There are so many Iranian students studying abroad in various countries. It is estimated that over 80,000 Iranian students are enrolled at multiple institutions worldwide, pursuing different degree programs.
While studying abroad can be a great way to expand your horizons and boost your career prospects, the cost can be prohibitive for many students. That’s why applying for university scholarships can save the situation by easing off the financial burden.
If you are an Iranian student who is interested in studying abroad, there are several scholarships available to help you cover costs like tuition, living expenses, and other costs associated with studying abroad
In this article, we will provide some of the best universities abroad that offer scholarships for Iranian students.
Best University Scholarships for Iranian Students Studying Abroad
1. University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
The University of Birmingham is a top public research university in England, ranked #84 according to the QS World University Rankings. Iranian students pursuing a Ph.D. at the university can apply for the Islamic Development Bank Merit Scholarship. This scholarship is offered to citizens of IDB member countries, of which Iran is a member.
Iranian students pursuing research areas like Agriculture, Alternative Energies, and Health are eligible for this scholarship. Additionally, they should be at most 35 years of age at the time of applying.
This is a fully-funded opportunity for successful applicants, covering the cost of tuition, return air ticket, medical insurance, any costs associated with the Ph.D. thesis preparation, and a monthly stipend commensurate with England’s cost of living.
2. Dalhousie University, Canada
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: $40,000 annually for up to 2 years
- Level of Study: Master’s, Ph.D.
Our second recommendation for the best university offering scholarships for Iranian students is Dalhousie University. This is a public research university in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and the oldest university in Atlantic Canada. With a graduate community of more than 3,500 students from 100 countries, Dalhousie offers a diverse and multicultural environment suitable for international students.
Iranian students pursuing master’s or doctoral studies can apply for the Abdul Majid Bader Graduate Scholarship. The beauty of this scholarship is that it was established by an Iranian-born, Abdul Bader.
Scholarship recipients receive $40,000 per academic year, with the option of renewing for another year if they maintain their eligibility status.
3. Lund University, Sweden
- Scholarship Link:
- Scholarship Amount: Partial and Full Tuition
- Level of Study: Bachelor’s, Masters
Lund University is one of Sweden’s oldest and largest universities, boasting over 12,000 international students from 130 countries. It is also ranked among the top 0.4% of universities globally, with 6,290 research publications to its name. Rouzbeh Parsi, a renowned political scientist and expert on Iranian affairs, is an Iranian scholar who received his Ph.D. in History from this university.
The university offers the Lund University Global Scholarship to eligible international students, Iranians included. This is a merit-based scholarship offered to top-performing students and is only meant to cover tuition fees, both on a partial and full tuition basis.
Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria, like being enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program at Lund University before applying for the scholarship. Additionally, check that you have all the requirements needed when applying for the scholarship, like the scholarship motivation letter.
4. International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM), Malaysia
- Scholarship Link:
- Scholarship Amount: Up to 88% Tuition Fee Reduction
- Level of Study: Bachelor’s
Another top university that offers scholarships for students from Iran is the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM). This is a public university located in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia and a member of the International Association of Universities (IAU). It boasts several notable alumni including Professor Dr. Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud, the former Minister of Higher Education in Malaysia.
The university offers several scholarship programs for international students, including Iranians. Some of the scholarships include the IIUM Tuition Fee Reduction scholarship offered to international students with proven financial need. The scholarship covers part of tuition, with some students getting up to 88% of their fees reduced.
The scholarships are offered to undergraduate students who meet the set eligibility criteria, like having a CGPA of 3.0 and above and not having received any other scholarship.
5. University Canada West, Canada
- Scholarship Link:
- Scholarship Amount: Varies per program
- Level of Study: Bachelor’s, Master’s
Founded in 2005, University Canada West is a top private university found in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The university offers a wide range of programs with a strong focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. It is invested in the success of its students by providing career advising and linkages to potential employers through the university’s career development center.
There is a scholarship specific to Iranian students at the University Canada West, the Middle East Regional Grant. Iranian students pursuing an Associate of Arts, a Bachelor of Commerce, a Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication, or an MBA are eligible for the scholarship grant. The scholarship amount varies with the program, with students pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce receiving $18,900.
Note that, if you receive the scholarship, you are not allowed to change programs, as that will revoke the scholarship. Additionally, you must be enrolled full-time at the University Canada West, and have exemplary performance in your studies to maintain the scholarship.
The above universities offer scholarships to students from Iran, including partial and fully-funded opportunities. These university scholarships can help to cover the many costs associated with studying abroad including expenses like tuition and accommodation. To find out more about them, you can visit the websites of the universities that you are interested in. Ensure that do your research and find the ones that are right for you
We hope this article was informative. Make sure to also check out our Scholarships Page for different information on scholarships and universities across the globe!
