Webinar: Pursuing MBBS in India Sat, September 5, 2026 | 7:00 PM IST FREE
Reserve free seat
Free Webinar: MBBS in India
Sat, September 5, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Free Webinar: MBBS in India
Sat, September 5, 2026 | 7:00 PM
The medical faculty of the world's foremost Sunni Islamic university (Al-Azhar, founded 970 CE), in Nasr City, Cairo. A respected, English-taught medical school with separate faculties for men and women — a distinctive Islamic institution that suits a specific kind of applicant. Read this honest guide before applying.
5000+ Students trust us
Egypt
Country
Nasr City, Cairo
City
~6 Years
Course duration
English
Medium of instruction
Introduction
A felucca sailing boat on the Nile with the Cairo Tower behind — Cairo city context, not the Nasr City medical campus
Download our free brochure for immediate information, or get personalised professional counselling to understand whether Al-Azhar suits your background and goals.
Recognition & Prestige
Al-Azhar University carries immense religious and historical prestige as the world's foremost Sunni Islamic university, with origins in 970 CE. Its Faculty of Medicine is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and accredited by NAQAAE in Egypt. As a modern research university, however, Al-Azhar's global academic ranking is modest, so its prestige is best understood honestly: historic and religious eminence, and a respected but mid-lower-ranked medical school.
WDOMS
Listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools
NAQAAE
Accredited by Egypt's quality-assurance authority
QS ~1001–1200
QS World University Rankings band (whole university)
The Al-Azhar University Faculty of Medicine is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and accredited by NAQAAE in Egypt. Indian students can qualify to practise in India through the National Medical Commission screening/exit examination, subject to meeting the NMC's conditions — and, first of all, subject to confirming their eligibility for admission in the first place. The NMC does not approve individual foreign universities, and no medical school is 'WHO approved'.
Complete Information About Al-Azhar University Faculty of Medicine
Get complete information about studying MBBS at Al-Azhar University Faculty of Medicine, including who it suits, fees, the admission process and recognition for Indian students.
Success stories
Hear directly from students who are studying medicine in Europe with futureMBBS.
Academic Excellence
Al-Azhar offers a respected, English-taught medical education within the world's foremost Islamic university, in Cairo. These are its real strengths — alongside the honest trade-offs that make it a specific, not a general, choice.
Read all about MBBS abroad in our free brochure
Know exactly what options exist for your MBBS-abroad success.
How to Apply
Admission to the Al-Azhar University Faculty of Medicine is selective and has a distinctive, Muslim-oriented ethos, with the Al-Azhar secondary-certificate route central for many students. Because of this, the first step for an Indian applicant is to confirm eligibility directly with the University. Indian students must also have a qualifying NEET-UG score. Confirm the exact process on the official University site.
Before anything else, confirm with the University whether it admits Indian applicants to medicine and on what terms (its ethos is Muslim-oriented and built around the Al-Azhar certificate route). Do not assume general eligibility.
Applicants must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English with strong marks, and Indian applicants must have a qualifying NEET-UG score, which is also required for later Indian licensing.
Confirm the medium of instruction guaranteed for your intake (English or Arabic, as Arabising is under debate) and that you are applying to the correct single-sex faculty (men's or women's).
Apply through the official international-admissions route with academic and personal documents; admission is selective.
Successful applicants receive an admission/enrolment letter, and Indian students obtain the NMC Eligibility Certificate now expected before starting an MBBS abroad.
Students apply for the Egyptian student visa and pay tuition, then enrol at the start of the academic year.
Applicants must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English. The general requirement is a minimum of 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology taken together (with the standard relaxation to 40% for SC/ST/OBC and other reserved categories), in line with the National Medical Commission's eligibility norms for studying MBBS abroad. Note that Al-Azhar reportedly expects a high school score of about 75%+ and, importantly, has a Muslim-oriented admissions ethos and Al-Azhar-certificate route — so confirm eligibility directly.
Subjects:
Applicants must have completed, or will complete, 17 years of age on or before 31 December of the year of admission, in line with the National Medical Commission's rules for MBBS.
Indian applicants need Class 12 with PCB, a qualifying NEET-UG score and NEET certificate, an NMC Eligibility Certificate, a valid passport and supporting documents — plus confirmation of eligibility to apply to Al-Azhar in the first place (documents may need attestation).
Confirm Eligibility & Faculty
Confirm in writing that you are eligible to apply (Al-Azhar's ethos is Muslim-oriented), the medium of instruction for your intake, and the correct single-sex faculty (men's or women's).
NEET & Strong Academics
A qualifying NEET-UG score is required for Indian applicants, along with a strong Class 12 record (Al-Azhar may expect ~75%+).
Admission is primarily on academic record, the NEET requirement for Indian students and the University's own eligibility rules. Confirm on the official University site whether any additional test, interview or Arabic/Islamic-studies assessment applies to international applicants.
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Step 0 — Eligibility | Confirm directly whether Al-Azhar admits Indian (and non-Muslim / secular-stream) applicants to medicine, and on what terms |
| Application route | Official international-admissions route; correct single-sex faculty (men's or women's) |
| Admissions basis | Academic record (strong Class 12; ~75%+ reported) plus the University's own eligibility rules |
| Medium | Confirm English or Arabic for your intake (Arabising under debate) |
| India-side requirement | NEET-UG qualification and NMC Eligibility Certificate, for later FMGE/NExT licensing in India |
Indian applicants typically provide the following documents for admission and the Egyptian student visa:
Admission Guidance & Eligibility Check
Get help confirming whether you are eligible for Al-Azhar and the complete document checklist from our experts.
Program Structure
Al-Azhar's MBBS is currently taught in English, moving from basic sciences to clinical study in Al-Azhar's teaching hospitals, followed by an internship, within an Islamic university environment. Confirm the exact structure, the medium for your intake, and how it maps to Indian licensing in writing.
Total Duration:
About 6 Years including internship (reported ~5 years study + 1-year internship; confirm the exact plan)
Degree:
MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) — the Egyptian MBBS-equivalent qualification from Al-Azhar University
Years 1–2
The pre-clinical foundation years, currently taught in English (with an Islamic-studies component in the Al-Azhar environment), covering the core basic medical sciences:
Years 3–4
The para-clinical and early clinical years, introducing disease mechanisms and clinical subjects with training in Al-Azhar's teaching hospitals:
Year 5
Senior clinical study across the major specialties, with increasing hands-on hospital training under supervision:
Year 6
The internship phase completing the MBBS in Al-Azhar's teaching hospitals; for FMGL-2021, students must confirm how the internship requirement is met and that the degree entitles practice in Egypt:
Clinical training takes place in Al-Azhar's university and teaching hospitals in Cairo. For Indian students, a further internship in India is required for Indian registration (see the FMGE & NExT section). An indicative pattern is:
| Phase | Focus |
|---|---|
| Years 3–5 | Clinical training in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Psychiatry and the specialties in Al-Azhar's teaching hospitals (single-sex faculty setting) |
| Year 6 | The internship (housemanship) phase completing the MBBS (confirm how the FMGL-2021 internship requirement is met) |
| Back in India | Indian graduates clear the FMGE/NExT and complete the required internship in India before registering with the NMC or a State Medical Council |
Get the full curriculum
Download a free brochure to see detailed subjects, the course structure and everything you need to plan your studies.
Faculty & Leadership
Teaching is delivered by the men's and women's medical faculties and Al-Azhar's teaching hospitals, within the world's foremost Islamic university. Confirm the current Deans' names on the official University site.
Part of Al-Azhar University (origins 970 CE)
Separate men's and women's medical faculties
English-taught MBBS (Arabising under debate)
Teaching hospitals in Cairo
NAQAAE-accredited and WDOMS-listed
An Islamic learning environment
Single-sex faculties
Guidance for Indian students on FMGE/NExT
A specific fit — confirm eligibility first
About University
The skyline and minarets of Islamic Cairo, where Al-Azhar's 970 CE origins lie — heritage context, not the Nasr City medical campus
Get all information about Al-Azhar University Faculty of Medicine in our free brochure
Read on to find out whether you can fulfil your dream of studying MBBS at Al-Azhar University Faculty of Medicine.
Role in medicine
Anatomy Department corridor inside the Al-Azhar University Faculty of Medicine, with bilingual Arabic and English signage
Get all information about Al-Azhar University Faculty of Medicine in our free brochure
Read on to find out whether you can fulfil your dream of studying MBBS at Al-Azhar University Faculty of Medicine.
Cost of living
Cairo is a large, comparatively affordable capital city. Here is an approximate monthly breakdown for a student, separate from tuition.
| Cost Component | Approximate Amount (per month) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (hostel/rental) | ₹9,500 – ₹20,000 |
| Food & Groceries | ₹8,600 – ₹15,000 |
| Transport & Personal | ₹2,600 – ₹5,200 |
| Utilities & Extras | ₹3,000 – ₹6,000 |
Average monthly living cost (excluding tuition)
₹23,000 – ₹46,000
Housing
International students at Al-Azhar live in University housing or private rentals in Cairo; note that Al-Azhar's housing, like its faculties, is single-sex. Confirm current options with the University's international office.
Al-Azhar provides student housing, which — in keeping with the University's model — is single-sex, with separate men's and women's accommodation. Places for international students can be limited, so confirm current availability.
Many international students rent private apartments or shared flats in Cairo, at a moderate cost, often near the Nasr City faculties and teaching hospitals.
Rooms and apartments are typically furnished; Cairo summers are hot and dry, so air-conditioning is worth checking.
Al-Azhar's international community comes especially from Muslim-majority countries; the environment is strongly Islamic, which is a key part of the experience.
Cairo is a large city where halal food is standard and some Indian and international food and grocery items are available, so Indian and vegetarian students can eat well.
Accommodation is in Cairo, a vast, historic capital with the Nile, Islamic Cairo, the Giza Pyramids nearby and extensive transport.
Living costs in Cairo are moderate to low by international standards, part of the value of studying in Egypt.
The University's international office helps with enrolment and settling in; our counsellors can help with housing and visa guidance.
Need accommodation details?
Get a full overview of housing options with our university guide, or reach out to an expert.
Food & Dining
Cairo is a large city where halal food is standard and Indian and vegetarian food is available, alongside Egyptian and Middle Eastern cuisine.
As a large Muslim-majority city, Cairo has halal food as standard — especially fitting in the strongly Islamic Al-Azhar environment.
Location
Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Medicine, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt (the men's and women's faculties are at separate addresses in Nasr City)
Nearest Airport
Cairo International Airport (CAI), the main gateway, is close to Nasr City. Indian students typically fly one-stop via a European or Gulf hub. Egypt is not sanctioned, so flights and banking are normal; Indian students need an Egyptian student visa. Egypt is on Eastern European Time, about 3.5 hours behind Indian time
Local Transport
Cairo has a metro, buses and taxis or ride-hailing; Nasr City is a large district of eastern Cairo well connected to the airport and the city, so students can travel easily to the faculties and teaching hospitals
Your Roadmap to Success
The MBBS from the Al-Azhar University Faculty of Medicine is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, supporting licensing pathways in India, the Gulf and other countries, subject to each authority's requirements.
Understand the Medical Licensing Pathway
A clear overview of the exams and requirements after graduation.
Practising in India
An Indian graduate of the Al-Azhar University Faculty of Medicine who wants to practise in India follows the licensing pathway set by the National Medical Commission (NMC): qualifying NEET before starting, completing a course and internship that meet the NMC's conditions, clearing the NMC screening examination (currently the FMGE, transitioning to the NExT), completing the required internship in India and registering with the medical council. The NMC does not approve individual foreign universities; it sets conditions, and the Al-Azhar MBBS structure and medium should be checked against them.
Step 1
An Indian student must have qualified NEET-UG before beginning the course abroad to be eligible later for Indian licensing. A qualifying NEET score is required, and an NMC Eligibility Certificate is now expected before starting.
Step 2
The Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations 2021 require the course and internship to meet the NMC's minimum duration (about 54 months of study plus a 12-month internship), completed in the same institution, taught in English — the medium matters, so confirm it given Al-Azhar's Arabising debate — with a degree that entitles the holder to practise in Egypt. Because Al-Azhar's MBBS is reported as roughly five years plus one, students must confirm in writing how the study duration and internship map to these conditions.
Step 3
Graduates must clear the qualifying examination for foreign medical graduates, currently the FMGE, which India is replacing with the National Exit Test (NExT), then complete the required internship in India and register with the National Medical Commission or a State Medical Council. FMGE pass rates for foreign graduates are generally low, so students should prepare seriously.
Student Life Style
Being a medical student at Al-Azhar is a mix of demanding study within a historic Islamic university, single-sex campus life, and living in Cairo, one of the great cities of the Arab world.
An ancient Egyptian heritage site in Upper Egypt — travel context for students in Egypt, not the campus
A painted ancient Egyptian papyrus from the Book of the Dead on museum display — Egyptian heritage context, not the campus
Fees & Financial
Al-Azhar is an affordable option like other Egyptian public faculties, so realistic financial planning matters; banking and payment from India are straightforward as Egypt is not sanctioned. Confirm the exact fee schedule directly.
International tuition at Egyptian public medical faculties is broadly ₹5–6 lakh per year (about US$6,000–7,000), so with Cairo living costs a realistic all-in is roughly ₹45–55 lakh across the course — affordable, and far below Western medical degrees. Confirm Al-Azhar's specific international-fee schedule directly.
Ratings
Hear from students and alumni about their experience at Al-Azhar University Faculty of Medicine.
4.2
40 reviews
Compare
Compare the Al-Azhar University Faculty of Medicine with a leading Indian medical college.
Quick Comparison:
Al-Azhar University Faculty of Medicine vs AIIMS New Delhi
| University | Al-Azhar University Faculty of MedicineCairo, Egypt | AIIMS New DelhiNew Delhi, India |
|---|---|---|
| University Type | Public Islamic university faculty (gender-segregated) | Government institute of national importance |
| Medium | English at present (Arabising under debate); some Arabic useful | English |
| Course Duration | ~6 years (MBBS; ~5+1 structure) | 5.5 years including internship (MBBS) |
| Tuition (per year) | ~₹5–6 lakh (about US$6,000–7,000); ~₹45–55 lakh all-in; confirm | Nominal (a few thousand rupees per year) |
| Admission | NEET-qualified plus eligibility to apply (Muslim-oriented ethos); selective | NEET-UG (extremely high rank) |
| Recognition | WDOMS-listed; NAQAAE; India via FMGE/NExT | NMC-recognised |
| World Ranking | QS ~#1001–1200 (modest); immense religious and historical prestige | India's top-ranked medical institute (NIRF #1) |
Compare Top MBBS Universities for Me
See key differences in fees, ranking, eligibility and recognition.
Our blog
Articles that turn complex MBBS-abroad rules into simple, practical steps for students and parents.
FAQ
Short, honest answers to the questions students and parents ask most often about studying MBBS at the Al-Azhar University Faculty of Medicine.
Campus photographs supplied by the client (two genuine Al-Azhar views: the Women's Faculty of Medicine entrance with Arabic signage and the faculty emblem, and the Anatomy Department interior with bilingual signage). City and heritage images courtesy of Unsplash: the Islamic Cairo skyline — photo by Omar Elsharawy; the Nile with the Cairo Tower — photo by Hatem Ramadan; the Giza Pyramids — photos by Simon and Rosario Janza; ancient Egyptian temples in Upper Egypt — photo by Calin Stan; and a painted Egyptian papyrus (Book of the Dead) in a museum — photo by Lea Kobal. Only the two client campus photos show the Al-Azhar Faculty of Medicine in Nasr City, Cairo; the Islamic Cairo image is genuine heritage context but not the medical campus, and the remaining images are Cairo city, Giza and Upper Egypt or museum scenery.
