University of Patras

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 7 November 2026.

About the University of Patras

The University of Patras was founded in Patras on 11 November 1964 as a self-governing academic institution under Greek government supervision, and it was inaugurated on 30 November 1966, the feast of Saint Andrew, the city’s patron saint.^[1] Operations began in the academic year 1966–67.^[2]

The Rio campus covers 4.5 km² and lies about 7 km north-east of Patras city centre. The university describes itself as the third largest in Greece by students, faculty, administrative staff, departments and degrees awarded, and it notes the 2013 integration of the University of Western Greece and the 2019 integration of most departments of the former Technological Educational Institute of Western Greece.^[2] Its seven schools are Natural Sciences, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Economics and Business, Agricultural Sciences and Health Rehabilitation Sciences.^[9][2]

How is the University of Patras ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, the University of Patras is placed 771–780. A Greek education news report of 20 June 2026 lists it fifth among Greek universities, behind NTUA (378th), the University of Athens (402nd), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (502nd) and the University of Crete (649th).^[3]

Rankings differ by publisher and year, so one position is only one view. How we compile rankings.

What can you study at the University of Patras?

Undergraduate departments include, among others, Biology, Geology, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry; Architecture, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Engineering and Informatics, Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, Civil Engineering and Chemical Engineering; the Faculty of Medicine and the Department of Pharmacy; Business Administration, Economics and Tourism Management; and Nursing, Physiotherapy and Speech and Language Therapy.^[2] The university also offers postgraduate and interinstitutional programmes, PhD programmes and industrial PhDs.^[2]

Most undergraduate teaching is in Greek.^[4] The university’s list of postgraduate programmes names 42 programmes, of which three carry the label “foreign taught programme”: Human-Computer Interaction, Medical Physics – Radiation Physics and Personalized Medicine.^[8] The International Student’s Desk says the university provides programmes in both Greek and English without listing them.^[10]

How much does the University of Patras cost?

Greece has no single tuition rate. The Eurypedia description of the system (page updated 28 October 2024) says that first-cycle studies at public universities are free of charge and that fees may be charged for particular postgraduate programmes.^[5] Study in Greece states that Greek-taught undergraduate programmes are free and that English-taught bachelor’s programmes charge roughly €5,000–15,000 per year.^[4] For master’s programmes it gives an average of €3,000–7,000 per year, set by each programme’s own regulation.^[11] Its page on doctoral studies does not mention tuition.^[12]

The European Commission’s country profile (page updated 24 April 2026) lists €5,000–15,000 per year for non-EU/EEA bachelor’s students and €3,000–7,000 for non-EU/EEA master’s students.^[13] We found no official page that states how these rules apply to a non-EU student in a Greek-taught bachelor’s programme at the University of Patras, so confirm this with the department secretariat.

Example: an English-taught master’s

The Ministry’s programme database lists the MSc in Human-Computer Interaction (School of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering) in English, 3 semesters and 90 ECTS credits, with “Tuition Fee Free”. It showed no open application call when we read it.^[6] The university’s list of postgraduate programmes does not mention fees.^[8] For rent and living costs in Patras, see our Greece guide.

How do you apply to the University of Patras?

• Bachelor’s, foreign applicants: Study in Greece describes the route for applicants who, like their parents, do not hold Greek nationality. You prepare your documents with an apostille or legalisation, have them translated into Greek and certified, and apply electronically through the Ministry of Education’s system for foreign applicants (exams-foreigner.it.minedu.gov.gr) during a short window each year. After acceptance you contact the department secretariat for visa documents.^[4]
• Master’s: admission requirements, selection and fees are set by each programme. The Ministry’s master’s finder and the Study in Greece portal list the programmes; the university’s page on postgraduate studies links an “Apply for Postgraduate studies” page.^[11][8]
• Doctorate: the departments set their own admission requirements, and a postgraduate diploma is normally required.^[12]

The International Student’s Desk offers guidance with enrolment procedures through the Admissions Office.^[10] We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by programme.

Do you need to speak Greek?

For most undergraduate programmes, yes. Study in Greece notes that courses are generally taught in Greek, so Greek language study may be relevant for foreign applicants.^[4] The pages we read do not name a required Greek level, so ask your department. The International Student’s Desk refers students to the university’s Language and Culture Centre for Greek language courses.^[10]

For international master’s programmes, Study in Greece says that knowledge of one or more foreign languages is an essential prerequisite; the accepted proof is set by each programme.^[11] The MSc in Human-Computer Interaction is listed with English as its language of instruction.^[6]

More about studying in Greece

• Greece: best universities
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

More university profiles in Greece

• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
• National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
• National Technical University of Athens
• University of Crete