Islamic Azad University Urmia Branch Faculty of Medicine

- Urmia, Iran
Abroad

General Information

Established in 1983, the Urmia Branch is one of the most significant and highest-rated branches of the Islamic Azad University in the northwest of Iran. Its Faculty of Medicine (and the broader medical sciences department) is recognized by the WHO, ECFMG (Pathways), and the Iranian Ministry of Health. Located in the historic and multi-cultural city of Urmia near the borders of Turkey and Iraq the university offers a strategic hub for international students. For, IAUU provides a rigorous MD program with an English-medium track, supported by advanced research facilities and a sprawling campus.


General Info

  • Established: 1983.
  • Primary Location: > Ayatollah Rafsanjani Complex (Site 3), Urmia, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran.
  • Academic Model: Doctor of Medicine (MD).
  • Structure: A 7-year program following the standardized national curriculum:
  • Pre-clinical (Years 1–2.5): Foundation in Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry.
  • Physiopathology (1 Year): Bridging science with clinical reasoning and disease mechanisms.
  • Clerkship (2 Years): Clinical rotations across all major medical specialties in university-affiliated hospitals.
  • Internship (1.5 Years): Final stage of immersive clinical responsibility.
  • Instruction: English for international students. Comprehensive Persian (Farsi) training is mandatory in the first year to ensure students can communicate fluently with patients during their clinical rotations.
  • Research Focus: Regional leader in Artificial Intelligence for Cancer Diagnosis, Nanotechnology, and Clinical Microbiology.
  • Admission: Open to international students with a high school aggregate of >50% (or 14/20 GPA) in PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology). NEET qualification is mandatory for Indian applicants.

Campus Facilities

The IAUU medical campus is part of the massive Ayatollah Rafsanjani Complex, one of the most well-equipped academic sites in the country.

  • AI Cancer Diagnosis Center: A cutting-edge research center focusing on computational methods and artificial intelligence for early cancer detection.
  • Nanotechnology Incubator: Facilitates research into medical nanotechnology, including drug delivery and advanced diagnostics.
  • Clinical Skills Lab: A modern simulation environment equipped with high-fidelity models for practicing procedural and diagnostic skills.
  • Anatomy & Dissection Hall: Features modern cadaveric study facilities and advanced histological imaging.
  • Microbiology & Immunology Labs: Specialized units focused on regional infectious diseases and vaccine research.
  • Medical Informatics Hub: Provides 24/7 digital access to international journals via PubMed, Scopus, and the university’s internal network.
  • IT & Multimedia Center: Supports hybrid and virtual learning models for international students.
  • Central Library (Medical Wing): Houses an extensive collection of English-language medical textbooks and periodicals.
  • Student Research Committee (SRC): Highly active in organizing regional medical congresses and facilitating student-led publications.
  • IAU Urmia Sports Complex: Features separate halls for various sports, including a gymnasium and swimming pool.

Hospital & Medical Facilities

Leading tertiary care hospital attached to the institution

  • IAUU students benefit from extensive clinical exposure in the city's robust medical network:
  • Khatam al-Anbiya Hospital: A primary university-affiliated center for clinical clerkships and specialized rotations.
  • Regional Teaching Hospitals: Through partnerships with the Urmia University of Medical Sciences, students also rotate through high-volume state hospitals such as Imam Khomeini (General) and Seyed al-Shohada (Heart Hospital).
  • University Specialty Clinics: Provides outpatient training where students observe primary and specialty care.

Fee Structure

State University Affordability

IAUU offers private-sector medical education with competitive rates.

Fee Category

Amount in USD

Notes 

Annual Tuition (MD)

~$3,000 – $4,500

Covers all clinical training and lab fees.

Accommodation

~$500 – $1,000/year

Furnished university hostels (Kosar Dormitory for ladies).

Living Budget

~$150 – $250/mo

Urmia is very affordable; includes food, transit, and books.

Health Insurance

~$150

Mandatory annual health coverage.

Scholarship

  • Merit-Based Scholarship: Students maintaining a GPA above 17/20 can qualify for tuition waivers of 10% to 20%.
  • Research Incentives: Funding is available for students whose research is published in ISI or Scopus-indexed journals.
  • Sibling Discount: Minor tuition reductions available for families with multiple students enrolled in the IAU system.

City Details

  • The Vibe: Urmia is one of Iran's most diverse cities, located near the stunning Lake Urmia. It offers a moderate climate and a high quality of life.
  • Connectivity:
  • Urmia International Airport (OMH): Offers regular flights to Tehran and international flights to regional hubs like Istanbul.
  • Road: Well-connected to the borders of Turkey and Iraq, as well as the nearby city of Tabriz.
  • Safety: Very high; the city is well-policed and maintains a very welcoming atmosphere for international residents.

Hostel & Mess

  • Accommodation: The university provides secure dormitories (e.g., the Kosar Dormitory for female students) with Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and common areas.
  • Dining: Subsidized meals (Persian and international-friendly) are served at the University Cafeteria. Urmia is famous for its diverse food culture, combining Turkish, Kurdish, and Persian cuisines.
  • Vibe: Urban and cultural. Urmia is a peaceful, multicultural city known for its safety and hospitality, providing a calm but stimulating environment for medical studies.

Miscellaneous

  • Intakes: September (Main Intake) and February.
  • Documents: Requires 10th/12th mark sheets (PCB focus), NEET scorecard (for Indians), Passport, and a Medical Fitness Certificate.
  • Application Step: For the cycle, students must submit their initial profile to the IAUU International Student Recruitment Office. Once eligibility is verified, the university conducts a virtual interview to assess the candidate's scientific aptitude and English proficiency before issuing a formal invitation.

Collage Images Gallery

college logo
college logo
college logo
college logo
college logo
college logo
Best Learning

Find Your Best-Fit Medical College Instantly

Not sure which college you can get with your NEET rank?

Use our College Predictor Tool , our experts will instantly suggest the best colleges where you stand a high chance of admission.


Use College Predictor

Facilities & Campus Life

Well-equipped Library

Experienced Faculty

Computer Lab

Sports Activities

Heritage Campus

₹500/Per month

Special monthly language

package for everyone

Get Started Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Students must typically have a minimum of 50% marks in PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) in the 12th standard (40% for reserved categories) and must have qualified NEET in the current or previous two years, as per NMC guidelines.

The duration is generally 6 years in total, which includes 5 years of academic study (54 months) and 1 year of compulsory internship (12 months), fully complying with the latest National Medical Commission (NMC) rules.

The process is simple: 1. Submit scanned documents (10th, 11th, and 12th mark sheets, NEET result, Passport scan, and a recent passport-size photograph with a white background). 2. Receive the Admission Letter from the University. 3. Process the Invitation Letter for Visa. 4. Complete the Visa application with our assistance.

Yes, all our partner universities are recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Medical Commission (NMC). Graduate doctors can also write major global licensing exams such as USMLE (USA), PLAB (UK), AMC (Australia), and the FMGE/NExT exam for India.

While most universities admit based on your 12th marks and NEET qualification, some may require a simple online entrance test or interview. We will guide you through any such requirement.

Fees typically cover the Tuition Fee, Hostel Fee, Medical Insurance, Visa Extension, and administrative charges. A detailed, transparent fee structure showing Tuition Fee, Hostel Fee, Mess Charges, Visa/Invitation Fee, and Medical Assurance Fee for each country and university will be provided upfront.

Payment schedules are determined by the individual university. Some universities allow semester-wise payments, while others require annual payments. We will provide clear guidance on the university's official payment schedule.

We are committed to transparency. All costs, including consultation charges and university expenses, are detailed in your offer letter. We strongly advise against any form of donation.

Yes, we coordinate group departures for students and assist with flight ticket booking. Our representative will meet the students at the destination airport and provide transport to the university hostel.

Hostels offer secure accommodation with separate facilities for boys and girls. Indian meals are generally cooked and served by Indian caterers within the hostel premises or mess hall to ensure a suitable diet for students.

Why Consult With Us?

  • 15+ years of experience in medical education counseling
  • 5000+ students successfully guided
  • 50+ partner universities worldwide
  • Free initial consultation with no obligation

Enquiry Now

Know about your college