Iraq's higher education ministry says 42,179 candidates applied for postgraduate entrance exam

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research said 42,179 candidates applied for the competitive entrance examination covering postgraduate programs at state universities. According to the ministry's statement, a total of 2,604 master's, higher diploma and doctoral programs were opened for applications across the sciences and humanities. The ministry said 33,073 seats had been allocated across different channels and programs under the 2026-2027 academic year admissions plan. Results of the competitive examination will be announced on July 5-6 next year, with preliminary acceptance lists to be published on university faculty websites on July 12, 2026. Successful applicants are scheduled to begin their studies on September 1, 2026. The ministry said it released the application statistics and the result timeline as part of its public communications on the admissions process.