The Iran MSRT Government Scholarship is the main route by which Iran funds international students at its public universities. It is run by Iran's Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (MSRT) and covers Bachelor's, Master's and PhD study. For Pakistani students it matters for one reason above others: part of the places are allocated through government-to-government agreements, and Pakistani applicants have historically used those channels. You can see the full scholarship details on our listing, but this guide is about how the scheme actually works and where people trip up.
Be clear-eyed before you start. This is not a polished online-portal scholarship with a fixed deadline every year. Quotas, terms and dates are reconfirmed annually and can change depending on the partner-country agreement. A lot of the process runs on direct communication with the Iranian Embassy and Cultural Consulate in Islamabad. If you are patient and organised, that is manageable. If you want a clear date on a calendar six months out, you will find it frustrating.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (MSRT), Islamic Republic of Iran |
| Funding | Full or partial, depending on the scholarship track and university |
| Levels | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD |
| Fields | All fields, including Medicine/MBBS, Engineering, Islamic Studies and Humanities |
| Country | Iran |
| Deadline | Varies each year by intake and partner-country agreement |
| Usual opening | Varies, typically earlier in the calendar year for the following academic year |
| Official site | msrt.ir |
Two routes into the same scholarship
The most useful thing to understand about MSRT is that there are two separate application channels, and they behave quite differently.
The first is the bilateral government-agreement route. Applications here are typically routed through Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Higher Education Commission, or the Iranian Cultural Consulate/Embassy in Islamabad. This is the structured, embassy-supported channel, and it is where the government-to-government quota sits.
The second is the university-allocated route. Here you apply directly to the international office of the Iranian university you want, after registering in MSRT's central student information system. Institutions named in connection with the program include the University of Tehran, Iran University of Medical Sciences and Amirkabir University of Technology.
Which one suits you depends on timing and on what is open that year. Many applicants simply ask the Cultural Consulate in Islamabad which channel has places for their level and field in the current cycle, then work from there. That is a sensible first step.
What the funding looks like in practice
MSRT scholarships typically cover three things: tuition fees, a monthly stipend for living expenses, and dormitory-style accommodation at the host university. Tuition coverage may be full or partial depending on the track. No fixed stipend amount is published for the program as a whole, so do not plan your finances around a figure you have read on a forum. Ask for it in writing when you receive an allocation.
The fourth element is Persian (Farsi) language training. For programs taught in Farsi, many tracks include mandatory language training in the first year. This is not a small detail. It adds time to your studies and changes how you should prepare.
Because coverage is "full or partial", the honest answer to "is this fully funded?" is: it depends on your track and university. Some awards cover tuition, stipend and accommodation fully, others only partly. Read your offer carefully before you accept.
Farsi or English: the question to settle first
A portion of Iranian degree programs, particularly at undergraduate level, are not delivered in English. English-medium programs exist mainly at postgraduate and medical level. So a Bachelor's applicant should expect a real chance of studying in Farsi after a language year, while a Master's or PhD applicant has better odds of finding an English-taught option.
Do not assume. Write to the host university's international office and ask directly whether your specific program is taught in English or Farsi. The answer affects your language preparation, your timeline and, frankly, whether the program is right for you at all.
A warning for MBBS applicants
Medicine is one of the listed fields, and the question "can I do MBBS in Iran through MSRT?" comes up a lot. The answer is yes, medicine is available. But before you commit, verify that Pakistan's medical council (PM&DC/PMC) recognises the Iranian medical degree from the specific university you are considering. Recognition is what lets you practise back home. A scholarship to a university whose degree you cannot use in Pakistan is a poor trade, however generous the funding.
Eligibility, as far as it is defined
The eligibility rules are less detailed than many other government scholarships. Here is what applies:
- You must meet the academic entry requirements of the specific Iranian university and program.
- Bachelor's applicants need a valid secondary school certificate; Master's and PhD applicants need the relevant prior degree, attested as required.
- Age limits and prior-degree requirements are set by MSRT for each degree level. There is no single published age cut-off, so confirm it for your level.
- You must register in MSRT's central student information system.
- Your Persian or English ability must be sufficient for the chosen program.
On nationality, the program is aimed at students from partner countries, and the bilateral channel has been used by Pakistani applicants. Still, quotas are set per agreement and per year, so check with the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad that places for Pakistan are open in the current cycle.
The paperwork pile
The document list is short compared with European schemes, but attestation makes it slower than it looks:
- MSRT student information system registration
- Completed scholarship or university application form
- Attested academic transcripts and certificates
- Valid passport copy
- Passport-size photographs
- Statement of purpose or research proposal (graduate applicants)
- Medical fitness certificate, as required by the host university
Attestation can be one of the longest steps in the whole process, so start it early. If you have not done this before, our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide explains how it works in Pakistan. For graduate applicants, the research proposal deserves real effort, since it is the one document where you can actually stand out.
The application sequence
- Register in MSRT's central international-student information system. This creates your formal application record.
- Submit your application through the right channel: the Iranian Embassy/Cultural Consulate for the bilateral route, or the host university's international office for the university-allocated route.
- Provide attested academic documents and any language proficiency evidence your program needs.
- Wait for confirmation of provisional acceptance and scholarship allocation from MSRT or the university.
- Complete visa formalities through the Iranian Embassy once both the scholarship and the university placement are confirmed.
The official MSRT page on applying for scholarships is the place to start for the registration step.
Why the calendar is hard to pin down
There is no single published deadline. The pattern looks roughly like this:
- MSRT registration opens at a time that varies each year, so check msrt.ir for the current cycle.
- Applications through the embassy or university route are typically due several months before the academic year begins.
- Provisional acceptance and scholarship confirmation come at different times depending on the university and route.
- Visa processing happens after confirmed placement, ahead of the academic year start.
The practical advice: treat the opening as "earlier in the calendar year for the following academic year" and start watching both the MSRT site and the Embassy from the start of the year. Dates are not always centrally publicised in English, which is one more reason to stay in contact with the Cultural Consulate rather than waiting for an announcement.
Where applicants usually go wrong
The biggest mistake is relying on secondary scholarship-listing websites for dates and terms. MSRT details are reconfirmed every year, and listings go stale fast. Verify everything with MSRT or the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad.
The second is leaving attestation late. The third, for medical applicants, is skipping the PM&DC/PMC recognition check. And the fourth is treating this like an online-only process. Communication, not portal automation, is often central to this route, so keep in regular touch with the Cultural Consulate throughout.
Who is this a good fit for? Students interested in Islamic studies, engineering or medicine who want a lower cost of living than Gulf or Western destinations, and who are open to learning Farsi. Who should probably look elsewhere? Anyone who needs a guaranteed English-taught Bachelor's degree, or who cannot cope with uncertain timelines. Also keep an eye on visa processes and current bilateral arrangements before you commit. If you are comparing options, our scholarships guide for Pakistani students covers other routes.
Frequently asked questions
Is the MSRT scholarship fully funded?
Not always. Coverage varies by scholarship track and university. Some awards cover tuition, stipend and accommodation in full, others only partly.
Can Pakistani students apply for MBBS in Iran through MSRT?
Yes, medicine is among the available fields. Before applying, check that Pakistan's medical council recognises the degree from the specific Iranian university.
Will I study in English or Farsi?
It depends on the university and program. Many undergraduate programs are in Farsi, with language training provided. Some graduate and medical programs are offered in English.
How do Pakistani students apply?
For the government-agreement route, applications typically go through the Iranian Cultural Consulate/Embassy in Islamabad. For university-allocated scholarships, you apply directly to the host university after registering in MSRT's system.
When is the deadline?
It varies each year by intake and partner-country agreement. Confirm current-cycle dates with MSRT and the Iranian Embassy.
For current dates and quotas, check the official MSRT website, and keep the Iran MSRT Government Scholarship page handy for the key details.