The Department of Arabic Language Instruction (ALI) at the American University in Cairo (AUC) offers an exceptional opportunity for advanced learners of Arabic to enhance their language proficiency and immerse themselves in Arab culture. Students can choose from a wide range of courses that are usually offered during the AUC summer session. Besides those courses that are usually over-enrolled during the academic year, every effort is made to offer courses of special interest to international students, such as Islamic art and architecture, Egyptology, Arab society, and Middle East-oriented courses in history, economics, and management. This summer emphasizes Egyptian and Middle Eastern culture, focusing on developing language skills in an integrated fashion, with emphasis on their relevance within today's global context. Intensive courses at all levels in Modern Standard Arabic and in Egyptian colloquial Arabic are also offered during the summer session by AUC’s Department of Arabic Language Instruction. This brings more students from the United States and other countries to AUC to share a truly international educational experience with Egyptian students.

Who can apply?

The American University of Cairo Summer Programme is open to Undergraduate students ONLY. Postgraduate Taught and Postgraduate Research students are excluded from this offer.

Courses offered

There are two options: The Arabic Language Intensive Summer (ALIS) programme accommodates students at all levels of language proficiency and different programmes tailor courses to address learners' specific purposes and learning styles. Students are taught Arabic in an integrated, proficiency-approach. The courses offered are skill-based, focusing on reading, writing, speaking and listening, as well as content-based, using media, political texts, business and literature among other tools. The CAASIC Summer Programme emphasizes on Egyptian and Middle Eastern culture, focusing on developing language skills in an integrated fashion, with emphasis on their relevance within today's global context. Students attend classes and address topical social, cultural, literary, and political issues from multiple perspectives. The programme also includes a lecture series featuring renowned Arab authors and prominent leaders, field trips to significant cultural and historical sites, and various extracurricular activities. More information can be found in the links below.

Programme dates

The Arabic Intensive Summer Programme (ALIS) will take place from Wednesday 7th June 2026 - Monday 28th July 2025. The CAASIC Summer Programme has a few different sessions and the dates are as follows: 3-Week Session A: Sunday 7th 2026 - Friday 26th June 2026 6-Week Session: Sunday 7th 2026 - Monday 20th July 2026 A more detailed academic calendar for both programs can be found in the Global Summer Exchange 2026 website documents folder, linked below. Students will need to log in with their KCL credentials.

Application deadlines

If you wish to apply for a place on The American University Summer Programme, you will need to submit your Global Summer Exchange application by 11:59pm on Sunday 16th February 2026. If your application is successful, you will be required to apply directly to AUC by Friday 1st May 2026.

What are the costs?

There are no fees to attend the programmes at AUC however, students are required to purchase Mandatory Health Insurance, details of which can be found in the link below. Students who are successful in their application will receive a tuition fee waiver, but will be responsible for all other costs, including, flights, accommodation, visas, health/medical insurance (if compulsory), living expenses and those listed on this webpage. Students should take into consideration that some costs for these services may already be incorporated into the cost of the programme, such as insurance.

Accommodation

On-campus accommodation is available and for off-campus accommodation, AUC have provided a list of residences which are not affiliated with AUC. More information can be found in the links below.

Eligibility, exclusions & restrictions

Details of eligibility, application and the selection process at AUC can be found in the links below.