The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) is Greece's oldest and most prestigious university, founded in 1837 as the first university in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans. Its School of Medicine trains physicians through a six-year programme with clinical rotations at some of Athens' largest hospitals, including Evangelismos General Hospital (Greece's largest, 1,000+ beds), Laiko General Hospital, Aretaieion Hospital, and Alexandra Hospital. NKUA's medical programme follows a traditional European curriculum with preclinical and clinical phases.

Research strengths include molecular biology, oncology, public health, and epidemiology — with NKUA researchers contributing significantly to Mediterranean diet studies and cardiovascular prevention. The university's location in central Athens provides students access to one of the world's great historic cities, offering archaeological wonders, vibrant nightlife, Mediterranean cuisine, and affordable living by Western European standards. Greece's healthcare system provides students with high case volumes across a wide range of pathologies.

For UK students with Greek language ability (or willing to learn), NKUA offers a prestigious, affordable medical education with EU-recognised qualifications and GMC registration eligibility.