Introduction to Urmia University

Urmia University is one of the most prestigious public educational institutions in Iran, located in West Azerbaijan Province. The main campus of the university is situated in the Nazlu area, near Urmia City, and is recognized as the largest university campus in northwestern Iran.

The university consists of six campuses and seven educational institutes, accommodating more than 14,000 students at various academic levels. It houses advanced research centers, including those specializing in microelectronics, antenna and microwave laboratories, nanotechnology, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and the Artemia Research Center.

In addition to the main Nazlu campus, the university has two satellite campuses in the Khoy and Miandoab regions, providing extensive educational services.

Due to its advanced research facilities and scientific achievements, Urmia University has been classified as a Grade A university by the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology, securing a prominent position in higher education in Iran.

History of Urmia University

Urmia University is one of the oldest higher education institutions in Iran, tracing its roots back to the establishment of the School of Medicine by Dr. Joseph Cochran, an American physician born in Urmia, in 1878. This institution, known as “Westminster”, was Iran’s first medical school and, over 27 years of operation, trained 26 Iranian doctors.

In 1965, the Urmia Higher Education Center was established, beginning its activities with 30 students in the field of agricultural sciences. In 1969, an agreement was signed with the Ministry of Culture, leading to the foundation of the Near East Institute and the establishment of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Over time, more academic disciplines were introduced, and the student population grew significantly.

With the expansion of the Nazlu campus on the outskirts of Urmia, the faculties of agriculture, veterinary medicine, and sciences were relocated to this campus. In the following decades, new faculties were added, including Medicine (which later became an independent University of Medical Sciences), Literature and Humanities, and Technology.

Currently, Urmia University has 11 faculties and more than 17,000 students enrolled in undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. It is recognized as one of the leading universities in northwestern Iran, boasting advanced research facilities and a strong academic reputation.

Urmia University Ranking

In the 2025 South Asia University Rankings, Urmia University secured rank 148. Additionally, in the Asian University Rankings, it was placed in the 521-540 range, making it one of the top public universities in Iran.

Academic Programs at Urmia University

  • Beekeeping
  • Physiology
  • Animal Genetics and Breeding
  • Design and Manufacturing
  • Post-Harvest Technology
  • Ruminant Nutrition
  • Poultry Nutrition
  • Irrigation and Drainage
  • Water Resources Engineering
  • Hydraulic Structures
  • Food Machinery Engineering
  • Biosystems Mechanical Engineering
  • Animal Sciences
  • Water Engineering
  • Agricultural Product Marketing
  • Natural Resources and Environmental Economics
  • Production Economics and Agricultural Management
  • Agricultural Economics Engineering
  • Plants, Spices, and Aromatics
  • Horticultural Sciences – Physiology and Post-Harvest Technology
  • Ornamental Plants
  • Plants and Spices
  • Pomology
  • Horticultural Sciences Engineering
  • Plant Genetics and Breeding
  • Agricultural Biotechnology
  • Agroecology
  • Agrotechnology – Seed Science and Technology
  • Agrotechnology – Crop Physiology
  • Agrotechnology – Crop Ecology
  • Plant Production and Genetics
  • Plant Pathology
  • Agricultural Entomology
  • Plant Protection
  • Food Chemistry and Food Technology
  • Food Microbiology
  • Food Engineering
  • Food Science and Technology
  • Soil Biology and Biotechnology
  • Soil Chemistry, Fertility, and Plant Nutrition
  • Soil Resources and Land Evaluation
  • Soil Physics and Soil Conservation
  • Soil Science
  • Electronics – Power
  • Micro and Nano Electronics Systems
  • Electronics
  • Communication Engineering
  • Field Engineering
  • Systems Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Software Engineering
  • Computer Networks
  • Watershed Management
  • Soil and Water Conservation
  • Rangeland Management
  • Flood and River Engineering
  • Forest Biology
  • Forest Management
  • Forestry Science and Engineering
  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Aquaculture
  • Urban Management
  • Architecture
  • Urban Planning
  • Painting
  • Restoration
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Polymer Engineering
  • Materials Engineering
  • Materials and Nanotechnology
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering – Optimization
  • Mining Engineering
  • Tunnels and Underground Spaces
  • Mineral Processing
  • Mineral Exploration
  • Mine Exploitation
  • Civil Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Road and Transportation Engineering
  • Hydraulics and Hydraulic Structures
  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Earthquake Engineering
  • Structural Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Renewable Energies
  • Manufacturing
  • Dynamics and Vibration
  • Solid Mechanics
  • Energy Conversion
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Applied Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Optics and Laser

Faculties of Urmia University

  • Faculty of Agriculture
  • Faculty of Architecture, Urban Planning, and Arts
  • Faculty of Chemistry
  • Faculty of Economics and Management
  • Faculty of Engineering
  • Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Faculty of Natural Resources
  • Faculty of Literature and Humanities
  • Faculty of Science
  • Faculty of Sports Sciences
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Tuition Fees at Urmia University

Below is a list of tuition fees for various programs and academic levels at Urmia University:

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.Sc): $1,000 per semester
  • General Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M):
    • Up to the fifth year: $650 per semester
    • Final two years: $750 per semester
  • PhD in Humanities and Mathematics: $800 per semester (includes coursework and dissertation)
  • PhD in Basic Sciences: $900 per semester
  • PhD in Agriculture and Engineering Fields: $1,000 per semester
  • Master’s in Humanities and Mathematics: $700 per semester
  • Master’s in Basic Sciences: $700 per semester
  • Master’s in Agriculture and Engineering Fields: $750 per semester
  • Bachelor’s in Humanities and Mathematics: $500 per semester
  • Bachelor’s in Basic Sciences: $550 per semester
  • Bachelor’s in Agriculture and Engineering Fields: $550 per semester

Tuition Discounts for International Students

  • 25% to 50% Discount: Available for students who assist professors as teaching or research assistants during their first two semesters.
  • 30% Discount: Granted to master’s students with a minimum GPA of 17 in non-humanities fields and GPA of 18 in humanities fields (only one student per admission year).
  • 20% Discount: For master’s students who continue their studies at the PhD level at Urmia University.
  • 20% Discount: For students with a direct family member (parent, sibling, or spouse) currently studying at Urmia University.

Urmia University Scholarship for International Students

Urmia University offers a scholarship program for international students, granted based on specific criteria. Below are the conditions for eligibility:

Age Requirements:

  • Maximum 24 years for Bachelor’s and D.V.M. programs
  • Maximum 26 years for Master’s degree
  • Maximum 32 years for PhD

GPA Requirements:

  • Minimum GPA of 15 for high school diploma (Bachelor’s admission)
  • Minimum GPA of 16 for Bachelor’s degree (Master’s admission)
  • Minimum GPA of 16 for Master’s degree (PhD admission)

Important Notes:

  • Publishing an ISI article from a thesis in Q1 or Q2 journals waives the age and GPA requirements.
  • The scholarship will be revoked in cases of:
    • Failure to meet academic performance standards
    • Supervisor dissatisfaction
  • Scholarship recipients will receive free tuition, health insurance, and dormitory accommodation, but travel allowances and additional benefits are not included.

Admission Requirements at Urmia University

In an effort to enhance scientific and cultural exchanges in the region and attract international talents, Urmia University offers admission opportunities for international students in undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs. As one of the leading academic institutions in West Azerbaijan Province, the university is committed to advancing higher education.

General Admission Requirements:

  • Submission of valid academic documents
  • Proficiency in Persian
  • A valid passport
  • Approval from the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • No legal restrictions on studying or residing in Iran

Admission Requirements by Degree Level:

  • Bachelor’s (Undergraduate): Submission of a high school diploma
  • Master’s (Graduate): Submission of a valid bachelor’s degree and, if required, participation in an interview
  • PhD (Doctoral): Submission of a master’s degree with a minimum GPA of 14 and a PhD research proposal for research-based programs

Students who wish to pursue a research-based PhD at Urmia University must submit a specialized proposal from their master’s studies. The proposal must be written in Persian or English. However, unlike regular programs, Persian language proficiency is not mandatory for research-based PhD applicants.

Facilities at Urmia University

Urmia University offers various facilities for both domestic and international students, ensuring a comfortable and fulfilling student life. Some of these facilities include:

Accommodation Facilities

Urmia University has 30 dormitory buildings with a total capacity of 4,200 students (both male and female). These dormitories are equipped with study halls, computer labs, free Wi-Fi, supermarkets, barbershops, sports halls, laundries, and dining halls. Security is maintained through 24-hour staff supervision and security cameras.

International students are primarily housed in the Nazlu campus, which is close to colleges and laboratories and offers facilities such as restaurants, a swimming pool, a gym, and cycling paths. The accommodation cost for international students is approximately $30 per month.

Dining Facilities

Urmia University has five restaurants serving 10,000 meals daily. These restaurants are located within faculties such as Science, Veterinary Medicine, and Arts. Students can choose from a diverse menu, including hot meals, sandwiches, snacks, and desserts, at affordable prices. Additionally, cafés across the campus offer a variety of drinks and snacks.

Sports and Recreational Facilities

The university provides a wide range of sports facilities, including:

  • 5 sports halls
  • 2 swimming pools
  • 5 fitness centers
  • 30 outdoor sports areas
  • 3 football fields

These facilities cover 31,966 square meters of open space and 10,240 square meters of indoor space, allowing students to engage in recreational activities or professional competitions.

Medical Facilities

The university clinic provides first aid, blood pressure and glucose monitoring, and essential medications for students. Nurses and doctors are available for emergencies, and students are transferred to hospitals if necessary. The clinic is equipped with ambulances, stretchers, and emergency medical equipment.

Counseling Services and Health Insurance

Professional counselors at the university offer individual and group counseling services and educational workshops to help students deal with personal and academic challenges. These confidential services are available to both domestic and international students through in-person sessions.

Additionally, all students are covered by accident insurance, and the annual health insurance cost is approximately $65, which also includes coverage for family members.

Final Words

With over half a century of educational and research experience, Urmia University is recognized as one of the leading academic institutions in northwestern Iran. The university offers modern welfare facilities, well-equipped dormitories, a dynamic environment for sports activities, and comprehensive counseling and medical services, creating an ideal setting for both academic and personal growth.

A valuable combination of specialized faculty members, diverse faculties, and abundant learning opportunities makes Urmia University an excellent choice for both domestic and international students.

The Study in Iran institute, as the official reference of the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology, provides guidance and various services to support international student admissions. Through this institute, you can efficiently complete the admission process, obtain a visa, and manage student life in Iran professionally.