Your Dream of Studying at Al-Azhar: A Step-by-Step Guide

For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar University has stood as a beacon of Islamic knowledge, its minarets overlooking Cairo’s bustling streets. Founded in 970 CE, it’s not just a university—it’s a living legacy where scholars like Imam Suyuti and Ibn Hajar once walked.

If you’ve ever dreamed of studying here, this guide is your roadmap.

---

🌍 Who Can Apply?

Al-Azhar opens its doors to Muslim students worldwide, but you’ll need:
✔ A high school diploma (or equivalent, 12 years of education)
✔ Basic Arabic (for religious faculties—you’ll need to understand lectures)
✔ Islamic studies background (if applying to Shari’ah, Tafsir, or Hadith)

Worried about your Arabic? Many students first join Ma’had Al-Azhar, a prep school that teaches Arabic before university.

---

📚 What Can You Study?

Al-Azhar isn’t just about fiqh and hadith—it offers both religious and secular degrees:

📖 Islamic Studies (Taught in Arabic)

• Usul al-Din (Theology): Dive deep into Aqeedah, Tafsir, and Hadith
• Shari’ah & Law: Study fiqh, Islamic jurisprudence, and legal principles
• Dawah & Islamic Culture: Learn how to effectively share Islam

🔬 Modern Sciences (For Advanced Arabic Speakers)

• Medicine, Engineering, Pharmacy
• Commerce, Science, Agriculture

Note: Science/medical programs are competitive and may require higher Arabic fluency.

But no worries Learn Arabic from the best teachers and get 10% Discount from our link:

https://portal.pathtoarabic.com/member/aff/go/husnain313

---

📝 Step-by-Step Application (2025 Guide)

1️⃣ Gather Your Documents

You’ll need:

• Passport (valid for at least 1 year)
• High school certificate (translated & attested by your Ministry of Education + Egyptian Embassy)
• Birth certificate (translated)
• 6 passport-sized photos (white background)
• Medical clearance (proof of good health)

Pro Tip: Start attestation early—it can take weeks!

2️⃣ Apply Online or In-Person

• 🌐 Online (Easier, but limited slots)
  • Visit Al-Azhar’s Official Portal
  • Look for “Admission for International Students”
  • Upload scanned documents
• ✈️ In-Person (More reliable)
  • Fly to Cairo (yes, before acceptance!)
  • Submit documents at the International Students Office
  • May require an Arabic entrance exam

3️⃣ Take the Placement Test (If Required)

For Islamic faculties, expect questions on:

• Qur’an memorization (basic Surahs)
• Arabic grammar (Nahw & Sarf)
• Basic fiqh (e.g., how to pray, wudu)

No pressure—if you fail, they may place you in Arabic prep first.

4️⃣ Get Your Acceptance Letter

• Once approved, Al-Azhar will issue an official admission letter.
• Use this to apply for a student visa at the Egyptian embassy.

---

🏡 Life as an Al-Azhar Student

💰 Costs

• Tuition: FREE for Islamic studies! (Yes, really.)
• Living expenses: ~$200-$400/month (dorms are cheap but basic)
• Visa & Travel: Your biggest cost (flights, residency permits)

🏠 Housing

• Dormitories: Affordable (~$30/month) but no AC (Cairo is HOT!)
• Off-campus: Many students share apartments in Nasr City (near campus)

🌆 Living in Cairo

• Language barrier? Learn Egyptian Arabic—it’s different from Fusha!
• Food: Koshari, falafel, and fuul will be your best friends.
• Community: You’ll meet students from Indonesia to Nigeria—lifelong bonds await.

---

✅ Final Checklist

Requirement	Status
Valid Passport	✅ Required
Attested Certificates	✅ Must be legalized
Arabic Prep	❓ If weak
Visa Application	✅ After acceptance

---

🤲 Is It Worth It?

Studying at Al-Azhar isn’t just about a degree—it’s about:

• Walking the same halls as centuries of scholars
• Living in the heart of the Islamic world
• Building a deep, lifelong connection with the deen

The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever travels a path seeking knowledge, Allah makes easy for him a path to Paradise.” (Muslim)

So—are you ready to take the first step? 🚀