A student was shot dead Thursday afternoon during clashes between security forces and students in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, north-west of Cairo.

The student was named as Amr Khalaf, a student from Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Al-Ahram Arabic website reported.

Fierce clashes broke out between police and student supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi outside Alexandria University. Riot police fired teargas at stone-hurling students who reportedly set fire to furniture on the university grounds.

At least five more people were injured, according to the state-run news agency MENA.

Alexandria security chief Nasser Al-Abd said police interfered to "confront students' rioting," Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported.

At least 15 students have been arrested in possession of petrol bombs and fireworks, sources from the Alexandria Security Directorate said, denying live ammunition or birdshot were used.

Egyptian universities have been the scene of frequent protests by Morsi’s supporters since his ouster in July and a sustained crackdown by authorities on Islamists which has decimated their street movement.

Hundreds of students have been arrested nationwide and dozens have been sentenced to jail terms on charges including violence and thuggery.