Study guide in Egypt
The mother of the world and home of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is the first thought that comes to mind when “Egypt” is mentioned in the ears. But what about Egypt as a study destination? For those who do not know, Egypt is home to an enormous mix of African, Mediterranean and Arab culture. The country has a long history dating back thousands of years. Egypt has many respected educational institutions and provides an attractive environment for international students. Depending on where you choose to study in Egypt, you will definitely be in the middle of a part of the history of ancient Egyptian civilization whether you are in Cairo, close to the ancient lighthouse of Alexandria, or on the shores of the Mediterranean.
Why study in Egypt?
Europe is the main destination for study for most Arabs, but in fact in our Arab countries there are excellent destinations that match many European countries, including Egypt.
To shed more light on the reasons that push you to seriously consider traveling to study in Egypt, we mention the following:
- The enormous ethnic diversity in Egypt makes it easier to adapt, no matter your affiliation, you are welcome.
- If you are interested in world heritage and spend some time visiting historical sites, Egypt is your desired destination, as Egypt has seven historical sites classified by the UNESCO World Heritage Organization.
- The cost of living is very cheap.
- Accelerated scientific development, as there are about 10 Egyptian universities in the top 1000 universities according to THE WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS.
Tuition costs in Egypt
The costs of studying in Egypt are relatively average and vary according to the region, the desired program, and the type of university, given the presence of many H-universities in Egypt. Generally, the cost of undergraduate degree studies ranges from $ 1,254 to $ 8,360 per year. For postgraduate (master’s and doctoral) fees, fees range from $ 1,800 to $ 8,000.
The following are some of the undergraduate options to study in Egypt, along with the cost of studying in each, and ranking them globally according to the QS Global World Rankings 2021:
Alexandria University
This university is internationally ranked in the top 801-1000 universities. It is located in the second largest Egyptian city, “Alexandria”. This university was established in 1938 and is considered the largest university after the University of Cairo and the American University in Cairo.
Alexandria University includes 24 colleges with various specializations. As for the cost of studying at Alexandria University, it starts from 1254 dollars annually.
Cairo University
It is considered one of the oldest Egyptian universities, as it was established in 1908 and ranks among the best 551-600 universities. Tuition fees start at $ 2,509 annually. The university has about 20 colleges, with about 230,000 students. The university is famous for its large ballroom that seats 4,000 people in addition to its central library, which was established in 1931.
Mansoura University
It was established in 1961 and is located on the Nile Delta. It includes 17 colleges and 1 institute. Ranks among the top 151-200 emerging universities. Tuition fees at Mansoura University start from 3000 dollars annually.
The American University in Cairo
It is ranked 420 in the world and is a private research university where teaching is taught in English. As for the costs of studying at this university, they are generally high and depend on the hour system, so it is difficult to determine the cost of studying there, and to find out more, you can click here .
The German University in Cairo
It was established in 2002 and offers 70 undergraduate and postgraduate study programs. It ranks within the top 801-1000 universities. Its tuition fees start from 4,150 dollars annually.
The cost of living in Egypt
The cost of living in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, is considered cheap if we compare it to its counterparts in Europe and the United States. In general, prices change a lot and suddenly in Egypt, like the rest of the Arab countries, depending on the fluctuating political and economic situation.
The cost of living for a foreign student is estimated at $ 200 per month (to cover food and drink expenses).
Conditions of study in Egypt
The requirements for studying in Egyptian universities are no different from their counterparts in the rest of the world. In general, in order to study in Egyptian universities, you must have:
- A copy of a valid passport.
- A medical certificate proving that you are free from serious diseases that hinder your academic ability.
- A copy of the school certificate.
- Buy a medical insurance policy before you travel.
What are the conditions for a student visa (study visa) to Egypt?
Usually, the Egyptian authorities provide a tourist visa to enter the country initially, which is changed to a student visa later. Generally, you will need the following documents to obtain a student visa after arriving in Egypt:
- Evidence that you have obtained a study seat at an Egyptian university.
- Proof of sufficient financial ability to study and live.
- Pre-register at the police station 7 days before your arrival in Egypt.
- Start your application 30 days before your arrival in Egypt.
- A medical document proving that you are free from communicable and contagious diseases.
- A valid passport.
- 2 personal photos.
Are there scholarships to Egypt?
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There are many scholarships available in Egypt, and they vary between public universities and private universities, including:
- The American University in Cairo Scholarships : Available for students who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need for the scholarship. More details of this scholarship can be found here .
- Nile Basin Scholarships (from Alexandria University) : This scholarship covers tuition fees only for the master’s level (3 years) and the doctoral stage (5 years).
- There are many other scholarships, but they are limited in funding and specializations. You can visit this link to view the various grants offered by Egyptian universities and the application dates for them.
Student housing in Egypt
It is one of the things that occupies the mind of every foreign student, regardless of his destination. It is natural that housing is the key to a quiet life and a source of your focus while studying. On the other hand, this dwelling should fit your budget. In Egypt there are many options for international students, which are:
University housing
The cost of university housing in private universities ranges from 14,000 pounds to 35,000 pounds annually ($ 890 to $ 2228), including 3 meals a day. As for public universities, the cost of housing is about 150 EGP per month ($ 9.5) (without meals). University housing is generally characterized by:
- The proximity of housing to universities, which often saves the student the cost of transportation.
- It offers many options including : the type of housing, the number of students you share with you, and the public facilities.
- It provides private housing for girls and is completely safe.
As for the disadvantages of university housing, they are:
- Negligence regarding public facilities in public universities.
- Limited movement and adherence to specific exit and entry times to and from the residence.
- Students are allowed to stay in university housing only during the study period and exams, and they are required to leave on long holidays.
Shared housing
Here, you have the freedom to choose a single room within a furnished apartment in the area that suits you, and the wages range between 750 and 2000 pounds per month ($ 47- $ 127). The fee depends on the region and the number of people staying with you in the apartment. The advantage of shared housing has privacy as it gives the student the opportunity to mix closely with the local population and learn about Egyptian daily life.
But here there is one negative, which is the high wages in the areas close to the university, and in the event of renting in a remote area, you will have to pay additional sums for transportation.
Private housing
Some prefer to rent an entire apartment on their own to gain privacy. There is no doubt that this option will cost you more money, as the wages for a single apartment range from 3,000 EGP per month to 15,000 EGP per month ($ 190-954).
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Can I work while studying?
There is nothing that distinguishes working in Egypt for foreign students, as it is similar to many countries, so work in H is mostly limited to:
- Work in cafes and restaurants.
- delivery.
- Newspaper distribution.
- Work at the university on tasks related to student organizations.
Recreational activities in Egypt
If you love spending the most beautiful times at the weekend and you love to go out to explore this ancient country, here are some of the destinations that you must visit:
- Abu Simbel Temple : This temple was built in the thirteenth century BC, and was buried in the sand until it was discovered. It features stunning architecture, with drawings and stone inscriptions on columns of up to 20 meters. The entrance fee to this temple is about 10 dollars.
- The pyramids of Giza : One of the first places that you should definitely visit, not only as a student, but also as a tourist. These pyramids are located at a distance from the capital Cairo and date back 4000 years and perhaps the most famous landmark there is the statue of “Great Sphinx”.
- Karnak Temple : It is the second largest temple in the world and opens its doors daily to visitors at seven in the evening.
- The Red Sea : This option is the best fit for you if you love marine activities such as swimming, surfing and beach parties. You can stay in a hotel and enjoy some time under the nice sunshine.
Besides the above, there are many nightclubs open daily where you can spend time with friends away from historical places that may seem boring at times.
Is Egypt safe?
Egypt, like other Arab countries exposed to political events, with the exception of the events of 2011 and their aftermath, it can be said that the security situation in Egypt is good and there is no fear of traveling to Egypt and studying there. In addition, all university cities are fully secured and surrounded by walls and guards.
If you want to live in a private residence outside the university campus, then the issue of safety becomes a personal matter. But in general, there is nothing to cause fear in Egypt.
The health system in Egypt
To obtain sufficient and confirmed information, it is necessary to increase the website of your embassy in Egypt to make sure of the vaccinations that must be taken before entering Egypt. Universities also require their students to take an AIDS test before entering Egypt. With regard to hospitals, there are private and public.
Difficulties that a foreign student may face in Egypt
The difficulties that foreign students face in Egypt are summarized in the following points:
- Learning language : The language of learning in private universities is English or French. Unfortunately, there are many professors who do not speak these two languages as a foreign language, and therefore you will face difficulty in receiving the information.
- The big discrepancy between what is contained in the websites of some universities and what is revealed by the truth later.
- For non-Arab students, the main problem will be the Arabic language and the difficulty of learning it. We are not only talking about learning Arabic as a language of study, but rather as a language used in everyday life.
- Weather : Egypt is characterized by hot weather and high temperatures in most of its regions.