Studying in Thessaloniki: universities, costs, housing and student life

Why study in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is Greece's second largest city and home to the country's biggest university, with a waterfront setting, a strong food scene and living costs lower than Athens. Its harbor promenade, Byzantine old town and student-heavy neighborhoods give the city a different pace from the capital while keeping close rail and bus links to the rest of the country.

The academic year runs on the standard two-semester pattern, with the autumn semester starting around October and the spring semester starting in February, so check your program's exact dates before you book travel.

Greece sits in the EU, the Schengen area and the eurozone, so EU students arrive without border checks or currency exchange, a rare combination among the cities in this guide. The climate stays mild across most of the year, with hot dry summers and short winters, so outdoor social life along the waterfront runs almost year round.

Universities in Thessaloniki

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), founded in 1925, is the largest university in Greece by student population and one of the largest in Southeast Europe, with faculties covering medicine, law, engineering, sciences, philosophy and theology. Most programs teach in Greek, though a growing number of postgraduate courses run in English.

International Hellenic University also runs programs from a base near Thessaloniki, with English-taught bachelor and master degrees designed for international applicants, particularly in business, engineering and computer science.

The Faculty of Medicine, the School of Engineering and the Faculty of Law count among AUTH's most competitive faculties for international applicants, and each runs its own admissions timeline and language requirement.

Greek language courses run through AUTH's own language center and several private schools in the city, useful even for students on English-taught programs who want to get by in daily life.

EU applicants to Greek public universities usually apply through a national entry process tied to their home country's qualifications, while non-EU applicants typically go through a separate international admissions route with its own entrance exam or assessment. Check the exact requirement for your nationality and program on AUTH's admissions page before you apply.

Tuition and other study costs

Public Greek-taught undergraduate programs are tuition-free for Greek, EU and non-EU students alike. English-taught public bachelor's programs, including at International Hellenic University, charge tuition to all students regardless of nationality, so check the language of instruction before assuming a program is free. Postgraduate programs often charge fees, and the amount varies by department and course, so check the specific program page before you apply.

Even without tuition, budget for registration costs, textbooks and health insurance if you come from outside the EU, since these add up over the year.

Look into Erasmus+ exchange places through your home university, and check the Greek State Scholarships Foundation (IKY) for postgraduate funding options, since both sometimes cover tuition, a stipend or both.

Cost of living in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki costs less than Athens for rent, food and going out, which is one reason many Greek and international students choose it over the capital. Local supermarkets, neighborhood bakeries and the city's covered markets keep the weekly food bill low, and eating at a family-run taverna away from the waterfront costs less than a restaurant aimed at tourists.

Build a monthly budget around rent, food, an OASTH pass, phone and internet, and course materials, then add a buffer for your first month to cover a rental deposit before any scholarship or income arrives.

Where students live

AUTH runs a limited number of dormitory places, known as foititiki estia, allocated mainly by financial need and academic merit, which means most students, including many international ones, end up in the private rental market. Popular student areas cluster close to campus and the city center, within walking distance or a short bus ride of the main faculties.

Sharing a flat with two or three flatmates is standard practice among students in Thessaloniki and keeps rent manageable, so start looking early and expect to compete for well-located places near the start of each academic year.

Getting around the city

OASTH runs the city's bus network, reaching every neighborhood and connecting to the wider region, with a student discount available on tickets and passes. In 2024, Thessaloniki opened its first metro line, giving students a fast option between the city center, the university area and the western districts alongside the existing bus network.

Banking, SIM cards and everyday admin

Open a Greek bank account soon after you arrive, bringing your passport, proof of address and proof of enrollment, since some landlords and offices prefer local transfers over international payments. A prepaid Greek SIM card or eSIM connects you within your first day and helps with transport apps, university systems and government registration.

Health insurance and residence formalities

EU/EEA students bring their European Health Insurance Card and register locally if staying long term. Non-EU students need approved health insurance before arrival and apply for a residence permit for study purposes shortly after arriving in Greece, in addition to the student visa arranged before travel through the Greek embassy in their home country.

Working while you study

EU/EEA students work without restriction alongside their studies. Non-EU students on a study residence permit are normally allowed limited part-time work, though the exact rule depends on the permit type, so confirm the current limit with the university's international office before accepting a job.

Student life in Thessaloniki

The waterfront promenade along the harbor, anchored by the White Tower, forms the center of student social life, with cafes, bars and open-air venues busy through most of the year thanks to the city's mild climate. The Erasmus Student Network and student unions at AUTH organize regular meetups, trips and language exchanges for new arrivals.

Thessaloniki's food scene, built around street food and family-run tavernas, keeps eating out affordable, and its position in northern Greece makes weekend trips to Halkidiki's beaches or across the border to North Macedonia and Bulgaria easy by bus.

A valid student card gets you a reduced rate at museums, archaeological sites and cinemas across the city, so carry your university ID or an ISIC card whenever you plan an outing.

AUTH runs student sports clubs and associations covering everything from football and sailing to debate and student media, and joining one is a fast way to meet people outside your own faculty.

Applying to study in Thessaloniki

1. Choose your program and confirm the language of instruction and any entrance exam requirements.

2. Get your school and degree certificates translated into Greek and, if required, authenticated by the Greek consulate in your home country, since this paperwork takes weeks to arrange.

3. Submit your application through the university's admissions system, following the deadlines set for your nationality and program level.

4. Complete any entrance exam, portfolio or interview required by your faculty.

5. Once accepted, apply for your visa or residence permit if you come from outside the EU, and arrange health insurance.

6. Apply for foititiki estia housing if eligible, or start looking for a private flat two to three months before you arrive.