Overview
The University of Crete, founded in 1973, is one of Greece’s most prestigious public universities and a strong research hub in the Mediterranean. With campuses in Rethymno and Heraklion, the university combines reputable academic programs with active research in areas such as health sciences, natural sciences, and the humanities. Students benefit from a learning environment that supports interdisciplinary study and collaboration with international partners.
Despite its relatively young age compared with some older European institutions, the University of Crete has built a solid global research profile through partnerships and shared facilities, including the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH). With a student body of roughly 20,000, the university remains accessible, helping maintain close faculty-student interaction alongside a busy academic community.
2. General Information
| Name | University of Crete |
| Established | 1973 |
| Type | Public Research University |
| Location | Rethymno (Humanities/Social Sciences) and Heraklion (Sciences/Medicine), Crete |
| Campus | Two campuses (Urban/Suburban) |
| Students | ~20,000 |
| Website | www.uoc.gr |
3. Fee Structure
| Program Level | Annual Tuition (EU Students) |
| Undergraduate | €0 (Free tuition) |
| Graduate | €0-€3,000 |
| PhD | €0 (Free tuition) |
| International Students | €1,500-€6,000 |
4. Academic Programs
- Faculty of Medicine (Heraklion)
- Faculty of Sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science)
- Faculty of Philosophy (Rethymno)
- Faculty of Education (Rethymno)
- Faculty of Social, Economic and Political Sciences (Rethymno)
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs
- English-taught Master’s programs
If you are comparing options across Greece, you may also want to review similar large public research universities such as the University of Thessaly and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
5. Facilities
- University General Hospital of Heraklion
- Central Library (separate branches in both campuses)
- Modern research laboratories
- Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH)
- Natural History Museum of Crete
- University Press
- Sports facilities (indoor and outdoor)
- Student cultural centers
For students interested in combining research with hands-on experience, the university’s medical and science infrastructure (including hospital-linked training and specialized labs) is one of its practical strengths, particularly for coursework that relies on fieldwork, microscopy, clinical collaboration, and lab-based projects.
6. Accommodation
The University of Crete provides student housing in both campuses, though capacity is limited. Priority is typically given to students from low-income families, students from remote areas, and international students. Many students also choose private rentals in Rethymno and Heraklion, where you can often find options close to public transport routes and local student communities.
- 6 student dormitories (total capacity ~1,000 beds)
- Monthly fees: €90-€130
- Furnished rooms (mostly shared)
- Common kitchens and study areas
- 24-hour security
- Laundry facilities
Because demand can be high during peak intake periods, it helps to check the latest dormitory allocation timelines and requirements on the university site and plan backups early, especially if you are arriving from outside Greece.
7. Contact Information
- Email: rector@uoc.gr
- Phone: +30 28310 77100 (Rethymno), +30 2810 393000 (Heraklion)
- Admissions: studies@uoc.gr
More Universities in Greece
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- University of Patras
- University of Thessaly
- Athens University of Economics and Business
- University of Ioannina
- University of the Aegean
- International Hellenic University
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