The purpose of this article is the analysis of higher education policy in Greece during the last decade, which is tied in with the ascendancy of market orientation and the complete restructuring of the university. The formation of this policy and its main axes are studied in the context of the pertinent developments at international and European levels, and its implementation is, therefore, assessed in relation to and comparison with the effects of similar policies in other EU member states. The article shows that, for Greek society, the complete restructuring of the university is a matter of prime importance, while concurrently representing a terrain of social and ideological clashes; and although significant steps in the road to the marketization of the university have already taken place, in conditions that are especially favourable for the forces that promote it, this road seems to be still long and winding. (Contains 9 notes.)