Requirements
The University admits outstanding graduate students who demonstrate the ability to do creative and original work. A graduate applicant must have an acceptable bachelor’s degree, with a record at the required level and perform well on any designated entrance examination.
1- Requirements for Master or Graduate Diploma Programs
The checklist to complete the application for admission consideration includes all the following:
Meeting the admission application deadline
An online application for graduate studies
Online payment of the application fee
The selection of up to two graduate programs for which the admission application will be processed
A statement of purpose (about 500 words for each graduate program selected) indicating the reasons of interest in the specific program, what you will bring as skills and/or experiences to the program, and how graduate studies fit in your long term academic and professional objectives
For the MIM/CEMS program, a letter of motivation instead of the statement of purpose should be submitted. The letter must address several key points as indicated in the application form
An updated resume (CV) that must include work experience and educational background
At least two online letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic or professional background
Official academic records, of which one must be a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with proof of degree completion. Original documents can be returned to the applicants at a later date
Satisfactory English language proficiency examination test results (refer to the English language proficiency section below). Some GUST graduate programs require higher scores than others. While the validity of any of these English language proficiency examination tests is two years from the day of the exam, the results cannot be considered for graduate admission if the expiry date is before your first day of registered classes at GUST. Unofficial results are acceptable for processing purposes only, and original test results or official online access to results are required prior to final admission for verification
Clear copy of the valid national ID card (front and back) – Egyptian applicants only
Clear copy of the information pages of your passport – International applicants and Egyptian dual nationals
One recent passport size photograph (a clear electronic copy)
For the Master in Business Administration (MBA) program, satisfactory valid GMAT results. (500 is the minimum acceptable score)
For the Master of Science in Finance (FINC) program, satisfactory valid GMAT or GRE results
For the Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication (JRMC) program, non-edited writing samples
For the Master of Arts in Philosophy (PHIL) program, a 1000 word writing a sample to demonstrate critical thinking
For the Master of Arts in Economics or Economics in International Development, satisfactory GRE results, to be submitted latest by mid-November for current Fall admission, or by mid-April for current Spring admission
Applicants offered admission will be required to provide the following:
The official original final bachelor’s transcript with proof of degree completion: The transcript and graduation certificate must show clearly the stamps and signatures/watermarks where applicable. Applicants will be allowed to collect these originals at a later date when verified by the Office of Graduate Admissions
Egyptian males only: The original military certificate (a valid true copy can be made only at GUST’s Student Service Center), and the original will be returned immediately
Other requirements as deemed necessary for individual cases
Prior to registration and by the end of the first week of classes:
All new graduate students are required to submit a soft copy of a recent medical report to GUST Clinic.
Students with special medical requirements or those who would prefer that the Medical Center be made aware of specific medical conditions/needs are advised to communicate these conditions and establish contact with the specialists at the clinic, once on campus.
2- Doctoral Programs
The checklist to complete the application for admission consideration includes all the following:
Meeting the admission application deadline
An online application for graduate studies
Online payment of the application fee
The selection of up to two doctoral programs/concentrations for which the application will be processed
A statement of purpose (no less than 500 words for each program/concentration requested). Indicate the reasons for interest in the specific program, what you will bring as skills and/or experiences to the program, and how graduate studies fit in your long term academic and professional objectives
Research interests and objectives (This is to be prepared as a separate document to the Statement of Purpose)
The abstract of the completed master’s thesis
An updated resume (CV) that must include work experience (if any) and educational background
The detailed final official transcript of the master’s degree showing courses and grades, with proof of degree completion. The transcript and proof of degree completion need to have official stamps and signatures, verifying the accreditation of the degree
The detailed final official transcript of the bachelor degree showing courses and grades per semester, with proof of degree completion
At least two online letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic or professional background
Satisfactory English language proficiency examination test results (refer to the English language proficiency section below). Some GUST graduate programs require higher scores than others. While the validity of any of these English language proficiency examination tests is two years from the day of the exam, the results cannot be considered for graduate admission if the expiry date is before your first day of registered classes at GUST. Unofficial results are acceptable for processing purposes only, and original test results or official online access to results are required prior to final admission for verification
Satisfactory valid GRE results
Clear copy of the valid national ID card (front and back) – Egyptian applicants only
Clear copy of the information pages of your passport – International applicants and Egyptian dual nationals
One recent passport size photograph (a clear electronic copy)
Optional for possibly enhancing the application: Other recent university transcripts, showing courses and grades per semester/academic year
Applicants offered admission will then be required to provide the following:
The official original final master’s transcript with proof of degree completion: The transcript and graduation certificate must show clearly the stamps and signatures/watermarks where applicable. Applicants will be able to collect these originals after they are verified by the Office of Graduate Admissions
Egyptian males only: The original Military Certificate (a valid true copy can be made only at GUST’s Student Service Center. In this case, the original will be returned immediately
Possibly additional documents as would be deemed necessary by the Office of Graduate Admissions, for individual specific cases
Prior to course registration, but no later than the end of the first week of classes:
All new graduate students are required to submit a soft copy of a recent medical report to the Office of Medical Services.
Students with special medical requirements or those who would prefer that the Medical Center be made aware of specific medical conditions/needs are advised to establish contact with the Office of Medical Services, once on campus
3- Graduate Non-Degree Programs
Applicants not seeking an GUST degree but wish to take GUST courses for academic credit may be admitted as a non-degree conditional they meet the minimum criteria for graduate admission. A number of places are set aside each year for such students, most of whom take a year away from their studies at another institution to study and live in Egypt. Since GUST is a U.S. accredited institution following an American system, students from U.S. universities are usually able to transfer GUST credits to their home institutions, but they are advised to check in advance.
The University may approve a change of status from non-degree to degree student if the non-degree student applies and is accepted to a degree-seeking program. If a graduate non-degree student should become a degree candidate, the department of major will consider accepting credit for courses taken under non-degree status. All academic regulations applicable to degree students will apply retroactively with such change of status.
Graduate non-degree paths:
Regular non-degree
Exchange non-degree: Targeting to join GUST through an established exchange program between GUST and the applicant’s institution
Study Abroad non-degree: Targeting to join GUST through an established Study Abroad agreement program between GUST and the applicant’s institution
The checklist to complete the application for admission consideration includes all the following:
Meeting the admission deadline
An online application for graduate non-degree studies
Satisfactory English examination results (Refer to the English Language Proficiency section below). Non-degree-seeking applicants must attain at least the test score required for full admission to be accepted. While the validity of English language proficiency examination is two years from the day of the exam, note that the results cannot be considered for graduate admission if the expiry date is before your first day of registered classes at GUST.
For Exchange and Study Abroad non-degree applicants, refer to the section below:
(Unofficial results are acceptable for processing purposes only, and original test results or official online access to results are required prior to final admission for verification)
Clear copy of the valid national ID card (front and back) – Egyptian applicants only
Clear copy of the information pages of your passport – International applicants and Egyptian dual nationals
1 recent passport size photograph: (a clear electronic copy)
For regular non-degree:
Online payment of the application fee.
Official academic records, of which one must be a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with proof of degree completion. (Original documents can be returned to the applicants at a later date).
For Exchange and Study Abroad non-degree:
Proof of nomination by the partner university
Copy of the most recent graduate transcript at the partner university
Proof of English proficiency in line with GUST graduate requirements
For non-degree applicants to the MIM/CEMS program only:
An updated resume (CV) that must include work experience and educational background
‘Proof of healthcare with coverage of the stay in Egypt’ to be submitted with the application
Applicants offered non-degree admission will be required to provide the following:
Egyptian males only: The original Military Certificate. A valid true copy can be made only at the Student Service Center, GUST. In this case, the original will be returned immediately
Possibly additional documents, as would be deemed necessary by the Office of Graduate Admissions for individual specific cases
Prior to course registration but no later than the end of the first week of classes:
All new graduate students are required to submit a soft copy of a recent medical report to the Office of Medical Services, at medicalserv@GUSTegypt.edu. International students are advised to include the results of a recent HIV test
Students with special medical requirements and those who would prefer that the Office of Medical Services be made aware of specific medical conditions/needs are advised to establish contact with the Office of Medical Services
4- Admission to Tomorrow’s Leaders Graduate (TLG) program
To apply for admission to the graduate TLG program, you must first complete and submit the graduate admission’s online form and then you can apply for the TLG program’s fellowship or any other fellowship after five working days from the submission of the graduate admission online application form.
Details pertaining to the TLG program can be checked here.
Details pertaining to the TLG graduate fellowship program can be checked here.
5- Additional Requirements for International Students
Once on campus, admitted international students are required to provide two recent passport size photos for student visa purpose
Proof of health and accident insurance for the duration of the stay in Egypt
English Language Proficiency:
Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of adequate English language for graduate studies. For full admission to the University, graduate applicants must attain the required score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (International TOEFL, iBT), the International English Language Testing System (Academic IELTS) examination, the Advanced or the Proficiency exams of the academic Cambridge Assessment English tests. Degree-seeking applicants who do not attain the minimum test score required for full admission, but are otherwise qualified for admission are placed in an English language course for further language study.
Non-degree-seeking applicants must attain at least the test score required for full admission to be accepted. Applicants may submit results for more than one test as long as these are submitted within the approved admission evaluation deadlines. The highest of the valid scores will be considered for admission. Some graduate programs require a higher cut off scores for admission consideration
TOEFL/IELTS/ Cambridge Assessment English cut off scores for all graduate programs, except the MIM/CEMS program
Graduate English modules are assigned based on these test scores.
Possible exemptions from the English test may be allowed given specific conditions unless the applicants are also applying for the African Graduate Fellowship, whereby English test results must be provided.
Details of the possible exemptions are available here
Graduate Readmission
Students who wish to apply for readmission must meet the conditions specified in the catalog and available here
Computer and Library Skills
Graduate students may be asked to demonstrate minimum competency in the use of computers and academic libraries as they relate to graduate study and research
Entrance Examination
The department of major may require applicants to sit for a graduate entrance examination, whose results will be considered at the time of admission
Science and Engineering departments require PhD applicants to sit for a Graduate Entrance Examination (GRE). Additionally, applicants to masters programs in economics, economics in international development and finance are required to sit for the GRE
The Department of Management requires MBA applicants to sit for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
Applicants to the MS Finance program may choose to submit either the GRE or GMAT exams to complete their applications for admission consideration
Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language program may require an Arabic Language test based on the evaluation of the application
Although the Economics and Economics in International Development programs (ECON and ECID) allow until mid April (for Spring semester admission) and mid-November (for Fall semester admission) to submit satisfactory GRE test results, you are strongly urged to apply and submit results for this test as soon as possible: Test availability is limited and there is a considerable delay for results to reach GUST. Registration for the following semester will not be permitted if results are not satisfactory or if they are not submitted before the set deadlines
Remedial English Language Requirements
Based on a graduate applicant’s performance in an approved English language proficiency tests for admission, graduate students who are otherwise qualified for admission but whose English language proficiency does not meet the required level will be admitted to one of the following Intensive English courses (ELIN 0301 or ELIN 0302) or will be placed in the appropriate modules of Academic English for Graduates (ENGL 0310, ENGL 0311, ENGL 0312).
Certain graduate programs such as LL.M, IHRL, and psychology programs, do not allow students enrolled in remedial English language courses to register in program courses. Graduate students must check with their respective graduate program about this.
For more information about Academic English for Graduates (AEG) policies with regards to enrollment, attendance, placement, and more click here.
Admission Categories
Categories of admission depend upon the applicant’s qualifications, status and study plan. Admission is either full or provisional. In rare instances, admission may also be conditional as well as full or provisional: for example, where original official documentation was not provided due to technical delays that could be verified, admitted students may receive conditional letters of admission with which they may attend the new graduate students orientation but will not be permitted to register for classes until the condition is met.
Details of graduate admission categories are available here.
Dual Degree Studies
Graduate students may pursue two distinct graduate degrees (diploma and one master or two masters or two graduate diplomas) in different departments, either simultaneously or consecutively. Academic regulations for dual degree studies are available here.
Auditing
Those who wish to attend individual classes may apply as auditors; however, they may not sit for final examinations, nor receive academic credit or any university certificate of enrollment. Auditors do not have to meet all requirements for regular admission but must apply to the Office of Graduate Admissions by the deadlines. Since permission to audit is on a space-available basis, applicants are not permitted to register until after the registration of regular students has been completed.
Summer or Winter Admission
There is no graduate admission in the winter sessions. Degree-seeking graduate admission applies only to the Fall and Spring semesters. Graduate non-degree applicants for the summer sessions should follow the application procedures for non-degree admission and must submit their application forms by the admission deadlines set for the following semester.
Important notes when applying to graduate studies:
Applications that are submitted beyond a graduate admission deadline will be evaluated at the next available deadline
Final admission decisions should be expected within three to four months from the application submission deadline
International applicants submitting a graduate admission application by February 1 for admission consideration for the following Fall semester should expect the admission decision by April 1
International applicants interested in early admission decisions for the Fall semester should apply by the preceding October 15, and if interested in early admission decisions for the Spring semester, should apply by the preceding April 1
Scanned or soft copies of all credentials are accepted for processing purposes only
Required original documents and original test results are to be submitted by the deadlines indicated in the letter of acknowledgment sent from the Office of Graduate Admissions
Financial aid and fellowship applications have their own deadlines. However, graduate admission applications must be submitted first to obtain an GUST ID five working days prior to being granted access to apply for financial aid and/or graduate fellowships applications
How to Apply
Check the admission deadlines and plan ahead.
Decide upon the graduate program you wish to pursue and are eligible for:
Degree-seeking (master, graduate diploma, doctoral)
Non degree (regular, exchange, study abroad)
3. Make sure to review the requirements listed for each program and take the time to read the instructions and the checklist for your intended program to prepare the required credentials and tests
4. Submit the online application. Indicate your full name as written in your national ID card (for Egyptian applicants) or passport (for international applicants)
5. Attach your credentials as instructed in the online application. You must include a clear copy of your valid personal ID
6. At least two letters of recommendation must be submitted as instructed in the online application. Once you submit the selection of your evaluators, electronic notifications of your request will be sent to these evaluators and you will receive an email to confirm that your request has reached them. You can track the process until you are informed that their letters for you have been submitted to GUST. It is the applicant’s responsibility to track this process and to ensure that the evaluators submit their letters by the set deadlines. Only online letters of recommendation will be accepted
7. Submit the required test results: plan ahead to take and submit any required tests by their due date. The recipient code for GUST for TOEFL and GRE test results is 0903. You are required to include this number when requesting online access for GUST to view your test results
8. Once your admission application is successfully submitted you will be contacted by GUST to let you know your GUST student ID number. Be sure to include it in all your correspondences with GUST
9. The Office of Graduate Admissions will contact you by email at a later time to let you know the status of your application form and if at this first stage of evaluations you are required to submit additional documentation and by when. Your prompt response and cooperation will facilitate the swift evaluation of your application. Ensure that the email address you have indicated is correct and that your account is checked regularly for correspondences from GUST
10. If applicants are interested in applying for funding opportunities offered at GUST, then you must wait for five working days after you receive your GUST ID number to be granted access to submit funding related applications. Read more about fundings: fellowships, financial aid and US loans.
Where to Send Documents
Clear scanned copies are acceptable for processing purposes unless specifically instructed by the Office of Graduate Admissions to provide original documentation during the processing of your application. Only those admitted applicants offered admission must provide original documentation for verification, as requested.
Original documentation is available for return to the graduate student after GUST has verified the authenticity of the credentials. However, it can only be collected in person by the concerned student. A valid official personal photo ID will be required for identity confirmation.
