Ain Shams University

Ain Shams University is one of Egypt's largest public universities, in eastern Cairo. Its international student office lists admission to the Bachelor of Medicine and General Surgery, and the faculty's student guide describes five years of study followed by two years of clinical training. Here is what Indian students should know for 2027-28.

Key facts for 2027-28

Location	Cairo, Egypt
Founded	1950
Type	Public university
Programme	Bachelor of Medicine and General Surgery
Duration	5 academic years + 2 years of clinical training
Intake	October 2027

Always check fees, dates and rules for your intake on the official university website before you apply or pay.

About Ain Shams University

Ain Shams University was founded in 1950 and is named after the ancient city of Heliopolis (Ain Shams in Arabic), which stood in this part of Cairo. Its Faculty of Medicine is one of the largest in Egypt and runs a big network of university hospitals, including the well-known Demerdash hospital. Ain Shams graduates work across Egypt, the Gulf and other countries.

The medicine programme

According to the faculty's student guide, the Bachelor of Medicine and General Surgery involves five academic years followed by two years of clinical training. The academic years cover basic medical sciences, then clinical subjects, with increasing hospital time. The two training years are spent in hospital rotations.

Ask the faculty to confirm the exact programme you are offered, the teaching language, hospital placements, and the licensing route for foreign graduates. NMC rules need the 12-month internship at the same institution and licence eligibility in Egypt on the same terms as citizens.

Why students consider Ain Shams

• A large public medical faculty with major teaching hospitals.
• Very high clinical exposure.
• Low living costs compared with Europe.
• A long record of training doctors who work across the region.

Things to think about carefully

• Written confirmation on licensing and internship is essential.
• Arabic is needed for patient contact.
• The seven-year structure (5+2) is longer than in many countries.

How admission works

Apply through the international student office or the Study in Egypt portal, as the university directs. You will need your Class 12 documents (with Physics, Chemistry and Biology), passport and other documents asked for, which may need attestation.

Fees and costs

Ask for the official 2027-28 fee for international students in writing. Add accommodation, food, insurance, residence permit and travel.

Life in Cairo

Ain Shams University's main campus is in the Abbassia area of eastern Cairo, with metro access. Cairo is a huge, historic and busy city, with markets, mosques, museums and the Nile. Living costs are low, but traffic and crowds take time to get used to. Summers are very hot and winters are mild.

Support for international students

Ain Shams has an international student office that handles admission questions, enrolment and residence procedures. Senior students from India and other countries can guide you on housing, transport, books and exam preparation. Join student groups early and keep in regular contact with the international office throughout your course.

Preparing for medical study in Egypt

Start learning basic Arabic before you travel: greetings, numbers and medical words will help you in daily life and in hospital. Read about the university's credit-hour or English-language programmes, and ask senior students how teaching works in practice. Keep certified copies of your documents, because Egyptian procedures for enrolment and residence often ask for originals and copies. Plan your budget with extra room for exchange-rate changes, and register your arrival with the university's international student office.

Comparing Cairo University and Ain Shams

Both are large public universities in Greater Cairo with major hospitals. Cairo University's Kasr Al Ainy is the older faculty, in Giza and central Cairo; Ain Shams is in eastern Cairo. Compare the programme route, teaching language, fees and written answers on licensing before choosing.

Before you apply to Ain Shams University

To practise in India later, you need a qualifying NEET-UG result before you join, and the course must meet the NMC Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021: at least 54 months of study, a 12-month internship at the same university, teaching in English and eligibility for a medical licence in Egypt. NMC does not approve or list foreign universities, so ask Ain Shams University to confirm these points in writing and read the latest notices on nmc.org.in. After graduating you will need to clear the licensing exam (currently FMGE) and a 12-month internship in India. Our MBBS abroad guide covers eligibility, documents, FMGE preparation and careers in detail.

2027-28 intake timeline

• October 2026 – January 2027: shortlist Ain Shams University and other options, read the official 2027-28 admission rules and check that the course meets the NMC conditions.
• February – April 2027: register for NEET-UG 2027 and get your passport and documents ready.
• May 2027: appear for NEET-UG 2027 (NTA will announce the date; recent exams were on the first Sunday of May).
• Summer 2027 through the Study in Egypt portal: apply to Ain Shams University through its official international admissions channel.
• September – October 2027: admission letter, visa, travel and joining.

Related guides

For the bigger picture beyond Ain Shams University, read these guides:

• MBBS in Egypt: living costs, visa, climate, student life and the full admission process in Egypt.
• MBBS abroad guide: eligibility, recognition in India, costs and choosing a country.
• Compare other universities by country, course and city.

How PSP Education can help

PSP Education has guided Indian students since 1992 and can help you decide whether Ain Shams University suits you and apply before the 2027-28 deadlines. Book a free counselling session using the form on this page.

Summary and official sources

Ain Shams University’s international student office lists admission for a Bachelor degree in Medicine and General Surgery. The faculty’s student guide describes five years of study followed by two years of clinical training. Confirm the exact programme, teaching language, hospital placements and foreign-graduate licensing route.

Courses and official information

• Bachelor of Medicine and General Surgery — 5 academic years followed by 2 years of clinical training. Official programme information. Explore this course.

Visit the official university website for current admission rules, fees and application dates.

Indian medical applicants should check the current NMC requirements, NEET bulletin, internship structure and local licensing conditions before applying. Admission alone does not give permission to practise medicine in India.

Additional official admission or programme information.