Douglas Olsen
Al-Azhar University is a public university in Cairo, Egypt, and is the oldest degree-granting university in the country. It was founded in 970 or 972 and is known as one of the most prestigious universities for Islamic learning. The university has a large student population, with over 500,000 students enrolled across its various faculties, institutes, and departments. In addition to higher education, Al-Azhar also oversees a network of schools with approximately two million students. The university offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and graduate study programs and is known for its academic excellence and rigorous teaching methods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of students enrolled | More than 500,000 |
| Number of students across its network of schools and institutes | Approximately 2 million |
| Number of faculties | 81 |
| Number of institutes | 9 |
| Number of academic departments | 359 |
| Number of centres | 42 |
| Number of hospitals | 6 |
| Number of general administration units | 27 |
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What You'll Learn
Al-Azhar University has over 500,000 students enrolled
Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, has over 500,000 students enrolled. It is one of the oldest universities in the world, founded in 970 or 972, and is the oldest university in the Arab world. The university has a rich history and is known for its Islamic scholarly tradition, offering a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and graduate study programs.
The university's long history is filled with political instability and shifts in religious affiliation. Initially established as a Shiite mosque and educational centre by the Fatimid Caliphate, it became a Sunni institution in 1171 under the rule of Salahuddin Al-Ayyubi. Al-Azhar has experienced periods of decline and restoration, with the Mamluks introducing instructor salaries and student stipends to revive its influence during the Ayyubid period.
Al-Azhar University provides a unique educational experience, combining traditional and modern teaching methods. The academic culture is rooted in Islamic history, promoting respectful behaviour and accepting attitudes, alongside scholarly research. The university fosters an inclusive environment, welcoming students from over 107 countries and offering language courses to support students in developing their English and Arabic language abilities.
The university's academic structure consists of 81 faculties, 9 institutes, 359 academic departments, 42 centres, 6 university hospitals, and 27 general administration units. Al-Azhar's main areas of focus include Science and Technology, Management and Business Administration, Arts, Languages and Humanities, Agriculture, Dentistry, and Medicine. The university maintains its status as a premier Islamic scholarly centre and is ranked among the top institutions for Islamic studies globally.
With its large student population, Al-Azhar University ensures favourable class sizes through specialised programs, allowing students to interact closely with instructors. The university has produced numerous notable alumni, including Moroccan clerics, Indian scholars, and influential figures in business, politics, and theology.
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The university has 81 faculties and 359 academic departments
Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, is a prestigious university with a rich history. Founded in 970 or 972, it is known for its academic excellence and focus on Islamic learning. With 81 faculties and 359 academic departments, the university offers a wide range of educational opportunities for its students.
The university's 81 faculties are spread across various disciplines, reflecting the diverse nature of its academic programmes. Each faculty is dedicated to a specific area of study, providing students with specialised knowledge and instruction. The faculties are led by experienced professors and supported by qualified staff, ensuring a high standard of education.
The 359 academic departments within Al-Azhar University further showcase the institution's breadth and depth. These departments encompass a wide range of subjects, including Islamic law, logic, grammar, and rhetoric, science and technology, management, business administration, arts, languages, humanities, agriculture, dentistry, and medicine. The variety of departments allows students to pursue their academic interests and passions, contributing to a well-rounded educational experience.
The large number of faculties and departments at Al-Azhar University enables the institution to accommodate a significant student population. With over 500,000 enrolled students, the university maintains a favourable student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring that students receive adequate attention and support. The diverse student body, representing more than 107 countries, fosters cultural understanding and a vibrant academic community.
Al-Azhar University's extensive network of faculties and academic departments has contributed to its reputation as one of the top public universities in Cairo, Egypt. The university's long history, distinguished alumni, and commitment to both Islamic studies and secular education have solidified its standing as a premier educational institution.
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It is ranked #327 in Best Global Universities
Al-Azhar University is ranked #327 in Best Global Universities. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence. Thirteen indicators were used to calculate Al Azhar University's overall Best Global Universities rank.
Al-Azhar University is a public university in Cairo, Egypt. It is Egypt's oldest degree-granting university, founded in 970 or 972. The university was established by the Fatimid Caliphate as a centre of Islamic learning, where students studied the Qur'an and Islamic law, along with logic, grammar, rhetoric, and how to calculate the phases of the moon. Today, it is the chief centre of Arabic literature and Islamic learning in the world.
Al-Azhar University is the only university in the Arabic world to survive as a modern university. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and graduate study programs and has 81 faculties, 9 institutes, 359 academic departments, 42 centres, 6 university hospitals, and 27 general administration units. The main thematic focus areas of the university are Science and Technology, Management and Business Administration, Arts, Languages and Humanities, Agriculture, Dentistry, and Medicine.
Al-Azhar University has a long tradition of teaching all four schools of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi, and Hanbali). The university has had an antagonistic relationship with Wahhabism and is known to be strongly Sufi in character, with adherence to a Sufi order being standard for professors and students.
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Students must be proficient in English and Arabic
Al-Azhar University is a public university in Cairo, Egypt, and is the oldest degree-granting university in the country. It was founded in 970 or 972 by the Fatimid Caliphate as a centre of Islamic learning. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and graduate study programs across various faculties, departments, and centres.
Regarding language proficiency requirements, students must be proficient in both English and Arabic to enrol at Al-Azhar University. While the university's primary language of instruction is Arabic, with all lectures and lessons conducted in Arabic, proficiency in English is also essential. This is because the university attracts a diverse range of students and scholars from around the world, and English serves as a common language for communication and academic exchange.
For international students applying to Al-Azhar University, demonstrating Arabic language proficiency is crucial. If you are under 30 and your Arabic language skills are not perfect or you cannot speak Arabic at all, you must enrol in the Al-Azhar Institute of Arabic for up to two years. After this language training, a placement test will determine your admission to the Al-Azhar University Preparatory School Institute or a secondary school institute. Even if your Arabic is good, but you lack a language certificate, you will still need to take a placement test for admission to the preparatory or secondary school institute.
On the other hand, for students whose first language is Arabic or who have a strong command of the language, English proficiency is essential for fully participating in the university's academic community. Many of the university's programs, especially at the graduate level, involve interactions with international scholars and researchers who may not be fluent in Arabic. Therefore, proficiency in English enables students to engage in cross-cultural discussions, collaborate on research projects, and access a wider range of academic resources.
In addition to language proficiency, Al-Azhar University has a rigorous academic curriculum with a focus on Islamic knowledge. Students can study Islamic law, logic, grammar, rhetoric, and other disciplines. The university is known for its excellence in teaching all four schools of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi, and Hanbali. Additionally, the university has a strong Sufi character, with adherence to a Sufi order being standard for both professors and students.
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It is Egypt's oldest degree-granting university
Al-Azhar University is Egypt's oldest degree-granting university, founded in 970 or 972 in Cairo, Egypt. It is also the only university in the Arabic world to survive as a modern university.
The university was founded by the Fatimid Caliphate as a centre of Islamic learning. Students studied the Qur'an and Islamic law, along with logic, grammar, and rhetoric, and how to calculate the phases of the moon. It is also one of the top public universities in Cairo, Egypt, and is ranked #1001-1200 in QS World University Rankings 2025.
Al-Azhar University has a rich history and is known as one of the most prestigious universities for Islamic learning. The university has a long tradition of teaching all four schools of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi, and Hanbali. During the Ottoman period, the Hanafi dean held a position of primus inter pares. The university also had membership from the seven main Sufi orders.
Al-Azhar University offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and graduate study programs. It has 81 faculties, 9 institutes, 359 academic departments, 42 centres, 6 university hospitals, and 27 general administration units. The university's main thematic focus areas include science and technology, management and business administration, arts, languages and humanities, agriculture, dentistry, and medicine.
In addition to higher education, Al-Azhar oversees a national network of schools with approximately two million students. As of 1996, over 4,000 teaching institutes in Egypt were affiliated with the university.
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Frequently asked questions
Al-Azhar University has more than 500,000 students enrolled across its network of schools and institutes.
Al-Azhar University has approximately two million students across its network of schools and institutes. As of 1996, over 4,000 teaching institutes in Egypt were affiliated with the university.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Al-Azhar University is favourable due to its large student population. The university has 81 faculties, 9 institutes, 359 academic departments, 42 centres, 6 university hospitals and 27 general administration units.
