Tishk International University TIU: Faculties, Ranking and Admission Guide 2026

Tishk International University (TIU): A Comprehensive Overview

Tishk International University (Tishk International University – TIU) — formerly known as “Ishik University” — is one of the most prominent and fastest-growing private universities in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Founded in 2008, its main headquarters is located in the city of Erbil, in addition to its academic branch campus in the city of Sulaymaniyah. The university represents a modern academic institution grounded in international standards and English-medium instruction, linking curricula to contemporary professional and technological requirements.

The university comprises an integrated system of accredited faculties covering medical and health specialties (dentistry, pharmacy, nursing), engineering and technological disciplines, applied sciences, business administration and economics, law, and education. It also operates an advanced complex of clinics and a teaching dental hospital, along with centers for research, languages, and vocational training.

The university has achieved an unprecedented qualitative leap in global rankings, topping the universities of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by placing within the 801–1000 globally, and it was also officially included in the QS World University Rankings 2026 within the band 1201–1400 globally (as the first private university in the Kurdistan Region to enter the QS global ranking). In addition, the university uniquely holds prestigious international institutional and programmatic accreditations, such as accreditation from the ZEvA German quality-assurance agency, making it a preferred educational destination for Iraqi, Arab, and international students.

Tishk University in Numbers

Methodological note: It should always be noted that the university's recognition is valid and dual: it is fully accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Kurdistan Region (KRG), and is officially recognized and equated by the Federal Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Baghdad.

University History and Development

• Founding and Launch (2008): Established under the name “Ishik University” as an international private university seeking to bring global quality standards and English-medium teaching to the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

• Opening of the Faculty of Dentistry and the Health Complex (2010–2014): Inauguration of the Faculty of Dentistry and its specialized teaching clinics, followed by the addition of the Faculties of Pharmacy and Nursing to establish an integrated private medical sector.

• Geographic Expansion (Sulaymaniyah Branch): Opening of a fully-fledged university campus in the city of Sulaymaniyah to serve students of the governorate and surrounding areas.

• Renaming and Transformation into Tishk International University (2019): Official change of name to “Tishk International University (TIU),” accompanied by a comprehensive restructuring of the governance and scientific research systems and an expansion of the external partnership network.

• Obtaining German Accreditation (ZEvA): The university achieved an unprecedented milestone by obtaining international institutional and programmatic academic accreditation from the ZEvA Central Agency for Accreditation and Evaluation in Germany.

• Top of the Global Rankings (2025–2026): Achieving first place among Iraqi universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) ranking and direct entry into the QS World University Rankings.

Why Do Students Choose Tishk International University?

1. Leading Iraqi Universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) Ranking

The university is ranked first in Iraq in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2026 (in the 801–1000 band globally), giving its degree exceptional academic credibility.

2. German European Accreditation (ZEvA Accreditation)

It is among the few universities in the region whose programs are supervised and evaluated by the independent German accreditation body ZEvA, ensuring implementation of the European “Bologna Process” standards and facilitating the recognition of degrees abroad.

3. English-Medium Instruction and an International Environment

Courses are taught entirely in English by international and local faculty members with overseas experience, supported by an advanced language center that prepares new students.

4. Infrastructure and Teaching Dental Hospitals

The university owns one of the most modern oral and dental medicine complexes in Iraq, equipped with simulation units (Phantom Labs), operating rooms, and clinics that receive hundreds of patients daily to train clinical-year students.

5. Student Exchange Programs and European Partnerships

Active participation in European Union projects (such as Erasmus+ and the SINTACT program), giving students and faculty members opportunities for exchange and study semesters at European universities.

Faculties of Tishk International University

The university's faculties are distributed across 8 main faculties on the Erbil campus and the Sulaymaniyah branch:

1. Faculty of Dentistry.

2. Faculty of Pharmacy.

3. Faculty of Nursing.

4. Faculty of Engineering.

5. Faculty of Applied Science.

6. Faculty of Administrative Sciences & Economics.

7. Faculty of Education.

8. Faculty of Law.

University Majors by Academic Sector

• Medical and Healthcare Sector:

  • Oral and Dental Medicine and Surgery (BDS).

  • Pharmaceutical sciences and the Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm).

  • General nursing sciences and clinical care (B.Sc. Nursing).

• Engineering and Technology Sector:

  • Computer and software engineering (Computer Engineering).

  • Civil Engineering.

  • Architecture.

  • Mechatronics Engineering.

  • Petroleum & Mining Engineering.

  • Interior Design.

• Applied Sciences and Information Technology sector:

  • Information Technology (IT).

  • Medical analysis and clinical laboratory sciences (Medical Analysis).

• Administrative Sciences and Economics sector:

  • Business administration and enterprises (Business Administration).

  • Accounting and financial auditing (Accounting).

  • Financial and banking sciences (Banking & Finance).

  • International relations and diplomacy (International Relations & Diplomacy).

• Education, Languages, and Law sector:

  • English language teaching (ELT).

  • Mathematics education (Mathematics Education).

  • Physics education and biology education (Biology Education).

  • Bachelor of Law (law courses are taught in Arabic and Kurdish in accordance with the Iraqi judicial system).

Admission and Registration

Admission to Tishk International University follows the regulations and instructions issued by Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research through the dedicated central or direct application system:

Admission Requirements and Procedures:

1. Secondary-school certificate: Admission of general secondary-school graduates (the science/biology/applied tracks for the medical and engineering sectors, and the humanities track for the faculties of administration, education, and law).

2. Equivalency of International and Arab Certificates: Admission of secondary-school graduates from other Iraqi governorates and Arab countries (Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, and the Gulf states) after proper attestation and equivalency.

3. Competitive Minimum Averages: Competitive admission averages vary annually; the Faculties of Dentistry and Pharmacy lead (typically above 80%–85% depending on capacity), followed by Nursing, Engineering, and Sciences.

4. English Language Proficiency Test: Students take an English-language placement test (Proficiency Test); those who do not pass enroll in a preparatory year at the university's affiliated School of Languages.

Tuition and Fee System

• Tuition fees are paid annually in Iraqi dinars or the equivalent in US dollars, according to the approved and announced departmental fee schedule set by the University Council under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education.

• The university offers an installment plan that spreads tuition fees over several payments during the academic year to ease the burden on parents.

• The Faculties of Dentistry and Pharmacy are the most expensive, followed by Engineering, Information Technology, and Nursing, while the Faculties of Administration, Education, and Law fall within mid-range cost categories.

Scholarships and Tuition Discounts

• Scholarships for Top Secondary-School Achievers: Discounts at varying rates for applicants with high averages across the different departments.

• Annual academic-excellence scholarships: Installment discounts for top-ranked students in each cohort and department every academic year.

• Discounts for Siblings and Children of Martyrs: Approved discounts under the university's internal regulations for children of martyrs and relatives enrolled at the university.

• Scholarships for Athletic Excellence and Activities: Incentive discounts for athletes and for students with outstanding projects and innovations.

Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance

• Recognition by the Federal Ministry of Higher Education (Baghdad): Officially recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Baghdad, and its degrees are subject to equivalency and approval by the central ministerial committees.

• Recognition by the Kurdistan Region Ministry of Higher Education (Erbil): Fully licensed and accredited.

• German Accreditation (ZEvA – Germany): The university obtained full institutional and programmatic accreditation for a wide range of its engineering, education, and administrative departments from the Central Agency for Accreditation and Evaluation in Germany.

• International ISO Certification (ISO 9001:2015): Conformity of educational and administrative processes to global quality management systems.

• International Memberships: Membership of the Association of Arab Universities, and participation in exchange partnership projects with the European Union (Erasmus+).

Tishk University's Performance in International Rankings 2026

Times Higher Education (THE) World 2026

801–1000 band globally (first place in Iraq)

Tishk's ranking as the top university in Iraq in the Times Higher Education index for 2026 is a historic achievement for the institution, driven by exceptional scores in research quality, international reputation, and the proportion of international faculty and students.

QS World University Rankings 2026

1201–1400 band globally

The first private university in the Kurdistan Region to be included in the QS global ranking, where it was assessed among the leading Iraqi universities with a documented global presence.

THE Asia University Rankings 2026

401–500 band in Asia

An advanced presence reflecting its ability to compete with the continent's leading universities on indicators of educational environment and research impact.

Tishk University Rankings Table for 2026

Comparing the University in the Iraqi and Regional Context

• Competitive leadership of the private sector: It broke the monopoly of major public universities on top positions in global rankings in Iraq by securing first place nationally in the THE ranking for 2026.

• Genuine European accreditation: It distinguished itself from most local universities by obtaining review and accreditation from the independent German agency ZEvA, making its programs compliant with the European ECTS credit system.

• Geographic stability and safety: Its location in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah provides students from all central and southern Iraqi governorates a safe and stable study environment, supported by advanced digital and architectural infrastructure.

Guide for Iraqi and International Students

1. Students from Iraqi Governorates (Central and Southern Regions): The university welcomes thousands of students from Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, and other governorates, offering them admission facilitation, university housing, and a dedicated office to follow up on administrative procedures and residency permits.

2. Arab and International Students: Applications are available through the university's International Relations Office, with documents attested by ministries of foreign affairs and Iraqi embassies abroad.

3. Living Conditions and Housing: Multiple supervised hotel-style student housing options are available in cooperation with the university, and the campus is close to essential services in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is Tishk International University?

A leading private international university founded in 2008 in Erbil, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and the highest-ranked university in Iraq in the Times Higher Education ranking for 2026.

2. Is Tishk University recognized in Baghdad?

Yes; it is officially recognized and equated by the Federal Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Baghdad and by the Kurdistan Regional Government.

3. What is Tishk University's position in the Times Higher Education (THE) ranking for 2026?

It achieved first place in Iraq and placed in the 801–1000 band globally.

4. Does the university have a Faculty of Medicine?

It does not have a general faculty of medicine, but it has a health sciences complex comprising: the Faculty of Dentistry, the Faculty of Pharmacy, the Faculty of Nursing, and Medical Analysis.

5. What is the language of instruction at Tishk International University?

English is the primary, approved language of instruction across all engineering, medical, technical, and administrative faculties, with the exception of the Faculty of Law.

6. What is the ZEvA accreditation the university holds?

It is an official academic accreditation issued by the Central Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation in Germany, certifying that the university's curricula and programs meet European higher-education quality standards.

7. Where are the university's campuses located?

It has two campuses: the main headquarters in Erbil (on 100 Meter Road) and an academic branch in the city of Sulaymaniyah.

Quick Information Table

Analytical Assessment of Tishk International University

Official and Reference Sources

• Tishk International University (TIU):

  • The official web portal of Tishk International University (tiu.edu.iq)

  • Guide to faculties, academic programs, and the German ZEvA accreditation

  • Admissions portal, student affairs, and registration

• International ranking and documentation bodies:

  • TIU profile in the Times Higher Education World Rankings

  • Tishk University profile in the QS TopUniversities World Rankings

  • The German Accreditation and Evaluation Agency ZEvA (projects and institutional accreditations)

• Governmental and ministerial bodies:

  • Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research – Kurdistan Regional Government.

  • Directory of recognized private universities and colleges – Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Baghdad.