# Greek higher education reforms: new foreign campus licences

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/greek-higher-education-policy-reforms
> Updated: 2026-07-27T11:43:49.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 3.

In early July 2026 the Greek Ministry of Education opened applications for a student‑housing grant and introduced a certification fee for foreign university branches. By 24 July the ministry issued operation licences to seven private‑university branches for the 2026‑27 academic year – Georgetown University, Iowa State University of Science and Technology (Thessaloniki), Roger Williams University, European University Cyprus, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, University of Essex and University of Derby – with six campuses in Athens and one in Thessaloniki. 

A follow‑up decision on 27 July confirmed that three re‑evaluated applications (Sorbonne Paris Nord, Essex, Derby) were approved, while two other applicants (BCA College, City Unity College) were rejected after review. All licences required positive opinions from the National Authority for Higher Education, the National Organisation for Certification of Skills and Professional Orientation, and consultation with the Foreign Ministry for non‑EU partners. Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki reiterated that the licences are part of a “historic reform” aimed at turning Greece into a regional academic hub while strengthening public universities. Together, the grant, the fee, and the expanded licensing programme illustrate a coordinated strategy to broaden student support, tighten oversight of foreign providers, and elevate Greece’s role in the European higher‑education landscape.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-27: Greek Ministry of Education approves seven private university branch licences for 2026‑27

Greece approved seven private university branch licences for 2026‑27, including Sorbonne Paris Nord, Essex, Derby, Georgetown, Iowa State, Roger Williams and the European University of Cyprus; two applications,

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-ministry-of-education-approves-seven-private-university-branch-licences-for-202627

### 2026-07-24: Greece approves seven foreign private university campuses for 2026‑27

Greece’s education ministry granted licences to seven foreign private universities (Georgetown, Iowa State, Roger Williams, European University of Cyprus, Sorbonne Paris Nord, Essex, Derby) to operate in Athens

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-ministry-of-education-authorises-seven-foreign-university-branches

### 2026-07-10: Greek Ministry of Education opens student housing grant applications and imposes certification fees for foreign-universe

Greece's Education Ministry opened online applications for the 2025‑26 student housing grant (deadline 31 July) and set certification fees up to €15,000 for foreign university branches to fund quality‑assurance

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-ministry-of-education-opens-student-housing-grant-applications-and-imposes-certification-fees-

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Cite as: Greek higher education reforms: new foreign campus licences. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/greek-higher-education-policy-reforms