International Hellenic University

What International Hellenic University does

International Hellenic University (IHU; Διεθνές Πανεπιστήμιο της Ελλάδος / ΔΙΠΑΕ) is a public Greek university headquartered in Thessaloniki, established in its current form in 2020 as the successor to the former Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki. It operates 8 Schools and 25 Departments across 5 campuses in Northern Greece — Thermi (Thessaloniki), Sindos, Serres, Katerini, and Kilkis — and has expanded internationally with a Brussels branch established in January 2026. IHU serves domestic and international students through the national Pan-Hellenic examination system for Greek/EU undergraduates and a dedicated University Center of International Programmes of Studies (UCIPS) that offers 26 postgraduate programs entirely in English. The university is supported by 9 specialized research institutes under the University Research Center (PEK), a continuing-education unit (KEDIVIM), and a teaching-and-learning support center (KEDIMA).

IHU's technology footprint is anchored on standard enterprise and academic systems, notably membership in the SAP University Alliance (via TU München, since 2022), giving students hands-on access to ERP software used by 420,000+ businesses globally. Recent additions include a free 'Certificate in AI for Higher Education' (20 hours) developed with the Digital Education Council, an online AI literacy course, and digital governance and tech-transfer committees that signal institutional modernization. Twelve faculty members appear in the Stanford/Elsevier top-2% most-influential-scientists list (October 2025), and IHU placed in the 401-500 band of the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2023 in its first appearance.

The business model is predominantly state-funded: as a public university under the Greek Ministry of Education, IHU receives government subsidies based on enrollment and performance metrics, with no tuition charged to domestic EU undergraduates. Revenue diversification comes from UCIPS tuition for English-language postgraduate programs, research grants and EU structural funds (NSRF/ESPA 2021-2027, Erasmus+), continuing-education fees through KEDIVIM, and minimal student-services revenue (meals and housing are largely free). Customer segments are dual-sided: (1) students — primarily domestic/EU undergraduates and international postgraduates recruited through the English-language UCIPS portal and education fairs, and (2) industry and government agencies engaging via the University Research Center for applied research and consulting. Distribution is multi-channel: on-campus delivery across 5 domestic campuses, the Brussels outpost, self-serve UCIPS online application portals, Erasmus+ and Fulbright mobility programs, and online/distance programs including the AI certification.

Name

International Hellenic University

Legal name

Διεθνές Πανεπιστήμιο της Ελλάδος

Website

https://ihu.gr

Company type

Public

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

International Hellenic University is a public Greek university headquartered in Thessaloniki, operating 8 schools and 25 departments across 5 campuses in Northern Greece with a Brussels branch, serving domestic and international students through undergraduate programs and 26 English-language postgraduate offerings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International & Global Research Universities (Multi-Campus/International Footprint) (EDAHABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive) (EDAHAEAA), Technical Universities with Computing, Data & AI Focus (EDAHAEAK)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Public university
• Postgraduate programs
• Academic research
• Lifelong learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Thessaloniki, Thermi

HQ country

Greece

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Subsidy (State Funding): As a public Greek university, the institution receives government funding based on student enrollment, academic performance metrics, and institutional criteria defined by the Greek Ministry of Education. This constitutes the primary revenue stream.
2. Tuition - English-Language Postgraduate Programs: Revenue from tuition fees for the 26 English-language postgraduate programs offered through the University Center of International Programmes of Studies (UCIPS). These programs charge tuition unlike domestic Greek-language offerings.
3. Research Grants and Contracts: Funding through the Special Account for Research Funds (Ειδικός Λογαριασμός Κονδυλίων Έρευνας / ΕΛΚΕ), European research programs (Erasmus+, NSRF 2021-2027), and industry/research contracts through the 9 research institutes of the University Research Center.
4. Continuing Education (KEDIVIM): Revenue from the Center for Lifelong Learning (Κέντρο Επιμόρφωσης και Διά Βίου Μάθησης - ΚΕΔΙΒΙΜ) which offers professional development and continuing education programs for a fee.
5. Student Support Services: Minimal revenue from student services such as sports facilities, cafeteria operations, and accommodation services. Note: meals and housing are provided largely free of charge as student welfare benefits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

International Hellenic University is a Greek public higher education institution offering undergraduate degrees across 9 schools and 25 departments, plus 26 English-language postgraduate programs through the University Center of International Programmes of Studies (UCIPS). It also provides applied research through 9 research institutes, lifelong learning via KEDIVIM, and free AI certification in partnership with the Digital Education Council, with delivery across 5 campuses in Northern Greece and a Brussels branch.

Product overview

International Hellenic University operates as a multi-campus public university with a structure of 9 schools and 25 departments offering undergraduate and postgraduate education across Northern Greece. The university operates a centralized platform of educational services including: core degree programs delivered at campuses in Thessaloniki (Thermi, Sindos), Serres, Katerini, and Kilkis; the University Center of International Programmes of Studies (UCIPS) offering 26 English-language postgraduate programs; the University Research Center (PEK) with 9 specialized research institutes; and continuing education through KEDIVIM and KEDIMA centers. Recent additions include a free AI certification program developed with the Digital Education Council and participation in the SAP University Alliance through TU München.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UCIPS (University Center of International Programmes of Studies): University Center offering English-language postgraduate programmes

Products and services

• Undergraduate Programs Undergraduate degree programs across 9 schools and 25 departments covering Economics and Business Administration, Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Engineering, Design Sciences, Geotechnical Sciences, and Applied Sciences, delivered at campuses in Thessaloniki (Thermi/Sindos), Serres, Katerini, and Kilkis. Targeted at Greek and EU domestic students entering through the national Pan-Hellenic examination system.
• Postgraduate Programs (UCIPS) 26 English-language postgraduate programs offered through the University Center of International Programmes of Studies (UCIPS), spanning Humanities, Social Sciences, Economics, Science and Technology. Includes Executive MBA, LLM in Transnational and European Commercial Law, MSc in Energy Law, MSc in Management, MSc in Banking & Finance, MSc in International Accounting, and various MA programs. Targeted at international and Greek postgraduate students.
• Certificate in AI for Higher Education Free 20-hour online certification program covering AI Fundamentals, AI Use Cases in Higher Education, Implementing AI in Organizations, AI Governance and Responsible Practices, plus Specialty Electives. Available to the entire university community including academic staff, administrative personnel, and students. Awarded jointly with a Digital Education Council digital certificate and KEDIVIM training certificate.
• KEDIVIM Lifelong Learning Programs Continuing education and professional development programs through the Center for Lifelong Learning (KEDIVIM), including professional certification courses and training programs. Targeted at working professionals and the general public seeking advanced skills and credentials.
• Research and Consulting Services Applied research and consulting services through 9 specialized research institutes covering Agricultural Industry, Urban Environment, Industrial Innovation and Digital Agriculture, Sustainable Development and Circular Economy, Refugee Flow and Crisis Management, Life Sciences, Social and Solidarity Economy, Educational Research and Development, and others. Targeted at industry partners, government agencies, and EU research programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• First-time placement in Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2023 (positions 401-500)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Digital Education Council (DEC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 August 2026IHU, through its Center for Lifelong Learning (KEDIVIM), collaborates with DEC to deliver the 'Certificate in AI for Higher Education' program free of charge to the entire university community. The program was developed by DEC with contributions from international experts and leaders from UC Berkeley, HKUST, UPF Barcelona, Bentley University, and IHU. Upon completion, participants receive a digital certificate from DEC and a training certificate from KEDIVIM.
• European Commission / Greek GovernmentflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2026IHU established a branch in Brussels with support from Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas and the local Greek community. This strategic initiative aims to strengthen the university's international presence and European engagement.
• Municipality of DeltaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2025IHU and Municipality of Delta signed a Memorandum of Cooperation for the use of the university gym. The facility, operational afternoons and weekends, serves both students and municipality citizens. The municipality helped resolve licensing issues that had kept the gym closed for years.
• Institute of International Education (IIE)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2022IIE facilitated the International Academic Partnership Program - Greece, through which a delegation of 22 American universities visited IHU. Led by IIE CEO Allan E. Goodman, the delegation included representatives from Princeton, Yale, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, Tufts, and 17 other US institutions. The visit initiated discussions on joint educational activities and research collaborations. The program was a personal initiative of the Greek Minister of Education.
• 22 American Universities (International Academic Partnership Program)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 November 202222 American universities including Princeton, Yale, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, Tufts, California Polytechnic State University, George Mason, Indiana University, Michigan State, Ohio Northern, Rutgers, Delaware, Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Kentucky, Widener, William & Mary, and others participated in the International Academic Partnership Program - Greece visit to IHU. Discussions covered potential joint educational activities and research collaborations.
• Technical University of Munich (TU München)coreTechnology or Integration · 15 September 2022IHU participates in the SAP University Alliance through TU München, which provides the required technological infrastructure. Students gain access to SAP enterprise software and ERP systems used by 420,000+ businesses in 180+ countries. The collaboration involves Departments of Production and Operations Management (Sindos), Accounting and Finance (Kavala), and Supply Chain Management (Katerini). This provides students with skills in enterprise information systems highly sought in the modern labor market.
• Fulbright GreececoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020IHU participates in Fulbright exchange programs providing mobility opportunities for faculty, researchers, and students between Greece and the United States.
• Erasmus+ Program (European Union)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020IHU participates in Erasmus+ staff mobility and student exchange programs with European universities. The university regularly hosts Erasmus Staff Mobility Weeks and facilitates outgoing student mobility.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Hellenic Open University: Greek public distance-learning university offering flexible undergraduate and postgraduate programs, comparable in lifelong-learning (KEDIVIM equivalent) and broad-access public higher education, though not a direct on-campus competitor.
• University of Crete: Major Greek public research university with multi-school structure, significant research output, and broad international engagement — directly comparable in scale and mission to IHU but better established nationally.
• Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB): Top Greek public university for economics, business, and management, directly comparable to several of IHU's UCIPS English-language postgraduate offerings (MBA, Finance, Accounting, Management).
• Technical University of Munich (TU München): Premier German technical university and IHU's SAP University Alliance partner; broader in scale but directly comparable in engineering/technical curriculum, enterprise-software training, and international postgraduate offerings.
• National Technical University of Athens (NTUA / 'Metsovio'): Greece's flagship technical university; competes with IHU's Polytechnic and Engineering schools for top students, faculty, and research funding, and sets the national benchmark for technical higher education.

Direct peers

• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki: The largest public research university in Thessaloniki, Greece, sharing the same city and competing for the same regional student pool, faculty talent, and Greek state funding across many of IHU's disciplines.
• Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences: Greek public university focused on social sciences, political science, economics, and public administration; comparable to IHU's School of Social Sciences and to related UCIPS English-language postgraduate offerings.
• Democritus University of Thrace: Multi-campus public university in Northern/Eastern Greece, also placed alongside IHU in the THE Young University Rankings 2023, with overlapping polytechnic/engineering and international program portfolios.
• University of Western Macedonia: Public Greek university in Northern Greece (Kozani/Florina), co-listed with IHU in the THE Young University Rankings 2023, and overlapping on engineering, economics, and regional development themes.
• University of Macedonia: Public Greek university in Thessaloniki with a strong focus on economics, business administration, and social sciences — directly overlapping IHU's School of Economics & Business Administration and School of Social Sciences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/IHUweb
• Facebookfacebook.com/InternationalHellenicUniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/international-hellenic-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/ihu.gr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Hellenic University