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Study in Iraq: costs, visa, scholarships and universities

Costs, visa process, work rights, scholarships and university options for studying in Iraq.

Free consultation for Iraq

Overview

Iraq's international-student route runs mainly through the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) 'Study in Iraq' programme, whose fourth edition for 2026-2027 was announced on 4 May 2026 and covers 78 public and private universities. It offers three tracks: fully funded (tuition waived; per the Iraqi embassy notice also university housing and the entry visa), half funded (50% of tuition) and self-funded (full tuition). Applications are online only through the programme platform.

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) runs its own Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, a centralised admission system for local school-leavers (Zankoline) and separate entry and residence arrangements. Federal Iraq and the KRI should be treated as separate systems for visas and residence; this dataset records what could be verified for each and marks the rest null.

For federal Iraq, university guides describe a sequence of admission through the platform, academic and security approval by MoHESR, a student entry visa issued by the Ministry of Interior's Residency Affairs Directorate and stamped at an Iraqi embassy or consulate, then a second medical check and an annual residence card within 15 days of arrival. No official tuition schedule for self-funded foreign students, work-rights rules or post-study stay rules could be verified. Instruction is mainly Arabic (Kurdish in much of the KRI), with English in some programmes and at American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS).

Security is a central consideration. The UK FCDO (page updated 22 July 2026, still current at 25 Oct 2026) advises against all travel to parts of Iraq and against all but essential travel to the whole Kurdistan Region and to much of federal Iraq, citing regional tensions, Iranian strikes and retaliatory attacks, airspace closures and severely limited consular support. The Turkish Embassy in Baghdad (announcement of 16 March 2026) advised avoiding travel to Iraq unless necessary. Prospective students should read these advisories before any decision.

Public university tuition
Federal public universities: MoHESR describes the three Study in Iraq tracks (full scholarship, 50% half-funded, self-funded full tuition) but publishes no tuition amounts; University of Baghdad says tuition for half-funded and self-funded students is set in Iraqi dinars or USD equivalent and paid annually (amount not on page). Kurdistan Region: the KRG Ministry of Higher Education overview states education is free with no tuition fees, but its scope for foreign students is not stated, and a Salahaddin University-Erbil postgraduate FAQ (undated, not fetched directly) reportedly charges foreign students fees (MA about 5,000,000 IQD for the whole programme per search snippet). Conflict unresolved.Source
Monthly living cost
Indicative only, from one public university (Basrah University of Oil and Gas) Study in Iraq page: university housing free or at a nominal subsidised fee; living and food about 150-250 USD per month; transport about 30-50 USD per month. No national or Kurdistan official cost-of-living figure found.Source
Visa processing time
One university states 6-10 weeks for the visa process via the Study in Iraq portal (search summary); post-arrival steps within a maximum of 15 days.Source
Work rights
summary: null; fullDays: null; halfDays: null; nullReason: No official student work-rights rule found for federal Iraq or the Kurdistan Region. Turkish consulate note says working in the KRI without a work permit/residence card is illegal (old note).; postStudy: text: null; months: null; nullReason: No official post-study stay rule found.
Intakes and deadlines
Study in Iraq 4th edition (2026-2027): Iraqi embassy Budapest notice gives postgraduate deadline end of July and undergraduate/diploma deadline end of September, with results at the same dates, and applications usually opening February or March. MoHESR announcement (4 May 2026) says applications opened 4 May 2026, postgraduate until July and undergraduate until September, exact days not given; the Kuala Lumpur embassy post says the programme took effect 5 April 2026. Window for 2026-2027 has passed as of 26 Oct 2026; check the portal for the next cycle. Academic year starts in autumn (AUIS: fall and spring semesters). KRG: two semesters per year.Source
Language requirement
Instruction is mainly Arabic in federal universities (Kurdish in much of the KRI), English in some programmes. Al-Hadba University: Arabic proficiency required for Arabic-taught programmes; recognised English test for English-taught ones. KRG MHE overview: applicants take a language test in Kurdish, English or Arabic, usually administered by the institution. AUIS is entirely English (TOEFL iBT 72 = direct undergraduate entry; lower levels go through its Academic Preparatory Program; free AUIS placement test or TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo accepted).Source

Tuition and living costs

Public university tuition
Federal public universities: MoHESR describes the three Study in Iraq tracks (full scholarship, 50% half-funded, self-funded full tuition) but publishes no tuition amounts; University of Baghdad says tuition for half-funded and self-funded students is set in Iraqi dinars or USD equivalent and paid annually (amount not on page). Kurdistan Region: the KRG Ministry of Higher Education overview states education is free with no tuition fees, but its scope for foreign students is not stated, and a Salahaddin University-Erbil postgraduate FAQ (undated, not fetched directly) reportedly charges foreign students fees (MA about 5,000,000 IQD for the whole programme per search snippet). Conflict unresolved.Source
Private university tuition
AUIS (private, Sulaimani): undergraduate annual tuition table in IQD; headline baseline 10,950,000 IQD per year with lower scholarship-adjusted rates depending on baccalaureate score (for example 4,500,000 IQD international rate in the top score band); the page's table lost column alignment on extraction, so the other bands could not be assigned reliably. Al-Hadba University (private, Mosul) states tuition varies by programme and reductions of 30-50% may be offered to students from low-income countries; amounts not published.Source
Monthly living cost
Indicative only, from one public university (Basrah University of Oil and Gas) Study in Iraq page: university housing free or at a nominal subsidised fee; living and food about 150-250 USD per month; transport about 30-50 USD per month. No national or Kurdistan official cost-of-living figure found.Source

Accommodation

University housing is free or at a nominal subsidised fee at at least one public university (Basrah University of Oil and Gas); full Study in Iraq scholarships include university housing. KRG MHE: places in the limited residence halls are selected about six months before the semester.

When planning the total budget, separate one-off and monthly items. Budget planning guide

Visa and residence permit

Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region have separate entry arrangements. Federal Iraq students: after admission, the university obtains academic and security approvals from MoHESR; the Ministry of Interior's Residency Affairs Directorate issues a student entry visa, which the student has stamped at an Iraqi embassy or consulate before travel; within 15 days of arrival a second medical check and an annual residence card are required (university guides). Iraq also operates an e-visa (30 days, single or multiple entry) at evisa.iq, but the pages fetched did not say whether students may use it or which nationalities are eligible. Kurdistan Region: entry stamp rules are separate and are described only in an old Turkish consulate note; student residence procedures for the KRI could not be verified from official sources.

Visa processing time
One university states 6-10 weeks for the visa process via the Study in Iraq portal (search summary); post-arrival steps within a maximum of 15 days.Source
Proof of funds
text: null; nullReason: No official financial-proof amount found.Source
Health insurance
Baghdad University page: in the full scholarship the student pays the application fee and health insurance; no national insurance rules found.Source

Application steps

  1. Apply online on the Study in Iraq platform (studyiniraq.scrd-gate.gov.iq) or via the university's own channel; select programme and upload academic documents.
  2. University and MoHESR review; official admission letter issued.
  3. University coordinates academic/security approval with MoHESR; application forwarded to Residency Affairs Directorate (Ministry of Interior) for the Student Entry Visa.
  4. Have the visa stamped at the Iraqi embassy/consulate in the home country (one university guide).
  5. On arrival complete second medical check at an approved Ministry of Health centre and obtain the Annual Residency Card from Residency Affairs Directorate with a university representative, within 15 days.
  6. Kurdistan Region: admission via the KRI institution; certificate equalisation at the KRG evaluation/equalisation office in Erbil (per AUIS and University of Zakho); residence steps not verified.

Documents required

  • Passport valid at least 6 months (Study in Iraq university page); one university requires a colour copy valid at least 2 years
  • Official admission letter
  • Certified academic certificates and transcripts (secondary certificate certified and equalised by MoHESR for federal universities)
  • International medical certificate (free of infectious diseases), certified by home-country Ministry of Health and the Iraqi embassy; issued within 3 months (university pages)
  • Non-criminal record certificate, certified
  • Parentage proof and signed pledge not to apply through another channel and not to seek Iraqi citizenship (Study in Iraq university page)
  • Two passport photos 50x50 mm, white background

Travel advisories, sanctions and payments

UK FCDO (updated 22 Jul 2026; still current at 25 Oct 2026): advises against all travel to parts of Iraq (Anbar west of Ramadi, Diyala except Baqubah City, Kirkuk, Ninawa, Salah al-Din, Jurf al-Sakr, Sadr City, border strips) and against all but essential travel to the rest of federal Iraq including Baghdad (except Sadr City), Basra remainder, Najaf, Karbala, Dhi Qar, and to the whole Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Risks cited: regional tensions, Iranian strikes and retaliatory attacks since 8 July, airspace closures, severely limited consular support, travel insurance may be invalid.

Fees
Not published on pages fetched. Full-scholarship track includes the Iraqi entry visa fee (Iraqi embassy Budapest notice); one university guide notes foreigners in cultural-exchange arrangements may be exempt from entry visa fees. Turkish consulate note mentions a 3-day to 3-month penalty and fine for entering other governorates with only a Kurdistan stamp.Source

Nationality-specific notes: turkiye: Turkish consulate general Erbil info note (dated 14.04.2014, may be outdated): an entry stamp at Habur/Ibrahim Khalil or Erbil/Sulaymaniyah airports allows entry to Duhok, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah without an Iraqi visa for up to 15 days; it is not an Iraqi visa and does not allow travel to other governorates (penalties listed). Staying longer or working in the KRI requires applying to KRG authorities within 15 days. Other governorates need an Iraqi visa from the Iraqi embassy in Ankara or consulates in Istanbul/Gaziantep. Study visas not mentioned. Embassy of Türkiye in Baghdad 16 Mar 2026 announcement: see travelAdvisories.; russia: text: null; nullReason: No Russia-specific official source found.; kazakhstan: text: null; nullReason: No Kazakhstan-specific official source found.; ukraine: text: null; nullReason: No Ukraine-specific official source found.; azerbaijan: text: null; nullReason: No Azerbaijan-specific official source found.

Our visa consulting

Work rights and after graduation

summary: null; fullDays: null; halfDays: null; nullReason: No official student work-rights rule found for federal Iraq or the Kurdistan Region. Turkish consulate note says working in the KRI without a work permit/residence card is illegal (old note).; postStudy: text: null; months: null; nullReason: No official post-study stay rule found.

Language requirements and intakes

Language requirement
Instruction is mainly Arabic in federal universities (Kurdish in much of the KRI), English in some programmes. Al-Hadba University: Arabic proficiency required for Arabic-taught programmes; recognised English test for English-taught ones. KRG MHE overview: applicants take a language test in Kurdish, English or Arabic, usually administered by the institution. AUIS is entirely English (TOEFL iBT 72 = direct undergraduate entry; lower levels go through its Academic Preparatory Program; free AUIS placement test or TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo accepted).Source
Intakes and deadlines
Study in Iraq 4th edition (2026-2027): Iraqi embassy Budapest notice gives postgraduate deadline end of July and undergraduate/diploma deadline end of September, with results at the same dates, and applications usually opening February or March. MoHESR announcement (4 May 2026) says applications opened 4 May 2026, postgraduate until July and undergraduate until September, exact days not given; the Kuala Lumpur embassy post says the programme took effect 5 April 2026. Window for 2026-2027 has passed as of 26 Oct 2026; check the portal for the next cycle. Academic year starts in autumn (AUIS: fall and spring semesters). KRG: two semesters per year.Source

Language and exam preparation

Scholarships

diploma / bachelor / higher diploma / master / PhDDirect application

Study in Iraq - fully funded scholarship

Iraq MoHESR (Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations)

Coverage
Tuition waived; per embassy notice also university housing and the Iraqi entry visa. Student pays application fee and health insurance (University of Baghdad page).
Deadline
Postgraduate end of July; undergraduate end of September (2026-2027 cycle)
Eligibility
Minimum grade/max age: General Medicine 90% / 25; Dentistry and Pharmacy 85% / 25; Engineering, Nursing, Medical Technologies 70% / 30; scientific and humanities 65% / 30; Master's and Higher Diploma 65% / 40; PhD 45 max age. Non-Iraqi parents required in an older guide. Merit-based, competitive. Number of awards not stated.
Source
all levelsDirect application

Study in Iraq - half funded

Iraq MoHESR

Coverage
50% of tuition; tuition set in IQD or USD equivalent, paid annually (Baghdad page); morning study only.
Deadline
as above
Eligibility
Grade/age requirements may be reduced (Budapest notice).
Source
all levelsDirect application

Study in Iraq - self-funded

Iraq MoHESR

Coverage
Student pays full tuition; no amounts published.
Deadline
as above
Eligibility
Admission merit-based.
Source
bachelorVia the university

AUIS tuition scholarship tiers

American University of Iraq, Sulaimani

Coverage
Discounted tuition by baccalaureate score or SAT/AP; AUIS says discounted rates reach more than 80% of students.
Eligibility
Rates listed for local and international students; table ambiguous.
Source
bachelorDirect application

KRG MHE scholarships for foreign students (Kurdish language and culture)

KRG Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

Coverage
20 seats; living allowance, free dormitory, four years (archived 2018 call).
Deadline
2018-08-01 (past; no current call verified)
Eligibility
Historical programme; renewal not verified.
Source

Cities

Baghdad

Erbil

Sulaymaniyah

Duhok

Basra

Universities

University of Baghdad

Baghdad · Public

Fully funded: tuition waived; half-funded: 50% of tuition; self-funded: full tuition, set in IQD or USD equivalent and paid annually; amounts not published on the page.

Mustansiriyah University

Baghdad · Public

Not published; see Study in Iraq tracks.

Al-Nahrain University

Baghdad · Public

Not listed.

University of Basrah

Basra · Public

Not published.

Salahaddin University-Erbil

Erbil · Public

KRG MHE overview says no tuition in the Kurdistan Region; Salahaddin postgraduate FAQ reportedly charges foreign students (MA ~5,000,000 IQD for whole programme). Unverified (403).

University of Sulaimani

Sulaymaniyah · Public

University of Duhok

Duhok · Public

American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS)

Sulaymaniyah · Private

Annual undergraduate baseline 10,950,000 IQD; scholarship-adjusted rates by baccalaureate score (e.g. 4,500,000 IQD international rate in top band); American-system graduates 3,500,000-8,500,000 IQD by SAT/AP; APP baseline 4,100,000 IQD per level. Table partially garbled on extraction.

University of Mosul

Mosul · Public

University of Technology

Baghdad · Public

University of Kufa

Najaf · Public

University of Al-Qadisiyah

Al-Diwaniyah · Public

Tikrit University

Tikrit · Public

University of Anbar

Ramadi · Public

Iraqi University

Baghdad · Public

University of Babylon

Hillah · Public

University of Diyala

Baqubah · Public

University of Kerbala

Karbala · Public

University of Thi-Qar

Nasiriyah · Public

University of Wasit

Kut · Public

University of Kirkuk

Kirkuk · Public

University of Misan

Amarah · Public

Al-Muthanna University

Samawah · Public

University of Samarra

Samarra · Public

Al-Qasim Green University

Babylon · Public

University of Sumer

Rifai · Public

University of Fallujah

Fallujah · Public

University of Nineveh

Mosul · Public

Al-Karkh University of Science

Baghdad · Public

Ibn Sina University of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Baghdad · Public

Basrah University for Oil and Gas

Basra · Public

Jabir ibn Hayyan Medical University

Najaf · Public

University of Hamdaniya

Al-Hamdaniya · Public

University of Telafer

Tal Afar · Public

University of Information Technology and Communications

Baghdad · Public

Northern Technical University

Mosul · Public

Southern Technical University

Basra · Public

Middle Technical University

Baghdad · Public

Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University

Najaf · Public

University of Shatrah

Shatrah · Public

Al-Turath University College

Baghdad · Private

Al-Mansour University College

Baghdad · Private

Al-Rafidain University College

Baghdad · Private

Al-Mamoon University College

Baghdad · Private

Shatt Al-Arab University College

Basra · Private

Al-Maarif University College

Ramadi · Private

Al-Hadba University College

Mosul · Private

Al-Yarmouk University College

Baqubah · Private

Iraqi Sciences University (Al-Ulum Al-Iraqiya)

Baghdad · Private

Baghdad College of Medical Sciences

Baghdad · Private

Ahl Al-Bayt University

Karbala · Private

Islamic University (Najaf)

Najaf · Private

Dijlah University College

Baghdad · Private

Al-Kafeel University

Najaf · Private

Al-Salam University College

Baghdad · Private

Madenat Al-Elem University College

Baghdad · Private

Sheikh Al-Tusi University College

Najaf · Private

Imam Ja'afar Al-Sadiq University

Baghdad · Private

Al-Rasheed University College

Baghdad · Private

Iraq University College

Basra · Private

Sadr Al-Iraq University College

Baghdad · Private

Al-Qalam University College

Kirkuk · Private

Al-Hussein University College

Karbala · Private

Al-Hikma University College

Baghdad · Private

Al-Mustaqbal University

Babylon · Private

Al-Imam University College (Balad)

Balad · Private

Hilla University College

Hillah · Private

Usul Al-Din University College

Baghdad · Private

Al-Farahidi University

Baghdad · Private

Al-Kitab University

Kirkuk · Private

Al-Esraa University College

Baghdad · Private

Al-Safwa University College

Karbala · Private

Al-Kut University College

Kut · Private

Al-Mustafa University College

Baghdad · Private

Al-Mazaya University College

Nasiriyah · Private

Al-Noor University College

Mosul · Private

Al-Kunooz University College

Basra · Private

Al-Farabi University College

Baghdad · Private

Al-Tuff University College

Karbala · Private

Al-Zahrawi University College

Karbala · Private

Al-Nukhba University College

Baghdad · Private

Al-Nisour University College

Baghdad · Private

Al-Fiqh University College

Najaf · Private

Bilad Al-Rafidain University College

Baqubah · Private

Uruk University

Baghdad · Private

National University of Science and Technology

Nasiriyah · Private

Basrah University College of Science and Technology

Basra · Private

Al-Hadi University College

Baghdad · Private

Al-Amal University College

Baghdad · Private

Al-Bayan University

Baghdad · Private

Warith Al-Anbiyaa University

Karbala · Private

Al-Ameed University

Karbala · Private

Al-Ayen University

Nasiriyah · Private

Al-Amin University

Baghdad · Private

Ashur University College

Baghdad · Private

Al-Manara University College

Amarah · Private

Middle East University College

Baghdad · Private

Al-Amarah University College

Amarah · Private

Jannat Al-Iraq University College

Anbar · Private

Al-Zahraa University for Women

Karbala · Private

Gilgamesh Ahliya University

Baghdad · Private

American University of Iraq, Baghdad (AUIB)

Baghdad · Private

Al-Maaqal University

Basra · Private

Al-Mashreq University

Baghdad · Private

Sawa University

Samawah · Private

Al-Huda University College

Anbar · Private

Ibn Khaldun University College

Baghdad · Private

Al-Amal College for Specialized Medical Sciences

Karbala · Private

Al-Shaab University

Baghdad · Private

Al-Siraj Private University

Anbar · Private

Al-Sharq College of Specialized Technical Sciences

Basra · Private

Sahl Nineveh University

Nineveh · Private

Qurtuba University

Najaf · Private

Al-Qabas Private College

Mosul · Private

Al-Naji University

Baghdad · Private

Ishtar University College

Babylon · Private

Mahd Al-Hadarat University

Samawah · Private

Hawler Medical University

Erbil · Public

Koya University

Koya · Public

Soran University

Soran · Public

University of Zakho

Zakho · Public

University of Raparin

Ranya · Public

Halabja University

Halabja · Public

Garmian University

Kalar · Public

Charmo University

Chamchamal · Public

Erbil Polytechnic University

Erbil · Public

Sulaimani Polytechnic University

Sulaymaniyah · Public

Duhok Polytechnic University

Duhok · Public

University of Kurdistan Hewlêr

Erbil · Private

American University of Kurdistan

Duhok · Private

Kurdistan Institution for Strategic Studies and Scientific Research

Sulaymaniyah · Public

Kurdistan Board for Medical Specialties

Erbil · Public

Akre University for Applied Sciences

Akre · Public

University of Human Development

Sulaymaniyah · Private

Nawroz University

Duhok · Private

Knowledge University

Erbil · Private

Lebanese French University

Erbil · Private

Cihan University-Erbil

Erbil · Private

Cihan University-Sulaimani

Sulaymaniyah · Private

Cihan University-Duhok

Duhok · Private

International University of Erbil

Erbil · Private

Komar University of Science and Technology

Sulaymaniyah · Private

Bayan University

Erbil · Private

Tishk International University

Erbil · Private

Catholic University in Erbil

Erbil · Private

Qala University College

Erbil · Private

University College of Goizha

Sulaymaniyah · Private

Qaiwan International University for Practical Sciences

Sulaymaniyah · Private

Paitaxt Technical Institute

Private

Rawanduz Private Technical Institute

Private

Gasha Private Technical Institute

Private

Ayinda Private Technical Institute

Private

Haibat Sultan Technical Institute

Private

Pirmam Technical and Vocational Institute

Private

CMC Technical and Vocational Institute

Private

Best Technical and Vocational Institute

Private

Universal Technical and Vocational Institute

Private

Kurdistan Technical Institute-Sulaimani

Private

Kurdistan National Institute of Technology

Private

Kalar Private Technical Institute

Private

Bright Technical and Vocational Institute

Private

Azmar Technical and Vocational Institute

Private

Raparin Technical and Vocational Institute

Private

Fam Technical and Vocational Institute

Private

Nishtiman Technical and Vocational Institute

Private

Duhok Private Technical Institute

Private

Ararat Private Technical Institute

Private

Charsteen Private Technical Institute

Private

Behdinan Technical and Vocational Institute

Private

Halabja Technical and Vocational Institute

Private

Al-Subtain University of Medical Sciences

Karbala · Private

Al-Imam Al-Adham University College

Baghdad · State (other ministry)

Imam Al-Kadhim University College

Baghdad

Noble Technical Institute

Erbil · Private

All universities

Official resources

Frequently asked questions

Information on this page is compiled from official sources and was verified on the date shown. Fees, dates and visa rules change often; check official sources before applying. Empty fields have not been verified yet; ask our advisor for the current information.

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