THE CITY OF CAIRO 
 

In Cairo--home to over 20 million--the ancient and the modern, the rural and the urban are brought together on the banks of the Nile in one of the most fascinating cities of the world. For a thousand years, Cairo has flourished as one of the vital centers of the Arab world. 
 

THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO

Founded in 1919 to offer a comprehensive American-style, liberal arts education to Egyptian students, The American University in Cairo (AUC) enrolls 7,000 students in its degree, Arabic language and study abroad programs. AUC students hail from over 60 different countries, but the majority of students are Egyptians. 

AUC holds institutional accreditation from the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in the United States (MSCHE /"Middle States"). The University is also fully accredited by ABET and AACSB. Credits earned at AUC are transferable to any U.S. college or university, provided that course material is approved on an individual basis by the home institution.

 

AUC CAMPUS
 

In 2008, the University campus moved from its location in central downtown Cairo to the suburb of New Cairo, a development comprising 46,000 acres of land and with a projected population of 2.5 million people. The new 260-acre complex weaves Egyptian urban and architectural traditions into a modern campus that places a distinct emphasis on environmental sustainability.
 

The campus offers state-of-the-art resources to students and faculty from Egypt and around the world and is accessible to persons with disabilities. Campus facilities include libraries boasting the largest English-language research collection in Egypt, a travel office, bank, fully-staffed medical clinic, counseling center, student dormitories, a state-of-the-art athletic complex, and a variety of food services. Take a virtual tour of the campus here.
 

A University shuttle system provides convenient access to downtown Cairo, from which students can explore a wealth of cultural opportunities. The Cairo Museum--the world's richest repository of pharaonic antiquities--is only a short walk from the old campus center, while the pyramids of Giza, the tombs of Saqqara, and the myriad mosques of medieval Cairo are all within an hour's ride.

 

PROGRAM OPTIONS

General Study Abroad--Students choose classes from among more than 30 undergraduate programs. The language of instruction is English, but Arabic language courses are offered as well. For study abroad students wishing to study Arabic alongside general courses from other disciplines, AUC offers a wide range of non-intensive classes in Modern Standard Arabic and Egyptian Colloquial Arabic.
 

Arabic Language Institute--In its Arabic Language Institute (ALI) AUC maintains what is probably the largest corps of full-time, professional Arabic language teachers in the world, and its many Arabic programs have earned international renown for their quality and competence. The ALI Intensive Arabic Program is ideal for students wishing to maximize their progress in Arabic language study by focusing exclusively on Arabic for the period of their study abroad. Students in this program take a full course load of intensive classes in Arabic language and Egyptian culture.
 

Both programs are offered during the 6-week summer session and the two full semesters (fall and spring.) The general Study Abroad program is also available during the 3-week winter session. Students attending the summer and winter programs take reduced course loads to correspond with the shorter periods of instruction.

 

COURSE LOAD

The full course load at AUC is four or five classes (12-15 credits) per semester. The standard summer session load is 2 classes (6 credits); the winter session, one class (3 credits.) Study Abroad students must maintain full-time status in order to qualify for a student visa.

Fields of Study:

 

Accounting   Actuarial Science   African Studies   American Studies   Architectural Engineering   Anthropology   Applied Probability and Statistics   Arab and Islamic Civilizations   Arabic Studies   Archaeological Chemistry   Architectural Design   Art   Biology   Business Administration   Chemistry   Classical/Medieval Islamic History

Comparative Religion   Computer Engineering   Computer Science   Construction Engineering   Coptic Studies   Development Studies   Economics   Egyptology   Electronics Engineering   English and Comparative Literature   Environmental Science   Film   Gender and Women's Studies   History   Information Systems   International Relations   Islamic Art and Architecture

Islamic Studies   Journalism and Mass Communication   Linguistics   Mathematics   Mechanical Engineering   Middle East Studies   Music   Petroleum and Energy Engineering   Philosophy   Physics   Political Economy   Political Science   Psychology   Rhetoric and Writing   Sociology   Theater

STUDENT LIFE

International students at AUC are encouraged to get involved in the campus and city communities by exploring the numerous cultural, academic, and community service clubs available, or by participating in one of several student-organized conferences. School-sponsored events include lectures and panel discussions on current religious, political and cultural debates; outings to the pyramids; a weekend trip to Alexandria; horseback riding in the desert; and felucca rides on the Nile. AUC offers a multitude of social, athletic, travel and cultural opportunities throughout the semester. Study abroad students have successfully represented AUC in the annual Egyptian National University Sports Competition in gymnastics, rowing, basketball and volleyball. Students often complete the training necessary to become certified scuba divers while enjoying the coral reefs of the Red Sea. Others become involved in musical theater and dance events on campus and in the community. Almost all international students will travel on their own or with student-organized groups to tourist sites in Egypt and to other countries in the region.

 

CAMPUS HOUSING 

The on-campus residence facility has twelve residential units called cottages- 7 for women and 5 for men. Each cottage has a ground (garden) level plus 2 floors with a sum total of nine double rooms, one single room and five apartments. Each apartment has four single rooms and a common living space; there are two toilets, a sink, common lounge and study area. As for the rooms outside the apartment setup, for every three double rooms, there are two showers, two baths and two sinks.
 
Each cottage has a courtyard and a roof terrace. The men's section and the women's section each have study areas. There is a laundry room with washers and dryers and a storage trunk in both the women's and men's cottage areas.

Students living on campus can use the AUC shuttle system to travel between campus and the city center at nights and on weekends as they wish. 

ACADEMIC CALENDAR

Fall: September- December
Winter: January (3 weeks)
Spring: Late January- Late May
Summer: June-July (6 weeks)

For specific program dates, including those for orientations, University holidays, and final examinations, please view our academic calendar.
 

HEALTH INSURANCE 

AUC also requires all international students on its campus to enroll in a comprehensive Egyptian private health insurance program. 

 

FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Most students are able to apply aid from their home institution to the cost of study abroad. One-time consortium agreements can be arranged to facilitate this transfer of aid if no standard billing agreement is in place.

This program occurs in a country that is rated as a Level 3 (reconsider travel) or Level 4 (do not travel) Department of State Travel Advisory and/or has been designated as a country with greater than normal risks by regional experts (On Call International, experts in the Lafayette College community, etc.). This program is therefore subject to Lafayette College’s Travel Risk Assessment Petition Process. 

Updated July 13, 2023.