University of Tehran
دانشگاه تهران
Iran's first modern university, inaugurated in 1934, teaching mainly in Persian across dozens of colleges and faculties.
- Students
- 55,183
- 19,559 undergraduates
- International
- 3%
- of students
- Tuition
- €2,100
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1934
About UT
The University of Tehran is a public university and was officially inaugurated in 1934 as Iran's first modern university; it traces its roots to the Dar ul-Funun, founded in 1851. The main campus is in central Tehran, and the university also runs campuses in cities including Karaj, Qom, Pakdasht, Kish and Jolfa. The university describes itself as the most comprehensive in the country.
UT reported 55,183 students (19,559 of them bachelor's students) and 2,332 faculty members in 2024. Its Tehran campuses hold dozens of colleges and faculties, among them the Colleges of Engineering, Science, Fine Arts, Farabi and Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Faculties of Law and Political Science, Management, Economics, Literature and Humanities, and Veterinary Medicine. It lists more than 60 research centres and institutes, more than 550 laboratories and more than 160 educational departments. Persian is the main language of instruction.
Iranian students enter through the national university entrance exam (Konkur); the university says only about the top 10% of candidates can gain entry. Non-Iranian students apply directly to the Office of International Students, pay tuition in euros, and usually take a Persian language course before starting their degree.
میاسای زآموختن یک زمان
“Waste not a moment of learning” — university motto
Why students choose UT
It is Iran's oldest modern university, and its main gate has appeared on Iranian rial banknotes.
UT lists more than 60 research centres and institutes, more than 550 laboratories and seven UNESCO Chairs.
International bachelor's tuition is EUR 1,050 to EUR 1,800 per semester (EUR 2,100 to 3,600 a year) depending on field, with lower rates for students from Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Palestine.
Alumni include Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, fuzzy-logic pioneer Lotfi Zadeh and filmmakers Abbas Kiarostami and Asghar Farhadi.
Admissions
2027-28 academic year (first semester entry, autumn 2027)
Selectivity
UT does not publish an acceptance rate. For Iranian students it states that only about the top 10% of candidates in the national entrance exam (Konkur) can enter. Non-Iranian applicants need a minimum previous grade average of 14/20 (or 70/100) and are assessed by the Office of International Students and Iran's Ministry of Science, Research and Technology.
Typical entry requirements
| Iranian students | National university entrance exam (Konkur) |
|---|---|
| High school certificate (non-Iranian applicants) | Completed high school in a foreign school with an average of at least 14/20 or 70/100; certificates must be legalised by Iranian missions or the applicant's embassy and translated into Persian or English if needed |
| Persian language | Required for Persian-taught programmes; non-fluent students take a placement test and Persian course at the Dehkhoda Lexicon Institute and International Center for Persian Studies (at least six months) |
| English language | Persian is the medium of instruction for all courses, so the key requirement is Persian proficiency rather than English. Applicants born in a Persian-speaking country with Persian as their native language, or whose previous degree was taught in Persian, do not need a Persian certificate. |
Deadlines
- First semester (autumn) application window, international students Non-binding Next deadline · In ~7 months20 May 2027
UT publishes this as a recurring window of 6 March to 20 May each year; late applications are moved to the next semester.
- Second semester application window, international students Non-bindingEnd of September (published as 15 July to '31 September')
Recurring window for entry in the following semester; the 2026 window closes at the end of September 2026.
UT publishes recurring annual windows rather than dated cycles; the dates above apply the published pattern to 2026-27. Scholarship applications are due by 5 June (fall) or 5 October (winter semester). Iranian students follow the national Konkur calendar.
How to apply
Iranian students apply through the national Konkur system. Non-Iranian applicants obtain a tracking code from the Non-Iranian Student Affairs Organization of Iran's Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, complete UT's online application form, and send documents (previous degrees, passport, photo and, where applicable, scholarship letters) to the Office of International Students (int.admissions@ut.ac.ir). After final ministry approval, admitted students obtain a student visa, pay first-semester tuition and register in person. Dual nationals who hold Iranian citizenship cannot apply through this route.
What admissions looks for
- A completed high school certificate (for bachelor's programmes) with an average of at least 14 out of 20 or 70 out of 100.
- Properly legalised and translated documents, approved by Iranian missions abroad or the applicant's embassy in Iran.
- For Iranian applicants, a top result in the national entrance exam.
- Readiness to study in Persian, or willingness to complete the Persian language course first.
Tips for applying to UT
- 1 Get your tracking code from the Ministry of Science's Non-Iranian Student Affairs Organization before you start UT's application.
- 2 Have your school certificate legalised by an Iranian mission early; unapproved documents will stop your application.
- 3 Plan for a Persian language course of at least six months at the Dehkhoda Institute unless you are already fluent.
- 4 Apply for UT's international scholarship by 5 June for the fall semester if you are under 24 (bachelor's) and have a strong record (GPA of 80 or B+).
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
UT awards a limited number of merit scholarships to international students each year, decided by its International Council on academic record and CV (financial need is not a criterion). Bachelor's applicants must be under 24. Scholarships may cover registration and Persian course fees, dormitory access and insurance, and occasionally a monthly stipend; they start only after the Persian courses are completed.
- 5 June (fall semester), 5 October (winter semester)
- Scholarship application deadlines
- 80 (B+)
- Minimum previous GPA for scholarship consideration
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Electrical Engineering (College of Engineering)
Lotfi Zadeh, who developed fuzzy logic, graduated in electrical engineering from UT in 1942.
Law (Faculty of Law and Political Science)
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi earned her law degree at UT.
Fine Arts: painting, graphic design and dramatic arts (College of Fine Arts)
Abbas Kiarostami studied painting and graphic design, and Asghar Farhadi took his BA in dramatic arts, at UT.
Persian Language and Literature
UT runs the Dehkhoda Lexicon Institute and International Center for Persian Studies and charges international students its lowest tuition for this field.
Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
A six-year professional programme; UT scholarships for international students can run for the full six years.
Research
- More than 60 research centres and institutes and more than 550 laboratories across humanities, engineering, sciences and social sciences.
- Seven UNESCO Chairs, including water reuse, engineering education, Islamic architecture and entrepreneurship.
- More than 197 scientific journals, 38 of them indexed in Scopus or Web of Science.
- A library network of more than 30 faculty libraries with over 1.3 million physical volumes, which UT describes as Iran's largest academic library.
Schools & faculties
- College of Engineering
- College of Science
- College of Fine Arts
- College of Farabi
- College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
- College of Aburaihan
- Faculty of Law and Political Science
- Faculty of Management
- Faculty of Economics
- Faculty of Literature and Humanities
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
- Faculty of World Studies
Student life
UT's main campus sits in central Tehran behind its concrete main gate, designed in 1965 by a Fine Arts student, with further campuses across Tehran and other cities. International students arriving on a student visa must live in a University of Tehran dormitory; single rooms are provided for international students, and a limited number of units are set aside for married scholarship holders. Dormitory places for scholarship students are free, and all residents renew their educational residency permits each year.
- Main gate on Enghelab Street, the university's emblem, designed in 1965
- Dehkhoda Lexicon Institute and International Center for Persian Studies for Persian language training
- Dormitory places required for international students on student visas
- More than 600 international agreements, according to the university
Housing. International students on a student visa are required to live in a University of Tehran dormitory; single dormitories are provided, and scholarship holders stay free of charge.
Location
The main campus is on Enghelab Street in central Tehran, Iran's capital and largest city. The university's other colleges and campuses are spread across the Tehran region and other cities, including Karaj, Qom, Pakdasht, Kish and Jolfa, so where you live depends heavily on your faculty.
Nearest airport: Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)
Notable alumni
- SE Shirin EbadiLawyer and 2003 Nobel Peace Prize laureate; law degree from UT
- LA Lotfi A. ZadehMathematician and computer scientist who founded fuzzy logic; electrical engineering degree (1942)
- AK Abbas KiarostamiFilm director; studied painting and graphic design at the School of Fine Arts
- AF Asghar FarhadiFilm director and screenwriter; BA in dramatic arts
- SD Simin DaneshvarNovelist and scholar; studied Persian literature from 1938
- CL Caro LucasElectrical and control engineer; MSc from UT (1973)
Frequently asked questions
How much is University of Tehran tuition for international students?
Bachelor's tuition is EUR 1,050 to EUR 1,800 per semester depending on the field, or EUR 2,100 to 3,600 a year over two semesters (EUR 700 to 1,200 per semester for students from Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Palestine), excluding accommodation, food and insurance.
What language are University of Tehran courses taught in?
Persian. International students who are not fluent take a Persian placement test and a Persian course of at least six months at the Dehkhoda Institute before starting.
When can international students apply to the University of Tehran?
UT publishes two windows: 6 March to 20 May for the first semester, and 15 July to the end of September for the second semester.
How do Iranian students get into the University of Tehran?
Through the national university entrance exam (Konkur); the university states that only about the top 10% of candidates can enter.
Does the University of Tehran offer scholarships to international students?
Yes, a limited number of merit scholarships decided by the International Council; bachelor's applicants must be under 24 and apply by 5 June for fall.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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