Egypt | Est. 1995Egypt | NAQAAE (National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Education, Egypt); WHO/WDOMS listed; NMC (India) — verify current status at nmc.org.in before applying; recently transitioned to independent "Qena University" branding | Primarily English-medium for the international/foreign student track in basic sciences and clinical subjects medium
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The Qena Faculty of Medicine, part of what was historically known as South Valley University (recently renamed Qena University following its formal independence and rebranding), occupies a distinctive position in Egyptian medical education as the principal medical training institution for Upper Egypt's southernmost governorates. Originally established in 1995 as a branch of Assiut University before gaining full independence, South Valley University serves an enormous geographic area spanning Qena, Luxor, and the Red Sea governorates, covering, by some estimates, nearly 20% of Egypt's total land area, even though much of this is desert terrain with a population concentrated along the Nile corridor.
The Faculty of Medicine in Qena trains physicians for a region with genuinely distinct healthcare needs compared to Cairo or the Delta: a population spread across smaller towns and agricultural communities along the Nile, significant tourism-related healthcare demand (Luxor's Valley of the Kings draws millions of visitors annually, generating its own category of medical tourism infrastructure), and the public health challenges typical of Upper Egypt, including a higher burden of endemic parasitic disease, anaemia, and maternal-child health needs than in more urbanised Lower Egypt. Clinical training takes place primarily at Qena University Hospital and affiliated teaching hospitals across the South Valley network.
Qena's MBBCh programme follows the standard Egyptian six-year structure (five academic years plus a mandatory one-year rotating internship) regulated by the Supreme Council of Egyptian Universities and the National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Education (NAQAAE). Tuition fees for international students are notably affordable compared with the global MD/MBBS market, reflecting both the university's public-sector funding model and Qena's lower cost of living compared with Cairo or Alexandria. For Indian students, this affordability, combined with WHO/WDOMS listing and an established pathway to NMC verification for NExT eligibility, makes Qena one of the lower-barrier entry points into Egyptian medical education, albeit one that requires genuine comfort with life in a smaller, more traditional Upper Egyptian city rather than in Cairo's cosmopolitan environment.
No hidden charges, no donation. The full picture of costs at MBBS in South Valley University Faculty of Medicine.
Tuition Fee
Approx. USD 4,500–6,500/year for international students (approx. ₹4–6 lakh/year)
Approx. USD 4,500–6,500/year (approx. ₹4–6 lakh/year)
Hostel Fee
USD 50–90/month; private shared housing in Qena, approx. USD 70–120/month — substantially cheaper than Cairo or Alexandria
USD 50–90/month; private shared housing in Qena, approx. USD 70–120/month
Food & Meals
Approx. USD 80–130/month; Qena's cost of living is among the lowest of any Egyptian university city
per month
Insurance
Approx. USD 100–200/year; basic health insurance required for student residency permit
per year
Donation
No donation required.Standard registration and laboratory fees are approximately. USD 100–200/year.
No hidden fees reported.
Total Estimated Cost
Approx. USD 33,000–46,000 all-inclusive (₹30–41 lakh) including tuition, accommodation, food, insurance, and personal expenses
6-year
25–35%
Average FMGE first-attempt pass rates for students from many overseas medical universities. Students from structured programs consistently score higher.
Students returning to India need to clear the FMGE/NExT exam. MBBS in South Valley University Faculty of Medicine integrates exam-oriented coaching into the regular curriculum so students are prepared from day one.
A structured program that takes you from foundational sciences to clinical mastery.
Foundation year at Qena Faculty of Medicine, establishing the biomedical science base. Cadaveric dissection and histology laboratory work form the core of anatomical training. Medical ethics and professionalism are introduced from Semester 1 in line with the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education curriculum standards.
Anatomy, Histology & Embryology, Biochemistry, Medical Physiology, Medical Biophysics, Introduction to Medical Ethics
Deepening of the basic sciences with disease-mechanism integration. Pharmacology is introduced alongside pathology to build early clinical reasoning. Parasitology is particularly relevant in Egypt, given its endemic disease patterns.
General Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Pharmacology I, Parasitology, Genetics, Biostatistics
A bridge year between basic sciences and clinical medicine. Community medicine and public health reflect Egypt's strong tradition in preventive medicine training. Clinical examination skills are introduced via supervised ward visits.
Systemic Pathology, Pharmacology II, Community Medicine & Public Health, Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Clinical Pathology, Introduction to Clinical Examination
First full clinical year with hospital-based rotations at the university's affiliated teaching hospital network. Supervised ward rounds, history-taking, and physical examination practice across major disciplines.
Internal Medicine I, General Surgery I, Obstetrics & Gynaecology I, Paediatrics I, Radiodiagnosis
Expanded speciality rotations across the full breadth of clinical medicine. Final theoretical and clinical examinations for the MBBCh degree are held at the end of Year 5 in the standard Egyptian system.
Internal Medicine II, General Surgery II, Obstetrics & Gynaecology II, Paediatrics II, Psychiatry, ENT, Ophthalmology, Dermatology & Venereology, Anaesthesia
A one-year mandatory rotating internship is required for the MBBCh degree to be conferred and for the Egyptian Ministry of Health licensing. Must be completed at Egyptian teaching hospitals; not transferable to India. NMC-mandated verification required before Indian graduates can sit for NExT — confirm current NMC status at nmc.org.in before enrolling.
Rotating Internship — Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Emergency Medicine, Community Medicine
Furnished hostel rooms with Wi-Fi, laundry, 24/7 security, and Indian mess on or near campus.
Indian restaurants and mess facilities serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian home-style food daily.
Strong Indian community with cultural events, festival celebrations, and peer support groups.
Students get hands-on clinical training in government and private hospitals affiliated with the university.
Practical information for students planning to study at MBBS in South Valley University Faculty of Medicine.
Prepare for all seasons. Thermal wear for winters, light clothing for summers. University provides heating in hostels.
Student visa processed with university invitation letter. Direct and connecting flights from major Indian cities.
Health insurance included in fees. Medical facility on campus plus city hospitals easily accessible.
Local SIM cards available. WhatsApp and video calls keep you connected with family back home.
Average monthly expenses of $150–$250 covering food, transport, and personal needs.
University library, online databases, and study groups. Seniors mentor juniors through academic challenges.
Our team guides you through every step — from application to arriving on campus.
Our Egypt specialist provides an honest overview of Cairo University vs Ain Shams vs ERU, English-medium status, FMGE outcomes, safety assessment, and total cost comparison.
We provide the Egypt-specific checklist. All documents are verified before university submission.
Direct submission to the suggested university. Offer letter typically within 7–14 days.
Either the students or our team receives the offer, walks you through the terms, and manages the initial fee payment.
We manage visa applications to the Egyptian Embassy in New Delhi, a minimum of 6 weeks before departure
Cairo city orientation, accommodation, Egyptian transport, food, currency, safety zones, and first-week logistics.
We advise on routing to Cairo International Airport (CAI). Confirms arrival with the local team.
Our Cairo representative meets you at the airport. No student arrives unsupported.
Hostel check-in and university registration handled by AMW's local Egypt team.
Our team files the student residence permit at the Egyptian Ministry of Interior within your first weeks. Renewed annually.
Admission Helpline — Contact our counsellors for step-by-step assistance.
“The faculty here is incredibly supportive. The clinical training during hospital rotations has given me real confidence in patient care.”
“Affordable fees without compromising on quality. The campus facilities and hostel life made my transition abroad very smooth.”
“English medium instruction and WHO-recognized curriculum were the deciding factors for me. No regrets so far — excellent experience overall.”
“The university helped with everything from visa to accommodation. Hospital exposure from year three has been invaluable for my FMGE prep.”
“Just cleared my licensing exam on the first attempt. The structured coaching and mock exams during final year were a game-changer.”
“Safe campus, good food options, and a strong Indian student community. The teaching methodology is very practical and hands-on.”
Yes. According to the most recent sources, it has NAQAAE accreditation (renewal date in 2021), and it is recognized by WHO, WFME, ECFMG, and NMC/NExT. Please check always the most recent data on NMC and WDOMS sites prior to application.
These fees concern only the subsidized government track for local Egyptian applicants. The international/fee-paying track starts at USD 4,500-6,500/year + one-time registration fee. This is one of the most frequent and serious budget miscalculations in Egypt MBBS blogs generally, not specific to Qena.
Tuition, accommodation, food, insurance, and personal expenses inclusive of about USD 33,000-46,000 (₹30-41 lakh).
Yes, from September 2024, South Valley University introduced a separate Medicine and Surgery fee paying program at Qena, apart from its government subsidy scheme. The majority of foreign and Indian candidates opt for this fee paying program, hence make sure that you quote from this particular program, and not from the domestic government program.
Yes. In addition to South Valley University’s admissions criteria, an NMC approved NEET UG qualifying score is required from the Indian candidates.
As per NMC guidelines: minimum aggregate 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology at the 10+2 level for General category, and 40% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC, minimum age 17 years.
Yes. There is the "Study in Egypt" (EGYAID) government partial or full tuition scholarship program based on the academic achievements, and the top-ranking applicants within the faculty can additionally have service fee waiver. It is advised to ask directly about scholarship opportunities in the admissions office.
Yes, provided the candidates pass FMGE or NExT – licensing exam for all foreign medical graduates to return to India to practice.
No. The costs include only registration, tuition and annual admin/insurance fee. No information on the additional donation/capitation fee reported neither by the university nor by independent consultants.
Qena is a quieter city in Upper Egypt and has a significantly lower cost of living than Cairo. South Valley University also has campuses in nearby Luxor and the coastal city of Hurghada.
Our expert counsellors will guide you through the complete admission process — from documents to airport pickup.
