WHO ListedWFME AccreditedFree Guidance

MBBS in Iran

WHO-recognised universities

Complete guide to studying medicine in Iran — fees, universities, recognition, and visa. Free admission guidance from a licensed agency.

Last updated: July 2026 · 2026–2027 intake open

Medical students in an Iranian university teaching hospital

Total 6-year cost

from $34,000

Duration

6 Years

Tuition from

$3,000 / yr

Language

English

Recognition

WHO · WFME

Intakes

Sep

Why Study MBBS in Iran?

Iran has a long history of medical education dating back centuries. Today its universities combine rigorous academic training with real clinical exposure at a fraction of the cost of Western alternatives.

WHO & WFME Recognised Universities

13+Countries accept Iranian MBBS

Iranian medical universities are listed by the World Health Organisation and accredited under WFME standards, making graduates eligible to sit licensing exams in the UK (PLAB), USA (USMLE), Canada (MCCQE), and most African medical councils.

Is My Degree Recognised?

This is the most important question. Here is a transparent, country-by-country answer.

Recognition is university-specific, not country-wide

Confirm your university appears in the WHO World Directory of Medical Schools before enrolling. ParlаStudy only works with listed institutions.

🇳🇬

Nigeria

Recognised

MDCN recognises degrees from WHO-listed universities. Graduates must pass the MDCN licensing exam.

mdcn.gov.ng
🇵🇰

Pakistan

Recognised

Pakistan Medical Commission accepts WHO-listed Iranian degrees. Graduates must pass the PMC screening test.

pmdc.org.pk
🇮🇶

Iraq

Recognised

Iraqi Medical Syndicate accepts degrees from WFME-accredited universities. Strong institutional ties with Iranian medical schools.

ims.gov.iq
🇸🇩

Sudan

Recognised

Sudan Medical Council accepts degrees from WHO-listed institutions. Iranian universities with WHO listing are generally eligible.

smc.gov.sd
🇦🇿

Azerbaijan

Recognised

Azerbaijan Ministry of Health recognises degrees from WHO-listed Iranian universities. Graduates typically complete a local licensing process.

health.gov.az
🇹🇯

Tajikistan

Recognised

Close academic ties with Iran mean Iranian medical degrees are widely accepted. WHO listing required for full eligibility.

moh.tj
🇦🇫

Afghanistan

Recognised

Afghan Ministry of Public Health accepts degrees from WHO-listed Iranian institutions. Large Afghan student community in Iranian universities.

moph.gov.af
🇸🇾

Syria

Case-by-case

Syrian Medical Syndicate evaluates foreign degrees individually. WHO listing is a strong prerequisite — verify your specific university.

moh.gov.sy
🇹🇷

Türkiye

Case-by-case

Turkish Medical Association evaluates foreign degrees case-by-case. Additional equivalency exams may be required for licensure.

ttb.org.tr
🇰🇪

Kenya

Case-by-case

KMPDC evaluates foreign degrees individually. WHO listing is a prerequisite — verify your specific university before enrolling.

kmpdc.go.ke
🇬🇭

Ghana

Case-by-case

Medical and Dental Council Ghana evaluates foreign degrees individually. Confirm eligibility with your university directly.

mdcgh.gov.gh

Disclaimer: Licensing requirements change. Always verify directly with your home country's medical council before making an enrollment decision. ParlаStudy provides guidance, not legal advice.

Top Medical Universities in Iran

View all

All universities listed below are WHO-recognised. Tuition figures are for international MBBS programs (2025–2026 intake).

Fees & Cost Breakdown

Full cost transparency — tuition, living, and everything in between.

Tuition (per year)

Budget

$3,000–$4,000

Comfortable

$5,000–$8,000

Registration / admin fee

Budget

$500–$800

Comfortable

$800–$1,500

University dormitory

Budget

$600–$1,200

Comfortable

Private apartment (shared)

Budget

Comfortable

$1,800–$3,000

Food & living

Budget

$1,200–$1,800

Comfortable

$2,400–$3,600

Books & materials

Budget

$200–$400

Comfortable

$400–$600

Health insurance

Budget

$100–$200

Comfortable

$200–$400

Total per year (est.)

Budget

$5,600–$8,400

Comfortable

$9,600–$17,100

Total 6-year programme

Budget

$33,600–$50,400

Comfortable

$57,600–$102,600

USD equivalents, 2025–2026 estimates. ParlаStudy charges no agency fee.

ParlаStudy is 100% free for students. Universities pay us a referral fee — you are never charged a commission or placement fee.

Admission Requirements & Process

Typical timeline: 6–10 weeks from inquiry to arrival. No entrance exam.
1
Day 1

Check Eligibility

High school diploma + strong Biology & Chemistry. No IELTS. No entrance exam required.

2
Within 48 hrs

Submit Application

Fill in the free form below. We match you to the best university and handle the submission.

We handle this
3
2–4 weeks

Receive Offer Letter

Official acceptance letter arrives from the university. No deposit required at this stage.

4
2–4 weeks

Apply for Visa

Submit to the Iranian embassy in your country. We guide you through every document.

We guide you
5
Arrival day

Arrive & Register

Our team meets you at the airport. Dormitory, SIM card & registration — all sorted.

We handle this

Documents You'll Need

⏱ Most students gather these in 1–2 weeks
📚

Academic

Your school records

  • High school diploma (minimum)
  • Strong Biology & Chemistry grades (B+ or equiv.)
  • English proficiency letter from school — no IELTS needed
🪪

Personal Documents

Standard travel & ID

  • Valid passport (2+ years remaining)
  • Medical health certificate
  • Police clearance / good conduct certificate
  • 6–8 passport-sized photographs
💳

Financial

Proof of ability to pay

  • Bank statement or financial guarantee letter

No upfront tuition deposit required before your visa is approved.

Not sure if your documents qualify? Submit the free form below — our advisors tell you exactly what's missing before you pay anything.

Students Who Chose Iran

First-hand accounts from international students currently enrolled or recently graduated.

I researched for almost a year before deciding on Iran. The degree is WHO-listed, the cost is a fraction of what I would have paid in the Caribbean, and the hospitals are genuinely world-class. ParlаStudy guided me through every step — visa, accommodation, registration. I was in Tehran within 6 weeks of first contact.

S

Samuel O.

Nigeria · Year 4, TUMS

I passed my PMC screening exam on the first attempt. The clinical training in Iran is intense — you are in real wards with real patients from year three. My professors in Pakistan were surprised at how well-prepared I was.

A

Aisha K.

Pakistan · Graduated 2024, Mashhad MU

Isfahan is a beautiful, safe city. There is a growing Kenyan student community here and the university has a dedicated international student office that actually helps. The cost of living is incredibly low compared to what I expected.

D

David M.

Kenya · Year 2, Isfahan MU

* Surnames withheld for privacy. Full testimonials available on request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Honest answers to the questions students ask most before enrolling.

MBBS vs. MD — What degree will I receive?
Iran awards a "Doctor of Medicine" (MD) or "Doctorate of General Medicine" — a 6-year undergraduate medical degree structurally identical to MBBS programs in Nigeria, Pakistan, Kenya, and the UK. The name differs but the level and scope are equivalent. Most licensing authorities recognise it as equivalent to MBBS when the university is WHO-listed. Some councils (e.g. MDCN) require a credential evaluation — ParlаStudy provides a letter explaining degree equivalency on request.
Is MBBS from Iran recognised in Nigeria?
Degrees from WHO-listed Iranian medical universities are eligible for MDCN evaluation. Graduates must pass the MDCN licensing examination. Recognition is tied to the specific university, not Iran as a country — always verify your chosen university is on the WHO list before enrolling.
Do I need to learn Persian to study MBBS in Iran?
No. International MBBS programs are taught entirely in English. However, basic Persian is strongly recommended for daily life and clinical rotations where patients may only speak Farsi. Most universities offer free Persian language classes in the first semester.
Can I take the USMLE or PLAB after MBBS in Iran?
Yes. Graduates of ECFMG-eligible Iranian medical universities can sit USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3 for US residency, or PLAB for UK GMC registration. ECFMG eligibility is university-specific — confirm before enrolling.
What is the duration of MBBS in Iran?
The programme is 6 years: approximately 2.5 years of pre-clinical studies (basic sciences) and 3.5 years of clinical rotations in affiliated teaching hospitals. This is equivalent to the MBBS structure in Nigeria, Pakistan, and the UK.
How much does MBBS in Iran cost in total?
Tuition ranges from $3,000–$8,000 per year depending on the university. When you include accommodation and living expenses, total 6-year costs range from approximately $34,000–$55,000 — significantly lower than Eastern European or Caribbean alternatives with comparable recognition.
Is there an entrance exam for MBBS in Iran?
Most Iranian medical universities do not require a separate entrance exam for international students. Admission is based on your high school GPA, with strong Biology and Chemistry results being the primary criterion. Some universities may conduct an online interview.
What is the medium of instruction?
International MBBS programs at major Iranian universities are taught in English. Clinical rotations in years 3–6 are also conducted in English, though exposure to Persian medical terminology is common during ward rounds.
Are Iranian medical degrees recognised by WHO?
Several Iranian medical universities are listed in the WHO World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS), which is the basis for recognition in most countries. This is not a blanket recognition of all Iranian medical schools — the listing is university-specific.

Why Trust ParlаStudy?

Licensed by Iran's Ministry of Education (MSRT) — certificate available on request

Direct partnerships with WHO-listed medical universities — no third-party middlemen

On-the-ground support team in Tehran, Isfahan, and Mashhad

1,200+ students placed across 8 nationalities since 2015

WhatsApp support — real advisors, not chatbots. Reply within 24 hours.

Ministry of Education certificate: ParlаStudy holds a valid MSRT licence. Contact us to receive a copy for your records before enrolling.

Apply for MBBS in Iran — Free Consultation

Fill in the form below and an advisor will contact you via WhatsApp within 24 hours to discuss your eligibility and next steps.

No spam. We reply within 1–2 business days.

What happens after you submit?

  1. An advisor reviews your profile and matches you to 2–3 suitable universities
  2. We contact you via WhatsApp within 24 hours with specific options and fees
  3. You choose a university — we handle the application at no cost to you
  4. Acceptance letter arrives within 2–4 weeks

Related Guides

Apply Now

More pages

Scholarships

Funding options

MBBS in Iran

Medical guide

Student Visa

Step-by-step

Admission

How to apply

Blog

News & guides

About Us

Our licence