Aside from dealing with the language barrier and adapting to a new country, Iranian students may also face financial challenges when paying tuition and other living expenses abroad. Fortunately, there are several scholarship opportunities for Iranian students at universities and scholarship organizations worldwide.
If you are an Iranian student looking for financial aid opportunities to fund your studies abroad, read this article to the end. We will highlight selected scholarship opportunities that can help Iranian students move closer to achieving their educational goals.
Scholarships for Iranian Students
1. Queen’s International Scholarships – Middle East and North Africa
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: Varies by award; current awards for students from the Middle East and North Africa include undergraduate, postgraduate taught, early confirmation, and Queen’s Business School awards.
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, master’s, and selected research programs | Offered by: Queen’s University Belfast – Northern Ireland
Queen’s University Belfast offers several scholarship opportunities for international students from the Middle East and North Africa. Iranian applicants should check the scholarship page and award terms carefully before applying.
For example, the Queen’s Excellence Award for students who commenced a full-time undergraduate program at the Queen’s University Belfast campus in September 2024, September 2025, or September 2026 is worth £3,000. Eligible students who achieve a 60% GPA may receive the award in consecutive years, subject to the scholarship terms and exclusions.
Additionally, Queen’s Business School Scholarships are available to applicants studying postgraduate taught programs at Queen’s Business School in 2026/27. The current scholarship value is £6,000, and eligible applications are automatically assessed.
2. DAAD Scholarship for Postgraduate Courses
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: Monthly stipend, insurance support, and travel allowance
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, Ph.D. | Offered by: DAAD and participating German universities
The DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses scholarship, also known as EPOS, provides financial assistance to graduates from developing and newly industrialized countries who want to pursue selected postgraduate courses in Germany. In exceptional cases, doctoral study may also be funded.
The funding period is 12 to 42 months, depending on the study program. Successful applicants receive monthly payments of €992 for graduates or €1,400 for doctoral candidates beginning in February 2026, plus payments toward health, accident, and personal liability insurance, as well as a travel allowance when these costs are not covered by another source. Under certain circumstances, students may also receive a monthly rent subsidy or a monthly allowance for accompanying family members.
Iranian applicants are eligible if they meet DAAD’s country, academic, and professional requirements. Applicants typically need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject, at least two years of relevant professional experience after the first degree, strong academic results, and proof of language skills. For German-taught programs, a minimum German level of B1 is required at the time of application. For English-taught programs, applicants must provide proof of adequate English skills according to the chosen course requirements, such as IELTS or TOEFL.
3. Leiden University Excellence Scholarship – Non-EEA/non-EFTA students
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: Partial tuition award of €10,000, €15,000, €17,500, €18,500, or €19,000
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s | Offered by: Leiden University – Netherlands
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship is a good option for Iranian students looking to pursue graduate study abroad. The scholarship is offered to excellent students joining a full-time master’s program at Leiden University, with the exception of LLM non-advanced and MSc programs at Leiden Law School.
This is a partial scholarship awarded for the duration of the study program. Successful applicants may receive €10,000, €15,000, €17,500, €18,500, or €19,000 toward tuition. The scholarship does not cover the full cost of study, so non-EEA LExS recipients must still show proof of sufficient funds for their student visa or residence permit application.
Eligible Iranian students must demonstrate excellent previous academic results, with the top 10% of graduates in the previous study program used as an indication of competitiveness. Applicants apply for admission online, pay the application fee if applicable, and then apply for the LExS through the Scholarships section of the online application by uploading a motivation letter of up to 500 words.
4. Islamic Development Bank – International Ph.D. Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: Tuition paid directly to the university, monthly stipend, medical insurance, thesis or scientific paper preparation support, conference allowance for Ph.D. scholars, return air ticket, and installation allowance for scholars studying overseas
- Eligible Degree/s: Ph.D.; postdoctoral research is also available under the current MSP | Offered by: Islamic Development Bank
The current IsDB program for Ph.D.-level study is the Merit Scholarship Program for High Technology, or MSP, for IsDB member countries. Iran is an IsDB member country, so Iranian scholars may be eligible if they meet the program requirements.
The MSP supports three-year, 36-month Ph.D. study and 6- to 12-month postdoctoral research in fields connected to science, technology, and development. Eligible fields include areas such as genetic engineering and biotechnology, renewable energy and fuel technology, hydrology and water resources, medicine and pharmaceuticals, agriculture and food technology, computer science, and environmental preservation technology.
To qualify for the Ph.D. scholarship, applicants must be up to 35 years old, have a relevant M.Sc. in a listed science or technology field, show above-average academic achievement, have a good command of the language of study, and have at least two years of work or research experience in the related field. Applicants must also have a record of publications or research and a proposed field of study or research that fits the approved fields and shows clear scientific and development relevance to their country.
The program is designed for scholars who are attached to educational, scientific, or technological institutions and research centers in their home countries. Applicants interested in studying at the University of Birmingham should confirm directly with IsDB and the university whether any current IsDB partnership or separate university funding applies, as current IsDB guidance prioritizes approved partner institutions and reputable eligible universities.
5. Abdul Majid Bader Graduate Scholarship
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: CA$40,000 per year for up to 2 years
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, Ph.D. (thesis-based) | Offered by: Dalhousie University – Canada
The Abdul Majid Bader Graduate Scholarship is offered through Dalhousie University. It is available to thesis-based master’s and doctoral students, with first preference given to Iranian students who are residents of Iran. Other international students may also be considered if there are no Iranian candidates.
The scholarship was established through the estate of Abdul Bader, who was born in Tehran and later became a permanent resident and citizen of Canada. The scholarship is valued at CA$40,000 for one 12-month academic year of full-time study and is renewable, subject to an annual progress review. It can be held for a maximum of 24 months of full-time study. Fees are not waived and must be paid from the award.
One new award is made each year. Applicants from Iran receive first preference, and students with first-class academic standing of more than 3.7/4.3 in their last two years of academic study may apply. Preference is given to students who have not yet started their degree or who are in the first year of a Ph.D. program at the time of application. Students enrolled in a master’s program at the time of application are not eligible, but students who have applied to master’s programs are eligible.
FAQs: Scholarship Opportunities for Iranian Students
Which Country Offers the Best Scholarships for Iranian Students?
There is no single best country for scholarships for Iranian students. The strongest option depends on your degree level, academic field, language skills, and whether you are looking for a university-funded award, a government scholarship, or a scholarship from an international organization.
Germany is a strong option for postgraduate students because DAAD offers development-related scholarships for selected postgraduate courses in Germany. The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Canada also offer official scholarship opportunities that may be relevant to Iranian students.
While there are several scholarship opportunities for Iranian students abroad, the scholarships above can help you start your search for funding that suits your program of study and country of interest. Whether you are looking for partial financial assistance or a more comprehensive funding package, these scholarship opportunities can help reduce the cost of studying abroad.
Know more about scholarship awards and grants by checking out our Scholarships Page and available courses for international students!
