Conditions for foreign students to study in Iran
General conditions
- Not having a legal prohibition to continue studying
- Having confirmation from the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the relevant country or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the candidate's eligibility
- Having a valid certificate of physical and mental health confirmed by the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the candidate's country
Specific conditions
There are a series of specific academic and age requirements for continuing education for foreign students, in accordance with the laws of the destination country, and if the student meets these requirements, he/she will be able to continue his/her studies.
A) Academic Requirements
Continuing studies at the undergraduate level
- • Having at least a high school diploma that has been approved by the competent authorities in the relevant country and is recognized as equivalent to a complete high school diploma in Iran.
Note 1: Applicants from countries whose diplomas are not equivalent to the high school diploma of the Islamic Republic of Iran, after completing supplementary courses for a period determined by the implementing centers and after successfully completing pre-university courses to continue their studies, will be introduced to universities by the Non-Iranian Student Scholarship Council.
Note 2: Foreign nationals who have graduated from high schools of the Islamic Republic of Iran abroad can continue their studies at universities and higher education institutions in Iran.
Note 3: Foreign nationals who have graduated from schools within the Islamic Republic of Iran are excluded from this program and will be subject to the regulations for accepting Iranian candidates.
Note 4: Children of foreign political representatives who have completed their education in Iran will be exempted from Note 3 upon the proposal and approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the approval of the Stock Exchange Council.
- • Having an overall GPA of 12.5 out of 20 or its equivalent in the secondary school diploma level for entry into associate and bachelor's degrees in the humanities, agriculture, and arts, and a minimum GPA of 14 out of 20 or its equivalent for entry into basic sciences, architecture, technology, engineering, and medicine at the undergraduate level and joint master's and general doctorate levels.
Continuing education at the master's level
- • Having a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 15 in the humanities, arts and agriculture and a GPA of 14 in other fields to enter the master's degree program and obtain admission from one of the universities
Note: Applicants for admission to the master's degree program must submit an acceptance letter from the supervising professor, which has been approved by the Vice Chancellor for Education and Graduate Studies of the campus/faculty/independent center, to the Admissions Office for Non-Iranian Students.
Continuing education at the PhD level
- • Having a master's degree with a minimum GPA of 16 to enter the PhD programs in a field appropriate to the field of study of the master's degree program and obtain admission from one of the universities
Note 1: Applicants for admission to the PhD program must submit an acceptance letter from the supervising professor (at least an associate professor) who has been approved by the Vice Chancellor for Education and Graduate Studies of the campus/faculty/independent center to the Admissions Office for Non-Iranian Students.
Note 2: Non-Iranian students in the doctoral program are not counted in the quota for the number of theses by the supervising professor.
B) Age requirements
Applicants must meet the following age requirements when submitting their application for study at universities in the Islamic Republic of Iran:
- • Maximum 22 years for high school diploma holders (26 years for candidates in the fields of Persian language and literature and theology) for studying in associate and bachelor's degrees
- • Maximum 28 years for holders of bachelor's degrees (30 years for candidates in the fields of Persian language and literature and theology) for studying in a master's degree
- • Maximum 32 years for holders of master's degrees (35 years for candidates in the fields of Persian language and literature and theology) for studying in a doctoral degree
Note: All students who have been admitted from abroad in accordance with the regulations for student admission and have graduated from universities in the Islamic Republic of Iran at bachelor's, master's or doctoral levels in accordance with the current regulations of the relevant level will be exempted from the age requirements if they apply to continue their studies at a higher level in the same year of graduation.
It should be noted that academic certificates and transcripts issued by foreign schools and universities must be approved by the missions of the Islamic Republic of Iran in that country or the embassy of the applicant country and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and if they are not in English, they must be submitted with an official Persian translation.
In addition, the admission process is only carried out in fields that foreign nationals are allowed to study at universities in the Islamic Republic of Iran.