Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

More than 750 years ago (i.e., in the 8th century AH or 13th century CE), there was a university in Tabriz called “Rab’-e Rashidi”. This huge scientific and educational complex was founded by Khwaja Rashid al-Din Fazlullah Hamdani, the scholarly minister of the government of the time. Since Khawaja Rashid al-Din was a physician, Rab’-e Rashidi Medical School was of special importance and was considered an advanced center for medical research and treatment of patients in the region. The teaching method in this school was such that each physician would teach five to 10 students during the treatment of patients in two shifts: morning (theoretical training) and evening (practical training). After five years of full-time study, and completing the course the students would receive a “license”, which was equivalent to today’s MBBS degree. Each patient in this hospital and university received three separate allowances for cleaning, nutrition, and clothing.

Now, after the passage of more than seven centuries, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences is the inheritor of "Rab’ee Rashidi" and is responsible for providing medical and health services to the people of this metropolis. This university officially started its activities in 1947 CE when it recruited 10 physicians to educate and train the 75 students who were admitted that year. Two years later, 10 more Iranian and four Austrian physicians were invited to the university to strengthen the teaching staff. At the same time, six hospitals started working under the supervision of the university. The fields of midwifery, medical assistance, and pharmacy were the first fields defined in the educational structure of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.

Education and Research in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Presently, about 9 thousand students pursue their higher education at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences under the supervision of 890 full-time faculty members of this university, in 200 disciplines and courses in the following 11 faculties:

1. Health

2. Nursing and midwifery

3. Medicine

4. Paramedicine

5. Nutrition and food science

6. Pharmacy

7. Dentistry

8. Traditional medicine

9. Rehabilitation sciences

10. Modern medical sciences

11. Medical management and information

A total of 32 educational units and 30 research centers operate under the supervision of this university. Every year, more than two million visits are made to the emergency units of this university. Also, the number of surgeries performed in these units stands at 280,000 cases per year.

Tabriz University of Medical Sciences publishes 13 specialized medical journals. The oldest medical journal of this university, which is still being published, was first published in 1951.

International Activities and Status of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

According to the university officials, 463 non-Iranian students were studying in this university in 2023. Every year, this university publishes a call for admitting foreign students.

A center by the name of “International Affairs Management" has been established in this university whose main task is to conclude memorandums of understanding with foreign universities and hold joint meetings with researchers and professors of academic and research centers of other countries. Presently, this university cooperates with educational and research units in 10 countries.

In terms of international rankings, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences is considered one of the top universities in Iran. In the Shanghai ranking system published in 2023, this university was ranked third in Iran in the field of food science and technology with a rank of 151 to 200. Also, with a rank of 201 to 300 in the field of biotechnology, it was named the best university in Iran. Similarly, with a rank of 401 to 500 in the fields of clinical medicine, 201 to 300 in nursing, and 401 to 500 in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, the name of this university can be seen among the top universities in Iran.

According to the Times ranking, too, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences was the 22nd-best university in Iran in 2023. In this ranking system, this university was ranked ninth among the universities of medical sciences in Iran. Similarly, in the ISC ranking system published in 2021, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences was ranked 501 to 600 in the field of medical and health sciences and 451 to 500 in the field of agricultural sciences.