The University of Athens, also known as the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, or the Kapodistrian for short, has taken first place among Greek universities both in the total number of new successful candidates and in first preference (first choice on the entrance application), according to a compiled analysis of the 2026–2027 academic year admission results.
Based on the available data, a total of 5,586 new students are being admitted to the University of Athens across the various candidate categories. This is the largest number of successful candidates recorded at any Greek higher education institution.
Across all 23 universities included in the analysis, 61,614 candidates were admitted in total. The Kapodistrian accounts for about 10% of that total, meaning roughly one in ten new successful candidates at Greek universities is admitted to a department at the University of Athens. This number is expected to rise significantly in the coming months through transfers, since the University of Athens is the top choice for transfer among most students.
The University of Athens’ first-place ranking stands out not only in the total number of students but also in the number of students who list its departments or schools as their first choice. It boasts a large number of schools and departments, covering an especially wide range of academic fields: from the humanities and social sciences to the natural sciences, computer science, education, economics and health sciences.
It draws top candidates from every academic field, including medicine, law, dentistry, psychology, the natural sciences, and the humanities and social sciences.
This first-place finish reflects the size and especially broad academic footprint of the institution and mirrors the long-standing trust Greek society places in the Kapodistrian, which remains a consistent point of reference for higher education, research and scientific contribution in the country.
Rector Professor Gerasimos Siasos issued the following statement:
“The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens’ first-place ranking in the number of new successful candidates, as well as in candidates’ first choice, reflects not only the size and scope of its academic activities. It is also another sign of the long-standing trust Greek society places in the institution, recognizing its leading role in education, research and the production of new knowledge. This trust is both a great honor and a great responsibility for us. As Greece’s first and largest university, we continue, consistently and decisively, our effort to keep upgrading the quality of studies, research and the services the university offers to its students and to society.”
