Iraq higher education ministry sets three-day window for postgraduate admissions

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Abdulhussein al-Musawi, authorized universities, colleges and institutes on Sunday to process postgraduate admission results, with the decision dated August 30, 2026. Under the directive, university councils along with independent colleges and institutes may award additional points to applicants who scored between 40 and 44 on the competitive entrance exam. The extra points cannot exceed five and may be applied only when vacant places remain in the approved admissions plan. The ministry required that the processing and quota-filling be completed within three days of the notification date. The measure is intended to place as many applicants as possible into unfilled seats, with admissions determined by the highest differentiation rate among candidates. The ministry asked all covered institutions to forward the details of the process and to publish the admission decrees once it is concluded.