Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) is the largest university in Greece and the second oldest, after the University of Athens.

The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) was founded in 1925 during the premiership of Alexandros Papanastassiou and was legislated under Law 3341/14-6-25. It was the second Greek university to be founded after the University of Athens, which was established in 1837.

The founding of AUTH was a major event for Greece, as it was the first university to be established in the newly liberated territories of Northern Greece. The university was named after Aristotle, the philosopher who was born in Stageira, about 55 km (34 miles) east of Thessaloniki.

AUTH opened its doors in 1926 with four faculties: Philosophy, Law, Medicine, and Natural Sciences. The university initially had a small student body, but it quickly grew in size and reputation. In the 1930s, AUTH established new faculties, including Engineering and Agriculture.

During the Second World War, AUTH was occupied by the Nazi German forces. Many of the university's students and faculty members were killed or imprisoned. The university reopened after the war, but it was badly damaged and its resources were depleted.

In the postwar years, AUTH experienced a period of rapid growth and development. The university established new faculties and research centers, and its student body grew dramatically. AUTH also became a major center for political dissent, and its students played a leading role in the Greek anti-junta movement of the 1970s.

AUTH is a vibrant and diverse university community, with students and faculty from all over Greece and the world. It is a leading institution of higher education and research in Greece and plays an important role in the economic and social development of the country.

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is ranked as the #4 top university in Greece during 2023. The rank decreased by 1 point from last year.