Universities in Cairo for Foreigners Beyond Al-Azhar, How to Apply

Which Cairo universities admit foreigners

There are dozens of universities in and around Cairo. For a foreigner it is easiest to split them into three groups. They are in different parts of a huge city, so the choice of university often decides where you will live too.

• State. Cairo University in Giza, Ain Shams in Abbassia and Helwan in the south of the city. Large campuses, many faculties, fees usually lower than at private universities, but much of the teaching is in Arabic.
• Private. The American University in Cairo (AUC), the British University in Egypt, the German University in Cairo and others. Teaching is mostly in English, and fees are higher.
• National (ahliya). A new type of non-profit university that also admits foreigners through the shared platform.

How to apply through Study in Egypt

Foreigners enter Egyptian universities through the state platform Study in Egypt (admission.study-in-egypt.gov.eg), also called the «wafedeen» system, meaning incoming students. In June 2026 the Ministry of Higher Education opened applications on it for the 2026/2027 academic year at state, private, national and technological universities.

The steps are simple: you register, fill in the form, upload scans of your passport and education documents, choose a university and programme, and pay the processing fee. According to press reports, the file opening fee was about 170 dollars. Write your name in Latin letters exactly as in your passport and make sure the scans are clearly readable, otherwise the application may be sent back for corrections.

A foreigner’s admission is final only after the ministry approves it, so do not buy tickets until the decision arrives. You cannot apply to a state university directly, while the American University in Cairo accepts applications on its own website.

Where teaching is in English

At private universities English is usually the main language of teaching, and all AUC programmes are in English. State universities have separate programmes in English, most often fee-paying and based on credit hours. A few examples:

• Cairo University. The Faculty of Economics and Political Science teaches in Arabic, English and French, and the Faculty of Engineering uses a credit hour system. Check the language of a specific programme in its description.
• Ain Shams. The Faculty of Business has an English-language division, and the Faculty of Engineering has international programmes with a dual degree from the British University of East London.
• Helwan. English language and literature at the Faculty of Arts, and an English-language division at the Faculty of Law.
• Before applying, check the language of the programme and whether you need an IELTS or TOEFL certificate.

How much studying costs

Foreigners pay tuition in dollars, and the amount depends on the faculty. Also consider the length: medicine takes more years than theoretical subjects, so its total cost for the whole course is much higher. According to figures published in the press for the 2025/2026 academic year, a year at a state university cost roughly:

• Theoretical faculties (law, economics, languages and others). About 3,500 dollars.
• Engineering, pharmacy, physiotherapy. From 5,000 to 6,000 dollars.
• Medicine and dentistry. From 6,000 to 8,000 dollars.
• One-time registration fee. About 1,500 dollars.
• American University in Cairo. In 2025/2026 international students paid 735 dollars per credit hour, which is about 11,000 dollars for a 15-hour semester.
• Amounts change every year, so check the exact price on the platform and with the university before paying.

Which documents you will need

The platform shows the exact list, but you usually need:

• A passport.
• A school certificate with a transcript. Egypt is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so the certificate is certified by your country’s foreign ministry and by an Egyptian embassy or consulate.
• A birth certificate.
• Photos and a medical certificate.
• Arabic translations of documents, if the university requires them.
• For a master’s programme, a bachelor’s diploma and its equivalence, which is set by Egypt’s Supreme Council of Universities.
• Legalisation in two countries takes weeks, so start right after your final exams.

What to do after admission

With the admission letter from the university you apply for a student residence permit. We explained how to get and renew it in our article on the iqama in Egypt. Right after arrival, make several copies of your passport and admission letter, as both the university and the passport office will ask for them.

It is better to look for housing close to campus. Cairo University is easy to reach from Giza and Dokki, Ain Shams from Abbassia and Heliopolis, and AUC from New Cairo. Read about the districts in where to live in Cairo.

How to choose a university

• Language. If you have no Arabic, look at English programmes or plan a year for learning the language.
• Budget. Count not only tuition but also housing, transport and the yearly residence renewal.
• Recognition at home. Find out in advance how your country recognises Egyptian diplomas in your field, especially medical ones. For example, in Kazakhstan medical diplomas have gone through a separate expert evaluation since 30 August 2026.
• Commute. Cairo traffic eats hours, so choose campus and housing together.

How Tullab can help

In university admission students and graduates of Egyptian universities share their experience and help with documents. Preparing for IELTS or improving your English? Look at English and other languages.

Do you help applicants or rent out housing near a campus? Post a free listing, and new students will find you.