
Yes — part-time work up to 20 hours/week is permitted with a student residence permit.
What is the post-study work option in Greece?
Greece doesn't run a separate stay-back visa; graduates convert their permit through employment — shipping, tourism and Athens' tech sector are the main hirers.
Is Greece good for Indian students?
Greece is an emerging pick for Indian students wanting an affordable EU/Schengen degree — especially in shipping, tourism and the new English MD programs.
How do I apply to universities in Greece?
Apply directly to each university's international Master's office (spring deadlines for September). Programs are small-cohort, so early applications improve admission and funding odds.

Ready to Apply for Greece?

Our Passport 2 Degree counselors have personally studied abroad and have placed students into top universities in Greece since 2020. Book a free 30-minute call to start your application.

Book Free Counseling
Chat with us!
Menu
HomeOur ServicesAbout UsContact Us
Destinations
🇺🇸 USA🇬🇧 UK 🇨🇦 Canada🇦🇺 Australia 🇩🇪 Germany🇫🇷 France 🇮🇪 Ireland🇳🇿 New Zealand 🇯🇵 Japan🇨🇳 China 🇦🇪 Dubai & UAE🇮🇳 India 🇸🇬 Singapore🇲🇾 Malaysia 🇮🇹 Italy🇪🇸 Spain 🇳🇱 Netherlands🇰🇷 South Korea 🇹🇷 Turkey🇭🇺 Hungary 🇬🇷 Greece🇲🇹 Malta 🇱🇹 Lithuania🇱🇻 Latvia 🇵🇱 Poland
Book Free Counseling