Iranian Universities Surge in ISC WUR 2024 Rankings: A Growing Academic Powerhouse

In the latest 2024 World University Rankings (WUR) published by the Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC), a significant number of Iranian universities have made the list, showcasing the academic excellence in the region. This year, 72 Iranian universities were recognized, an increase from 69 in 2023, indicating a positive trend in higher education in Iran.

The ranking encompasses a total of 426 universities from 31 Islamic countries, with Iran securing the second position behind Turkey, which boasts 102 universities, while Pakistan follows with 39. According to IRNA, this is a notable achievement for Iranian educational institutions.

Key Highlights from the 2024 World University Rankings

• Iran ranks second with 72 universities in the WUR.
• Turkey leads with 102 universities, while Pakistan holds third place with 39.
• Saudi Arabia ranks 172nd among Islamic countries.
• Iran, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Egypt are grouped in ranks 401-450.
• Tehran University has improved its ranking from 501-600 to 401-500.

Among the universities evaluated, Iran’s Tehran University stands out by securing the top position within the country. It has moved up in the global rankings, now categorized between 401-500. The Tehran University of Medical Sciences follows closely, ranking 501-600, which is an improvement from its previous position of 601-700 in 2023.

Additionally, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences has seen a remarkable rise, climbing from 801-900 in 2023 to 601-700 in 2024, making it the third top university in Iran. Sharif University of Technology and Tarbiat Modares University are ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.

Global Context of Iranian Universities

According to the ISC WUR 2024, a total of 2,661 top universities from 114 countries and six continents were assessed. The prestigious Harvard University, Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, University College London, and the University of Oxford were recognized as the top five universities globally.

The ISC WUR, which began ranking universities in 2018, aims to evaluate institutions within the Islamic world based on several key criteria:

• Research: 60%
• Education: 10%
• International Activities: 15%
• Technology and Innovation: 15%

To maintain accuracy, the ISC incorporates a negative score for universities with a high number of retractions, categorized under Negative Reputation.

Recent Rankings and Trends

In the recent Shanghai University Ranking 2025, six Iranian universities were positioned among the top 1,000 globally, a decrease from nine in 2024. Notable mentions include:

• Tehran University of Medical Sciences and University of Tehran: Both ranked 401-500 globally.
• Tarbiat Modares University: Ranked 701-800.
• Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Sharif University of Technology: Both ranked 801-900.
• Iran University of Medical Sciences: Ranked 901-1000.

Furthermore, the July edition of the Webometrics world ranking recognized 64 medical universities from Iran, with 11 making significant strides compared to the previous January edition. The Tehran University of Medical Sciences remains the only institution within the top 500 worldwide, as per the Mehr News Agency report.

Among the universities that have shown remarkable improvement in their rankings are:

• Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences: Improved by 1002 positions.
• Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences: Improved by 961 positions.
• Yazd University of Medical Sciences: Improved by 948 positions.

Additional universities such as Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences and Urmia University of Medical Sciences have also shown notable improvements.

Focus on Sustainable Development Goals

The Times Higher Education (THE) has acknowledged 34 Iranian universities as leaders in pursuing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), increasing from 33 in 2024. Key rankings include:

• Iran University of Medical Sciences: Ranked 301-400 globally.
• Alzahra University, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences: All ranked 401-600.

Moreover, Iran University of Medical Sciences ranks 48th for good health and well-being, and 62nd for quality education goals. Other universities like Alzahra University and Kerman University of Medical Sciences have also achieved high rankings in gender equality.

Overall Assessment of Iranian Universities

The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings for 2026 has maintained nine Iranian universities in the global rankings, consistent with 2025. The University of Tehran leads with a global rank of 322, followed by Sharif University of Technology at 375, and Amirkabir University of Technology at 456.

Other notable institutions include Iran University of Science and Technology (496), Isfahan University of Technology (571), and University of Tabriz (578).

In conclusion, the consistent performance and improvements of Iranian universities in various global rankings reflect the dedication to advancing higher education and research, contributing positively to the academic landscape both regionally and globally.