University of Patras
Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών
Greece's third-largest university, on a 4.5 km² hillside campus at Rio overlooking the Gulf of Corinth.
- Students
- 28,311
- International
- 6%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 27.5:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- €0
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1964
About UPatras
The University of Patras was founded on 11 November 1964 and inaugurated on 30 November 1966, the feast of Saint Andrew, patron saint of Patras; its X-shaped emblem is St Andrew's cross. It was set up to focus on the natural sciences, technology, economics and business, and was meant to set an example for modernising Greek higher education. The University of Western Greece joined it in 2013, and most departments of the Technological Educational Institute of Western Greece followed in 2019.
The university describes itself as the third-largest in Greece by students, staff, departments and degrees awarded. It has 31 departments in seven schools, 161 laboratories and 17 clinics, and sites in Patras, Messolonghi and Agrinio. The main campus sits 7 km north-east of the city in Rio, covering 4.5 km² on the foothills of Mount Panachaiko, with the General University Hospital of Patras next door.
Almost all undergraduate teaching is in Greek and free of tuition; the main English-taught option is a six-year English Medical Program. Engineering is a long-standing strength: the university's own research profile highlights health, environment, biotechnology, mechanics, electronics, informatics and basic science. It suits students who can study in Greek, want a large campus university with strong engineering and science, and like the idea of living by the sea.
Why students choose UPatras
Greek-taught undergraduate programmes are tuition-free, including for foreign students admitted through the Ministry of Education's quota.
A six-year, 360-ECTS English Medical Program with clinical training at the University General Hospital of Patras, one of Greece's largest hospitals.
A self-contained 4.5 km² campus at Rio with its own student residence, restaurants, sports centre, library and museums.
About 30 student clubs and chapters, including IEEE, ACM, BEST, EESTEC, a robotics club, an iGEM team and theatre groups.
Admissions
Entry autumn 2027 (2027-28 academic year)
Selectivity
No acceptance rate is published. Greek-school students enter through the national Panhellenic examinations. Foreign graduates of non-EU and EU secondary schools apply through the Ministry of Education's special category for foreigners, with no entrance exam: places are filled by the overall mark of the school-leaving certificate.
Typical entry requirements
| Non-EU or EU secondary school certificate (foreigners' quota) | A school-leaving certificate that gives university access in the issuing country, with the last two years of school completed there; neither the applicant nor their parents may hold Greek nationality. Documents need an Apostille or consular validation and an official Greek translation. |
|---|---|
| Greek language | A Greek language certificate (University of Athens or Thessaloniki, or B2 from the Centre for the Greek Language) is required to enrol in Greek-taught programmes; without it, you can enrol only the following year once you have it. |
| English language | English proficiency requirements for the English Medical Program are not listed on the programme's Study in Greece page. Greek-taught programmes require a Greek language certificate instead. |
Deadlines
- Ministry of Education foreigners' quota (2026 intake, past) Non-binding Passed9 July 2026
Online entry forms were accepted 2 to 9 July 2026, with documents couriered by 10 July 2026. The 2027 window had not been announced when checked.
- English Medical Program Non-bindingNo open call when checked
The Study in Greece platform listed no open application call for the programme on 30 September 2026; you can register interest to be notified.
For 2027 entry, expect the Ministry to announce the foreigners' application window around early July 2027, as it did in 2026 (announced 1 July, open 2 to 9 July). Start document legalisation and translation well before then.
How to apply
Foreign applicants complete the Ministry of Education's online application-entry form at exams-foreigner.it.minedu.gov.gr, ranking the departments they want, then courier the signed form, official statement, translated school certificate, a Greek certificate of equivalence and a mark on the 0-20 scale to the Ministry. Applicants to the English Medical Program apply through the Study in Greece applications platform (apply.studyingreece.edu.gr) when a call is open.
What admissions looks for
- A strong overall mark on your school-leaving certificate, which is the only ranking criterion for the foreigners' quota.
- Complete, legalised documents with official Greek translations submitted on time.
- Proof of Greek language competence before enrolling in a Greek-taught programme.
- For Greek-school students, Panhellenic examination results.
Tips for applying to UPatras
- 1 Get your Greek language certificate early: exams run only a few times a year (Athens in May and September, Thessaloniki in June and October), and without it you must wait a year to enrol.
- 2 List several departments in order of preference on the Ministry form, since selection is purely by grade.
- 3 If you do not speak Greek, look at the English Medical Program, which also teaches Greek during the first three years.
- 4 Apply for a room at the campus residence early: rooms cost far less than private flats near the campus.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
Greek-taught undergraduate study is tuition-free. The university awards Andreas Mentzelopoulos Scholarships (up to 30 new undergraduate awards a year) to students in financial difficulty in science, engineering, health and several other departments, with priority for students from Achaia. Students can also apply for the national housing allowance and subsidised or free meals.
- Up to 30 new awards per year
- Mentzelopoulos undergraduate scholarships
- 130 euros single room, 90 euros per person in a double
- Sihena student residence (monthly)
- About 300 euros (one bedroom) plus about 100 euros for utilities
- Private flat near campus (monthly)
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters (winter and spring)
English Medical Program (Faculty of Medicine)
Six years and 360 ECTS in English, with clinical training at the University General Hospital of Patras and Greek lessons in the first three years; 12,000 euros a year.
Civil Engineering
The university reports a 151-200 world place and 3rd in Greece for Civil and Structural Engineering in QS's 2021 subject rankings, the latest subject results it publishes.
Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics
The university reports 201-250 in the world and 2nd in Greece for Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering in QS's 2021 subject rankings (its latest published subject results).
Electrical and Computer Engineering
The university reports 201-250 in the world for Electrical and Electronic Engineering in QS's 2021 subject rankings; alumni include IBM Fellow Evangelos Eleftheriou.
Computer Engineering and Informatics
The CEID department; the university reports 251-300 in the world for Computer Science in QS's 2021 subject rankings. Alumni include NYU professor Panos Ipeirotis.
Chemical Engineering
The university reports 201-250 in the world and 3rd in Greece for Chemical Engineering in QS's 2021 subject rankings (its latest published subject results).
Research
- 161 laboratories and 17 clinics, several recognised as centres of excellence after international assessment.
- Research strengths named by the university: health, environment, biotechnology, mechanics, electronics, informatics and basic science.
- In 2017, working with the Libre Space Foundation, the university launched UPSat, the first satellite manufactured in Greece.
Schools & faculties
- School of Natural Sciences
- School of Engineering
- School of Health Sciences
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- School of Economics and Business
- School of Agricultural Sciences
- School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences
Student life
Life centres on the Rio campus, a self-contained site 7 km from central Patras with a student residence, two subsidised restaurants, a sports centre, a conference and cultural centre, a science and technology museum and the UPFM radio station. The on-campus residence has 664 single and 17 double rooms, plus a restaurant, theatre and indoor pool. Many students rent flats around Rio, a lively suburb with pebble beaches, restaurants and a seafront fortress, next to the Rio-Antirrio Bridge.
- On-campus student residence with 664 single and 17 double rooms, an indoor pool and a theatre.
- Subsidised meals, with free meal cards for eligible students.
- About 30 student clubs, including IEEE, ACM, EESTEC, BEST, ESN, a robotics club and cultural groups.
- UPFM, the university's own radio station.
Housing. The campus residence costs about 5 euros a day and the Sihena residence 4 km away costs 130 euros a month for a single room; private one-bedroom flats near campus cost about 300 euros a month plus utilities.
Location
Patras is Greece's third-largest city and the capital of Western Greece, on the northern Peloponnese about 215 km west of Athens. The main campus is in the seaside suburb of Rio, 7 km from the centre, where the Rio-Antirrio Bridge links the Peloponnese with mainland Greece. Departments are also based in Messolonghi and Agrinio.
Notable alumni
- EE Evangelos EleftheriouElectrical engineer and IBM Fellow; BS from the University of Patras (1979)
- PI Panos IpeirotisComputer scientist, NYU professor; Diploma in Computer Engineering and Informatics (1999)
- JL John LambrisBiochemist and University of Pennsylvania professor; BSc in Biology (1976)
- SP Stathis PsillosPhilosopher of science, University of Athens; studied physics
- KT Konstantina TrivisaApplied mathematician; graduated in 1990
- GC George CoukosPhysician-scientist in tumour immunology; PhD (1991)
- CA Christina AlexopoulouMember of the Hellenic Parliament; civil engineering graduate (2004)
- LY Loukas YorkasSinger, winner of the first Greek X Factor; studied biology at Patras
Frequently asked questions
Is the University of Patras free for international students?
Greek-taught undergraduate programmes are tuition-free, including for foreigners admitted through the Ministry of Education quota. The English Medical Program costs 12,000 euros a year.
Does the University of Patras teach in English?
Undergraduate teaching is almost entirely in Greek. The main exception is the six-year English Medical Program at the Faculty of Medicine.
How do international students apply to the University of Patras?
Through the Ministry of Education's online form for foreign applicants, which was open 2 to 9 July in 2026. Selection is by the overall mark of your school-leaving certificate, with no entrance exam.
Do I need to speak Greek to study at Patras?
Yes for Greek-taught programmes: you need a recognised Greek language certificate to enrol. Without it, you can only enrol the following year.
How much does student housing cost at the University of Patras?
The on-campus residence costs about 5 euros a day and the Sihena residence 130 euros a month for a single room; private flats near campus cost about 300 euros a month plus about 100 euros in bills.
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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