Undergraduate Admissions

The American University in Cairo (AUC) seeks students who have distinguished themselves in a meaningful way and who show considerable academic performance. The University also considers applicants’ personal achievements outside the classroom, as demonstrated by sustained participation, commitment, and leadership in school and community activities.

To qualify for admission, applicants must:

  • Complete all secondary school graduation requirements
  • Maintain a high level of academic performance 
  • Submit all required documents before the set deadlines

Important Remarks

  • Having the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission to the University, but rather ensures entry to the selection process.
  • Late submission of admission credentials decreases your chances of declaring science and engineering majors because places in these programs are limited.
  • Provisional Admission and Final Acceptance:

AUC considers the most academically qualified applicants for provisional admission if they earned excellent grades or submitted the necessary documents prior to the set deadlines.

Final acceptance will be given after submitting your final transcript and proof of graduation by or before the assigned deadlines. To view deadlines, click here.

  • Tuition and Fees

For information about tuition and fees, click here.

Note: Tuition and fees for newly admitted students are non-refundable.

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GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

For All Certificates

  1. Submit the online application form. (Application is available online only). The application can be renewed from the fall to the spring semester of the same academic year only. A new application should be submitted for a new academic year.
  2. Check that you have fulfilled all the University’s language requirements. Results of the TOEFL/IELTS exams may be sent directly to the admissions office. AUC’s code number for sending TOEFL score is 0903
  • For more information about TOEFL/IETLS cut-off scores and placement levels:
    For fall 2023, click here.
  • Both tests should be completed no more than two years prior to the first day of the term for which you are applying for admission
  • English placement depends on your TOEFL/IELTS test scores
  • Students who believe their placement in the ELI is not appropriate for their level of English proficiency are encouraged to re-take the TOEFL or IELTS. AUC does not offer “exemption” exams of any kind
  • Applicants may submit an improved English placement test score to the University. The deadline to submit improved English placement test scores is the last working day before the start date of the semester at 4 pm Cairo Local Time. Scores submitted after this deadline will not be considered. For exact dates, check AUC's academic calendar. AUC accepts only official test scores documents. Text messages from test centers will not be considered.
  1.  Check that you have submitted all required documents by the set deadlines. Your application and a final admission decision will be pending the submission of all these documents. Applications submitted after the set deadlines will be considered according to space availability.

For Sciences and Engineering applicants: If you plan to major in science or engineering, click here to know your requirements.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL CERTIFICATES

In addition to the general requirements, you need to fulfill the requirements of your secondary school certificate.

The most common secondary school certificates accepted by AUC are listed below. The minimum cut-off scores for each certificate may change from one semester to another according to University requirements.

    1. AUC requires a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (on a scale of 4.0) from an accredited school for admission consideration from grade 9 through grade 12. Applicants who joined different schools should submit official transcripts from all institutions attended.
    2. Students must also submit copies of test scores from SAT I or ACT exams. The minimum scores for admission consideration are a combined total score of 950 for the SAT 1 or a score of 20 on the ACT composite section.
    3.  Having the minimum recommended SAT/ACT score does not guarantee acceptance. No English exemption will be granted based on the SAT1 English components. Accordingly, all applicants are required to submit official International TOEFL or academic IELTS scores.
    4. Students will be evaluated using a combination of GPA and SAT I or ACT results.
    5. Students who spent less than one and a half years at an accredited American high school must submit ACT 2 in two different subjects of their choice. A minimum score of 22 on each subject is required. 
    6. Preference in admission will be given to students who have received an American high school diploma in 12 years of schooling.
    7. Applicants interested in engineering programs, actuarial science, data science, and computer science majors are required to have a minimum SAT I-Math score of 560 or ACT I - Math score of 22 to be considered for evaluation. To view the engineering requirements,click here.
    8. The University grants transfer credits for holders of the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations for academic subjects with scores of 4 or 5 (out of 5). For transfer credit details, click here.
    9. Applicants are required to submit proof of English proficiency (International TOEFL/Academic IELTS) at the early stage of the admissions cycle.
  • Dogwood Diploma

    • Holders should have a minimum average of 75 percent for admission consideration. The average is calculated based on grades 11 and 12.
    • Applicants are required to submit proof of English proficiency (International TOEFL/Academic IELTS) at the early stage of the admissions cycle.

    Manitoba Diploma

    • Five courses on a senior level standard must be taken during grade 12 including English and mathematics (code 40 S). If the applicant takes more courses, then all the courses will be calculated for admissions.
    • Applicants are required to submit proof of English proficiency (International TOEFL/Academic IELTS) at the early stage of the admissions cycle.

    Ontario Secondary School Diploma

    • Holders should have six university-level subjects (U or M) completed in grade 12. A minimum score of 75 percent is required for admission consideration. Six courses taken at grade 12 are calculated within the average.
    • Applicants are required to submit proof of English proficiency (International TOEFL/Academic IELTS) at the early stage of the admissions cycle.
    1. Applicants with a minimum average of passable will be considered for admission.
    2. The University grants up to 30 transfer credits for academic subjects with advanced level scores of 14 or more (out of 20). For transfer credit details, click here.
    3. Applicants are required to submit proof of English proficiency (International TOEFL/Academic IELTS) at the early stage of the admissions cycle.
  • Admission of IGCSE applicants who have completed less than 12 years of schooling is not guaranteed and is subject to University approval and available slots. The following documents are needed as proof of 12 years of pre-university enrollment.

    1. Applicants who have completed 12 years of schooling in an international system are required to submit grade one final report in addition to year by year proof of enrollment (primary to secondary).
    2. Applicants who have completed six years after ibtedaya or three years after idadiya are required to submit a copy of the front and backside of the certificate (ibtdaya or idadiya) and ensure that the academic year is clearly printed on the document. Ibtdaya or idadiya certificate with results of only Arabic and religion are not considered as proof. 
    3. AUC requires eight GCE, GCSE, or IGCSE subjects for admission consideration. However, applicants must submit all certificates, as well as their candidate number, to ensure that the University calculates eligibility using the highest eight scores. Only copies with a fresh stamp (from schools or British council) are considered as official documents.
    4.  AUC does not accept OL Arabic (as a second language) as one of the eight subjects.
    5. Preference is given to students who have completed advanced or advanced subsidiary level subjects and have excellent grades.
    6. AUC accepts a minimum grade of C to satisfy the eight subject requirement at the ordinary or advanced subsidiary level, and a minimum grade of D at the advanced level.
    7. AUC considers the highest grade in subjects completed more than once.
    8. AUC counts the higher grade in the same subjects completed at both advanced and advanced subsidiary levels.
    9. To view the engineering requirementsclick here.
    10. The University grants transfer credits for A-level subjects with grades of A or B. The University does not grant transfer credit for subjects completed at the AS, AO, or O levels. For transfer credit details, click here.
    11. Applicants are required to submit proof of English proficiency (International TOEFL/Academic IELTS) at the early stage of the admissions cycle.
    1. Applicants with a minimum academic average of 4 will be considered for admission.
    2. Applicants are required to submit proof of English proficiency at the early stage of the admissions cycle.
    3. For more information on provisional admission, click here.
    4. To view deadlines, click here.
    5. To view the engineering requirements, click here.
    6. The University grants up to 30 transfer credits for academic subjects with scores of 10 or more (out of 15). For transfer credit details, click here.
    7. Applicants are required to submit proof of English proficiency (International TOEFL/Academic IELTS) at the early stage of the admissions cycle.
    1. Holders of the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma will be considered for admission provided that they have completed their diploma requirements and meet the admissions scores for the applied semester. Holders of IB certificates may be accepted, provided they successfully complete the AUC admissions requirements for the high school diploma or British certificate. 
    2. The University grants up to 30 transfer credits for the IB diploma as follows: transfer credits for higher-level academic subjects with grades of 5, 6, or 7 (out of 7). In addition, up to 15 credits of lower-division general elective transfer credits for the completion of the IB diploma with minimum total points of 30. AUC does not grant transfer credit for the subsidiary level. subjects. For transfer credit details, click here.
    3. Applicants are required to submit proof of English proficiency (International TOEFL/Academic IELTS) at the early stage of the admissions cycle.
    1. A score of at least 75 percent is required for admission consideration.
    2. To view the engineering requirements, click here.
    3. Other majors do not have special course requirements.
    4. Applicants are required to submit proof of English proficiency (International TOEFL/Academic IELTS) at the early stage of the admissions cycle.
    1. A score of at least 70 percent is required for admission consideration.
    2. For more information on provisional admission, click here.
    3. To view deadlines, click here.
    4. To view the engineering requirements, click here.
    5. Applicants are required to submit proof of English proficiency (International TOEFL/Academic IELTS) at the early stage of the admissions cycle.
    • Australian Secondary School Certificate
    • Canadian Secondary School Certificate (CEGEP/OSSD/Manitoba/British Colombia/Nova Scotia)
    • Greek Secondary School Certificate
    • Lebanese Baccalaureate, Part II
    • West and East African Secondary School Certificate
    • Others: Contact the University for information about your specific program

REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSFER CREDIT

  • AUC accepts transfers from accredited universities. The applicant's GPA should not be less than 2.0 for admission consideration. In case the applicant has completed less than 60 credit hours with a minimum grade of "C" or above, the admission evaluation will be based on the secondary school certificate which should meet the AUC minimum requirements for admission consideration.
  • The number of transfer credits that will be granted to the applicant will be subject to the academic department’s evaluation and decision. Course evaluation will be processed after submission of the admission application and a complete file of required documents, including an official transcript of the courses and grades earned at the current educational institution, as well as the official course description/syllabi.
  • The University awards transfer credit for coursework completed at post-secondary institutions for coursework that is comparable in nature, scope, content, and depth; in addition to the appropriateness and applicability of the credit earned to the courses at AUC.  
  • Transfer applicants are not guaranteed acceptance into their current major at their current institution, they start their studies at AUC as undeclared students.
  • Transfer scholarship applicants who completed less than 60 credit hours (less than two years) in an accredited university, with an acceptable score, are eligible to apply for Excellence Scholarship. They will be evaluated based on the secondary school certificate. Click here to know more about Excellence Scholarship.