2025 QS Rankings: 17 Iranian Universities Shine by Subject!

In the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, Iranian universities have made significant strides, showcasing their academic prowess across various disciplines. This year’s rankings include 17 Iranian institutions recognized in 21 subject categories, a notable increase from the previous year.

The QS World University Rankings by Subject evaluates universities based on their performance in 55 distinct subjects. The rankings are determined by five key indicators:

Academic Reputation
Employer Reputation
Research Citations per Paper
H-index
International Research Network (by broad faculty area)

A total of 1,758 unique institutions were ranked in the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject, marking a 7% increase from the previous year. The rankings are categorized into five broad subject areas:

Arts and Humanities
Engineering and Technology
Life Sciences and Medicine
Natural Sciences
Social Sciences and Management

According to the Mehr news agency, Iranian universities have excelled particularly in three main faculties:

Engineering and Technology
Life Sciences and Medicine
Natural Sciences

In the Engineering and Technology category, 997 institutions are recognized globally, with 344 of them making their debut in this year’s rankings. The University of Tehran leads the Iranian universities with a global ranking of 280, a significant rise from its previous position of 346 in 2024.

Following closely is the Sharif University of Technology, which has improved its global ranking from the range of 410-450 in 2024 to 292 this year. Other notable placements include:

Amirkabir University of Technology: Ranked 451-500
Iran University of Science and Technology: Ranked 501-550

In the specialized field of Petroleum Engineering, the University of Tehran has achieved a remarkable global ranking of 22, moving up from 32 in 2024. The Sharif University of Technology also made gains, improving its rank from 34 to 20. Additional rankings in this field are as follows:

Amirkabir University of Technology: Ranked 50-101
Isfahan University of Technology, Shiraz University, and Tabriz University: Ranked 101-150

In Electrical and Electronic Engineering, the rankings are as follows:

Sharif University of Technology: Ranked 151-200
University of Tehran: Ranked 201-250

In the Life Sciences and Medicine category, 1,124 institutions were evaluated. Tehran University of Medical Sciences holds the top national ranking, with its position improving from 358 in 2024 to 309 this year. Other rankings include:

Mashhad University of Medical Sciences: Ranked 401-450
University of Tehran: Ranked 401-450 (previously 451-500)
Iran University of Medical Sciences: Ranked 451-500
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences: Ranked 451-500
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences: Ranked 501-550

In Agricultural and Forestry, the rankings are as follows:

University of Tehran: Ranked 101-150
University of Tabriz: Ranked 251-300
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Isfahan University of Technology, and Shiraz University: Ranked 351-400

In Anatomy and Physiology, the top rankings are:

Mashhad University of Medical Sciences: Ranked 51-100
Tehran University of Medical Sciences: Ranked 101-170

In Nursing, both Iran University of Medical Sciences and Tehran University of Medical Sciences share a ranking of 151-225. In the field of Pharmacy and Pharmacology:

Tehran University of Medical Sciences: Ranked 201-250
Mashhad University of Medical Sciences and University of Tehran: Ranked 251-300

In the Natural Sciences category, 925 institutions were ranked, with 347 new entrants this year. The University of Tehran and Sharif University of Technology have both improved their rankings:

University of Tehran: Ranked 344 (previously 401-450)
Sharif University of Technology: Ranked 390 (previously 501-550)

In Chemistry, the University of Tehran is ranked 301-350, while Sharif University of Technology is positioned at 351-400. The University of Tehran also holds ranks in Physics and Astronomy, Environmental Sciences, and Geophysics, where it is the sole institution ranked in Environmental Sciences at 201-250.

In Mathematics, both Sharif University of Technology and University of Tehran hold rankings of 301-350. Iran University of Science and Technology, Amirkabir University of Technology, and Islamic Azad University have a global ranking of 401-450.

In Material Sciences, the rankings are as follows:

Sharif University of Technology: Ranked 251-300
University of Tehran: Ranked 351-400
Amirkabir University of Technology and Iran University of Science and Technology: Ranked 401-550

Additionally, the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings (WUR) for international outlook 2025 recognizes 85 Iranian universities among the top universities worldwide. The top-ranking institution is the Sharif University of Technology with a global ranking of 301-350.

Amirkabir University of Technology and Iran University of Science and Technology both follow closely at a global ranking of 351-400. The rankings continue with:

Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences: Ranked 401-500
University of Tehran: Ranked 401-500

In total, the THE World University Rankings 2025 features 81 Iranian universities across 10 out of 11 subject areas, a rise from 73 universities in 2024. The top performances were noted in Computer Science and Engineering.

The University of Tehran leads in Arts and Humanities with a ranking of 401-500, followed by Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and Shahid Beheshti University (501-600). In Business and Economics, the top four institutions are:

University of Tehran: Ranked 201-250
Sharif University of Technology: Ranked 301-400
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad: Ranked 401-500
Iran University of Science and Technology: Ranked 401-500

In Computer Science, the rankings are:

Sharif University of Technology: Ranked 151-175
University of Tehran: Ranked 201-250
Amirkabir University of Technology: Ranked 251-300

In Engineering, the Sharif University of Technology maintains a strong position at 151-175, followed by University of Tehran and Iran University of Science and Technology. In Life Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, and University of Tehran rank as the top three nationally, all falling within the 401-500 global ranking.

In Medical and Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences and Tehran University of Medical Sciences share the top rank nationally (301-400), followed by Qazvin University of Medical Sciences and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (401-500). In Physical Science, the top rankings go to Iran University of Science and Technology, Sharif University of Technology, and University of Tehran (301-400 globally).

Finally, in Psychology, the University of Tehran holds the top position (401-500), with Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Kharazmi University, and Shahid Beheshti University following with rankings of 501-600. The top three in Social Science are University of Tehran (301-400), University of Tabriz (401-500), and Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and Shiraz University (501-600).