Surge in International Enrollment: Foreign Students in Iranian Universities Nearly Doubled!
In recent years, Iran has become a noteworthy destination for foreign students seeking higher education, with nearly 60,000 foreign students currently enrolled in its universities. This is a significant increase from the 35,000 students reported in the previous Iranian academic year which commenced on September 22, 2024. According to IRNA, Saeed Habiba, head of the Organization of Student Affairs, has highlighted that students from 101 countries are now pursuing studies in Iran, showcasing the country’s growing allure in the global educational landscape.
Despite various challenges, Iran’s universities are leveraging their scientific capabilities and international collaboration records to enhance their appeal to international students. This initiative aims to transform the presence of foreign students into a central theme in national discourse and strategic planning. Most of these students hail from countries such as Afghanistan, India, Iraq, and Pakistan.
In 2024, Hashem Dadashpour, the former head of the Organization of Student Affairs, announced plans to offer new services tailored to foreign students in Iranian universities, according to ISNA. He mentioned that online language learning systems would be introduced, allowing prospective students to take Persian language courses prior to their arrival in Iran. This preparation aims to facilitate their transition into academic life in the country.
Furthermore, in September 2023, Dadashpour stated that the ministry of science aims to increase the number of international students to approximately 320,000 from the current figure of around 100,000 by the year 2026. He emphasized that the primary motivations for attracting international students include:
- Strengthening scientific authority
- Developing public diplomacy
- Expanding the Persian language
In the realm of academic excellence, the latest 2024 World University Rankings (WUR) report by the Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC) has recognized 72 Iranian universities, a rise from 69 in 2023. A total of 426 universities from 31 Islamic countries were included in this ranking, with Turkey leading at 102 universities, followed by Iran and Pakistan.
Highlights from the 2024 rankings include:
- Tehran University: Improved from 501-600 in 2023 to 401-500 in 2024, maintaining its position as the top university in Iran.
- Tehran University of Medical Sciences: Ranked second nationally, moving up to 501-600 from 601-700 in the previous year.
- Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences: Advanced from 801-900 in 2023 to 601-700 in 2024.
- Sharif University of Technology and Tarbiat Modares University: Ranked fourth and fifth respectively.
Additionally, the Shanghai University Ranking 2025 has included six Iranian universities among the top 1,000 institutions globally, a decrease from nine in 2024. Notably, both the Tehran University of Medical Sciences and the University of Tehran are now ranked 401–500 worldwide. Other universities like Tarbiat Modares University and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences are ranked 701-800 and 801-900 respectively.
The recent Webometrics world ranking has seen 64 medical universities from Iran included, with 11 of these advancing their positions compared to January’s edition. Among them, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (ranked 485) stands out as the only Iranian university in the top 500 globally.
Several other universities, including Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, and Yazd University of Medical Sciences, have made significant improvements in their rankings, showcasing the growing quality of higher education in Iran.
In terms of sustainability, the Times Higher Education (THE) has recognized 34 Iranian universities among those pursuing sustainable development goals (SDGs), reflecting an increase from 33 universities in 2024. The Iran University of Medical Sciences ranks first nationally with a global position of 301-400. Other notable mentions include:
- Alzahra University, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences: All ranking 401-600.
- Iran University of Medical Sciences: Ranked 48th in good health and well-being.
- Alzahra University and Kerman University of Medical Sciences: Ranking 85th and 89th in gender equality, respectively.
- Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences: Ranked 30th in good health and well-being.
Through these rankings and initiatives, Iran is not only enhancing the quality of its educational institutions but also positioning itself as a significant player in attracting international students from around the globe.
