University of Tehran

Overview

The University of Tehran (UT) is a public university situated in the capital city of Tehran, Iran. Established in 1934, it is the country’s oldest modern university and is one of the most renowned institutions of higher learning in the Middle East. UT is also a top knowledge-producing institution among the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation member states.

UT offers a wide range of programs with over 100 bachelor’s, more than 170 master’s, and more than 150 Ph.D. degrees. It has a highly competitive admissions process and only accommodates the top one percent of students who pass the national entrance exam administered yearly by the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology.

The university’s main campus is located in the center of Tehran. It has several other campuses situated across the city and its suburbs. Furthermore, UT has a vast network of colleges, faculties, international campuses, and academic institutes and centers. Its seven colleges are The College of Aburaihan in Pakdasht, The College of Agriculture & Natural Resources in Karaj, The College of Engineering in Kargar St., The College of Fine Arts, The College of Science, The College of Farabi in Qom, and The College of Alborz in Tehran & Karaj.

Students can choose from majors such as Iranian Studies, Agricultural Biotechnology, Criminal Law and Criminology, Health, Safety and Environment, Economic Development and Planning, and Horticultural Science. There are also postgraduate programs offered in English, such as the Civil Engineering M.Sc. program and the MA in Middle East Studies.

Aside from being home to the top intellectuals in the country, UT is also a tourist attraction as it welcomes hundreds of foreign visitors every year because of its various academic and cultural activities. The university holds seminars, international conferences, and workshops that draw delegations and renowned professors.

The first step that led to the founding of the University of Tehran can be traced back to the efforts of education minister, Isa Sedigh. He acted on the suggestion of Minister of Court Abdolhossein Teymourtash regarding the need to establish a university in Tehran.

In 1933, the Ministry of Education received funds to acquire a suitable property where to establish the university. The area of Jalaliyeh garden was chosen and in 1934, UT was officially opened. In 1937, the university started accepting female students.

UT has produced some of the country’s more important figures in politics, arts, music, literature, and medicine. Among its notable alumni include former Prime Minister of Iran, Manuchehr Eqbal; computer scientist and professor emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley, Lotfi Aliasker Zadeh; and Iranian writer, Shahrnush Parsipur.