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Study MBBS in Iraq

Country focus 🇮🇶

Medicine education in Iraq offers a structured MBBS program for international students, particularly Indian applicants seeking affordable and quality medical training. With numerous universities recognized by the NMC and WHO, Iraq provides a strategic option for those looking to study medicine abroad with a focus on clinical exposure and cost-effectiveness.

Medicine education in Iraq offers a structured MBBS program for international students, particularly Indian applicants seeking affordable and quality medical training. With numerous universities recognized by the NMC and WHO, Iraq provides a strategic option for those looking to study medicine abroad with a focus on clinical exposure and cost-effectiveness.

Iraq has emerged as a viable destination for Indian students pursuing an MBBS degree due to its affordable tuition fees, English-medium instruction, and historically strong medical education system. The country boasts 34 verified universities offering the MBBS program, catering to international students with structured curricula that align with global standards. These institutions are approved by key regulatory bodies including the National Medical Commission (NMC) of India and the World Health Organization (WHO), ensuring that graduates remain eligible for licensing exams such as the FMGE/NExT in India and USMLE globally.

While political stability and infrastructure challenges have fluctuated over the years, recent efforts have improved campus facilities, hostel accommodations, and safety protocols for foreign students. The MBBS program typically spans five to six years, including a mandatory one-year internship, with clinical training emphasized through affiliations with major hospitals in Baghdad, Erbil, Basra, and other urban centers. Students benefit from a culturally familiar environment, low living expenses, and a curriculum that covers both theoretical foundations and hands-on medical practice.

Key highlights

  • 34 verified universities recognized by NMC, WHO, and MCI for Indian students
  • Affordable tuition fees ranging approximately from $3,000 to $6,000 per year depending on the institution
  • English-medium instruction across most MBBS programs with no language barrier during clinical years
  • Strong emphasis on clinical exposure through hospital affiliations in major Iraqi cities
  • Eligibility for global licensing exams like USMLE, PLAB, and FMGE/NExT upon graduation

Frequently asked questions

Is the MBBS degree from Iraq recognized in India?

Yes, medical universities in Iraq are recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC) of India. Graduates can appear for the FMGE or NExT exam after completing their degree and internship, provided they meet all eligibility criteria set by Indian authorities.

What is the duration of the MBBS course in Iraq?

The MBBS program in Iraq typically lasts 5 to 6 years, including a one-year compulsory rotating internship. The academic structure includes pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical phases with integrated hospital training.

Are there safety concerns for Indian students studying medicine in Iraq?

While certain regions have experienced instability in the past, major university cities like Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra have improved security measures. Universities provide hostel accommodations with dedicated international student support, and many Indian students study there without major incidents.

Can I pursue postgraduate studies abroad after completing MBBS in Iraq?

Yes, graduates are eligible to appear for international licensing exams such as the USMLE (USA), PLAB/MRCP (UK), AMC (Australia), and others. Many alumni have successfully pursued PG training and practice in multiple countries worldwide.

Guide updated Jul 23, 2026 · Verified WDOMS data on TrustMBBS

About Iraq

Flag of Iraq

Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, historically known in the west as Mesopotamia, is a country in West Asia. Located within the Middle East, it is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south, Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, the Persian Gulf and Kuwait to the southeast, Jordan to the southwest, and Syria to the west. The country covers an area of 438,317 square kilometres (169,235 sq mi) and has a population of o…

Capital
Baghdad
Population
46.12M
Region
Asia

Currency: Iraqi dinar (د.ع)

Dialing code: +964

Learn more

  • Tourism in Iraq

    Tourism in Iraq refers to tourism in the Western Asian country of Iraq. Iraq was one of the main destinations for many years, however this changed dramatically

  • Iraq

    and gas industry. It is also popular for its agriculture and tourism. At present, Iraq is in the process of reconstruction. There are several suggested

  • Extreme tourism

    (2022-onwards) Belarus (2022-onwards) [citation needed] Venezuela Iran Iraq Somalia Space tourism Caving, Speleology Exploration Paragliding, Bungee jumping, Skydiving

File:Flag_of_Iraq.svg
File:Flag_of_Iraq.svg
File:Coat_of_arms_of_Iraq.svg
File:Coat_of_arms_of_Iraq.svg
File:Iraq_(orthographic).svg
File:Iraq_(orthographic).svg
File:Iraq_-_Location_Map_(2013)_-_IRQ_-_UNOCHA.svg
File:Iraq_-_Location_Map_(2013)_-_IRQ_-_UNOCHA.svg
The Shanidar Cave, where the remains of eight adult and two infant Neanderthals, dating from around 65,000–35,000 years ago were found[43][44]
The Shanidar Cave, where the remains of eight adult and two infant Neanderthals, dating from around 65,000–35,000 years ago were found[43][44]
The Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nabonidus (r. 556 BC – 539 BC) at its greatest territorial extent
The Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nabonidus (r. 556 BC – 539 BC) at its greatest territorial extent
Abbasid Caliphate with capitals in Baghdad and Samarra c. 850
Abbasid Caliphate with capitals in Baghdad and Samarra c. 850
Nuri Pasha al-Said (1888–1958) served eight terms as prime minister during Mandatory Iraq and the Hashemite Kingdom
Nuri Pasha al-Said (1888–1958) served eight terms as prime minister during Mandatory Iraq and the Hashemite Kingdom

📖 Stories from here

First-person accounts — scams that happened here and help verified students here provide. Reviewed before publishing.

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✈️ Before you fly to Iraq

The checks that separate a safe admission from a scam. Do them yourself — not through the agent.

Before paying anyone

  • College is in the World Directory of Medical Schools (every college page here shows its WDOMS ID).
  • Offer letter confirmed by email from the university's own domain.
  • Fee structure in writing; tuition paid only to the university's bank account, receipt on university letterhead.
  • Agent/consultancy name checked on Check before you pay.
  • Originals stay with you — copies only.

Documents & money

  • Passport valid 18+ months; visa; 6–8 passport photos; attested school-leaving certificates; your entrance-exam result if your home regulator requires one (NEET, MDCAT, etc.); medical certificate; police clearance if required.
  • Confirmation that this university is accepted by your own country's medical regulator — the list differs for India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Malaysia and others.
  • Money on a forex card plus a little cash — never large cash handed to anyone "for the university".
  • Travel + health insurance that covers Iraq; a copy of every document in your email.

Landing safely

  • Know who is meeting you and confirm it with the university or a verified student — not only the agent.
  • See the hostel before paying a deposit; ask a current student whether it's the real one.
  • Register with your country's embassy or consulate after arrival (many run a student portal); save its emergency number — stranded students in the cases we've published got out through their embassy.
  • Local SIM, bank account, and the campus map in your first week — a senior can do this with you in an afternoon.
No verified helper in Iraq yet. Already studying there? Get verified and be the person the next student finds.

All verified MBBS colleges in Iraq

Universities from this country listed in our WDOMS-backed directory.

# College name City
1 Al Muthanna University College of Medicine Samawah
2 Al-Iraqia University College of Medicine Baghdad
3 Al-Kindy College of Medicine (Baghdad, Iraq) Baghdad
4 Al-Nahrain University College of Medicine Baghdad
5 Al-Qadisiya University College of Medicine Diwaniya
6 Al-Zahraa College of Medicine University of Basrah Basra
7 Babylon University College of Medicine Babylon
8 Hawler Medical University College of Medicine Erbil
9 Ibn Sina University of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Medicine Baghdad
10 Jabir ibn Hayyan Medical University Kufa
11 Koya University School of Medicine Koya
12 Kufa University College of Medicine Kufa
13 Ninevah College of Medicine Mosul
14 Thi-Qar University College of Medicine Nasiriyah City
15 University of Al-Ameed College of Medicine Karbala
16 University of Al-Mustansiriyah College of Medicine Baghdad
17 University of Alkafeel College of Medicine Najaf City
18 University of Anbar College of Medicine Ramadi
19 University of Baghdad College of Medicine (Iraq) Baghdad
20 University of Basrah College of Medicine Basrah
21 University of Diyala College of Medicine Baquba
22 University of Duhok College of Medicine Dohuk
23 University of Fallujah College of Medicine Fallujah
24 University of Garmian College of Medicine Kalar
25 University of Kerbala College of Medicine Karbala
26 University of Kirkuk College of Medicine Kirkuk
27 University of Kurdistan Hewlêr School of Medicine Erbil
28 University of Misan Faculty of Medicine Amarah
29 University of Mosul College of Medicine Mosul
30 University of Sulaimani College of Medicine Sulaimani City
31 University of Tikrit College of Medicine Tikrit
32 University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa College of Medicine Karbala
33 University of Wasit College of Medicine Al Kut
34 University of Zakho College of Medicine Duhok

🛡️ Safety & expenses in Iraq

We don't publish a made-up "safety score" — official sources and real verification beat a number nobody can audit. Here's what to actually check.

🚨 Emergency numbers

Search "Iraq emergency number" on arrival and save it — we don't have a verified number for this country yet.

Also save your home country's nearest embassy or consulate contact number before you fly, and register with them if your country offers it (e.g. India's MADAD portal, the UK's FCDO registration).

🧭 Before you go

  • Check your home government's official travel advisory for Iraq — search it here rather than trust a consultancy's summary of it.
  • Keep scanned copies of your passport, visa, and admission letter in cloud storage, separate from the originals.
  • Get travel/health insurance that explicitly covers the country and duration of your course.
  • Learn the area around your campus and hostel in daylight before relying on it at night.
  • Avoid unlicensed taxis or "guides" who approach you at the airport — arrange pickup through the university where possible.

💰 Verify these expenses yourself

We don't publish estimated costs here — they date quickly and vary by city and lifestyle. Before you commit money, get these in writing directly from the university, not only from an agent:

  • Full multi-year tuition, and whether it can increase year to year
  • Hostel/accommodation fees and what's included (food, utilities, wifi)
  • One-time costs: visa, admission/registration fees, health checks
  • Approximate flight cost for your route and how often you'd realistically travel home
  • Health insurance premium required for your visa or enrollment

🔎 Most Searched Medical Colleges in Iraq

The college pages for Iraq that people reach from Google most often (Search Console, past 16 months). Being searched for is not the same as being recognised: open each page and check the regulator status, fees and stories before you pay anyone.

⭐ Most Reviewed Colleges in Iraq

Colleges with the most student reviews from this country.

# College Name City Rating Reviews
1 University of Duhok College of Medicine Dohuk 4.3 ⭐ 79
2 Al-Iraqia University College of Medicine Baghdad 4.0 ⭐ 78
3 Al-Qadisiya University College of Medicine Diwaniya 3.7 ⭐ 63
4 University of Garmian College of Medicine Kalar 4.3 ⭐ 32
5 Al Muthanna University College of Medicine Samawah 3.6 ⭐ 28
6 University of Mosul College of Medicine Mosul 4.3 ⭐ 19
7 University of Alkafeel College of Medicine Najaf City 4.3 ⭐ 15
8 University of Kirkuk College of Medicine Kirkuk 3.6 ⭐ 12
9 University of Tikrit College of Medicine Tikrit 4.4 ⭐ 5
10 Al-Zahraa College of Medicine University of Basrah Basra — 1
11 University of Kerbala College of Medicine Karbala — 1
12 Kufa University College of Medicine Kufa — 1
13 University of Anbar College of Medicine Ramadi — 1
14 Koya University School of Medicine Koya — 1
15 University of Sulaimani College of Medicine Sulaimani City — 1
16 Al-Nahrain University College of Medicine Baghdad — 1
17 University of Fallujah College of Medicine Fallujah — 1
18 Jabir ibn Hayyan Medical University Kufa — 1
19 University of Al-Mustansiriyah College of Medicine Baghdad — 1
20 Al-Kindy College of Medicine Baghdad — 1
21 Ibn Sina University of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Medicine Baghdad — 1
22 University of Misan Faculty of Medicine Amarah — 1
23 University of Al-Ameed College of Medicine Karbala — 1
24 University of Zakho College of Medicine Duhok — 1
25 University of Diyala College of Medicine Baquba — 1
26 Hawler Medical University College of Medicine Erbil — 1
27 University of Kurdistan Hewlêr School of Medicine Erbil — 1
28 Thi-Qar University College of Medicine Nasiriyah City — 1
29 University of Wasit College of Medicine Al Kut — 1
30 University of Basrah College of Medicine Basrah — 1
31 Babylon University College of Medicine Babylon — 1
32 Ninevah College of Medicine Mosul — 1
33 University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa College of Medicine Karbala — 1
34 University of Baghdad College of Medicine Baghdad — 1

📰 Latest news about MBBS in Iraq

Headlines related to medical education, admissions, and student updates in Iraq.

📝 Longest student reviews from Iraq

Top 10 detailed reviews shared by students, along with the universities they belong to.

University of Duhok College of Medicine

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The University of Duhok is one of the best universities in Iraq. It is located in northern Iraq. It contains a large number of departments and various specializations. A large number of students from Duhok Governorate and delegations to the governorate are enrolled in it. We wish all our students success in their academic careers.

Al-Qadisiya University College of Medicine

Karen Karimi
It is Diwaniyeh University. It is a university of medical sciences. It is a safe environment for students because it is under the supervision of security guards in all aspects. In terms of facilities, it has provided good opportunities for students, which can be said to be rare in the city.

Al-Iraqia University College of Medicine

rofada Sabab
A place that holds both beautiful and painful memories for me. The beautiful thing is that I spent four years of my university life there, while the painful memory is that those four years were during the time of the American occupation, which affected all areas, especially Al-Adhamiya.

University of Alkafeel College of Medicine

What After ?!
This is the first time in my life that I have entered a private institution and their greed for money is more important than the student’s psychology. Today is an extended exam and to enter the exam you must pay the full tuition. I paid the …

University of Mosul College of Medicine

abood ameer
Mosul College of Medicine ranks second among medical colleges in Iraq in terms of its age and enrollment. Its founding was announced on July 14, 1959, and students began enrolling in September of the same year. During its first year, the …

Al Muthanna University College of Medicine

Adel Kamel
Thank God that our city now has a medical college. It was a distant dream, but thanks to the efforts of good people from our country, this college was established to be a beacon and a platform for knowledge, providing education for our …

University of Garmian College of Medicine

Husam Ibrahem Azez
The first university in Kalar, with its College of Education in Khanaqin, enjoys a prime location at the top of the city with a magnificent view. It houses the Colleges of Education, Science, Engineering, and Medicine, staffed by a …

University of Tikrit College of Medicine

The traveler
The college is not scientifically solid and its infrastructure is very weak, especially after 2014. It lacks autopsy bodies and other things. I do not advise students from other governorates to come to it if they have other options...

University of Kirkuk College of Medicine

Zead Alarnaooty
A newly established university, and those who enter it do not feel as if they are entering a university in terms of the building compared to the College of Medicine in Baghdad.

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