City University Of Cairo - Capital of science and knowledge
The Postgraduate Committee is composed of professors or associate professors whose members are selected by the relevant College Council and its departments are going to start postgraduate studies.
The university president chooses the chairman of this committee among its members based on a recommendation by the vice-president of postgraduate studies and research, after consulting with the dean of the relevant faculty.
This committee is in charge of all postgraduate studies. It is responsible for setting standards for starting postgraduate programs of different programs of the faculty, as well as evaluating and continuously reviewing those programs
The vice-president of postgraduate studies and research is responsible for supervising the postgraduate committees among all faculties.
The dean manages the scientific and administrative affairs of the committee within the university's regulations, its statutes, and the regulations of each faculty. He is responsible for implementing the decisions of the University Council and the Board of Trustees within the limits of his competences. His other competencies, his administrative and academic powers are specified according to the regulations of each faculty.
Membership period of the Postgraduate Committee is valid for 2 renewable years including the following:
1-Studying the curriculum proposed by the departments before presenting it to the college council.
2-Coordinating between different departments in the college regarding postgraduate programs.
3-Addressing matters related to postgraduate studies outlined in the postgraduate studies regulations.
4. Heads of postgraduate studies committees in colleges become members of the university's postgraduate studies unit.
Council of University Postgraduate Studies Unit
The Council of University Postgraduate Studies Unit is the authority, which manages faculty’s affairs, related to postgraduate studies and. It also makes necessary decisions within the limits of its scope as determined by the postgraduate regulations. Particularly:
1- The unit lays out the general policy for postgraduate studies in all faculties of the University and follows up on its implementation.
2. Approval of the internal regulations for the scientific departments of postgraduate studies.
3.Approval of curriculum for postgraduate programs.
4. Laying out admission and supervision criteria of postgraduate studies.
5. Supervision of joint programs with Egyptian and foreign universities, setting their rules and following up their implementation.
6. Preparation and following-up of the equivalent academic degrees awarded by each faculty of the university
7.Decisions of the Council of Postgraduate Studies Unit shall be submitted to the Council of the University at its next session for consideration and approval.
On the basis of College Council's recommendation,the Council of the CUC awards the following academic degrees:
These include one-year applied courses. The internal regulations of some departments may include two-year diplomas. In order to register for this program, the following are required:
- A bachelor’s degree holder from CUC or any equivalent university or higher institutes.
- It includes advanced coursework and research training, culminating in a thesis which is approved by the examiners committee.
-The university sets general admission criteria and the department may add specific conditions with the approval of the faculty council
Master's Degree
- Includes advanced coursework and research training, culminating in a thesis.
- Applicants must hold a bachelor's or equivalent degree from the City University of Cairo or equivalent universities with a minimum grade of "Good" in the cumulative grade or "Very Good" in the specialization diploma.
- The university establishes general admission criteria, and the department may add specific conditions with the approval of the college council.
- The study period for a master's degree is not less than two academic years.
- The study includes both coursework and a thesis, with the possibility of substituting other requirements for the thesis in some special master's programs with the recommendation of the department's council and the approval of the college council.
- The required semester credit hours for obtaining a master's degree should not be less than 24, in addition to the thesis (6-9 credited hours).
Only 25% of the courses previously passed by the student can be accepted at a recognized university. The courses, which are taught in other universities, are excluded from this requirement according to existing agreements between those universities and the City University of Cairo.
PhD Degree
PhD degree is mainly based on innovative research and submission of a thesis accepted by the examination committee, in addition to an advanced coursework over a period of two years minimum from the registration date.
Requirements of PhD degree:
1.The applicant must hold a Master's degree from the City University of Cairo or any other equivalent Egyptian or foreign universities. Also, the applicant should get 550 as a minimum score of the TOEFL exam.
2. Based on Department Council recommendation as well as the approval of the related College Council, applicants may be accepted to be enrolled in PhD studies which are different fields from his Master’s degree.
3. Each one of CUC’s faculties creates a set of rules for postgraduate studies admission. The department, with the approval of the college council, may add specific conditions, such as:
- Choosing some courses have to be taken by applicants and applicants must pass their exams.
- Passing written or oral exams.
- Any other additional conditions.
4. The scheduled period of obtaining a PhD degree is not less than 24 months starting from the registration date.
5. PhD studies contain coursework and a thesis.
6. The required semester credit hours for a Doctorate degree should not be less than 24, in addition to the thesis.
7. The student must complete at least 75% of the required credit hours for the specialization at the City University of Cairo. Exceptions or modifications to this requirement may apply to joint programs between the City University of Cairo and other Egyptian or foreign universities, according to the agreement's conditions.
Registration and Examination Process:
-The internal regulations of each faculty set out the dates of postgraduate studies registration, admission, suspension. Cancellation rules, and the rules of theses preparations.
- Examinations for postgraduate courses and grading follow the examination regulations of the respective college at the City University of Cairo.
- After finishing the first semester, students are allowed to register their theses. A thesis proposal should be submitted to the relevant department then The student is allowed to register the thesis after one academic semester from registering for the degree. They are required to submit the thesis topic to the relevant department. If approved, after presenting the topic through a seminar, the department council, along with the supervisor(s), suggests the thesis and it is permissible for one or more of the supervisors to be from another university.
-A Ph.D. student must pass a comprehensive examination in their main field of specialization and any sub-specializations if applicable. The examination is conducted by a committee proposed by the department council and approved by the college council after the student successfully completes the specialized courses qualifying for the Ph.D. degree.
-The student's registration for the degree begins from the date of approval by the Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research of the university for the thesis project.
-A Ph.D. student submits the proposed thesis project to the relevant department after the approval of the supervisory committee. If approved, the department submits a request for final approval to the Graduate Studies Committee of the concerned college. Changes to the research plan are not permitted without the approval of the relevant department council and the Graduate Studies Committee of the college.
-Doctoral and master's theses are supervised by faculty members, including professors and assistant professors. Distinguished faculty members from outside the university can also participate in the supervision. Assistance in supervision can also be provided by faculty members with at least three years of experience as an instructor.
-The supervisor submits a detailed report on the student's progress in their studies to the department every six months. A copy of the report is sent to the dean of the relevant college. In case the supervisor declines or transfers the thesis to an external entity, they must submit a report to the department on the student's progress in preparing the thesis. The department suggests an alternative supervisor, which is approved by the concerned college council.
-Master's theses should be characterized by seriousness, authenticity, and innovation. Doctoral theses should be characterized by authenticity, contribution, and innovation.
-After completing the preparation of the thesis, the supervisor submits a detailed report on its suitability to the department council. The college council forms an examination committee for the thesis and determines the date of the defense after the approval of the Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research for the formation decision.
-The examination committee consists of at least three members from distinguished scientific faculty members, including professors, and assistant professors may participate. The most senior member of the committee serves as the chairperson.
-For the examination and defense of a master's thesis, it is a requirement that at least one member of the committee is from outside the college. For a doctoral thesis, at least one member must be from outside the university.
-The defense of master's and doctoral theses is conducted publicly, and it is announced within the university or in newspapers at a date determined by the relevant department council, approved by the Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research, and notified to the dean of the concerned college.
-Each member of the examination committee submits an individual detailed scientific report on the thesis. The examination committee submits a collective report to the dean of the concerned college after the defense. The report concludes with one of the following recommendations:
Acceptance of the thesis and recommendation for the award of the degree.
Completion of deficiencies in the thesis and re-defense after a specified period determined by the examination and defense committee.
Non-acceptance of the thesis.
The dean of the concerned college submits the recommendation for the award of the degree to the university council.
Thesis Supervision and Evaluation:
- The supervisor, along with distinguished faculty members, guides the Doctorate or Master's thesis. External faculty members may participate in supervision, and lecturers with at least three years of experience may assist.
- The supervisor submits a detailed progress report to the department every six months, with a copy sent to the dean of the college. If the supervisor resigns from or transfers the supervision outside the university, a report must be submitted to the department, suggesting an alternative supervisor for approval by the college council.
- Theses must demonstrate seriousness, originality, and innovation for Master's degrees, and authenticity, contribution, and innovation for Doctorate degrees.
- After completing the thesis, the supervisor submits a detailed report on its suitability to the department council. The college forms an examination committee for the thesis, and a defense date is set after the deputy president of the university for postgraduate studies and research approves the committee's formation.
- The examination committee consists of at least three distinguished faculty members, including one external to the college. The most senior member acts as the committee's chairperson.