History
The American University in Cairo was founded in 1919 by Americans devoted to education and service in the Middle East. For its first 27 years, the University was shaped by its founding president, Charles A. Watson, who wished to create an English-language University based on high standards of conduct and scholarship, and to contribute to the intellectual growth of the future leaders of Egypt.
Education
The University offers 36 undergraduate, 44 master’s and two PhD programs rooted in a liberal arts education that encourages students to think critically and find creative solutions to conflicts and challenges facing both the region and the world. It also offers a globally recognized professional community-based education in English to meet the needs of the dynamic Egyptian and broader regional economies.
Research
- AUC is committed to actively transfer research and innovation through technology licensing and collaborative partnerships delivering tangible benefits to the community.
- AUC boasts 16 research centers that promote collaborative research across a wide array disciplines.
- The Science and Technology Research Center supports a variety of nanoscience and technology- oriented projects. Research activities are centered around generic imaging, analysis and fabrication equipment and focus on nanomaterials characterization and design and fabrication of micro-opto-electromechanical systems.
Career
The Employability and Career Development Centers (ECDC) project was born out of a partnership between AUC and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with the goal of establishing career centers in Egyptian public universities to aid university students in developing and showcasing the skills required by the current job market.
Through the project, three centers were established at Ain Shams University (ASU)– Main Campus, Ain Shams University (ASU) – Faculty of Engineering, and Suez Canal University (SCU). AUC’s own Career Center was central in providing its technical expertise and in building the capacity of ECDC staff.
The American University in Cairo Key Statistics & Highlights
- #381 Ranking
- 2 PhDs
- 24 Scholarships
- 422 Academic Staff
- 5,904 Students
- 295 Students (int'l)
- 3,306 Students (female)
- Public Institution Type
The American University in Cairo Overview
The American University in Cairo Scholarships
The American University in Cairo Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to The American University in Cairo. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
$1,500 Annual Students’ Presentation Crafting Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
11 Jan 2027
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
20 May 2026
PlagiarismSearch Essay Contest
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
$1,500 Annual Students’ Presentation Crafting Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
11 Jan 2027
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
20 May 2026
PlagiarismSearch Essay Contest
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
$1,500 Annual Students’ Presentation Crafting Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
11 Jan 2027
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
20 May 2026
PlagiarismSearch Essay Contest
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
The American University in Cairo Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 9.8% Egypt
Top 7.4% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
QS World University Rankings
381
By TopUniversities
Climbed 29 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 415 | 410 | 381 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
601
By Times Higher Education
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 801 | 601 | 601 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
913
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 4 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| - | 909 | 913 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Student services
The Office of International Student Life (ISL) aims to weave the global dimension into the fabric of AUC. The office serves incoming international students with the purpose of internationalizing campus. It collaborates with other university offices, local, and global entities; thus supporting the liberal arts dimension of the university mission.
Library services
AUC's main library boasts nearly 500,000 print volumes, 130 electronic journal subscriptions and is home to the largest English-language collection in Egypt, the AUC New Cairo library is the hub of study, research and investigation on campus. The library is home to the Learning Commons, your go-to spot for research and technology help.
Medical services
The AUC clinics at both AUC New Cairo and Tahrir Square offer comprehensive health care services to ensure the well-being of the entire AUC community. Provided services include medical advice, treatment, vaccines, pharmacy services, and recommendations for outside care. The AUC clinic also has provider relationships with the best hospitals in Cairo.
Campus life
Designed to accommodate 5,500 full-time students and 1,500 faculty and staff, AUC’s $400 million, 260-acre campus is technologically advanced and environmentally sensitive. Offering state-of-the-art resources to students and faculty from around the world, the campus weaves Egyptian urban and architectural traditions into a modern campus and is designed to be accessible to persons with disabilities.
Sports facilities
- We serve the entire AUC community, mainly the students, faculty and staff.
- Sports equipment is available for every kind of sport for checkout free of charge at the control desk near the locker rooms.
- The athletics office provides aerobics classes for everyone (nine different types of classes plus fitness and healthy lifestyle).
- We supervise the gym and provide special programs focusing on weight loss, body building, fitness, endurance and fitness therapy for injuries, which are accessible to students, staff and faculty members.
Student clubs
Whether it’s watching the stars or women’s rights that spark your interest, you’ll find like-minded people in one of AUC’s 60 student organizations. The many extracurricular activities available at AUC reflect the diverse backgrounds and interests of the student body.
Joining a club lets you develop your personal skills and get involved in areas of community service, student government, culture and special interests, academics, or student conferences. The University also has several student-run publications including newspapers; The Insider, Caravan and The Independent, and AUC Times, a monthly magazine.
Accreditation
AUC operates within the framework of a 1975 protocol with the Egyptian government, which in turn is based on a 1962 cultural relations agreement between the Egyptian and US governments. In the United States of America, AUC is licensed to grant degrees and is incorporated by the state of Delaware. AUC is governed by a board of trustees and is administered by a chief executive officer appointed by this board.
The American University in Cairo Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
Egypt Country
Cairo City
The American University in Cairo Student Reviews & Awards
4.1
Based on 100 reviews
- 5 Star 41 Reviews
- 4 Star 38 Reviews
- 3 Star 18 Reviews
- 2 Star 2 Reviews
- 1 Star 1 Review
How Students Rated This University
- Overall Satisfaction 4.1
- Admission Process 4.0
AUC: Where Education Meets Personal Growth
My experience at the American University in Cairo (AUC) has been both academically enriching and personally transformative. AUC offers a high-quality education system that emphasizes critical thinking, research skills, and real-world application of knowledge. The professors are highly qualified, supportive, and encourage active participation, which makes the learning environment engaging and interactive. One of the most valuable aspects of my time at AUC is the diversity of students and perspectives. Being part of such an international and multicultural community helped me develop strong communication skills and a broader global outlook. In terms of facilities, the campus is modern and well-equipped with advanced laboratories, libraries, and study spaces that support both individual and group work. The university also provides access to excellent academic resources and databases, which are very helpful for research and assignments. However, one of the main challenges is the cost of tuition, which can be quite high. Although financial aid and scholarships are available, they can be competitive and limited. Additionally, the workload can sometimes be demanding, requiring good time management and discipline. Overall, my experience at AUC has been very positive. It has helped me grow academically, professionally, and personally, and I believe it has prepared me well for future opportunities.
Interesting but sometimes has redundancy
I loved the Actuarial-Specific courses as well as the math of derivatives pricing courses with Dr. Roba Bairakdar & other Adjunct Faculty. The statistics courses with Dr. Ali Hadi and Dr. Noha Youssef were also very interesting. The problem is that due to The SOA's VEE requirements, the program cannot stop being joint with business, which makes for some redundancy.
AUC
I like the AUC a lot, It has a lot of resources and the student life there is good
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Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
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