The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) School of Medicine is the oldest and most prestigious medical school in Greece. Located in the capital city, it holds a central position in Greek medical history, education, and clinical practice, maintaining the highest national standards for medical training and research.
| Feature | Detail |
| Official Name | National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine (NKUA SoM) |
| Founding Year | Medical teaching was established with the university in 1837, giving it a history spanning nearly two centuries. |
| Institutional Status | Constituent school of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the premier state-funded public university in Greece. |
| Degree Awarded | MD (Medical Degree/Πτυχίο Ιατρικής - Ptychio Iatrikis). |
| Program Duration | 6 Years (Standard Undergraduate Entry). This is the fixed duration for all medical schools in Greece. |
| Instruction Language | The language of instruction is almost exclusively Greek (Ελληνικά). |
| Accreditation | Fully accredited by the Hellenic Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency (HQA) and the Hellenic Ministry of Education. |
| Global Recognition | Recognized by WHO World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS). |
| NMC/International Compliance | The MD degree is widely accepted across the EU. However, international students (e.g., from India) seeking to practice elsewhere must verify the language requirement and admissions process for compliance with the NExT exam and foreign licensing rules. |
| Entry Requirement | Extremely competitive for EU/Greek citizens, requiring exceptionally high scores on the Panhellenic Examination. Admission for non-EU international students is highly restricted and governed by separate quotas, requiring proof of high-level Greek language proficiency. |
| Academic Focus | Known for its extensive clinical network, strong tradition in basic and clinical research, and large faculty size. |
The Medical School is located in the Goudi area of Athens, integrated with its major teaching hospitals and modern research facilities.
Campus Layout: The Medical School complex is located primarily on the Goudi Campus in Athens, adjacent to major hospitals.
Medical Education Facilities: Features large lecture halls, seminar rooms, and dedicated facilities that blend historic sections with modern additions.
Simulation Center: Maintains functional Clinical Skills and Simulation Facilities for hands-on procedural training.
Anatomy Facilities: Features renowned Anatomy Laboratories with resources for practical study and dissection, upholding a long tradition in anatomical sciences.
Laboratories: Extensive, well-equipped research and teaching laboratories for foundational and clinical sciences.
Central Library: Access to the specialized Medical School Library and the main NKUA library system.
IT Infrastructure: High-speed Wi-Fi access and IT support across the campus.
Leading tertiary care hospital attached to the institution
Clinical training is provided through a vast network of the largest and most specialized public hospitals in the Athens metropolitan area.
Primary Teaching Hospitals: NKUA is affiliated with numerous major public hospitals in Athens, including:
"Evangelismos" General Hospital
"Laiko" General Hospital
"Aretaieio" Hospital (Specialized in Women's Health)
"Alexandra" Hospital (Maternity and Gynecology)
"Hippokrateio" Hospital
Affiliated Hospitals: Rotations occur across this vast network, ensuring exposure to virtually every subspecialty and complex case.
Patient Load: Exposure to an extremely high volume of diverse and complex pathology is guaranteed, serving the entire Athens metropolitan area and acting as a national referral centre.
Bed Capacity: The affiliated hospital network provides the largest total bed capacity for teaching in Greece.
Clinical Exposure Model: Students gain clinical exposure from the intermediate years onward, with intensive clerkships throughout the later years.
Training Method: Emphasis on bedside teaching, clinical reasoning, and supervised procedural practice.
Language Application: Fluent Greek is an absolute requirement for clinical rotations involving patient interaction.
State University Affordability
As a public university, fees for EU/Greek citizens are minimal or free. Non-EU international students generally pay tuition, but the official policy and precise fees must be verified due to government subsidies and specific quota rules.
Annual Tuition Fee (Non-EU): Greek public university fees for non-EU students are generally low or moderate.
Estimate: Could be in the range of €5,000 – €10,000 EUR per year. (Verification with the university is mandatory).
Cost of Living (Annual): High. Athens is significantly more expensive than other Greek cities.
Estimate: Approx. €8,000 – €12,000 EUR per year (excluding tuition).
Accommodation (Annual): High. Private rental costs are substantial in Athens, especially in central, desirable districts.
Estimate: Approx. €4,000 – €7,000 EUR per year for housing.
Mandatory Charges: Includes registration fees and medical insurance.
Athens is the historical capital of Europe, a vibrant modern city, and the economic, political, and cultural centre of Greece.
General Atmosphere: Athens is a bustling, chaotic, yet historically rich city, dominated by the Acropolis. It offers an intoxicating blend of ancient history and modern Mediterranean urban life.
Safety Profile: The city is generally regarded as safe for students, but normal caution is advised in crowded public transport and central districts.
Student Life: Highly dynamic and engaging, with countless opportunities for cultural immersion, social events, and nightlife.
Climate: Experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Transportation: Served by an excellent and modern public transport system (Metro, buses, tram), making navigation easy despite the traffic.
Famous Food: Famous for Greek cuisine (souvlaki, moussaka), fresh seafood, and vibrant cafe culture.
Indian Food Accessibility: Moderate to High. As a major capital, Athens has a growing number of international and Indian restaurants and specialty grocery stores, particularly in certain districts.
Language in Daily Life: Greek is the exclusive language of daily life and public services.
Cost of Living: High compared to other Greek cities, driven largely by accommodation costs.
Athens offers a dynamic, historic, and cosmopolitan student life experience, with the challenges of a major European capital.
Accommodation: The university provides limited student accommodation. Most students rely on the private rental market, which is expensive and competitive.
Self-Catering: All accommodation options support self-catering, though students can access diverse and affordable dining options.
Safety: Athens is generally safe, but standard urban precautions must be taken, particularly in tourist and nightlife areas.
Climate: Experiences a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Student Amenities: Extremely active student life, with access to countless historical sites, museums, nightlife, and cultural events.
Admission Selection: Extremely difficult for non-EU students outside of specific government agreements. Admission for international students often depends on a limited quota system, typically requiring very high academic scores.
Language Requirement: High-level fluency in Greek (modern Greek language certification) is almost always a mandatory requirement for admission or successful continuation, as the program is taught in Greek.
Internship Requirement: Students must successfully complete the 6-year program to receive the MD degree.
NExT Eligibility (India): Graduates must successfully complete the full 6-year MD program to be eligible for the NExT exam and licensure in India.
Career in Greece/EU: Graduates are eligible for residency programs across the EU.
Well-equipped Library
Experienced Faculty
Computer Lab
Sports Activities
Heritage Campus