Baghdad: The Minister of Education has approved a significant decision from the Private Education Council concerning admission limits for dentistry and pharmacy colleges. Dr. Eid Al-Hussein Al-Moussawi, the Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, sanctioned the decision during the council’s twelfth session on July 7, 2026. This decision establishes a minimum application average, or cut-off threshold, at 90% for students applying to the dentistry and pharmacy departments in private universities, effective from the 2026/2027 academic year.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Ministry of Higher Education’s statement indicated that this cut-off threshold will also apply to international students aiming to enroll in universities outside of Iraq for the 2026/2027 academic year. The decision ensures that the minimum application average for human medicine colleges in private universities remains at 95%.

The statement further clarified that the ratification is aligned with the approval of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research dated July 9, 2026. This move is in line with Cabinet Resolution No. 195 of 2025 and follows recommendations from a committee established by Royal Decree No. 93 of 2020. The implementation of these admission limits will commence with the 2026/2027 academic year.