National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens is the oldest and largest university in Greece.

The history of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) can be traced back to the Greek War of Independence, which began in 1821. The establishment of a university was a top priority for the newly independent Greek state, as it was seen as essential for the country's development.

In 1837, King Otto of Greece founded the Othonian University, which was the first university in the liberated Greek state and in the surrounding area of Southeast Europe as well. The university was initially housed in the former residence of the Ottoman governor of Athens, but in 1841 it was moved to its current location in the Plaka neighborhood.

The university was renamed the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in 1932, in honor of Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of Greece.

In the early years of its existence, NKUA was the only university in Greece. It offered a limited range of programs, but it played a vital role in the development of the country's educated elite.

NKUA has played a leading role in Greek academic and cultural life since its founding. It has produced some of the country's most prominent scholars, writers, artists, and politicians.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2025, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens is positioned as the #393 top university in the world, which makes it the #2 top university in Greece. The university's global rank is improved by 51 points from last year.