Study at Al-Azhar University for International Students 2026

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Overview of Al-Azhar University for International Students
Al-Azhar University was founded in 971 CE, making it one of the oldest universities in human history — predating the University of Bologna in Italy — and the second oldest Arab university after the University of Al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco. For over a thousand years, it has remained a beacon of knowledge attracting students from across the Arab and Islamic worlds.
Today, Al-Azhar combines its historic legacy with modern educational technology and advanced infrastructure, applying international quality standards across diverse academic and applied programmes spanning undergraduate through doctoral levels.
The university has a large number of faculties divided between male faculties and female faculties, with branches across various Egyptian governorates. All faculties welcome international students.
Important note: Some countries do not recognise degrees earned by students studying outside the main campus. Al-Azhar's main campus is located within Cairo Governorate.
Males' Colleges and Admission Rates for International Students
| College | Location | Minimum Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Human Medicine | Cairo / Assiut / Damietta | 75% |
| Dentistry | Cairo / Assiut | 75% |
| Education | Cairo | 75% |
| Arabic and Islamic Studies | Qena | 75% |
| Media | Cairo | 70% |
| Pharmacy | Cairo / Assiut | 70% |
| Engineering | Cairo / Qena | 65% |
| Agricultural Engineering | Cairo | 65% |
| Agriculture | Cairo / Assiut | 65% |
| Science | Cairo / Assiut | 55% |
| Sharia and Law | Cairo / Assiut / Tanta / Damanhour | 50% |
| Arabic Language | Cairo / Assiut / Girga / Zagazig | 50% |
| Languages and Translation | Cairo | 50% |
| Fundamentals of Religion and Da'wah | Mansoura / Menoufia / Desouk | 50% |
| Islamic Studies | Cairo / Aswan | 50% |
| Commerce | Cairo | 50% |
Females' Colleges and Admission Rates for International Students
| College | Location | Minimum Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Girls' Medicine | Cairo | 75% |
| Dentistry | Cairo | 75% |
| Pharmacy | Cairo | 70% |
| Science | Cairo | 55% |
| Islamic and Arabic Studies | Cairo / Alexandria / Assiut / Mansoura / Port Said / Beni Suef / Sohag | 50% |
| Humanities | Cairo / Sadat City | 50% |
| Commerce | Cairo | 50% |
| Home Economics | Tanta | 50% |
| Al-Azhar Girls' College | 10th of Ramadan / Taiba | 50% |
Tuition Fees at Al-Azhar University for International Students
Registration fee is $1,500 paid only once for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Annual tuition fees:
| College | Bachelor's ($/year) | Postgraduate ($/year) |
|---|---|---|
| Human Medicine | 6,000 | 6,000 |
| Dentistry | 6,000 | 6,000 |
| Pharmacy | 5,000 | 5,500 |
| Engineering | 5,000 | 5,500 |
| Science | 4,000 | 5,000 |
| Agriculture | 4,000 | 5,000 |
| Media | 3,000 | 4,500 |
| Languages and Translation | 3,000 | 4,500 |
| Sharia and Law | 3,000 | 4,500 |
| Commerce | 3,000 | 4,500 |
| Education | 3,000 | 4,500 |
| Other Colleges | 3,000 | 4,500 |
Postgraduate Studies at Al-Azhar University for International Students
All faculties of Al-Azhar University welcome international students for postgraduate studies:
- For Master's: Bachelor's degree in the same specialization with at least a passing grade from an accredited university
- For PhD: Master's degree in the same specialization with at least a passing grade from an accredited university
The university has vast academic libraries with unique paper and electronic resources, and advanced research centers that support students in preparing their theses under the supervision of an elite group of the most qualified academics in the Arab world.
Admission Requirements and Required Documents
General Requirements
- The student must be Muslim and a non-Egyptian national
- A high school certificate recognized by the Egyptian state
- Approval from the student's country embassy in Egypt, specifying the faculty, year, and stage
- A valid passport
- A good level of English with an internationally certified document (TOEFL or equivalent)
- Passing the Arabic language test at the student's country embassy
- Applications open in May each year according to official deadlines
- One-year internship certificate for medical specializations
Required Official Documents
- The original academic certificate authenticated by the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt
- The original birth certificate or an official extract from it
- A recent medical certificate
- 6 recent personal photos
- A copy of the passport with an entry visa to Egypt for study purposes
- Arabic language test certificate
- A pledge to comply with Egyptian laws and regulations
- A notarized pledge to pay tuition fees (for self-funded students)
Want to apply to Al-Azhar University? Contact the Study in Egypt team now for a free consultation and full assistance with all admission and registration procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions — Al-Azhar University for International Students
When was Al-Azhar University founded?
Is it required for international students to be Muslim?
What are the tuition fees at the Faculty of Medicine for international students?
Does Al-Azhar University accept international postgraduate students?
Does Al-Azhar University require an Arabic language test?
When does the application period at Al-Azhar University begin?
Is there a difference between studying on the main campus and outside it?
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