Athens University of Economics and Business
Οικονομικό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
Greece's oldest economics and business university, now with its first English-taught bachelor's for international students.
- Students
- 13,000
- Tuition
- €6,000
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1920
- QS World Ranking
- 1001-1200
- 2027 edition
About AUEB
The Athens University of Economics and Business was founded in 1920 as the Athens School of Commercial Studies, through a grant from the benefactor Grigorios Maraslis. It took its present name in 1989 and is the oldest university in Greece in economics and business. Its main building, the Marasleio Megaro on Patission Street, sits in central Athens.
AUEB is small and specialised. It has three schools (Economic Sciences, Business, and Information Sciences and Technology), eight departments and 29 postgraduate programmes, of which nine are taught in English, plus 33 research laboratories. The IBT bachelor's programme page describes a community of more than 13,000 students and about 75,000 graduates. According to Wikipedia's overview of Greek higher education, students enter the Greek-language degrees through the national Pan-Hellenic Examinations (no AUEB or ministry page stating this was found), and the Study in Greece portal says Greek-taught undergraduate programmes are offered for free.
For foreign students there is a separate route, open only to foreign citizens holding an IB diploma or a secondary-school certificate from a school abroad (last two years attended full time on site), or foreign-citizen pupils of international schools in Greece: the Bachelor in International Business and Technology (IBT), launched in 2025 as AUEB's first English-taught undergraduate programme. It runs four years (240 ECTS), costs EUR 6,000 a year, and needs English at CEFR B2 but no Greek. The university has taken part in Erasmus since 1987 and hosts around 450 incoming Erasmus students a year. It suits applicants who want a business or economics focus in a capital-city setting.
Why students choose AUEB
IBT is an English-taught four-year bachelor's combining management with technology, with streams in Management, Leadership and Strategy or Technology and Analytics and a compulsory internship.
Tuition is EUR 6,000 a year for IBT, payable in instalments, with merit-based fee reductions available.
The main building is in central Athens, with the Acropolis visible from the university according to AUEB.
The university has offered postgraduate study in English since the late 1970s: its MSc in Economics, started in 1978, was the first Master's in Greece and is still running.
Admissions
International route: Bachelor in International Business and Technology (applications rolling; 2027 start date not yet published)
Selectivity
AUEB does not publish an acceptance rate. Entry to the Greek-language bachelor's degrees is through the national Pan-Hellenic Examinations with places allocated on exam score (stated by Wikipedia; no AUEB or ministry page was found). The English-taught IBT programme is selective on academic record and English and may add an interview; it had an inaugural 2025 cohort from 19 countries.
Typical entry requirements
| IBT eligibility | Foreign citizens (EU or non-EU) holding the International Baccalaureate or a senior high school certificate from a school abroad, having attended the last two years full time on site; or foreign students at an international school in Greece whose parents are not Greek citizens. |
|---|---|
| Documents | High school degree and transcripts, passport or national ID, application form and CV, certificate of English at B2, and the high school's contact details; originals may be requested with certified English translations. |
| Greek-language degrees | Greek Apolytirion and Pan-Hellenic Examinations score. |
| English language | IBT requires a recent certificate showing English at CEFR B2 at minimum (TOEFL, TOEIC or IELTS accepted); no minimum scores are published on the page. |
Deadlines
- IBT rolling applications Non-bindingApplications are accepted throughout the year; early application encouraged
The programme page lists a September 2026 start; a start date for 2027 has not been published.
IBT has no fixed deadline on its site, and places are limited. Greek and EU applicants to the Greek-language degrees enter through the national Pan-Hellenic Examinations rather than an AUEB application.
How to apply
For IBT, fill in the online application form and email the listed documents to ibt@aueb.gr; once documents are verified you are asked to pay the first tuition instalment by bank transfer, after which the official acceptance letter is issued. Non-EU students then need a student visa, for which the acceptance letter is required.
What admissions looks for
- Academic strength shown by high school transcripts; a stronger record can also earn a tuition reduction.
- English at B2 or better, since all IBT teaching is in English.
- No prior business or technology background is needed; the programme accepts graduates of every type of high school.
Tips for applying to AUEB
- 1 Check the IBT eligibility rule first: your last two years of school must have been full time on site at a school abroad (or at an international school in Greece if neither parent is Greek).
- 2 Apply early because places are limited, and ask the course office about merit scholarships when applying.
- 3 Plan housing yourself: Greek universities have no dormitories for international students, though AUEB helps with housing agents.
- 4 Non-EU students should start the visa process as soon as the acceptance letter arrives.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
IBT offers merit-based scholarships: incoming students can get a reduction in tuition fees based on the strength of their application, and current students can earn similar reductions for exceptional performance. The fee does not cover reading material or other expenses. Registered students can dine for free at the university restaurant.
- EUR 6,000 per year (EUR 24,000 for four years)
- IBT tuition
- EUR 250 to 600 per month, plus utilities of about EUR 80 to 120 per month
- Typical Athens rent (Study in Greece)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters; the four-year undergraduate degree spans 8 semesters (about 240 ECTS)
Bachelor in International Business and Technology (IBT)
AUEB's first English-taught undergraduate programme, four years and 240 ECTS, with specialisation streams and a compulsory internship of at least 320 hours.
MSc in Economics
Started in 1978 as the first Master's programme in Greece, according to AUEB's own history page, and still running.
MBA International
Received Association of MBAs accreditation on 23 September 2026 together with the Executive MBA, according to AUEB news.
MSc in International Shipping, Finance and Management
Ranked 5th in Maritime Management in the Eduniversal Masters Rankings (August 2025, per AUEB).
Business Administration and Accounting and Finance degrees
Core undergraduate departments of the School of Business, accepting students through the Pan-Hellenic Examinations.
Informatics and Statistics
The School of Information Sciences and Technology brings computing and statistics into the business-focused curriculum.
Research
- AUEB lists 33 research laboratories.
- The Athens Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ACEin) is part of AUEB's employment and career services.
- The Athenian Policy Forum held its 16th biennial international macroeconomics and finance conference at AUEB on 9 to 11 July 2026.
Schools & faculties
- School of Economic Sciences (Department of International and European Economic Studies; Department of Economics)
- School of Business (Departments of Management Science and Technology; Business Administration; Accounting and Finance; Marketing and Communication)
- School of Information Sciences and Technology (Departments of Informatics and Statistics)
AUEB has a Career Office that works with IBT students on career strategy, and IBT students complete a compulsory internship of two months full time or three months part time.
Student life
AUEB is a compact, city-centre university rather than a residential campus. Greek universities have no dormitories for international students, so IBT students find their own flats in Athens, with help from AUEB. Registered students can eat for free at the university restaurant. Student clubs include investment and finance, entrepreneurship (ThinkBiz), debate, film, theatre and an Erasmus club, and the university has welcomed Erasmus exchange students since 1987.
- Free meals at the university restaurant for registered students.
- Student clubs such as the Investment and Finance Club, ThinkBiz, the Debate Club and the Erasmus Club.
- Erasmus+ mobility for IBT students for study or internships.
- About 450 incoming Erasmus students a year and more than 230 inter-institutional Erasmus agreements.
Housing. No university housing for international students; AUEB directs admitted students to housing agents and international student networks.
Location
The main building stands at 76 Patission Street in central Athens, two blocks from the National Archaeological Museum, with Pedion Areos park behind it. AUEB says the Acropolis is visible from the university and that the city of around 4 million people offers museums, markets and neighbourhoods such as Psirri, Monastiraki and Kolonaki within reach. Study in Greece gives typical flat rents of EUR 250 to 600 a month.
Nearest airport: Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH)
Notable alumni
- GA George-Marios AngeletosEconomist at Northwestern University, formerly MIT; degree in economics from AUEB in 1996
- KP Kyriakos PierrakakisMinister of National Economy and Finance since 15 March 2025 (listed as minister on minfin.gov.gr, 30 September 2026) and Eurogroup president since 12 December 2025 (Wikipedia); studied computer science at AUEB until 2005
- LV Lea VerouWeb developer, author and MIT researcher; BSc in computer science from AUEB
- NT Niki TrigoniProfessor of Computer Science at the University of Oxford; bachelor's degree at AUEB
- VR Vassilis RapanosEconomist who advised Prime Minister Costas Simitis from 2000 to 2004; bachelor's degree from AUEB in 1975
- MG Manolis GlezosGreek Resistance figure and politician; admitted to the predecessor school in 1940
Frequently asked questions
Can international students study in English at AUEB?
Yes. The Bachelor in International Business and Technology (IBT) is taught entirely in English, needs no Greek, and is open only to foreign citizens with an IB diploma or a school certificate from a school abroad, or foreign-citizen pupils of international schools in Greece, who meet its eligibility rules. Nine of AUEB's 29 postgraduate programmes are also taught in English.
How much does IBT at AUEB cost?
EUR 6,000 per year, or EUR 24,000 for the four years. The first year is paid in three instalments of EUR 2,000, and merit-based reductions are available.
What English level does AUEB require for IBT?
A recent certificate showing CEFR B2 or higher, such as TOEFL, TOEIC or IELTS. The site does not publish minimum scores.
When is the IBT application deadline?
There is no fixed deadline: applications are accepted throughout the year and places are limited, so applying early is encouraged. The site lists a September 2026 start and has not published a 2027 date.
Does AUEB have student housing for international students?
No. Greek universities have no dormitories for international students, but AUEB points admitted students to housing agents and international student networks.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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