Durations of studies of Iranian PhD students graduated from UK and Ireland universities between 1995 and 2001

Iran experienced a big jump in higher education in 1990s. In compatible with this jump, the number of Ph.D students was increased considerably, particularly those who were sponsored to study abroad. It is incredibly important to explore the issues around the study of these students, which its findings can be used for further planning. To assess the education duration of Iranian Ph.D students graduated from universities in UK and Irland between 1995 and 2001. Also, to compare the durations of studies of students in medical fields with that in other students. The data of Iranian Ph.D students were collected from the Deputy of Science in the Embassy of Iran in UK. In order to minimize the selection bias introducted by sensored data, only the information of students who started their studies before 1997 was analysed. Around 30% of students were sponsored by the Health Ministry of Iran to study in medical fields. In average, the durations of studies in students of medical fields was not statistically different with the durations in other students (42.5 months versus 42 months respectively, p=0.23). Less than 15% of students finished their studies within 3 years; however, it was around 10% greater in students of medical fields. The diversity of the durations of studies was greater in medical field students. The correlation coefficients between the duration of studies and age, the number of children, and English score of students in the beginning of their courses were 0.1, 0.02 and -0.17, respectively; the last two coefficients were not statistically significant. In addition, the students in large cities and in small towns finished their courses more or less with the same length. Most of students could not finish their studies within three years which is the duration of scholarship in Iran; therefore, it is suggested that the system revises its regulations. In addition, it is suggested that the scholarship system chooses younger students, because age had a positive association with the length of study.