Financing for equity in higher education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students
4. Support for students' living costs
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
According to UIS data, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for both sexes was 58.67% in 2023. As of 2022, initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 17.71%.
Tuition-free status
Higher education is partially subsidised by the state but not entirely tuition-free. Article 30 of the Iranian Constitution stipulates that the government is responsible for providing free public education up to the end of secondary school and for expanding free higher education “until the nation reaches self-sufficiency.”
Governance
Higher education financing is centralised and coordinated by key government bodies. The Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (MSRT) allocates and oversees funds for non-medical universities, while the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) finances medical universities and related programmes. The Ministry of Education (MoE) manages the budget for the Teacher Education University. All higher education funding is incorporated into the national budget, which is prepared by the Plan and Budget Organisation (PBO), approved by Parliament, and distributed quarterly to the ministries. These ministries then allocate funds to their affiliated universities and monitor expenditure.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Subnational funding mechanisms
As education in Iran is highly centralised, there are no funding mechanisms to transfer resources from the central government to local authorities.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
Private universities do not receive government subsidies or regular funding in the absence of public institutions. They are self-financed through tuition fees, and any government grants they obtain are conditional, linked to quality standards rather than geographic location or access-related criteria.
Allocation and equity
Public higher education institutions do not receive government subsidies specifically aimed at promoting equity for particular groups.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
Admission to higher education is based solely on academic merit through a national examination, with no special criteria or quotas for vulnerable groups, and no targeted financial assistance linked to admission.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
The Government of Iran, through the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (MSRT), provides scholarships under the Islamic Republic of Iran Government Scholarship Programme. The programme supports candidates approved by the Scholarship Council of the MSRT and admitted to Iranian universities. It offers two types of scholarships: Type A, which provides full financial support including tuition and a stipend, and Type B, which covers tuition fees only. Both types aim to broaden access to higher education for qualified students under the supervision of the MSRT.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
No information was found.
Accommodation
No information was found.
Textbooks
No information was found.
