Greece’s top administrative court has annulled the operating licences and study programmes of three private university branches, in a setback for the government’s rollout of its landmark higher education reforms.
The ruling affects the University of York, Keele University and Anatolia College – key institutions in the first wave of openings following a change in the law governing private universities.
Greece’s Council of State found shortcomings with the way the institutions had been licensed and their courses approved under the country’s new system allowing overseas universities to establish branches in the country, local media reported.
In response to the move, the Greek education ministry stressed that the ruling does not overturn the law that allows foreign universities to operate branches in Greece. It said the ruling points to “issues of implementation of the institutional framework”, not the law itself.
“All necessary actions will be taken immediately to ensure the rights of students and the uninterrupted continuation of their studies. The academic year will not be lost for any student,” it said.
