Founder of logic and one of the earliest polymaths, Aristotle never settled for what was considered known in his time. Through his work that spans philosophy, biology, physics, ethics, politics, and psychology, he challenged ideas and observed reality with a critical approach that shaped the foundations of science as we know it today.
At AU, we proudly carry more than Aristotle’s name. Ηis spirit defines how we learn and teach – we value critical thinking, interdisciplinary exploration, and education that prepares students to engage with complex, real-world challenges and contribute meaningfully to society.
With 11 faculties and 41 schools, AU is the largest university in Greece and one of the largest universities in Europe, offering a broad range of study fields across health disciplines, STEM, humanities, and social sciences. This breadth creates an academic environment where disciplines actively inform and shape one another through teaching, research, and applied learning. Our students benefit from perspectives that cross fields, gaining a deeper understanding of complex problems and the ability to think beyond a single discipline.
Students study within a university where disciplines are studied side by side and frequently intersect—across health sciences, STEM, humanities, social sciences and the arts. This breadth supports learning that draws on multiple perspectives, helping students connect methods, questions and ways of thinking from different fields. The result is an academic experience that encourages critical reasoning, collaboration and a deeper understanding of complex real-world challenges.
Aristotle University offers extensive laboratory and research infrastructure across a wide range of scientific fields. Students and researchers work with modern experimental facilities, analytical tools and research environments that support both fundamental and applied research. This experience helps students develop technical skills, strong research methods and confidence in working with complex systems, data and real-world research questions. Our university fosters an enhanced digital environment, reflected in its teaching practices and assessment methods, including the use of tablet-based exams.
Years
Undergraduate students
Postgraduate students
Faculties
Schools
Faculty members engaged in international collaborations
European
University Alliance
Erasmus+
Bilateral agreements
worldwide
PhD candidates
Incoming/ 1000 outgoing students annually
Faculty staff
Students abroad via Erasmus+
Educational organisations
& 15 student unions
Research funding
(2020–2025)
Teaching and research
staff members
Mobility is an integral part of academic life at AU for both students and teaching staff. With more than 1,600 agreements across Europe and 185 worldwide, the University supports semester-long study exchanges, training placements and research mobility opportunities that are integrated into degree programs. Each year, around 1,000 incoming and 1,000 outgoing students participate in international mobility through Erasmus+ and initiatives such as EPICUR, gaining academic experience across different institutions and cultural contexts.
Academic collaboration at AU is embedded in research, teaching, and long-term institutional partnerships worldwide. More than 1,500 faculty members actively participate in cross-border research projects, joint teaching initiatives, and collaborations through 70 international organisations and academic networks. As a founding member of the EPICUR European University Alliance, AU contributes to a shared European academic ecosystem that promotes joint programs, innovative teaching models, and sustained institutional cooperation. The University also hosts UNESCO Chairs and participates in global academic networks, extending its academic impact beyond national and European borders.
“One hundred years is not a milestone of completion, but a starting point. Among more than 50,000 universities worldwide, the challenge today is not simply to exist, but to stand among the best — to build on experience, to innovate through research, and to offer education that responds to the needs of our time.”
“Aristotle University has the scale, the people, and the academic depth to shape the future. Our responsibility is to look forward: to attract talented students from Greece and abroad, to strengthen international presence, and to prepare the next generation for a rapidly changing world.”
— Kyriakos Anastasiadis, Rector of AU
Greek Prime Minister Alexandros Papanastasiou adopts the initiative of Eleftherios Venizelos for a new university in the northern Greek regions a few years after they were liberated from the Ottomans.
The University of Thessaloniki becomes Greece’s second ever university.
The University begins its academic operations with the Faculty of Philosophy.
The School of Natural Sciences starts enrolling students. The Department of Forestry is transferred from Athens, the Greek capital, to the newly founded University of Thessaloniki and operates as a department of the School of Natural Sciences.
The Schools of Mathematics and Physics begin their operations as part of the Faculty of Science.
The Faculty of Law and Economics is added.
The Medical School and the Faculty of Theology begin their operations.
Establishment of the School of Chemistry.
1951
Establishment of the School of Veterinary Medicine.
1954
The University of Thessaloniki is renamed Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in honour of the great Greek philosopher, Aristotle.
Establishment of the Faculty of Engineering and the School of Pharmacy.
Dentistry is introduced as a department of the Medical School. It will become independent School in 1971.
The first kidney transplant in Greece is performed at AHEPA University Hospital in Thessaloniki, soon to be followed by the first heart transplant in the country.
Professor Manolis Andronikos discovers the Royal Tombs of Vergina, one of the century’s greatest archaeological discoveries; Aristotle University’s international prestige in archaeology and the humanities is undisputed.
Research groups from the School of Physics participate in high-energy physics experiments at CERN, marking AU’s involvement in major international research infrastructures.
Major reorganization of Schools and Departments.
The new Faculty of Education is followed by the new School of Fine Arts (1984).
Establishment of the School of Journalism and Mass Media Studies.
Establishment of the Department of Film Studies and the Department of Spatial Planning and Development Engineering.
AU is ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide in the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings.
AU participates in major Horizon 2020 research projects and becomes a member of the European Universities Initiative through the EPICUR Alliance, strengthening its European academic integration.
Launch of the Aristotle University School of Medicine (AUSoM), the first English-taught undergraduate program offered by a public university in Greece, marking a milestone in the global outlook of Greek higher education.
AU celebrates its Centennial Anniversary, standing as the largest university in Greece, with nearly 90,000 students and more than 1,500 international partnerships worldwide.
Emeritus Professor, Democritus University of Thrace
Graduate, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
“At Aristotle University, I learned how to connect theory with practice — something that proved invaluable when managing teams, designing training plans, and working with players with different perspectives.”
Georgia Institute of Technology
Graduate, School of Sustainable Agriculturar and Food Science , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
“My studies gave me strong foundations and broad knowledge, which supported me throughout my career.”
Professor of Economics, Yale University
BSc in Economics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
“My studies at Aristotle University prepared me exceptionally well for my subsequent career in quantitative economics.”
Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University
BSc in Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
“The School of Physics at Aristotle University changed my life. It was there that I discovered my passion for astronomy and astrophysics — a passion that has shaped my entire scientific journey.”
Professor of Physics, California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
BSc in Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
“At Aristotle University, I learned to push the boundaries of research and never stop questioning how fundamental scientific questions are formulated.”
Professor of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
MD, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
“My studies at Aristotle University were decisive for my subsequent medical and scientific career, providing the solid foundations upon which my professional path was built.”
Senior Manager, Strategic Production Planning, AUDI AG
Graduate, School of Mechanical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
“Aristotle University gave me strong, stable roots — and wings to apply technology and help shape the future.”
Former Vice-President of the European Commission
Law graduate, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
“Aristotle University shaped my life. It gave me a clear European orientation and sparked my interest in politics.”
Archbishop of America & Professor of Theology
School of Theology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
“My studies at the School of Theology were decisive for my life — both personally and for my vocation as a cleric and an academic.”
Chairman & CEO, Pfizer
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Ph.D., Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
“Beyond my scientific training, my studies at Aristotle University helped me develop values and a way of thinking that proved essential throughout my life.”
Top-tier! 40 AU faculty members and scientists featured in Stanford’s 2025 list of the world’s top 2% researchers!
AU Legal Alumni Anastasia Papadopoulou appointed New President of the Supreme Civil and Criminal Court of Greece
Archaeology: 5th Meeting of the Association for Ground Stone Tools Research hosted at AU
Darcus Laurie, Professor in the Archaeology department at Simon Fraser University
On site! Dr. Ilias Gkotsikas from our Lab of of Digital Applications in Archaeological Documentation and students in action.
