Syria has introduced new university admission restrictions preventing women from enrolling in several courses, including law, management, security and technical programmes, raising concerns about equal access to education.
The restrictions were announced by Syria’s Ministry of Higher Education on 30 September as universities opened applications for the new academic year.
According to reporting by AFP, published by L’Orient-Le Jour on 8 October, the decision has drawn criticism from teachers, students and women’s rights advocates who question why female applicants are being excluded from certain fields of study.
Which University Courses Are Closed to Women in Syria?
The restrictions affect several institutions, including two universities established by Syria’s new authorities in July.
At the National University of Defence Sciences, programmes in legal and social sciences, management and economics are reserved for male students.
Meanwhile, women applying to the University of Security Sciences are only permitted to enrol in the Faculty of Cybersecurity.
Female students in Idlib are also excluded from television and radio production courses, while the Technical Institute of Oil and Gas in Rumeilan, northeastern Syria, no longer admits women.
However, the restrictions do not amount to a nationwide ban on women studying these subjects. AFP reported that all courses at Damascus University, the country’s largest university, remain open to female students.
Syrian Women and Educators Criticise the Restrictions
The decision has prompted criticism from women who believe students should be allowed to choose their fields of study regardless of gender.
Syrian teacher Ahlam Othman described the restrictions as another obstacle facing women in the country.
Speaking to AFP, Othman criticised the decision as an additional form of discrimination and argued that it should not go unchallenged.
University applicant Israa Salloum also questioned the restrictions, telling AFP that although some of the affected subjects do not interest her personally, nobody should have the authority to force her into one field of study or exclude her from another.
Their concerns reflect wider questions about whether female students will have equal opportunities to pursue specialised qualifications and careers.
Has Syria Explained the University Restrictions?
The restrictions come as Syria’s new leadership, headed by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, continues introducing changes following the removal of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
AFP reported that Syria’s Ministry of Higher Education had not initially responded to requests for comment regarding the admission restrictions.
The decision follows other changes affecting women in the country.
According to AFP, authorities have introduced measures separating men and women in certain institutions. In September, a prominent Damascus school also decided to separate male and female pupils from secondary school level.
In August, four women’s rights and civil society organisations accused the authorities of restricting personal freedoms through measures they said particularly affected women.
What Could the Restrictions Mean for Women’s Futures?
The admission requirements could affect women’s opportunities to enter specialised professions, particularly in security, energy, broadcasting and other fields requiring formal qualifications.
For students hoping to pursue careers in these industries, being excluded from relevant courses could limit their educational and employment options.
Although women remain eligible to study numerous subjects across Syria, the latest restrictions have renewed concerns about unequal access to certain professions.
As universities process applications for the 2026–2027 academic year, questions remain over whether Syrian authorities will explain the exclusions or reconsider the admission requirements.
