Iraq's higher education ministry grants universities additional score authority for graduate admissions

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has authorized universities, colleges and institutes to process graduate admissions results for the August 30, 2026 application cycle, according to a ministry statement. Acting Higher Education Minister Abdulhussein al-Musawi issued the directive, allowing university councils and the councils of independent colleges and institutes to award a maximum of five additional points to applicants who scored between 40 and 44 on the competitive exam. The additional points will apply only to unfilled seats within approved admissions plans, with placement determined by the highest weighted score among eligible candidates, the ministry said. Under the directive, all processing and filling of vacant seats must be completed within three days of the notification date across every covered institution. Universities have been instructed to issue the required admission decrees immediately once the process is concluded, and to forward full procedural details to the ministry.