The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA) has made a remarkable leap in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025–2026, climbing approximately 100 positions to enter the 401–500 range worldwide. This achievement positions EKPA as the leading university in Greece and Cyprus according to the prestigious international ranking.
The improvement reflects a sustained upward trajectory for EKPA over recent years. Between 2018 and 2026, the university recorded a 44% increase in research quality, enhanced its international outlook by 20%, and now ranks among the top 10% globally for private-sector collaboration.
THE rankings, published by the renowned organization affiliated with Elsevier, evaluate universities based on five pillars: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and knowledge transfer. The 2025–2026 edition assessed over 2,191 universities from 115 countries, including 20 Greek and 4 Cypriot institutions.
Among Cypriot universities, the University of Cyprus also ranks in the 401–500 band, while other institutions such as the Technological University of Cyprus and the University of Nicosia fall within the 501–600 range.
Commenting on the achievement, EKPA Rector Gerasimos Siasos highlighted that the recognition is a testament to the collective effort of faculty, researchers, staff, and students. “The university’s consistent rise in international rankings confirms the quality of its academic and research work,” he said, adding that EKPA remains committed to serving science, education, and society, while further strengthening its global presence.
The top positions of the THE 2026 rankings remain dominated by Anglo-American institutions, with Oxford University maintaining first place, followed by MIT, Cambridge, and Princeton among the world’s leaders in research excellence and international reputation.
