Study and find schools in Afghanistan

Studying in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has had a public university system for decades, but since the Taliban took power in 2021 higher education has changed profoundly. Afghanistan is under Taliban control, and according to UNESCO it is the only country in the world where secondary and higher education is forbidden to girls and women. In October 2026 international students should not plan to travel there: the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against travel to Afghanistan under any circumstances, with a high risk of kidnapping or attack throughout the country, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel, even with an organised tour group.

This page describes how higher education works now, mainly for Afghan students and for people who follow an Afghan programme at a distance. It does not encourage travel to the country.

Higher education in Afghanistan

Universities are overseen by the Ministry of Higher Education in Kabul. Its website lists public universities such as Kabul University, Kabul Education University, Kabul Polytechnic University, Nangarhar University and the Kabul University of Medical Sciences, and universities in the provinces, including Balkh, Jawzjan and Panjshir. The official languages are Dari and Pashto. The ministry does not publish current figures on the number of institutions or students in a form we could verify, so this page gives none.

The most important fact for anyone considering study in Afghanistan is the ban on women. According to UNESCO:

• since 20 December 2022 women have been banned from universities, which denied higher education to more than 100,000 young women
• nearly 2.2 million girls are barred from school beyond the primary level
• an estimated 5.3 million Afghan refugees and asylum seekers are registered in neighbouring countries, mainly Iran and Pakistan, where UNESCO supports their access to education

Studying online: the American University of Afghanistan

The only school in our directory for Afghanistan is the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF), a non-profit, private and independent university. To keep reaching young Afghan women and men whose opportunities are restricted, AUAF has transformed itself into a virtual university. Lectures are live and class sizes are small, and teaching follows a western-style curriculum in English. Admitted students start with a preparation programme. The university states that it has more than 1,000 students, that 75% are women and that 90% live in Afghanistan, and that over the past 20 years it has given thousands of Afghan men and women a liberal arts education.

AUAF offers an Academic Preparation Program, associate and bachelor programmes, and a Master in Business Administration (MBA).

Admission and recognition

At AUAF, undergraduate applications open in October 2026 for a Fall 2027 start, and there is no application fee. Undergraduate applicants send their high school transcript and diploma; MBA applicants also need an English score (TOEFL iBT, IELTS, TOEFL PBT or Duolingo), a copy of their Tazkira (Afghan identity document) or passport and an attested copy of their undergraduate diploma.

Students who want to continue their studies abroad should keep official copies of their transcripts and diplomas, as recognition procedures in other countries usually require them. Ask the recognition authority of the destination country which documents it accepts from Afghan institutions.

Costs and funding

There is no official source for current fees at public universities. At AUAF, for the 2026-27 academic year the annual tuition fee for the preparation, associate and bachelor programmes is AFN 466,500, and the MBA costs US$7,699.86 a year. All undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for scholarships that may partly or fully cover tuition, and the US Government and other donors contribute to the university's costs.

Visa and entry

According to the Spanish travel advice, checked on 7 October 2026:

• a visa is required to enter Afghanistan and cannot be obtained at the border; a visa does not guarantee entry
• the visa must be valid until the date of departure
• travellers staying more than 4 weeks may be asked for proof of polio vaccination when they leave
• Spain has no embassy in Afghanistan, so no consular assistance can be given on the ground

The UK FCDO adds that the Afghan embassy in London is closed and that it is illegal to carry more than US$5,000 in cash through airports or more than US$500 through land borders. There is no British embassy in Afghanistan. Students from other countries should check their own government's advice.

Practical life

For anyone already in the country, conditions are restrictive. According to the FCDO, women, including foreign nationals, must fully cover themselves in public, and women may not travel more than 72 km without a male guardian. Internet and mobile services have been blocked or shut down without warning, which matters for online study. The Spanish Foreign Ministry describes the health infrastructure as very precarious and notes that credit cards and traveller's cheques are of very limited use. The FCDO warns that travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against its advice.

Frequently asked questions

Can international students study in Afghanistan?

It is not advisable. In October 2026 the Spanish Foreign Ministry advises against travel to Afghanistan under any circumstances and the UK FCDO advises against all travel.

Can women go to university in Afghanistan?

No. According to UNESCO, women have been banned from universities since 20 December 2022. Some Afghan women study online, for example at the American University of Afghanistan, which has become a virtual university.

Is there an English-language university for Afghan students?

The American University of Afghanistan teaches a western-style curriculum in English, with live online lectures and small classes.

How much does the American University of Afghanistan cost?

For 2026-27 the annual tuition fee for undergraduate programmes is AFN 466,500 and the MBA costs US$7,699.86 a year. All undergraduate applicants are considered for scholarships.