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Why Study in Egypt?

Egypt is a country with enormous achievements. Egypt has one of the world’s oldest civilizations and the home of the pyramids. Egypt is now one of those modern nations that brilliantly juxtapose the history and present. Modern structures coexist with small villages and ancient ruins, all set against the desert, the Nile River, and the iconic Egyptian temples.

There is an abundance of art and sculpture collected over thousands of years, but did you know that it is also increasingly emerging as a study destination for international students? Egypt has much more to give international students than heritage and monuments, thanks to a thriving community and a well-developed educational system.

With the world’s largest Arab community, Egypt is a big player on the international stage, with particular clout in the Middle East peace process. University education in Egypt will provide you with a valuable profile for a foreign affairs and international business career.

About Egypt

Egypt is resided in northeastern Africa on the Mediterranean Sea, bordered on the west by Libya, the south by Sudan, and the east by the Red Sea and Israel.

Egypt’s economy is one of the most diverse in the Middle East, with almost similar output levels in tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and services.

Egypt is regarded as a middle force, wielding considerable cultural, political, and military clout in the Middle East and the Muslim world.

Egypt is an Arab country on the Mediterranean Sea in northeast Africa.

Aside from the Red Sea on the east, the country shares borders with Israel, Libya, and Sudan.

With its ancient pyramids, vast deserts, sparkling coastlines, and the Nile River, Egypt is a popular tourist destination for visitors from all over the world. The Egyptian Pound (EGP) is the official currency, and Arabic is the official language.

Egypt is divided into four central geographical regions.

The Nile Valley is Egypt’s wettest area, and it comprises the majority of the country’s agricultural lands.

The Western Desert is the highest, covering roughly two-thirds of the world, and is the hottest and driest.

The Eastern Desert has higher elevations and is rich in natural resources such as gems, gas, and oil.

The Sinai Peninsula is a plateau that connects Egypt’s northwestern corner and has the country’s most rugged mountainous landscape.

Climate

Egypt has two seasons: winter from November to April and summer from May to October. Temperatures in coastal areas range from 14° C to 30° C. Temperatures in the desert vary dramatically from day to night, with extremes as low as 7 degrees Celsius and as high as 43 degrees Celsius.

Culture

Egypt has a multi-cultural culture that combines contemporary and Western traditions with ancient Middle Eastern rituals.

Devotion to family is fundamental to Egyptian society, and Egyptians are also noted for their excellent sense of humour and friendliness.

Sports, mainly soccer, are widespread, as traditional folkloric dances vary by area.

Egypt is also well-known for its film, theatre, music, and television productions.

The Cost of Living

Egypt has a relatively low cost of living; one-bedroom apartments can be rented for about $US 125 to $US 250 per month.

Utilities and Internet cost an additional $US 80 a month.

Safety in Egypt

Following the 2011 anti-government demonstrations that ended Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year presidency, Egypt’s political condition has been tumultuous in recent years.

Terrorism poses a significant danger, and travellers can avoid specific locations.

Before making travel arrangements, be cautious and get travel advice from officials like the British Foreign Office.

In Egypt, you can also take a photo ID with you at all times.

Visa Requirements

Non-Egyptian students must enter Egypt with a valid passport from their home country, with an expiration date at least six months after the scheduled return date.

Students usually enter a tourist visa acquired from the Egyptian embassy or consulate in their home country; the tourist visa is valid for 1-6 months.

Since entering Egypt, students must register at the closest neighbourhood police station within seven days of their arrival; however, students from the United States, Canada, and the European Union are exempt from this requirement.

Both international students must apply for a student residence visa within 30 days of entry, and this visa must be renewed every semester.

Why study in Egypt?

Egypt is home to 20 public universities and 23 private colleges that deliver undergraduate and graduate programs, including several international universities that have developed satellite campuses in the region.

Because of the increased emphasis on drawing international students to their courses, Egypt has been named by UNESCO as one of the top 20 international student destinations in the world.

Egypt is home to over 50,000 students from all over the world.

Egypt may seem to be an unorthodox option for studying abroad, but there are numerous explanations why you should study in the land of the pyramids:

Cost of living:

Studying and working in Egypt would be much less expensive than in other countries. In Egypt, the cost of living and studying is poor.

It is a cheap place to live, with affordable transportation, lodging, and other amenities.

Quality Education:

Egypt provides high-quality schooling at all educational levels, including pre-primary, primary, secondary, and tertiary education.

Egyptian colleges are among the best in the country, with a wide range of research options.

Multiple Scholarships:

Many scholarship programs are available to both international and Egyptian candidates. Scholarships and other financial aid are available at the majority of Egyptian universities.

There are both government and private scholarships available.

Multicultural Environment:

As previously said, Egypt is a fascinating blend of African, Mediterranean, and Arab influences. As the Arab world’s core, Egypt provides students with the opportunity to learn about a society that is somewhat different from their own. Egypt’s history and customs are a unique mix of African, Arabic, and Mediterranean influences.

If you study in Egypt, you will discover fabulous new foods, clothing, language, customs, culture, and social environment.

Explore the World:

It is perhaps one of the most compelling reasons to consider studying in Egypt. It allows you to see a positive aspect of the world. By studying in Egypt, you will be exposed to a brand-new country with fascinating new perspectives, traditions, and events.

Other advantages include viewing Egypt’s stunning landscapes, natural wonders, museums, and monuments.

Learn a new language:

One significant advantage of studying in Egypt is the opportunity to learn Arabic. You will be exposed to the language daily, making learning easy. Furthermore, learning in Egypt allows you to immerse yourself in a foreign language, Arabic, thoroughly, and there is no easier way to learn than by diving right in.

Career Opportunities:

When you complete your studies and come home, you will have a fresh outlook on life, language skills, a solid education, and a desire to learn. Unnecessary to mention, all these are very appealing to potential employers. Many students are so much mesmerized by their host country that they plan to stay and work there.

If you can relate, you can discover that a local education will be very beneficial when looking for a potential career in that area.

Discover New Interests:

If you are always wondering why you should study in Egypt, you should know that studying in Egypt exposes you to a plethora of new experiences and desires that you would not have encountered if you’d stayed at home.

Make Friends for Life

One of the most significant advantages of studying in Egypt is making new lifelong friends from various countries and backgrounds. You will attend school and live with Egyptian students while in Egypt. This allows you to get to know your classmates and form long-lasting relationships with them.

These friends will also serve as valuable networking resources in the future.

Life-time Exposure

Studying abroad teaches you new ways to cope with various circumstances, balance your studies and part-time work, teach in a foreign language, and interact with a diverse group of people. This, in particular, contributes to the overall knowledge of the subject and life in general.

Study in Egypt

Higher Education in Egypt

Egypt has a diverse range of public and private higher education opportunities. Many international universities have or are planning to build campuses in Egypt.

In addition, the public sector provides not only universities but also a wide range of non-university training, especially in technology. Up to 99 per cent of Egyptian students attend public schools.

This is partially attributed to the fact that education at public schools is free for Egyptian people. Many of these students are also enrolled in non-university tertiary education at one of the 47 Middle Technical Institutes (MTI) that offer 2-year programs and four that are 4-5-year higher technical institutes (HTI)

Foreign universities that have developed themselves within Egypt’s higher education system often provide a wide variety of education taught in English.

Some, such as the long-established American University in Cairo, also offer Arabic-taught classes, allowing them to reach a broader audience.

Language

Since Arabic is the dominant language in the region, it is naturally the language of instruction in most Egyptian universities.

However, as previously said, English instruction is readily accessible at private schools, as are language classes for those interested in studying one of the world’s significant languages today.

Tuition and Program Duration

The cost of tuition varies greatly depending on the type of school and program of study.

Graduate programs at private universities for international students will cost up to $US 1,000 per credit hour per semester.

Egyptian students pay lower fees, but tuition per semester hour is still about $US 600.

Most master’s degree programs require between 30 and 40 credit hours, with others requiring a thesis.

Graduate students usually take nine credit hours each course, but degrees typically take 1.5 to 2 years to complete.

Academic Year

The school year is classified into two semesters. The fall semester starts in early September and lasts until the middle of December, with tests in between. The spring semester starts in late January and lasts until the middle of May, with tests in between.

Students attending international schools will be required to take time off on both Muslim and Christian holy days.

Post-Graduate Opportunities

Egypt’s unemployment rate is about 12%. However, graduates with master’s degrees will still find jobs, especially if they speak Arabic or English fluently and want to work for a multinational company.

Work permits are required and can be purchased from the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration in the district where the prospective employer is based.

Health Insurance

Both international students studying in Egypt should have a robust health care scheme that includes injuries, sickness, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains.

The cost of health insurance varies depending on the level of coverage, but standard benefits start at $US 30 a month.

Universities

Egypt has 23 state colleges, 18 public non-university schools, 19 private universities, and 81 private higher education institutions.

With the recent transition and change of government, seven new public universities have been founded; most of these new universities were established by converting divisions of existing universities into stand-alone colleges.

To improve education for all Egyptian residents, the newer schools are all located outside of major cities.

While all higher education institutions provide academic and vocational instruction, not all public non-university institutions or private higher education institutions offer advanced degree programs.

TOP UNIVERSITIES IN EGYPT

American University in Cairo:

The American University in Cairo is ranked 365th globally and 5th in the Arab region in the QS World University Ranking by Subject. It also ranks in the top 100 for development studies and the top 200 for modern languages.

The University of Cairo

Cairo University, one of Egypt’s oldest universities, is ranked 551-600 globally and 10th in the Arab world.

The university also features in topic rankings eight times, with pharmacy and pharmacology ranked in the top 150 in the country.

Ain Shams University

Ain Shams University is a private university located in Ain Shams, Saudi Arabia. Ain Shams University is ranked 12th in the Arab region and has a five-star ranking for teaching in the QS Stars university rating system. It is also one of the top 400 medical schools in the world.

Alexandria University

Alexandria University, which is ranked 801-1000 in the world and 18th in the Arab region, was established in 1938 as a branch campus of Cairo University, became a separate institution in 1942, and was renamed ‘Alexandria University in 1952.

Since then, it has grown from seven to 22 faculties and is establishing a branch campus in Juba, Sudan.

It, too, is a big institution, with about 152,305 students currently enrolled.

Mansoura University

Despite not being included in the overall QS World University Rankings, Mansoura University is ranked 28th in the QS Arab Region University Rankings this year.

It was established in 1972 in the city of Mansoura, in the heart of the Nile Delta.

The university is well-known for its specialist medical centres, which include Africa’s largest nephrology centre.

With about 100,000 students studying across 17 faculties, it is one of Egypt’s most prominent universities.

How To Apply?

The majority of Egypt’s most prominent universities offer English-language courses. If you are a non-native English speaker, you must apply your TOEFL or IELTS scores as evidence of English proficiency.

To apply to a university in Egypt, you would generally need the following documents:

  • Passport photocopy
  • A recent medical report showing your physical and mental ability to complete university-level work
  • A bank statement proving that you or your sponsor have sufficient money to pay tuition and living expenses or evidence that you have won a scholarship
  • Certificates and original mark-sheets

Student Visa

You cannot apply for a student visa at a consulate in your home country, as in other countries.

Since no consulate outside of Egypt is authorized to grant student visas, you must enter Egypt on a tourist visa and then upgrade to a student visa once you are within the country.

When you arrive in Egypt, you must explain the following:

  • You have a guaranteed spot on a course at a reputable educational institution.
  • You have enough money to support yourself through your studies.
  • Within seven days of your arrival, you registered with your nearest police station.
  • You applied for a student visa within 30 days of arrival in Egypt.
  • International students are not permitted to work in Egypt during their visit.

Scholarships

Many Egyptian universities provide merit-based or need-based scholarships to international students.

Non-Egyptian students admitted to American University in Cairo, for example, are eligible for both need-based and merit-based scholarships.

In Conclusion

Egypt has one of the most comprehensive educational programs in North Africa and the Middle East. Egypt’s universities draw international students due to their high standard and low cost.

In Egypt, anyone can find a suitable course of research.

While studying in the region, students can also learn about the country’s rich culture and history.

Scholarships to study in Egypt

David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarships 

They are well designed for undergraduate students studying in a critical needs international program, such as Egypt and the Middle East. Eligible students must be engaged in a program of study that enables them to not only learn the formal language—Arabic—but the vernacular, or everyday colloquialisms or common language inherent in any linguistics system.

Apply Now

Boren Graduate Fellowships 

This requires the same program criteria and the same arrangement of service for a scholarship. These awards provide up to $30,000 for two years of study to those students who display the highest achievement and potential to meet the needs of their chosen study in Egypt.

Apply Now

The National Flagship Language Program 

It is designed solely to get a student up to speed with a critical needs language, such as Arabic, by immersing them in the country, its language and culture. Students may engage in language studies in Egypt and qualify for the full-tuition funding. 

Apply Now

Amit Kumar

FreeEducator.com blog is managed by Amit Kumar. He and his team come from the Oxford, Stanford and Harvard. At FreeEducator, we strive to create the best admission platform so that international students can go to the best universities - regardless of financial circumstances. By applying with us, international students get unlimited support and unbiased advice to secure the best college offers overseas.

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