Below is the full, detailed academic schedule used across medical universities in Iran, which offer the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.
Iran follows a nationally unified medical education system regulated by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME), combining education + healthcare delivery under one authority.
Major medical universities include:
- Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS)
- Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
- Iran University of Medical Sciences
- Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, Ahvaz, Kerman, and others
All follow the same 7-year MD pathway.
Overall Structure
| Phase | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Sciences | 2.5 years | Foundational biomedical sciences |
| Physiopathology | 1 year | Disease mechanisms & therapeutics |
| Clinical Clerkship | 2 years | Hospital-based clinical training |
| Internship | 1.5 years | Supervised full-time clinical work |
Total duration: ~7 years after high school
📘 DETAILED IRANIAN MD CURRICULUM TABLE
| Phase | Approx. Years | Main Subjects / Modules | Detailed Content & Focus | Skills & Competencies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Sciences | Years 1–2.5 | Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Immunology, Medical Physics | Normal structure & function of the human body | Lab skills, cadaveric dissection, scientific foundations |
| Public & Social Medicine | Islamic Ethics, Professionalism, Epidemiology (intro) | Ethical reasoning, community health awareness | ||
| Basic Sciences Comprehensive Exam | National exam after this phase | Gate to clinical education | ||
| Physiopathology | Year 3 | General Pathology, Systemic Pathology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Parasitology | Mechanisms of disease & principles of treatment | Clinical reasoning, integration of basic & clinical sciences |
| Clinical Clerkship (Stajeri) | Years 4–5 | Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Psychiatry, Neurology, ENT, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Radiology | Core and specialty hospital rotations | History taking, physical examination, case presentations |
| Community Medicine | Family Medicine, Preventive Medicine, Public Health | Primary care & population health | ||
| Internship (Interni) | Years 6–7 | Rotating Internship | Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, Emergency Medicine, ICU, Electives | Near-independent patient management, on-calls |
| Final Evaluation | Continuous assessment + final exams | Readiness for independent practice |
🏥 INTERNSHIP ROTATIONS (TYPICAL DISTRIBUTION)
| Rotation | Duration (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Internal Medicine | 4 months |
| Surgery | 4 months |
| Pediatrics | 3 months |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology | 3 months |
| Emergency Medicine | 2 months |
| ICU / Elective | 2 months |
🎓 AFTER COMPLETION
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Degree Awarded | Doctor of Medicine (MD) |
| Licensing | Granted after internship + MOHME certification |
| Compulsory Service | Mandatory service in underserved areas (duration varies) |
| Residency Entrance Exam | National competitive exam for specialization |
| Residency Training | 3–5 years depending on specialty |
📝 Key Characteristics of Iranian Medical Education
- Entry directly after high school via national exam (Konkur)
- Teaching language: Persian (Farsi)
- Strong emphasis on:
- Internal medicine & surgery
- Community medicine
- Early exposure to real patients
- Large teaching hospitals with high patient volume
- Graduates commonly pursue residency inside Iran or abroad (with exams such as PLAB/USMLE where eligible)
