Iraqi Kurdistan — Study (English-taught bachelor's at fee-charging universities (UKH, AUIS))

Main requirements

For English-taught bachelor's degrees, fee-charging universities such as UKH (Erbil) and AUIS (Sulaymaniyah) admit foreign students. UKH, for example, asks for a high-school average of at least 60% plus a combined Maths and Physics score of at least 110 for Computer Science and Cyber Security, plus an interview; Banking and Finance needs 60%, Energy Resources Engineering 75% (obtained within the last five years) plus 130 in Maths and Physics, and Dentistry and Pharmacy at least 85% plus 230 combined in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, IELTS 6.0 and an interview. All UKH programmes need an equalised transcript from international applicants. AUIS accepts students from outside Iraq once their diploma is equalised in Erbil (its admission page names the equalisation office 'Azmoonkan', its FAQ the KRG Ministry of Higher Education, so ask which office handles you); tuition is set by that equalised score.

Documents

Online application; passport copy; transcripts and diploma; an official school letter confirming your average (UKH); English test result; and after admission, the equalisation certificate. For equalisation AUIS lists verified transcripts and diploma, a photo with ID copy and a university letter. Before leaving Iran, ask the university or equalisation office which Iranian certification they need on your school documents (for foreign university degrees the KRG asks for authentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Iraqi embassy or the KRG representation in the country of study).

Language

UKH and AUIS teach in English. UKH's Computer Science programme requires IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 64, PTE 45 or Duolingo 95. AUIS offers a free placement test or accepts IELTS, TOEFL and Duolingo (IELTS roughly 4 to 6 depending on level); below B2 you start in the three-level Academic Preparatory Program (APP). The KRG Ministry lists Kurdish, English or Arabic as languages of instruction.

Costs and proof of funds

Per UKH's site as of Oct 2026: most bachelor's degrees cost USD 3,000–4,250 a year, Pharmacy 8,000 and Dentistry 12,000. AUIS charges international students IQD 4.5–9.5 million a year depending on grades, Dentistry and Pharmacy IQD 10.95 million; each APP level IQD 1–4.1 million. Living in Erbil per Numbeo (Oct 2026) is about IQD 890,000 a month excluding rent, with a one-bedroom flat at IQD 410,000–655,000. The student residency card (6 or 12 months) needs a health test and support letters from your educational institution; for visa-free nationalities it costs IQD 475,000 the first time (300,000 to convert the visit visa, 150,000 card, 25,000 admin) and IQD 175,000 to renew, plus mandatory health insurance (IQD 375,000 a year). A blood test costs IQD 31,500. No official proof-of-funds amount for students was found. The Central Bank of Iraq's official rate was about IQD 1,510-1,520 per USD in October 2026, while the street rate in Erbil was about 1,630.

Steps and timeline

Pick a programme and get an English score; apply online and sit the interview or placement test. With the admission letter enter the region on the 30-day visit visa, equalise your diploma in Erbil (AUIS gives two weeks after signing the contract) and apply for residency before the 30 days run out. From Iran this usually takes 4–9 months.

Notes for Iranian applicants

You don't need to arrange a visa in advance: Iran is on the KRG's 'List A', so with a passport valid at least 6 months you get a 30-day visit visa online (visit.gov.krd) or on arrival at any KRI border point or airport. The KRG Interior Ministry's service page lists an administrative fee of IQD 100,000, while the KRG representation's letter (Apr 2025) says Iranian passports have a visa waiver, so carry dinars and check before you travel. The visit visa can be extended 30 days at a time at the residency directorate, only a limited number of times (IQD 100,000 + 10,000 admin fee each time, health test at the first extension, late penalty IQD 20,000 a day); to stay longer you need a 6-month or 1-year residency card with a sponsor (kafil). According to Iran's consulate in Sulaymaniyah, the KRI entry stamp is valid only inside the region: travelling on it to Baghdad or southern Iraq counts as illegal entry and carries 3 months to 3 years in prison, and travel accident insurance is required.

Key point, read before you pay: the Student Affairs Organization's newest list of approved foreign universities (valid from January 2026) has only four Iraqi universities — Baghdad, Kufa, Mustansiriya and Basra — and no Kurdistan Region university. The Sep 2024–Dec 2025 list (nine Iraqi universities) and older editions had none either, and an old 'invalid universities' list for Arab countries names 'kurdistan University (Iraq)'. Iran's Ministry of Health list (2024-2025) has no Iraqi university at all, which matters for dentistry and pharmacy. So assume a KRG degree will not be evaluated or recognised in Iran; choose this route only if you don't need the degree in Iran. If your university isn't on any list, the organisation says to ask its Graduates Affairs office before enrolling.

Iran's consulate stresses that Iraq's currency is the dinar and to pay fares and costs in dinars. Male applicants liable for service must sort out the conscription exit permit first.

Security: since 28 Feb 2026 the region, especially Erbil, has been hit by more than a thousand Iranian drone and missile attacks, with new drone strikes reported on 8 and 12 October 2026. Since 25 Sep 2026 flights between Iran and Erbil or Sulaymaniyah have been suspended (still suspended on 2 Oct 2026), so for now you travel overland through the border crossings. Check the situation right before you travel.

After arrival (work while studying, post-study stay, permanent residence)

Staying beyond 30 days needs a residency card; for students the KRG requires 'study support' and 'residential support' letters from the educational institution, so ask the university's international office to issue them before your 30 days run out. A visa or residency does not by itself allow work; working needs a separate Ministry of Labour permit. After graduation the way to stay is an employer sponsor (see the work route); no clear permanent-residence or citizenship path for foreigners was found.