[Published: 28 October 2026 | Last updated: 28 October 2026]
TL;DR
- Al-Azhar University in Cairo, founded in 970 CE, is one of the world's oldest universities and offers scholarships to international Muslim students (Scholarwing, 2026).
- Al-Azhar offers about 1,200 scholarship places a year to international Muslim students, covering tuition, subsidised housing and a monthly stipend (Uni2Study, 2026).
- Twenty-five Bangladeshi students selected for Al-Azhar for 2026-27 were given a reception in Chattogram in August 2026 (The Daily Observer, 2026).
- Foreign students register through Al-Azhar's foreign student portal, and many countries also route applications through their education ministry or the Egyptian embassy (Opportunity Inside, 2026).
- Use official channels only: in 2023, 60 Malaysian students were stranded in Egypt after skipping the embassy route (Malay Mail, 2023).
What Is Al-Azhar University?
Al-Azhar University is a historic Islamic university in Cairo, Egypt, founded in 970 CE (Scholarwing, 2026). It is famous for Islamic studies, Sharia, Arabic language and Quranic sciences, and it also has faculties in science, medicine and engineering.
Al-Azhar runs its own school system inside Egypt, separate from regular Ministry of Education schools, and normally admits students who completed its own Azhari secondary institutes (Uni2Study, 2026). International students without an Azhari background may need a preparatory year, especially for Arabic.
What Does the Al-Azhar Scholarship Cover?
Al-Azhar offers about 1,200 scholarship places a year for international Muslim students. The scholarship covers full tuition, subsidised housing and a monthly stipend (Uni2Study, 2026).
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Fully covered |
| Housing | Subsidised accommodation |
| Monthly stipend | Paid to scholarship students |
| Arabic preparation | Available for students who need it |
Source: Uni2Study (2026).
Exact benefits and seat numbers change each year and differ by country. Confirm the current offer with the official announcement for Bangladesh.
How Many Bangladeshi Students Go to Al-Azhar?
Bangladeshi students go to Al-Azhar every year through scholarship and admission routes. In August 2026, 25 students selected to study at Al-Azhar in the 2026-27 session were given a reception in Chattogram (The Daily Observer, 2026).
The Society of Al-Azhar Graduates has a Bangladesh branch (The Daily Observer, 2026), which can be a useful contact for guidance from former students.
How to Apply to Al-Azhar University from Bangladesh
Step 1: Check the Official Announcement
Al-Azhar scholarship calls are usually shared through the Egyptian embassy and education authorities in each country. Contact the cultural affairs section of the Egyptian embassy in Dhaka for the current call (ScholarshipsAds, 2026).
Step 2: Register on the Al-Azhar Foreign Student Portal
Foreign students use the Al-Azhar foreign student registration form at azhar.eg/foreignstudent, and some countries are also directed to international.azu.edu.eg or admission.study-in-egypt.gov.eg (Opportunity Inside, 2026). Follow the instructions in your country's announcement.
Step 3: Attest Your Documents
Most Egyptian public universities recognise a Bangladeshi HSC, but usually require attestation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka and sometimes the Egyptian embassy (ScholarshipsAds, 2026). Start this early.
Step 4: Prepare for Arabic Study
Most Al-Azhar programmes in Islamic studies are taught in Arabic. If your Arabic is weak, plan for a preparatory Arabic year.
Step 5: Travel Only After Official Confirmation
Do not travel until you have official admission and visa confirmation. Students who skip the embassy channel can end up stranded, as happened to 60 Malaysian students in 2023 (Malay Mail, 2023).
Common Mistakes When Applying to Al-Azhar
The most common mistake is trusting an agent who promises admission outside the official process. The standard admission route goes through the embassy channel (Malay Mail, 2023).
Avoid these other mistakes:
- Travelling to Egypt before receiving official admission and a student visa.
- Leaving document attestation to the last minute.
- Ignoring the Arabic requirement for Islamic studies programmes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Al-Azhar University Admission
Can Bangladeshi students study at Al-Azhar University?
Yes. Bangladeshi students study at Al-Azhar every year. In 2026, 25 students selected for the 2026-27 session were given a reception in Chattogram (The Daily Observer, 2026).
Is the Al-Azhar scholarship fully funded?
Al-Azhar's scholarship for international Muslim students covers full tuition, subsidised housing and a monthly stipend (Uni2Study, 2026).
How do I apply to Al-Azhar University?
Register through the Al-Azhar foreign student portal and follow your country's official announcement (Opportunity Inside, 2026). Contact the Egyptian embassy in Dhaka for the current call.
Do I need to know Arabic to study at Al-Azhar?
For most Islamic studies programmes, yes. Students without enough Arabic usually take a preparatory year first.
Which documents need attestation?
Your academic certificates, such as the HSC, usually need attestation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka and sometimes the Egyptian embassy (ScholarshipsAds, 2026).
Is it safe to apply through an agent?
Use official channels only. In 2023, 60 Malaysian students were stranded in Egypt because the standard embassy procedure was not followed (Malay Mail, 2023).
What to Remember Before You Apply to Al-Azhar
- Follow the official announcement from the Egyptian embassy and education authorities.
- Register on the Al-Azhar foreign student portal and keep your registration details.
- Attest your certificates with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs early.
- Do not travel until you have official admission and a student visa.