Shahid Beheshti University

Shahid Beheshti University

Shahid Beheshti University (SBU) is one of the most prestigious and advanced universities in Iran, established in 1954. With over 60 years of history, the university has achieved significant success in various scientific and research fields. In December 1954, during a royal trip to the United States, Ali Sheikh-al-Islam traveled as a representative of Iran’s talented youth and proposed the idea of founding a national university to prevent Iranian students from studying abroad. This idea was warmly received by the King.

SBU is the owner and publisher of 42 specialized journals and offers unique academic and educational facilities to its students. It currently has around 1,300 elite professors and is considered one of the top universities in Iran. For those looking to study in Iran or study in Tehran, SBU provides an exceptional environment for higher education. The university is also a top choice for international students in Iran, offering them a world-class education and opportunities for research and academic growth.

Shahid Beheshti University Ranking

SBU is recognized as one of the leading centers of higher education in Iran and holds a strong position in international rankings. SBU is ranked 851-900 in the QS World University Rankings 2025, 801–1000th in the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings 2025, and 1039 (tied) in the US News Best Global Universities rankings.

Shahid Beheshti University Tuition Fees

In the early days of the university's establishment, tuition fees from students were the main source of funding for the national university. However, the university also received financial assistance from the government. The most significant change in the university’s history occurred in 1974, when the government, based on oil revenues, began paying the tuition for national (private) educational institutions and made them free of charge.

This move allowed students from various social backgrounds and different circumstances to enter the university, making it a public university like others. Therefore, education is free for Iranian students, but international students are required to pay tuition fees.

If you plan to study in Iran or study in Tehran at Shahid Beheshti University, it's important to ensure you can afford the costs of studying and living in the country for the entire duration of your program. SBU works hard to keep education financially accessible for international students in Iran. The main costs you will need to consider are tuition fees and living expenses.

At SBU, international students' tuition fees vary by program and field of study. For Bachelor's degrees, the fees range from 214,000,000 IRR per semester in Human Sciences, with course fees between 10,950,000 IRR and 17,920,000 IRR, to 274,000,000 IRR per semester in Natural Sciences/Engineering, with course fees ranging from 10,950,000 IRR to 23,640,000 IRR. 

Master's degree tuition is 214,000,000 IRR per semester for Human Sciences and 259,000,000 IRR for Natural Sciences/Engineering, with course fees between 21,370,000 IRR and 48,730,000 IRR. PhD programs have a fixed tuition of 350,000,000 IRR per semester, with course fees ranging from 33,000,000 IRR to 63,000,000 IRR, plus a 170,000,000 IRR preliminary exam fee.

At the Center for Persian Language Teaching, the fees for the programs in 2025 are as follows: For the full program, which lasts each semester, the tuition is 179,000,000 IRR, and the accommodation fee is 51,600,000 IRR. For the short program, which lasts 4 months, the tuition is 58,350,000 IRR, and the accommodation fee is 18,600,000 IRR.

The estimated minimum living costs at SBU per year are around $1,800, depending on your lifestyle. This includes accommodation, food, transportation, and other expenses (excluding tuition fees). This estimate is based on a single person living on campus, and you should expect these costs to increase in the following years. 

Your living expenses may be higher if, for example, you stay at SBU during the vacation periods. If you plan to study in Iran or study in Tehran, it’s important to budget accordingly, as living costs may vary based on your personal preferences and the length of your stay.

Shahid Beheshti University Admission

The Foreign Students Administration Office is part of the Vice-Presidency for Student Affairs. It handles matters related to foreign students at both undergraduate and graduate levels, who are introduced by the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology. The office provides services in areas like enrollment, welfare, sports, and cultural and extracurricular activities for non-Iranian students who wish to study in Iran. International students in Iran can receive full support from the office. Their staff carefully reviews all applications in full.

Each academic year has two semesters: the first starts on September 5th and the second on January 23rd. We recommend that you begin your application process early. You can apply to study in Tehran or other campuses at SBU (for bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. degrees) or to learn Persian at the Persian Language Center. Don't forget to check the financial conditions, including tuition fees. If you meet the requirements, you can apply online. Here's what you'll need:

• High school diploma for BSc applicants, Bachelor’s degree for MSc applicants, Master’s degree for Ph.D. applicants.
• Persian language certificate or course completion
• A copy of your passport and a personal photo.
• For undergraduates, diploma confirmation.
• For graduate applicants, copies of diploma and Bachelor’s degree confirmations.
• For Ph.D. applicants, copies of Bachelor and Master’s degree confirmations.
• Official transcripts.
• Two referees and recommendation letters.

Note: Recommendation letters are optional for Bachelor’s and Master’s programs, but required for Ph.D. applicants.