Are there international schools in Iran?

Very limited. Tehran has a few international and foreign-community schools (Tehran International School, French Lycée, German Embassy School). Isfahan has no international schools. Most expat families use homeschooling, online schools, or local school immersion.

Can my children attend Iranian public schools?

Yes, foreign children with valid residence permits can enroll in public schools. Instruction is entirely in Farsi, which provides excellent language immersion but can be challenging initially. Schools are free and generally of good quality.

How much do international schools cost?

International school fees in Tehran range from $3,000–$8,000/year — significantly cheaper than international schools in Dubai, Singapore, or other expat hubs. Availability is limited and waitlists are common.

Can foreigners study at Iranian universities?

Yes. International students can apply to Iranian universities with a student visa sponsored by the institution. Tuition is $1,000–$4,000/year for most programs. Some graduate programs are offered in English. The academic quality, especially in STEM, is strong.

What about homeschooling in Iran?

Homeschooling is practiced by some expat families and is not specifically regulated by Iranian law. Online schooling platforms and international homeschool curricula work, though internet restrictions may require VPN usage for accessing some educational platforms.

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🇮🇷 Iran

Education

97%+

Literacy Rate

Youth (15–24)

600+

Universities

Public and private

Limited

International Schools

Tehran only

Sep–Jun

School Year

Iranian calendar

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏙️Tehran 🕌Isfahan

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Overview

Iran has a strong education system with free public schooling and over 50 universities ranked internationally. Literacy rates exceed 97% for youth, and higher education enrollment is among the highest in the Middle East. For expat children, a handful of international schools operate in Tehran, though options are far more limited than in typical expat hubs. Persian-language immersion schools offer an alternative for long-term residents.

Key Takeaways

Primary school (Dabestan): ages 6–12, free and compulsory
Tehran International School: the main option for English-medium education
University of Tehran: Iran's oldest and most prestigious — ranked in global top 500

Education System Overview

Iran's education system is structured as 6 years of primary school, 3 years of middle school, and 3 years of high school, followed by a competitive university entrance exam (Konkur). Public education is free and compulsory through high school. The system emphasizes science and mathematics, and Iranian students consistently perform well in international olympiads.

Primary school (Dabestan): ages 6–12, free and compulsory
Middle school (Rahnamaee): ages 12–15, free and compulsory
High school (Dabirestan): ages 15–18, free — academic or vocational tracks
University entrance: the Konkur exam is extremely competitive — millions sit it annually
Instruction language: Farsi — some private schools offer English-medium instruction
School week: Saturday to Wednesday (Thursday and Friday off)

International Schools for Expat Children

International schooling options in Iran are very limited compared to other Middle Eastern countries. A small number of international and foreign-community schools operate in Tehran, primarily serving diplomatic and NGO families. There are no major IB or British curriculum schools. Most long-term expat families either homeschool, use online schooling, or enroll children in local schools for language immersion.

Tehran International School: the main option for English-medium education
French School of Tehran (Lycée Français): offers French curriculum for francophone families
German Embassy School: limited enrollment, primarily for German diplomatic families
Indian schools: serve the Indian expat community in Tehran
Fees: international schools charge $3,000–$8,000/year — much less than Gulf states
Homeschooling: increasingly popular among long-term expat families — no specific regulations
Isfahan: no international schools — local schools or online/homeschooling are the options

Universities & Higher Education

Iran has over 600 universities, with several ranked among the world's top institutions. The University of Tehran, Sharif University of Technology, and Isfahan University of Technology are internationally recognized. Some programs are offered in English, particularly at the graduate level. Tuition for international students is affordable by global standards.

University of Tehran: Iran's oldest and most prestigious — ranked in global top 500
Sharif University of Technology: Iran's MIT equivalent — exceptional engineering and CS programs
Isfahan University of Technology: strong STEM programs in a beautiful campus setting
International tuition: $1,000–$4,000/year for most programs — remarkably affordable
English-medium programs: available at graduate level in select universities
Student visa: required for international students — university sponsors the application
Academic calendar follows Iranian calendar: starts in late September (Mehr)

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