This article provides a list of reputable universities and online education platforms that Afghan girls can use to continue their studies online. It includes approximate registration dates and key points for each institution.
University of the People (UoPeople)
UoPeople is an internationally recognized American university that operates entirely online, offering tuition-free bachelor’s and master’s degree programs—particularly beneficial for Afghan girls. The university uses a distance-learning model, with only minimal fees for processing documents. Programs include Business Administration, Computer Science, and Education.
- Type: Accredited tuition-free online university
- Degrees: Bachelor’s and Master’s
- Fields: Business Administration, Computer Science, Public Health, Education
- Language of Instruction: English
- Registration Dates:
- Spring Semester: Opens mid-January
- Summer Semester: Opens mid-May
- Fall Semester: Opens mid-September
- Notes: Year-round registration available; some semesters are entirely free; very low processing fees.
- Website: uopeople.edu
Virtual University of Afghanistan (VUA)
The Virtual University of Afghanistan is a national project supported by the Ministry of Higher Education of Afghanistan, providing quality online education for all Afghans, especially women. It offers bachelor’s, master’s, and short courses in Dari and Pashto, taught by both national and international professors.
- Type: Government online university
- Degrees: Bachelor’s and Master’s
- Language of Instruction: Dari and Pashto
- Registration Dates:
- Typically in Spring (March–April) and Fall (September–October)
- Exact dates published annually on the website
- Notes: Entrance exam and academic documents required; suitable for Afghan students.
- Website: vu.edu.af
Open University (UK)
A prestigious UK-based university that offers distance learning globally. With a flexible structure, it is a great option for Afghan girls who wish to study diverse fields such as Social Sciences, Technology, Languages, and Public Health. English language proficiency is required.
- Type: UK Open University
- Degrees: Bachelor’s and Master’s
- Fields: Various, including Humanities, Social Sciences, Engineering, etc.
- Language of Instruction: English
- Registration Dates: Usually October, February, and June; many courses have flexible enrollment.
- Notes: High-quality education; tuition fees are relatively high for international students.
- Website: open.ac.uk
edX / Coursera (Academic and Professional Online Courses)
edX is an online learning platform founded by top universities such as Harvard and MIT, offering free and paid courses at undergraduate, graduate, and professional certificate levels. Afghan girls can study in fields like Computer Science, Business, Project Management, and Health Sciences, with certificates available.
Coursera is one of the world’s largest online learning platforms, partnering with leading universities to offer free and paid courses in various subjects, such as Programming, Interpretation, Economics, and Psychology.
- Type: Online learning platforms
- Programs: Short to advanced courses
- Fields: All subjects, from Computer Science to Arts and Humanities
- Language of Instruction: English and others (depending on the course)
- Registration Dates: Always open; certificate courses have fixed start dates, free courses available anytime.
- Notes: Many courses are free; fees apply for certificates.
- Websites: edx.org | coursera.org
Asian e-University (AeU)
AeU is a regional university based in Malaysia, offering both online and on-campus programs. It provides bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in English, with no visa requirement for Afghan students.
- Type: Asian online university
- Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
- Fields: Management, Information Technology, Education, etc.
- Language of Instruction: English
- Registration Dates: Twice a year—January and July
- Notes: Scholarships available for international students; blended learning format.
- Website: aeu.edu.my
Kardan University (Online Division)
Kardan University is a private and reputable Afghan institution offering online programs in Business Administration, Computer Science, and International Relations for students unable to attend in person.
- Type: Private Afghan university with online programs
- Degrees: Bachelor’s
- Fields: Management, Economics, Law, etc.
- Language of Instruction: Dari and English
- Registration Dates: Twice a year—Spring (March–April) and Fall (September–October)
- Notes: Accredited degrees recognized within Afghanistan.
- Website: kardan.edu.af
Islamic Online University (IOU)
An Islamic-focused online university offering programs in Islamic Studies, Education, Psychology, and Islamic Economics. It is ideal for Afghan girls interested in religious education with an academic perspective.
- Type: Islamic online university
- Degrees: Bachelor’s and Master’s
- Fields: Islamic Studies, Arabic, Management, General Sciences
- Language of Instruction: English and Arabic
- Registration Dates: Open year-round; semesters usually start in January, April, July, and October
- Notes: Low or no tuition fees; recommended for Muslim students.
- Website: islamiconlineuniversity.com
Summary Table
| University / Platform | Degree(s) | Registration Dates | Language(s) | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of the People | Bachelor’s, Master’s | Mid-Jan, May, Sep | English | uopeople.edu |
| Virtual University of Afghanistan | Bachelor’s, Master’s | Spring & Fall (annual) | Dari, Pashto | vu.edu.af |
| Open University (UK) | Bachelor’s, Master’s | Oct, Feb, Jun | English | open.ac.uk |
| edX / Coursera | Various | Always open | English, others | edx.org / coursera.org |
| Asian e-University | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Jan, Jul | English | aeu.edu.my |
| Kardan University | Bachelor’s | Spring, Fall | Dari, English | kardan.edu.af |
| Islamic Online University | Bachelor’s, Master’s | Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct | English, Arabic | islamiconlineuniversity.com |