Top 10 universities of Iran to watch out for

Time of India

6 days ago

एशियाई यूनिवर्सिटीज में पढ़ते छात्र (Gemini)
A growing number of Indian students, especially from Kashmir, are seeking academic opportunities in Iran, a country steadily gaining ground in global higher education. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), around 2,050 Indian students were studying in Iran in 2022, primarily pursuing medical degrees at universities such as Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, and Islamic Azad University.
What draws these students isn't just cultural proximity or affordability, but Iran's academic reputation, especially in medicine, engineering, and emerging sciences. The latest US News and World Report rankings highlight several Iranian universities as globally competitive, with many earning high ranks in subject-specific areas such as Polymer Science, Pharmacology, Water Resources, and Green Technology.
US News & World Report Global University Rankings: Top Iranian universities
Here is the list of the top universities in Iran according to the US News and World Report rankings 2025:
University
Global Rank
Asia Rank
Iran Rank
Global Score
University of Tehran
281
62
1
59.3
Islamic Azad University
403
102
2
55.3
Sharif University of Technology
565
154
3
50.3
Tehran University of Medical Sciences
588
165
5
49.8
Amirkabir University of Technology
712
218
6
46.8
Tarbiat Modares University
737
230
7
46.3
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
781
249
8
45.3
Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
810
257
9
44.5
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
841
265
10
43.8
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University of Tehran
Ranked 281 in the world and first in Iran, the University of Tehran is Iran's most prestigious institution, known for its robust academic framework and international reach. With over 55,000 students and a strong global research reputation, the university excels in the following disciplines:
Polymer Science (7)
Green and Sustainable Science and Technology (13)
Pharmacology and Toxicology (26)
Water Resources (26)
Agricultural Sciences (50)
Mechanical Engineering (52)
Civil Engineering (72)
Artificial Intelligence (80)
Energy and Fuels (41)
Engineering (42)
Food Science and Technology (60)
Islamic Azad University
Ranked 403 globally and second in Iran, Islamic Azad University is one of the largest private university systems in the world. It is especially known for its depth in applied sciences and engineering, including:
Polymer Science (10)
Green and Sustainable Science and Technology (10)
Energy and Fuels (25)
Mechanical Engineering (26)
Mathematics (29)
Engineering (45)
Civil Engineering (43)
Food Science and Technology (57)
Artificial Intelligence (94)
Pharmacology and Toxicology (84)
Public, Environmental and Occupational Health (90)
Water Resources (46)
Sharif University of Technology
Regarded as Iran's premier institute for engineering and technology, Sharif University is ranked 565 globally and third nationally. Its most prominent areas include:
Mechanical Engineering (50)
Civil Engineering (79)
The university is well-known for its cutting-edge labs and strong research collaborations.
Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Ranked 588 globally and fifth in Iran, this university is a favored destination for Indian medical aspirants. It boasts over 2,000 international students and is renowned in:
Pharmacology and Toxicology (27)
Food Science and Technology (97)
The institution has a strong focus on doctoral training and interdisciplinary medical research.
Amirkabir University of Technology
Ranked 712 globally and sixth in Iran, Amirkabir is a major player in engineering research. Its notable strength lies in: Polymer Science (41).
With a strong research reputation, it continues to be a top choice for engineering and material science scholars.
Tarbiat Modares University
Positioned at 737 globally and seventh nationally, Tarbiat Modares is a postgraduate university excelling in: Water Resources courses. It has attained a global rank of 75 in offering this course
It caters primarily to master's and PhD students, fostering high-level research in environmental and civil engineering fields.
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
Ranked 781 globally and eighth in Iran, this institution is another magnet for medical studies. It performs especially well in:
Polymer Science (17)
Pharmacology and Toxicology (64)
Food Science and Technology (71)
With over 3,400 international students, it has a strong international profile in health sciences.
Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
Ranked 810 globally, this university has developed a solid research reputation in the medical field, especially in:
Pharmacology and Toxicology (79)
Public, Environmental, and Occupational Health (75)
It has steadily grown into a respected center for public health and clinical research.
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
Closing the list at 841 globally and tenth in Iran, this institution offers focused medical education with growing international engagement. It is building its strengths in doctoral research and allied health sciences.
For Indian students, Iran is becoming more than a historical or cultural neighbour, it is emerging as an affordable, academically credible destination for higher education. With universities like the University of Tehran and Islamic Azad University leading the way in global and subject-specific rankings, Iranian institutions are carving out a place on the global academic map. As rankings improve and research output expands, more Indian students are likely to consider Iran as a strategic educational option in the years ahead.