Medical Degree English program

Medicine never takes a vacation. But every great doctor knows when it's time to recharge.

As another academic year comes to a close, we would like to thank our students, faculty, alumni and friends for being part of our growing international community.

Whether you're spending your summer by the sea, exploring new places, volunteering, conducting research or simply taking time to rest, we hope these weeks bring you new experiences, inspiration and well-deserved relaxation.
Take care of yourselves, enjoy every moment, and return refreshed for another exciting year of learning, discovery and growth.

🌊 Have a wonderful summer!

On 23 July 2026, the Dean of the School of Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Professor Nikolaos Arkadopoulos, welcomed a delegation of distinguished academics from the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and the School of Public Health, China.

The meeting focused on opportunities for future collaboration between the two institutions, including student and faculty exchanges, as well as joint initiatives in transplantation and artificial intelligence in biomedical research.

The discussions reaffirmed the shared commitment of both institutions to advancing international academic partnerships, innovation, and excellence in medical education and research.

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens is installing 106 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and an equal number of first-aid kits across its facilities in Attica and Euboea, significantly enhancing safety standards and emergency response capabilities throughout the University community. This important initiative has been made possible thanks to a generous donation from Ms Julia Tsetis, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Tsetis Group of Pharmaceutical Companies – UNI-PHARMA and InterMed – pharmacist (MSc) and Honorary Doctor of the University’s Department of Pharmacy. The equipment has been donated in memory of the late Ioanna Andreadou, Professor of Pharmacology at the Department of Pharmacy.

As Rector Gerasimos Siasos emphasises, protecting human life and fostering a safe university environment are among the University of Athens’ highest priorities. Through this donation, made in memory of Professor Ioanna Andreadou, the legacy of a distinguished scientist will continue to benefit the entire University community and society at large.

https://hub.uoa.gr/en/university-of-athens-becomes-greeces-first-university-to-equip-all-buildings-with-defibrillators-following-a-donation-from-the-tsetis-group/

A Historic Investment in the Future of Greek Higher Education

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) will receive €130 million as part of a landmark €160 million donation by Greece's four systemic banks to support the modernization of public universities. The initiative, announced at the Prime Minister's Office, represents the largest donation to Greek higher education in recent decades.

The funding will support the comprehensive renovation and upgrading of educational and research facilities, reinforcing NKUA's commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and an outstanding learning environment for future generations.

This historic investment marks a major milestone for the University and further strengthens its position as one of the leading academic institutions in Europe, providing world-class education, cutting-edge research, and modern infrastructure for students from Greece and around the world.

We are proud to announce that, the Medical Degree English Program of the NKUA School of Medicine successfully held the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) for students of the Clinical Surgery course.

Through a series of realistic clinical simulation stations, students had the opportunity to apply their knowledge and prove their clinical skills in a structured examination environment.

The examination was organized and coordinated by Assistant Professor Orestis Lyros and Professor Konstantinos Toutouzas, with the invaluable contribution of the following faculty members and clinical staff:

Pantelis Antonakis, Spyridon Christodoulou, Dionysios Delaportas, Asimakis Gremoutis, Ioannis Hatzaras, Stylianos Kykalos, Panagis Lykoudis, Nikolaos Machairas, Nikolaos Memos, Nikolaos Michalopoulos, Konstantinos Nastos, Nikolaos Pararas, Dimitrios Patsouras, Maria Papadoliopoulou, Dimitrios Schizas, Kalliopi Stavrati, Evaggelos Tagalos. 

A special thank you to the members of SuRSO (Surgical Research Student Organization), who volunteered as standardized patients and helped create an authentic clinical environment:

Vasiliki Bakola, Alexandros Charalampopoulos, Anastasia Chatzimoschou, Aggelos Chontzopoulos, Theodora Giannakopoulou, Alexandros Gryllis, Paraskevi Eleni Kitsou, Maria Koukoumelou, Pinelopi Nika, Alexandros Prasinos, Foteini Sofou, and Fillipa Xatziioannidi.

Congratulations to our students, faculty members, and SuRSO volunteers for another successful OSCE.

On June 25, 2026, the NKUA School of Medicine successfully hosted the event "Discovering the Museum and the First Department of Pathology", highlighting the rich history and enduring contribution of these two landmark academic institutions to medical education, research, and clinical practice.

The event was opened by Professor Gerasimos Siasos, Rector of NKUA, Professor Nikolaos Arkadopoulos, Dean of the School of Medicine, and Professor Nikolaos Thomaidis, President of the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (HAHE), who emphasized the importance of preserving the University's academic heritage.

Distinguished faculty members presented the historical evolution of pathology, the unique collections of the Museum of Pathology, and the discipline's fundamental role in advancing modern medicine.
The event celebrated the School's longstanding tradition of excellence and reaffirmed the vital role of pathology as a cornerstone of medical education and scientific discovery.

NKUA Ranked 4th Worldwide in Medical and Health Sciences

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) has achieved another major international distinction in the AD Scientific Index World Top Universities Ranking 2026.

NKUA is ranked:
🔹 61st worldwide among 19,592 universities and research institutions from 221 countries
🔹 15th in Europe
🔹 1st among all Greek and Cypriot universities

Most notably, NKUA ranks 4th globally in Medical and Health Sciences, reflecting the outstanding research impact, scientific excellence, and international recognition of its academic community.

The ranking is based exclusively on objective research performance indicators, including Total H-index, Total i10-index, and Total Citations, highlighting the strength of NKUA’s scientific output and global influence.

This remarkable achievement further confirms the leading role of the NKUA Medical School in education, research, clinical excellence, and innovation, strengthening its position among the world's top institutions in the health sciences.

On Wednesday, 17 June 2026, the Dean of the NKUA Medical School, Professor Nikolaos Arkadopoulos, participated in the event “Internationalization & Extroversion: Greece as an Academic Hub of the Future”, organized by the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports.
Professor Arkadopoulos took part in the panel discussion entitled “The Global Educational Hub for Health in Greece”, where he highlighted the prospects of establishing Greece as an international center for education, research, and innovation in the field of Health Sciences. He emphasized the strategic role of the NKUA Medical School in advancing the internationalization of Greek higher education.

Particular emphasis was placed on the successful operation of the English-Language Undergraduate Medical Program, which serves as a flagship example of academic extroversion and attracts students from across the globe.

During his intervention, Professor Arkadopoulos underlined that strengthening the international profile of Greek universities, developing strategic international partnerships, and fostering strong links between education, research, and innovation are key prerequisites for positioning Greece as a leading international academic hub in the Health Sciences.

The NKUA Medical School remains committed to excellence and internationalization, actively contributing to the establishment of Greece as a global destination for medical education, research, and innovation.

The Brain Gain of NKUA School of Medicine continues!

We are proud to celebrate the appointment of neuroscientist Dr. Angeliki Tsapanou as Assistant Professor at the First Department of Neurology of the NKUA School of Medicine and the Aeginition University Hospital, following a distinguished academic and research career in the United States.

Her return to Greece is another example of the growing brain gain phenomenon at NKUA School of Medicine. Over the past three years, the School has attracted more than 200 outstanding new faculty members, including 30 academics who returned from leading institutions abroad.

This remarkable achievement reflects the School’s commitment to meritocracy, academic excellence, and international competitiveness, creating new opportunities for research, education, innovation, and patient care.

At NKUA School of Medicine, we continue to attract top talent from around the world and strengthen Greece’s position as a center of excellence in medical education and biomedical research.

NKUA School of Medicine Highlights Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Victor Hassid and New Collaboration on Patient Access & Safety

The NKUA School of Medicine proudly highlights the recent publication of its distinguished alumnus, Dr. Victor J. Hassid, Professor of Plastic Surgery and Associate Vice President for Access Strategic Operations at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

The article, entitled “Patient Safety Begins With Access: Safety Events That Occur Before Meeting the Patient”, co-authored with Dr. Haytham M. Kaafarani, draws attention to a critical yet often overlooked dimension of healthcare quality: patient access.

Through the analysis of a real-world clinical case, the authors demonstrate how administrative delays, fragmented communication, insurance requirements, scheduling barriers, and incomplete information transfer can significantly delay care, increase patient anxiety, and adversely affect clinical outcomes.

The article introduces the concept of “Access Safety”, arguing that barriers to timely access should be recognized and addressed as patient safety issues. It calls for greater transparency, systematic analysis, and organizational accountability to ensure that patients receive the right care at the right time.

As part of this shared vision, the NKUA School of Medicine is pleased to announce the initiation of a new collaboration with Dr. Hassid and MD Anderson's access leadership team, aiming to promote knowledge exchange and explore best practices that support equitable, timely, and safe access to healthcare services.

This collaboration further strengthens the School’s international partnerships and reflects its commitment to supporting alumni who continue to make a global impact in medicine, healthcare innovation, and patient-centered care.

Article: Patient Safety Begins With Access: Safety Events That Occur Before Meeting the Patient
Published in JAMA, 2026. -> https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2846342