Study at Cairo University for International Students 2026
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Overview of Cairo University for International Students
Cairo University is one of the most prestigious universities in the Middle East and Africa — the second oldest in Egypt and third in the Arab world after Al-Azhar and the University of Al-Qarawiyyin. Its roots stretch back to the era of Muhammad Ali with the establishment of the Engineering School in 1820 and the Medical School in 1827. Today it comprises 25 faculties and institutes welcoming over 155,000 students annually from across the world.
Cairo University has produced many of the Arab world's most distinguished leaders, thinkers and scientists, including Nobel Prize laureates Mohamed ElBaradei and Naguib Mahfouz, and world-renowned figures such as Magdi Yacoub and Samira Moussa.
Rankings & International Standing
- Rank 371 globally — QS World University Rankings
- Rank 456 globally — Scimago 2022 ranking (among 8,084 international universities)
- Consistently within the world's top 500 universities since 2004
- Top-ranked Egyptian university across multiple international indices
Faculties, Fees & Admission Grades for International Students
A one-time registration fee of $1,500 USD is paid upon enrolment. Annual tuition per faculty:
| Faculty | Min. Grade | Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine | 75% | $6,000 |
| Oral & Dental Medicine | 70% | $6,000 |
| Pharmacy | 70% | $5,500 |
| Economics & Political Science | 75% | $3,000 |
| Media | 70% | $3,000 |
| Engineering | 65% | $5,000 |
| Computer Science & Information | 65% | $5,000 |
| Urban Planning | 65% | $5,000 |
| Agriculture | 65% | $4,000 |
| Veterinary Medicine | 65% | $4,000 |
| Science | 55% | $4,000 |
| Nursing | 50% | $4,000 |
| Arts | 50% | $3,000 |
| Commerce | 50% | $3,000 |
| Law | 50% | $3,000 |
| Archaeology | 50% | $3,000 |
| Specific Education | 50% | $3,000 |
| Dar Al-Ulum | 50% | $3,000 |
| Kindergarten | 50% | $3,000 |
| Specialised Institutes | 50% | Varies |
Study Duration & System
- Medicine: 5 years + 2 internship years (7 years total)
- Dentistry & Pharmacy: 5 years + 1 internship year (6 years)
- Engineering: 5 years
- All other faculties: 4 years
Semester 1 runs from September to January (~15 weeks). Semester 2 runs from February to June. Teaching languages: Arabic and English across most faculties, with French available in select programmes such as the Law Faculty's French-language stream.
Advantages of Studying at Cairo University
- Strategic location in the heart of Cairo, close to all services and facilities
- Massive central library with cutting-edge databases, thousands of academic references and rare research materials
- State-of-the-art research laboratories across all faculties
- Active international partnerships including:
- University of Kent, UK — Actuarial Sciences
- Indiana University, USA — Master of Laws (LLM)
- FIFA — Sports Management Diploma
- Comprehensive medical, sports, leisure and cultural services for students
Accommodation & Cost of Living in Cairo
Cairo is the Arab world's largest city with diverse social and economic levels — making it easy to find a budget that suits you:
- Daily budget: Can start from approximately $20
- University dormitories: As low as $16/month (for cultural exchange scholarship holders)
- Independent apartments: $200–$250/month
- Hotels: $20–$100/night
- Diverse public and private transport options in a safe, service-rich environment
Postgraduate Studies at Cairo University
Cairo University accepts international students for Master's and PhD programmes across all its faculties. Annual postgraduate tuition:
- $6,000/year — Medicine and Dentistry
- $5,500/year — Engineering, Pharmacy, Computer Science, Physical Therapy
- $5,000/year — Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, Nursing, Science
- $4,500/year — All other faculties and institutes
Admission Requirements for International Students
Undergraduate
- Non-Egyptian nationality with a valid passport
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Meet the minimum admission grade for the chosen faculty
- Pass the aptitude test for faculties that require it
- Apply online from May — deadline is end of September each year
- Documents: original academic certificate, birth certificate, official embassy letter, 6 passport photos, original passport, postal order for the International Students Welfare Fund
Postgraduate
- For Master's: Bachelor's degree with minimum Pass grade from a recognised university
- For PhD: Master's degree from a recognised university
- Degree equivalency certificate from Egypt's Supreme Council of Universities (for foreign qualifications)
- Changing fields permitted after passing qualifying courses set by the department
- Re-application permitted after two years from the previous admission
Want to apply to Cairo University? Contact the Studyineg team now for a free consultation and full support throughout the admission and registration process.
Frequently Asked Questions — Cairo University
What is Cairo University's international ranking?
How many faculties does Cairo University have?
What are the Medicine faculty fees for international students?
What international partnerships does Cairo University have?
What is the cost of living in Cairo for international students?
When does the application period open at Cairo University?
Does Cairo University accept international postgraduate students?
What languages are programmes taught in at Cairo University?
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