Since its inception in 1919 the American University in Cairo (AUC) has enjoyed a reputation of holding some of the highest standards in educational opportunities while being devoted to improving America’s understanding and awareness of Egypt. The university was founded as an English-language based college that would provide an opportunity for a liberal arts education as well as develop awareness for the needs of Egypt and the region. AUC has become a leading institution in the Middle Eastern region by emphasizing the importance of studying humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences in becoming an educated student and future leader.
Occupying five city blocks, the current AUC campus can be found in downtown Cairo in close proximity to government ministry buildings, hotels, stores, the National Cultural Center, and the Egyptian Museum. The main campus is home to outdoor athletic facilities such as basketball and tennis courts as well as gardens and a fountain area. Central administrative and faculty offices, classrooms, and the well known Ewart Memorial hall are all found in a palace constructed in the 1860s. This converted palace was the original university building in 1920. Many other classrooms, offices, and student services can be found only blocks away from the main Cairo campus. The new AUC campus boasts some of the most modern and improved facilities in the region.
The International Programs and Services Office offers support to international students.
The historic Tahrir Square campus —in the heart of downtown Cairo — is home to the University’s School of Continuing Education, as well as an AUC Press bookstore, the Margo Veillon Gallery for Contemporary Egyptian Art, Ewart Memorial Hall and Oriental Hall.
The New Cairo campus lies in the suburb of New Cairo, a development comprising 46,000 acres of land and with a projected population of 2.5 million people. New Cairo is designed to be a predominantly middle-to-high-income residential community. It encompasses schools, cultural facilities, commercial enterprises, government agencies, hotels, open spaces and parks, with the AUC campus at its center. The New Cairo campus is home to all the other academic schools — business, graduate education, humanities and social sciences, global affairs and public policy, and sciences and engineering.
Providing a high level of comfort and security, AUC housing offers air-conditioning, common areas complete with computer labs, cafeterias, study rooms, wireless high-speed internet, satellite TV, and a fitness facility in all of the residence facilities. Each room has its own personal high-speed internet and phone connection, with housekeeping and laundry services offered free of charge.
Scholarships
AUC has a number of scholarships specifically for students studying abroad at their campus. If you are accepted, make sure you check out their website and apply for anything that applies to you!
Grades and Credits
Grades are awarded on a U.S. scale. The letter grade on the American University in Cairo transcript will be transferred directly back to the Washington College transcript.
A full course load at AUC is 15 credits per semester and 30 credits for the academic year. If you take a full course load at AUC, you will receive a full course load at Washington College (16 credits/semester; 32 credits/academic year). If you take less than the full course load you will NOT receive a full course load at Washington College.
| AUC Credits |
WAC Credits |
| 4 credits |
4 credits |
| 3 credits |
3 credits |
| 2 credits |
2 credits |
