New Ministry of Health Degree Evaluation Rules: Warning for 2025 Entrants

Studying medical sciences abroad has always been accompanied by the challenge of degree evaluation upon returning to Iran. However, the Educational Services Center of the Ministry of Health has recently implemented regulations that change the path for many applicants. These new rules focus not only on university accreditation but also on pre-university academic records and the type of degree level.

Diploma Matching Requirement; Mandatory for 2025 Entrants Onward One of the most significant changes in the evaluation system is the necessity of having a "relevant academic background" at the secondary school level. According to the resolutions of the Supreme Evaluation Council, all applicants starting their studies abroad from the beginning of 2025 must hold a high school diploma corresponding to their university major [1]. Simply put, if an individual with a Humanities or Arts diploma intends to study medicine or paramedical fields, the Ministry of Health will not open a file for them. In case of a mismatch, applicants are required to create a relevant academic record through the Ministry of Education before starting their studies abroad [1].

The Principle of Equivalence; Why Some Degrees Are Not Confirmed? The Ministry of Health only evaluates degrees that have a direct equivalent within the domestic educational system. According to current regulations, the educational content and duration of study abroad must match domestic educational programs by at least 80% [3]. This means that certain short-term degrees or levels not defined in Iran are effectively devoid of legal value for professional practice.

Case Study: Dental Prosthetics vs. Physiotherapy The difference in the existence of domestic degree levels determines the fate of associate degree evaluations. For example, since the "Associate in Dental Prosthetics" level is defined and exists in the Iranian educational system, similar two-year degrees from accredited foreign universities can be evaluated. In contrast, the field of Physiotherapy in Iran lacks an associate level and only accepts students at the Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral levels. Consequently, two-year associate degrees in Physiotherapy from abroad will not be evaluated by the Ministry of Health due to the lack of a domestic equivalent [3].

Notification of New Evaluation Rates in May 2026 Alongside structural changes, administrative costs related to this process have also been updated. In a circular issued on May 8, 2026, new amounts for document release and security deposits for medical science graduates were specified [2]. These amounts, which vary based on the degree level (from Associate to Specialized Doctorate), will be the criteria for all applicants this year [2]. Before taking any action, students must ensure they check the latest list of approved universities, which is reviewed periodically [3].