The American University in Cairo
Egypt • Founded 1919 • World Rank #1674
Overview
Founded in 1919, The American University in Cairo is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the medium city of New Cairo (population range of 250,000-499,999 inhabitants), Cairo.
Officially recognized by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, The American University in Cairo (AUC) is a small-sized coeducational Egyptian higher education institution. The American University in Cairo (AUC) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 105-year-old Egyptian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
AUC also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Where The American University in Cairo sits geographically, plus the contact channels students use during admissions. Alumni-office inquiries are separate from admissions and have their own contact page.
Academic Details
The American University in Cairo's scale, faculty balance, and academic recognition. Staff-with-doctorate share often signals research culture more reliably than headline research output figures.
Academic Structures
The American University in Cairo's internal academic units — faculties, schools, and institutes — are grouped below. The breakdown helps when navigating departmental websites and specific contact points.
Unit 7 items
- Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement
- Centre for Adult and Continuing Education
- Centre for Arabic Study Abroad
- Centre for Desert Development
- Centre for Electronic Journalism
- Centre for Management
- Centre for Social Research
Degrees
Also Dual Degree Programmes: Master in Development Studies (MDP) option Bachelor in Public Administration, Bachelor's Degree in Political Science (B.A.) and Master in Human Rights (M.A.), Master in Environment Studies (Sustainable Development) M.Sc.; MBA; Executive MBA; Political Science, Joint Program with University of Tubingen, Germany, (Comparative and Middle East Politics and Society- CMEPS), with specializations in Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Development Studies (M.A.)
Bachelor's 27 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Accountancy
- Actuarial Science
- Ancient Civilizations
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Construction Engineering
- Cultural Studies
- Economics
- Electronic Engineering
- English
- Fine Arts
- Journalism
- Literature
- Mass Communication
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Modern History
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Theatre
Master's 61 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Anthropology
- Arabic
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Comparative Law
- Comparative Literature
- Comparative Politics
- Computer Science
- Construction Engineering
- Demography and Population
- Development Studies
- Economics
- Educational Administration
- Electronic Engineering
- Electronics and Automation
- Engineering Drawing and Design
- Engineering Management
- English
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Studies
- Finance
- Food Science
- Foreign Languages Education
- Gender Studies
- Higher Education
- History
- Human Rights
- Industrial Engineering
- International Business
- International Economics
- International Law
- International and Comparative Education
- Islamic Studies
- Journalism
- Literature
- Mass Communication
- Materials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Nanotechnology
- North African Studies
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Power Engineering
- Production Engineering
- Protective Services
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Radio and Television Broadcasting
- Religion
- Robotics
- Social Policy
- Social Psychology
- Sociology
- Teacher Training
- Telecommunications Engineering
- Women's Studies
Doctoral 12 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Construction Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Electronics and Automation
- Environmental Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Natural Sciences
- Robotics
- Telecommunications Engineering
Diploma & Certificate 18 programs
Diploma and certificate routes deliver focused, applied training for fast entry into skilled occupations.
- Comparative Law
- Comparative Literature
- Computer Science
- Demography and Population
- Environmental Studies
- Foreign Languages Education
- Gender Studies
- Human Rights
- International Economics
- International Law
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Native Language Education
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Public Administration
- Social Policy
- Social Psychology
- Women's Studies
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
American Studies and Research (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- American Studies
Arabic Study Abroad (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arabic
Desert Development (Centre) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arid Land Studies
- Development Studies
Journalism (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Journalism
Common Career Paths
- Journalist
- Editor
- News Producer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Management (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Management
Common Career Paths
- Operations Manager
- Project Manager
- HR Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Philanthropy and Civic Engagement (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Civics
Social Research (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Social Studies
Arabic Language (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arabic
English Language (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- English
Gender and Women's Studies (Institute) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Gender Studies
- Women's Studies
Economics and Business History (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Economic History
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science and Technology (Research Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Natural Sciences
- Technology
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Business, Economics and Communication (School) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Administration
- Business Administration
- Business and Commerce
- Communication Studies
- Economics
- Journalism
- Management
- Mass Communication
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Continuing Education (School) 12 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Arabic
- Computer Science
- Education
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Human Rights
- Information Technology
- International Law
- Marketing
- Tourism
- Translation and Interpretation
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Humanities and Social Sciences (School) 19 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anthropology
- Arts and Humanities
- Comparative Law
- Comparative Literature
- Demography and Population
- English
- Film
- History
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Islamic Studies
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Music
- Performing Arts
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Sociology
- Theatre
- Visual Arts
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science and Engineering (School) 13 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Actuarial Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Construction Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Engineering
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Natural Sciences
- Organic Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Physics
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Each programme at The American University in Cairo is grouped by the degree it leads to. New programmes can take 6–12 months to propagate through search engines, so the live catalogue here is the authoritative list.
Bachelor's Degree
30 programmes
At undergraduate level, The American University in Cairo offers 30 programmes. These bachelor's degrees typically open both direct employment pathways and routes into postgraduate specialisation.
Chemistry Chemistry
Educational Studies Education & Teaching
Chemical Engineering Chemistry
Civil Engineering Civil Engineering & Construction
Electrical Engineering Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Computer Engineering Computer Sciences
Mathematics Mathematics
Physics Physics & Astronomy
Theatre Performing Arts
Biology Biological Sciences
Architecture Architecture
Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
Business Administration Business Administration
Finance Finance, Banking & Insurance
Management Business & Management
Economics Economics
Political Science Politics & International Relations
English and Comparative Literature English Language Studies
History History
Accounting Accounting
Psychology Psychology
Sociology and Anthropology Social & Cultural Studies
Egyptology
Arab and Islamic Civilizations Islamic & Quranic Studies
Applied Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Visual Arts Visual Arts
Film Film & Animation
Music Music
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master of Business Administration
2 programmes
At postgraduate taught level, The American University in Cairo runs 2 programmes. These master's degrees suit applicants ready to concentrate on a narrower field than their bachelor's covered.
Business Administration Business Administration
Executive Business Administration Business Administration
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
5 programmes
At postgraduate taught level, The American University in Cairo runs 5 programmes. These master's degrees suit applicants ready to concentrate on a narrower field than their bachelor's covered.
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Engineering General Engineering
Public Health Public Health
Business Administration Business Administration
Public Policy Public Policy
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Doctorate
2 programmes
The American University in Cairo delivers 2 programmes at doctoral level for graduates committed to advancing the frontier of their discipline through original inquiry.
Applied Sciences Natural Sciences
Engineering General Engineering
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to The American University in Cairo
What applying to The American University in Cairo typically involves — research, eligibility check, document prep, submission, and follow-up.
- 1 Browse the programme catalogue
Use the programme finder to browse The American University in Cairo's 39 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
- 2 Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Programme-level requirements at The American University in Cairo typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
- 3 Get your documents ready
Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.
- 4 Apply through the official channel
The American University in Cairo processes applications through www.aucegypt.edu. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
- 5 Reach out and track your application
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +20 (2) 2615 1000. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about The American University in Cairo
Quick answers to the most common questions about The American University in Cairo — covering location, founding, ranking, programmes, and admissions context.
In what year was The American University in Cairo established?
The American University in Cairo was founded in 1919 (approximately 107 years ago).
What city is The American University in Cairo in?
The American University in Cairo operates from New Cairo, Egypt.
Is The American University in Cairo a public or private institution?
The American University in Cairo operates as a private institution.
How big is The American University in Cairo's student body?
The American University in Cairo serves approximately 5,000-5,999 students.
How is The American University in Cairo ranked?
The American University in Cairo is ranked #1674 globally and #17 in Egypt.
What degrees does The American University in Cairo offer?
The American University in Cairo offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
How many faculties does The American University in Cairo have?
The American University in Cairo is organised into 7 academic units across its disciplines.
Is The American University in Cairo accredited?
Yes, The American University in Cairo is recognised by USA Council for Accreditation of Higher education, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; Protocol with the Egyptian Government.
How do I find The American University in Cairo online?
The American University in Cairo's official website is www.aucegypt.edu.
Top-Ranked Universities in Egypt
A quick benchmark: here are the top-ranked universities in Egypt. Useful for understanding how The American University in Cairo compares against the national reference points in higher education, and what alternatives exist if reach institutions are part of your strategy.
Members of Association of African Universities (AAU)
Coordination on academic calendars among Association of African Universities (AAU) members eases exchange programme logistics. Aligned terms reduce timing friction when moving between The American University in Cairo and other members.
Where Else to Study Business Administration
Choosing the right Business Administration programme is rarely about one university alone. Institutions across Egypt cover the same discipline as The American University in Cairo from different academic angles, and the right fit depends on what kind of teaching environment suits you.
Universities Often Compared with The American University in Cairo
When students choose The American University in Cairo, they typically weigh it against institutions of similar standing. These universities sit at a comparable level — useful comparisons before committing to a final choice, especially when programme content is similar across the options.