Payame Noor University
Ranked
Sustainability Impact Rated
Tehran, Iran
1501+ in World University Rankings 2026
About Payame Noor University
Basic information and contact details for Payame Noor University
Established in 1988, the Tehran-based open university has grown to be among the largest universities in the world.
Courses are offered in social science, education, management, economics and accounting, English, humanities and basic sciences. The majority of courses are taught in Persian, while some are taught in Arabic.
A network of around 500 centres is run from one of only three buildings in Iran.
Since 1990 the university has created centres in Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Comoros and the United Arab Emirates with plans for further development in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria. PNU is a member of CINVU, the Islamic Network of Open Universities, established in 2011.
There are a range of sports, religious and cultural activities available at the university for students. Payame Noor University has more than 21 student scientific associations
Admission to the university is competitive. Students mist submit their GPA and the National University Entrance Exam result. International students are required to take the Standard Persian Language Proficiency Test (SAMFA test), to show their Persian language proficiency.
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Key Student Statistics
A breakdown of student statistics at Payame Noor University
- Student gender ratio
- 62 F : 38 M (1)
- International student percentage
- 0% (1)
- Students per staff
- 115.1 (1)
- Student total
- 399383 (1)
Based on data collected for the (1) World University Rankings 2026
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Subjects Taught at Payame Noor University
See below for a range of subjects taught at Payame Noor University
Arts and Humanities
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Art, Performing Art and Design
- History, Philosophy and Theology
- Languages, Literature and Linguistics
Business and Economics
- Accounting and Finance
- Business and Management
- Economics and Econometrics
Computer Science
- Computer Science
Education Studies
- Education
Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- General Engineering
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Law
- Law
Life Sciences
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Biological Sciences
- Sport Science
Physical Sciences
- Chemistry
- Geology, Environmental, Earth and Marine Sciences
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Physics and Astronomy
Psychology
- Psychology
Social Sciences
- Communication and Media Studies
- Geography
- Politics and International Studies
- Sociology