Financing for equity in higher education

1. Education resources to subnational governments

Introduction

Key financing indicators (UIS Data)

There is no recent data regarding the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for both sexes, nor for the initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita, or the initial household funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita.

Tuition-free status

Article 34 of the Constitution states that free education at all levels is a right for all Iraqis. Public universities offer tuition-free education for Iraqi citizens enrolled in standard undergraduate and graduate programs. The National Education Strategy for Iraq 2022-2031 states, "Higher education provided at public universities is free of charge in all disciplines, including subsidized residence in university dorms for students from other governorates".

However, this guarantee applies specifically to regular daytime study programmes; evening programmes require a tuition fee.

Governance

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) is responsible for overseeing higher education and scientific research and allocating their budgets.

1. Education resources to subnational governments

Contrary to Article 116 of the Constitution, which states that "the federal system in Iraq consists of a capital, regions, decentralised provinces, and local administration," Iraqi universities are directly and completely subject to centralised administrative and financial oversight by the Ministry of Higher Education. Thus, no funding mechanisms for transferring resources from the central government to local governments for public higher education have been identified.

2. Education resources to institutions

Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions

No funding for private universities when no public university is available has been identified.

Allocation and equity

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research's cost allocation methodology is based on a historical budgeting approach. This method uses data from the previous fiscal period, obtained from the accounting system, to project future revenues and expenditures.

As a supplement to government budget allocations, the Higher Education Fund is a multi-tiered financing mechanism supported by various revenue sources, including tuition fees, consulting services, private college oversight fees, asset investments, and donations. Operating at both the Ministry and university levels, the fund aims to support research, infrastructure, and academic development.

No funds targeting equity for specific groups have been identified.

3. Education resources to students

Admission for vulnerable groups

Law No. 11 of 2024 allocates two study seats for each specialisation in postgraduate studies for persons with disabilities (up from one) and exempts them from age requirements for applications. According to the laws for individuals with special needs, universities must provide equal opportunities for these students to complete their studies by creating an admission channel for disabled applicants based on their health status.

Law 57 of 2015 and Law 2 of 2016 contain special provisions and reductions for the relatives of martyrs from the dissolved Ba’ath Party, families of martyrs from the Popular Mobilisation Forces, and relatives of victims of war operations, military errors, and terrorist acts.

Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups

All government scholarships and fee-reduction policies are administered by the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, who oversees the Directorate of Scholarships and Financial Assistance within MOHESR.

Scholarships are typically awarded for outstanding academic achievement. While the National Education Strategy 2022–2031 aims to grant scholarships to at least 5% of higher education students from disadvantaged groups (gender, disability, displacement, rural, and low-income populations), this equity scholarship stream has not yet been formalised as a standalone programme.

No grants and loans for specific groups in higher education have been identified.